cannabisnews.com: Activist Group Writes Revised Pot Initiative 





Activist Group Writes Revised Pot Initiative 
Posted by CN Staff on April 30, 2004 at 17:57:43 PT
By Greer Hitch
Source: Columbia Missourian 
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is back at it — trying to get a new version of the previously defeated Proposition 1 on the November ballot. Proposition 1, which was defeated last April, asked that marijuana be legalized for medical purposes, that fines be reduced to $25 for the possession of 35 grams or less and that those cases be referred to the municipal prosecuting attorney.
The new version of the proposition is split into two separate initiatives. The first initiative — legalization of marijuana for medical use — is nearly identical to last April’s Proposition 1. One difference is that, if the legalization of medical use of marijuana is found unconstitutional, a new provision would allow those found with 35 grams or less to be charged up to $50 and community service. The second initiative accounts for the major changes to the proposition. Proposition 1 asked that fines be changed from $1,000 and up to a year in jail — currently the penalty for having 35 grams or less — to $25 for the possession of 35 grams or less and that such cases be handled in municipal court. The new initiative would allow only municipal courts to decide the fine, up to $250, with no jail time and a possibility of community service in addition to the fine. “The courts generally fine people $200 or less now,” said Dan Viets, a lawyer working with NORML. “This would allow for an even higher fine.” One reason NORML wants all cases to end up in municipal court has to do with student financial aid. A student receiving financial aid who is charged with drug possession in state court has the charge placed on his or her permanent record. Under federal law, students charged with drug offenses can have their financial aid revoked. “There are a lot of class issues involved,” Neeb said. “Poor people are being affected more, which is unfair.” Police Chief Randy Boehm is against the new initiatives. He said setting the fine at $250 takes away the court’s discretion of imposing a larger fine. NORML is still gathering signatures for each of the new initiatives. The group had a booth at Sunday’s Earth Day festivities and collected signatures for both initiatives. Only registered Columbia voters are allowed to sign the petitions. Proposition 1 required 1,200 signatures to get on the ballot. This year, NORML needs 2,276 votes, or 20 percent of the amount of voters from the last election. NORML must submit signatures to the city clerk’s office by late June so that the ordinances can be introduced on August 2, said city clerk employee Sherry Walker. NORML is petitioning to get it on the November ballot. Source: Columbia Missourian (MO)Author: Greer HitchPublished: April 27, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Columbia MissourianContact: editor digmo.com Website: http://www.digmo.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Missouri NORMLhttp://www.gstlnorml.org/Medical Marijuana Issue Resurfaceshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18445.shtmlColumbia Voters Reject Marijuana Propositionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15910.shtmlMarijuana Proposal Not as Scary As It Seems http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15908.shtml
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 01, 2004 at 10:41:13 PT
mayan and Virgil
I copied this part out of the CBS article and this is exactly how I felt when I watched the program. I was holding my breath too.***There was no music, no graphic flourishes. Name followed name, photo followed photo, with two Americans' pictures on the screen at any given moment. Some of the faces looked determined. Others were smiling. There were brief station breaks, but, jarring as they may have been, they were also welcome, giving viewers a chance to catch their breath. 
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Comment #8 posted by Virgil on May 01, 2004 at 07:43:08 PT
mp3 of Nightline
There is an mp3 file to last night's Nightline- http://news.globalfreepress.com/movs/wonk/ABC/Nightline.TheFallen.mp3
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Comment #7 posted by mayan on May 01, 2004 at 05:49:44 PT
One More...
War Dead Names Read On 'Nightline'
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/30/national/main614916.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by mayan on May 01, 2004 at 03:57:05 PT
FoM...
Below is a link which shows what political party various radio & tv stations contribute to. Sinclair Broadcast Group(which is censoring the Nightline special) gives 98% of it's contributions to Republicans. Go figure...TV/Radio Stations:Top Contributors 
http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/contrib.asp?Ind=C2100More on the Sinclair blackout...US TV blackout hits litany of war dead:
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1207089,00.htmlMcCain rebukes Sinclair 'Nightline' decision - Station owner orders affiliates not to air program:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/29/abc.nightline/index.html
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on April 30, 2004 at 21:23:44 PT
BGreen
I just stared at the pictures of these young men and women as Ted Koppel read their names. Most were very young and some were in their 40s. It was very tastefully done. I have been watching Chris Matthews on MSNBC a lot recently. I hope that he continues to be as out spoken as he has been. To me he is about the best and most accurate news anchor that I've seen since Jesse Ventura. I'm sorry they censored it for you. 
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Comment #4 posted by BGreen on April 30, 2004 at 20:44:45 PT
The Springfield Station is Censoring It
donald rumsfeld admitted to Chris Matthews last night that Iraq is NOT retribution for 9/11 and Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9/11, but KSPR Channel 33 in Springfield, MO has decided we can't watch Nightline, and are instead showing a repeat of a 9/11 tribute from down in Branson, MO.Lies, lies, and more lies.I'm so pissed I'm livid.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on April 30, 2004 at 20:36:11 PT
On Nightline - The Fallen
Ted Koppel is naming those who have died in the Iraq War. I hope others are able to see this since it has been banned from some ABC stations.
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Comment #2 posted by Virgil on April 30, 2004 at 19:09:41 PT
Blair know the Berlin Wall is coming down.
There will be GW extracts that will be ubiquitous in prescription throughtout the English-speaking world. Spain has given up on CP and will soon adopt rules for getting cannabinoids to those that need this miracle plant. It will save socialized medicine billions in Europe and that includes many people more mentally balanced. Miracleplant unbitches a world that is a too much for many. But most of all, Blair knows Berlin will have Free Cannabis For Everyone in time for a good crop and what will be the place to be for New Year. The lights will accept people from all over Europe to see how the German's have transformed their capital for the glory of Germany. The Berlin Wall is being torn down now and when the speak of Cannabis Probibition in Germany it will start with "Once upon a time."The unalienable rights of man include the right to life and a pursuit of happiness, and a Liberty meaning not confined in a cell, for one thing.We are ruled by treason and there is no government that can deny what the whole revolution was about. Cannabis Prohibition violates the unalienable rights of man and is theirfor unlawful. All of Cannabis Prohibition is unlawful and what do the treasonous and uncandid candidates say about that and tell it to Berlin because I accept no other answer and don't want to hear anymore nonsense.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 30, 2004 at 18:50:07 PT
News Article from The UK
How Blair Stayed Cool at Spliff Time in Rock Star's Smoke-Filled Room Patrick BarkhamSaturday, May 1, 2004The Guardian As great leaders know only too well, it is best to never be seen in the proximity of an oddly-rolled cigarette. Denials that you ever inhaled are also compulsory. So when the sweet smell of marijuana reached the prime ministerial nostrils at dinner one evening, Tony Blair could have been forgiven for racing from the room. But, as the source of the smoke, film director Robert Altman, reveals in today's Weekend magazine, the relaxed prime minister did no such thing. Sitting opposite Altman, Mr Blair, who once said the one thing his father "drummed into" him was "never to take drugs", continued to enjoy an intimate meal with some of his rock'n'roll idols. The man Altman referred to as "the London dude" was more lead guitarist for Ugly Rumours than prime minister while dining at Dave Stewart's house during his first term as leader. Another guest at the musician's mansion that night was Jerry Hall. While Cherie Blair left early, Mr Blair stayed behind. When the after-dinner spliff was lit up, Mr Blair did not partake, according to the 79-year-old Altman, but appeared to have no objections, even though it was in the days before cannabis was downgraded to a class C drug. "We were sitting there smoking grass," Altman said. "He [Mr Blair] was sitting across from me, so I thought he was pretty cool." Mr Altman, who was in Britain at the time to make Gosford Park, said he was charmed by the prime minister. But the director of Short Cuts said he was later "disappointed" by Mr Blair's close relationship with President George Bush. He mistook the prime minister's "cool" for openness, he said, when it was in fact a pose. Mr Blair has always enjoyed mingling with stars of rock and film who have admitted using drugs. Few, however, have dared smoke a funny fag in his presence. While several in his governments, including Mo Mowlam, Yvette Cooper, and Caroline Flint have publicly admitting smoking cannabis in the past, Mr Blair has refused to admit he has ever been a consumer. Asked if Mr Blair had ever smoked cannabis, David Blunkett, the home secretary, once said: "Goodness me, he played the guitar very well, but it is not synonymous with having a puff."http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labour/story/0,9061,1207459,00.html
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