cannabisnews.com: Deputy Drug Czar Will Visit Billings 










  Deputy Drug Czar Will Visit Billings 

Posted by CN Staff on October 05, 2004 at 09:05:24 PT
By Becky Bohrer, Associated Press  
Source: Billings Gazette 

The White House deputy drug czar is scheduled to visit Montana this week to talk about issues such as drug treatment and efforts to legalize medical marijuana in the state. Scott Burns plans to meet with local law enforcement, treatment center officials and others during his three-city visit, said Rafael Lemaitre, a spokesman with the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Burns has events scheduled Wednesday and Thursday in Missoula, Helena and Billings.
Lemaitre said methamphetamine and medical marijuana will be leading topics for Burns during the trip. Burns plans to talk about efforts to crack down on the supply and demand of illegal drugs, as well as the importance of drug-treatment programs. He also plans to discuss concerns national drug policy officials have about efforts in Montana and other states to legalize the use of marijuana for treatment of certain medical conditions. Montana voters will decide an initiative on the November ballot that would legalize medical marijuana. Initiative 148 would allow patients with "debilitating" medical conditions to produce, possess and use marijuana. Under medical supervision, patients could use marijuana to ease the symptoms of diseases such as cancer, AIDS or certain other conditions. Paul Befumo, a spokesman for I-148, said Monday he is concerned about the spread of misinformation about medical marijuana. One of the reasons for opposition, he said, is a potential financial hit to pharmaceutical companies if people use marijuana as a pain killer. He also believes that it's difficult for the government to move away from an "extreme position" it's taken on marijuana. "They know that marijuana is just incredibly safe," he said.Source: Billings Gazette, The (MT)Author:  Becky Bohrer, Associated Press Published: October 5, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Billings GazetteContact: speakup billingsgazette.comWebsite: http://www.billingsgazette.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Montana Careshttp://montanacares.org/Montana To Vote on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19528.shtmlPot and Prosecution http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19464.shtmlMissoula Man Advocates Pot as Medicine http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19501.shtmlMedical Marijuana Vote About Legalizing Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19431.shtml

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Comment #30 posted by FoM on October 08, 2004 at 11:53:31 PT
afterburner
I don't know if you'll see this or not but I just received a wonderful gift in the mail. It is the Live Concert of Neil and Pegi in Berkeley and they are singing Four Strong Winds and it's beautiful. I thought you'd appreciate it. The people just loved it at the concert.
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Comment #29 posted by afterburner on October 06, 2004 at 22:59:12 PT
Spinoff of Abu Ghraib
Noam Chomsky On US Prisons:
Pot-TV 
 
Running Time: 5 min 
Date Entered: 02 Oct 2004 
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2987.html
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on October 06, 2004 at 20:50:58 PT
afterburner 
I didn't know Neil Young didn't write Four Strong Winds. I only heard it the first time when Neil and Pegi sang it at Farm-Aid. What a beautiful song.I just finished watching Fahrenheit 9/11. I did see it in the movies but I'm alone and have paused it quite a few times to allow it all to sink it and to take a break from it's intensity and to cry too. What a movie. Keep on Rockin' In a Free World
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Comment #27 posted by afterburner on October 06, 2004 at 20:25:12 PT
FoM
BingoThanks for the tune (Neil Young).
"Four strong winds that blow lonely, Seven seas that run high, All these things that don't change, Come what may." --Four Strong Winds (Ian Tyson) 2:52 Master #50467 recorded September 11, 1963 http://users2.ev1.net/~smyth/linernotes/thesongs/FourStrongWinds.htmhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/19/thread19437.shtml#7BTW, "This note's for you."
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on October 06, 2004 at 18:11:06 PT
Related News from a Snipped Source
Drug Czar Favors Limit to Cold Tablets The U.S. drug control policy director says the benefits are worth the inconvenience. Wednesday, October 06, 2004 
   
SALEM -- President Bush's drug czar on Tuesday strongly endorsed Gov. Ted Kulongoski's plan to restrict cold medicine sales in Oregon. He predicted a backlash from business but said the drop in local methamphetamine production would be worth the inconvenience to consumers. "This is not an administration that favors regulation that is not necessary," said John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. "But in this case, this type of control will have an enormous difference." Walters made his remarks as it became clear that details about Kulongoski's plan must be worked out. The Democratic governor on Friday asked the state Board of Pharmacy to adopt emergency rules temporarily regulating sales of products containing pseudoephedrine, which can be used to make methamphetamine. He proposed requiring stores to keep such products behind the counter, to require identification and to record names of all buyers. The Board of Pharmacy, which meets next week, regulates the practice of pharmacy and enforces laws relating to the sale of drugs in Oregon. Its seven members, including five pharmacists, are appointed by the governor. Board officials say they were caught off-guard by Kulongoski's Friday announcement. "We were taken a bit by surprise," said Blake Rice, board president and a pharmacist in Riddle. "At this point, we are waiting for clarification from the governor's office and the assistant attorney general," said Karen MacLean, the board's administrative director. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/109706404035161.xml
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on October 06, 2004 at 12:14:28 PT
Related Article from The Associated Press
Drug Official: Medical Marijuana Sends Kids Wrong Message
 
 October 6, 2004Billings: The White House deputy drug czar says legalizing "medical" marijuana in Montana, will send the wrong message to kids about drug use.Scott Burns said today it's more likely kids will smoke marijuana, if the drug is made more available, and its harmful effects are downplayed.Burns is in Montana this week to meet with local law enforcement, treatment center officials and others. He is planning to discuss efforts to reduce the supply and demand of illegal drugs, and the importance of drug treatment programs.But Burns is also prepared to discuss the effects of marijuana. He's concerned about efforts in states, such as Montana, to legalize the use of marijuana for treatment of certain medical conditions.Copyright 2004 Associated Presshttp://www.kxlf.com/Global/story.asp?S=2395757
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on October 06, 2004 at 10:19:26 PT
I'm So Excited Again
I just got Fahrenheit 9/11 today and Comes a Time by Neil Young! I'm listening to Neil now and it's just wonderful.Now back to the regularly scheduled news! LOL!
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on October 06, 2004 at 08:26:19 PT
Nuevo Mexican 
It's good to see you and I'm keeping my hopes up for a positive election. The alternative after last nights debate will be a global war. Cheney sure let the world know his intentions.Go Michael Moore!
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Comment #22 posted by afterburner on October 06, 2004 at 05:37:06 PT
Re/ Off Topic
My son and I rented Fahrenheit 9/11 and watched it last night. Suffice it to say it filled in a lot of gaps in his knowledge of the events of 9/11 and subsequent counter-attacks. I had seen the movie on the day of release myself. It was good to see it again. 
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Comment #21 posted by Nuevo Mexican on October 06, 2004 at 00:25:32 PT
Glad you feel the way you do about Micheal Moore!
And am sorry about the toll bush and company are taking on you, myself, our loved ones, and all of those in the world who are being sacrified at the alter of oil, profits, and absolute power. Everyones health and psyche seem truly depressed, with good reason. Don't worry, if we all vote, Kerry will win in a landslide, (ignored by the media), yet celebrated on November 3 Worldwide, in a street party like noone has ever seen, or predicted. (Heads up lurking Journo's, you heard it first at C-News) Spread the word!Check out this short film (27 minutes) about bush and what people think of him, just released today, with Butch Baker, Redneck, starring, and many more! Hope you like it!http://anamericanperspective.com/TheMovie.html 
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Comment #20 posted by The GCW on October 05, 2004 at 19:20:23 PT
The problem the Cannabis exterminating Government
has is:the cancer rates are going up.As long as people get cancer, the people are going to find out about cannabis. Perhaps Cannabis exterminators would have better luck in a state that has no cancer victims.Montana has cancer. So people in Montana need Cannabis more than they need lies.
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Comment #19 posted by mayan on October 05, 2004 at 18:19:59 PT
Pharm Profits
Paul Befumo, a spokesman for I-148, said Monday he is concerned about the spread of misinformation about medical marijuana. One of the reasons for opposition, he said, is a potential financial hit to pharmaceutical companies if people use marijuana as a pain killer. As we all know, there aren't too many minds left to change regarding medical cannabis. Almost everyone knows it's viable medicine. Many folks,however, are still unaware of just why it's illegal. Once they realize they've been lied to for the sake of pharmaceutical company profits they become very angry. Angry enough to get out and VOTE!!!And just why isn't Johnny Pee going to Montana himself? Could it be that he's lost all credibility?FoM, I just received my copies of "Crossing the Rubicon: The Decline Of The American Empire At The End Of The Age Of Oil", a new book by Michael C. Ruppert. I just started reading it but I can tell I won't be able to put it down until I'm finished! It's roughly 620 pages long. Here's some info I just got off of Ruppert's site, http://www.copvcia.com ... - - "Crossing the Rubicon" has been bouncing around the upper 1% of the Amazon best-seller list. That is incredible considering the book hasn't even been officially released to bookstores yet(Oct. 16 release date). As of October 3 it's ranking was 180 out of more than a million titles. That is unheard of!!! - -I have a feeling this could be one of the most important books of our lifetimes.Crossing the Rubicon: The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil
http://www.septembereleventh.org/alerts/ruppert.php
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Comment #18 posted by goneposthole on October 05, 2004 at 17:49:46 PT
It's time for a change
It doesn't appear for Health Canada to move away from an "extreme position".Reads better this way:It doesn't appear to be that difficult for Health Canada to move away from an "extreme position".There is no need for cannabis to be regulated as a schedule '1' drug. The sky might fall though, who knows? Somebody is pulling the sheep over our eyes."The fundamental story of the contemporary man is to walk away and someday understand." from 'Humidity Built the Snowman" by John Prine
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on October 05, 2004 at 16:11:39 PT
NPR: Chicago Considers Ticketing Pot Smokers
Legal AffairsMorning Edition audioMorning Edition, October 5, 2004 · This week, Chicago police, prosecutors and court officials began discussing whether the city should stop arresting people caught with small amounts of marijuana. A frustrated Chicago police officer asked officials to consider a plan to ticket and fine pot smokers instead. NPR's Cheryl Corley reports.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4061538
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Comment #16 posted by JustGetnBy on October 05, 2004 at 15:43:49 PT
Dongeroo    #6
       BINGO !!!!!!  MMJ and all other federal intrusions into our lives and the trampling of our God given rights lead down the same path.   MONEY MONEY MONEY>>>> POWER POWER POWER         so it has been, so it will be...amen
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Comment #15 posted by goneposthole on October 05, 2004 at 15:40:59 PT
A reason to yield 
Marijuana remains an illegal drug in Canada. "However, on July 30, 2001, the Narcotic Control Regulations was amended and the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations came into force. These regulations established a compassionate framework to allow the use of marijuana by people who are suffering from serious illnesses and where the use of marijuana is expected to have some medical benefit that outweighs the risk of its use." http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/marijuana.html"He also believes that it's difficult for the government to move away from an "extreme position" it's taken on marijuana."- Paul BefumoIt doesn't appear for Health Canada to move away from an "extreme position".Maybe, just maybe the US government can yield to reason.It can be done. The Canadians do. The US government can to. Harumph
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Comment #14 posted by BGreen on October 05, 2004 at 15:32:53 PT
Forget about your FLU SHOT this year
After last years' near epidemic and the promise by the bush administration that this year there would be PLENTY of flu shots to go around, the bozo idiots have f'ed it up royally.Only half of the doses of vaccine will be available. They're now saying most people SHOULDN'T get the flu shot. We should just wash our hands more often and avoid contact with people with the flu.This is from the same people who keep telling us to trust them with our health.BULL$ *T!Now, what were they saying about Medical Laughing Grass?The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #13 posted by trekkie on October 05, 2004 at 14:53:17 PT
I wonder...
I wonder if anyone will remind Mr. Burns about the time that the DEA improperly use the newly enacted RAVE Act to shut down a NORML fund-raising concert for MMJ - IN THE SAME FREAKIN' CITY!!!!!!That right there should null and void anything Scott Burns has to say about the "compasion" of our present government.
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Comment #12 posted by kaptinemo on October 05, 2004 at 13:57:52 PT:
Johnny Pee still wears a yellow streak
Notice: he is once again sending his (new) "Number Two" out to face the music being played by reformers. Does the term 'Judas goat' ring a bell?
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Comment #11 posted by siege on October 05, 2004 at 12:32:52 PT
                    FREE AIR 
Deputy Drug Czar Scott Burns how much FREE AIR time will they give him, This suppose to be MAN is not a GOD medical marijuana will be leading topic for Burns Will they give the same Free air time to Paul Befumo, I don't think SO, a spokesman for I-148, on the same subject  medical marijuana. Burns will try to make him Befumo look like a Crack Cocaine or methamphetamine dealer. Mr. Burns have you every read a bible or do you denies the existence of God. God says that it is food and a little later it was medicine for healing.IT LOOK LIKE THE U S GOVERNMENT WANTS IT PEOPLE SICK. So pharmaceutical companies stay financial well off so the Bush Administration can stay well healed. Bush probable used  medical marijuana to get off illegal drugs at one time, so he knows that marijuana is just incredibly safe!
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on October 05, 2004 at 12:28:53 PT

dongenero
I think if we aren't upset by what is happening to us in the USA something must be wrong with us. Hopefully soon with the right administration we will see change. I can last a little longer. Then if we don't get a new administration all hell is going to break loose I think.
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Comment #9 posted by dongenero on October 05, 2004 at 12:20:51 PT

I agree EJ
I wish all of us could get there day after day to keep the pressure on.
The article didn't state on what grounds these people were arrested. So much for freedom of assembly I guess. Ah hell, it's just another freedom....while we're giving them away I guess that one goes too.All my posts today are pretty cynical. Sorry about that.
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Comment #8 posted by observer on October 05, 2004 at 12:19:11 PT

Aphids and Ants
dongenero: Right now the pharmaceutical companies and Our government are in collusion to make money off of us by controlling Our access to medicine both herbal and synthetic.Yes, I think this is the main thrust. Prohibition gives ever more power to government at all levels, and more money to be milked from the people by gouging them for overpriced patent medicines. (As effective cheap natural medicines are banned and their users jailed.) And we get to bow down low to government and corporation for the "freedom" for being "allowed" to exist in such a system. (Never mind freedom over your own body; the same freedoms that people had traditionally. The freedom to grow and consume what you choose, as opposed to mining some dictator in DC.) We're milked as aphids are milked by ants. We're raped and slaughtered by our wonderful government, and we're told to shut up and enjoy it. No thanks. Monkey wrench, expose and bring down such rapists and liars, I say.
Stop Prisoner Rape - SPR
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Comment #7 posted by E_Johnson on October 05, 2004 at 12:11:47 PT

Now I wish I'd gone
I'm been having fatigue from a change in a prescription medication and I just blanked out on going to Washington. Now that I'm feeling more energy, I'm upset that I didn't go.
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Comment #6 posted by dongenero on October 05, 2004 at 11:43:05 PT

Paul Befumo said it......
"One of the reasons for opposition, he said, is a potential financial hit to pharmaceutical companies if people use marijuana as a pain killer. He also believes that it's difficult for the government to move away from an "extreme position" it's taken on marijuana."This is confirmed by the wording in the governments' appeal to the Supreme Court:The Bush administration appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that an exemption for personal use or free distribution would discourage the consumption of lawful pain medicines and thwart Congress's intent to regulate the drug market comprehensively.Does it get any clearer than that?
 Right now the pharmaceutical companies and Our government are in collusion to make money off of us by controlling Our access to medicine both herbal and synthetic. This ties in with the business of Prohibition which means HUGE budgets of tax payers dollars used to attack Our own citizens. This also supports the HUGE business called Our prison system in which We are locked away if we try to circumvent this gravy train.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on October 05, 2004 at 11:25:25 PT

ASA: Arrests in Washington D.C.
ASA: Medical Marijuana Patients Arrested Today at D.C. Protest   
NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedical Marijuana Patients Arrested Today at D.C. Protest
Civil Disobedience on Steps of Health and Human Services Results in 14 in Custody.(Washington, D.C.) Tuesday, October 5, 2004 – Capitol Police this morning arrested 14 medical marijuana patients and their supporters, including the executive director of a national advocacy group, for civil disobedience on the steps of the Department of Health and Human Services. They were part of scores of protestors who had turned out to demand the federal government acknowledge that marijuana has medical use and change its policies. Yesterday the advocacy group organizing the protest, Americans for Safe Access, filed a legal petition with HHS under the Data Quality Act, alleging that the department is violating the Data Quality Act, which says that federal agencies must use sound science in developing policies and disseminating information. “This agency can fix this problem today,” said Americans for Safe Access executive director Steph Sherer, who was among those arrested this morning. “The sick and suffering should not have to choose between their health and the law.”The arrested protestors include patients with Multiple Sclerosis, HIV/AIDS and spinal injuries. They are currently being held by Capitol Police at First District Headquarters, 415 4th St. SW, Washington D.C. (202-727-4655). They are expected to be released later today.###Americans for Safe Access is a national coalition of 10,000 patients, doctors and advocates. For interviews or more information, contact Kris Hermes at (650) 228-4964 or Hilary McQuie at (510) 333-8554. 
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 05, 2004 at 10:52:53 PT

Interesting Stats on Fahrenheit 9/11 DVD
The DVD - 3.5 million copies of which are being released today. Temperature Rising: Moore on DVD:http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/politics/9841610.htm
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 05, 2004 at 10:40:19 PT

Dankhank
I think I'm going to go order this CD.Yes Michael Moore wanted Won't Be Fooled Again. I'm sorry I am not a Who fan but guess what! I just love Neil Young. LOL!A Picture of Neil and Pegi.http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/PearlJam/images7/toledo12.jpgThe full tracklisting for 'Songs and Artists That Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11' is as follows: 1. I Am A Patriot (And The River Opens For The Righteous) - Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul 2. Chimes Of Freedom (Live) - Bruce Springsteen 3. With God On Our Side - Bob Dylan 4. We Want It All - Zack de la Rocha 5. Boom! - System Of A Down 6. No One Left - The Nightwatchman 7. Masters Of War (Live) - Pearl Jam 8. Travelin' Soldier - Dixie Chicks 9. Fortunate Son (Live) - John Fogerty 10. Know Your Rights - The Clash 11. The Revolution Starts Now - Steve Earle 12. Where Is The Love? - Black Eyed Peas feat. Justin Timberlake 13. Good Night, New York (Live) - Nanci Griffith 14. Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley Songs That Inspire Michael Moore: http://www.wbex.com/script/headline_newsmanager.php?id=353838&pagecontent=entertainment&feed_id=44
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Comment #2 posted by Dankhank on October 05, 2004 at 10:31:12 PT

9/11
A very powerful documentary that all need to see. We saw it day 2 it hit theatres. Loved the Neil Young closer. Was there another song in contention for the closer? It escapes me.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 05, 2004 at 09:49:01 PT

Off Topic
Today Fahrenheit 9/11 is released. I'll get my copy in a couple of days but it has been shipped. It is number 1 in Amazon's top sales list. It has stayed up near the top for as long as I have been checking it's sales. I just want to say thank you to Michael Moore for his work. 
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