cannabisnews.com: Two Groups Speak Out Against Marijuana Bill





Two Groups Speak Out Against Marijuana Bill
Posted by CN Staff on March 21, 2005 at 19:04:33 PT
By The Associated Press
Source: Associated Press 
Anchorage, Alaska -- Two groups are speaking out against a marijuana bill being considered in the House and Senate in Juneau. The groups are the Alaska Civil Liberties Union and Alaskans for Marijuana Regulation and Control. The groups say the intent of Senate Bill 74 and House Bill 96 will be to reduce the right to privacy guaranteed under the Alaska Constitution.
The Civil Liberties Union says the bill would reclassify possession of as little as four ounces of marijuana into a Class C felony. Possession of an ounce would be a Class A misdemeanor and possession of less than an ounce would be a Class B misdemeanor. The Civil Liberties Union says the Murkowski administration is trying to criminalize small amounts of marijuana in the home. The group says possession of small amounts is protected under privacy rights in the Alaska Constitution. Bill Parker, a former state legislator and deputy commission of corrections, says the bill is a bad idea. Parker -- speaking on behalf of Alaskans for Marijuana Regulation and Control -- says it will end up taking money away from prosecuting cases involving more dangerous drugs, like methamphetamine. Source: Associated Press (Wire)Published: March 21, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Regulate Marijuana in Alaskahttp://regulatemarijuanainalaska.org/Pot Measure Would Test Court Rulingshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20198.shtmlGovernor Moves To Change Pot Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20151.shtmlDA Asks Judge To Look at Issue of Possessionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20038.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by goneposthole on March 22, 2005 at 07:42:25 PT
the masters must have control
this idea of possessing cannabis for one's enjoyment and pleasure has got to go. the only thing wrong is the political document called the Alaskan state constitution. the right to use and possess cannabis without the blessing from the masters ist Verboten.  the masters must be in control.
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Comment #5 posted by cloud7 on March 22, 2005 at 06:07:56 PT
What arrogance!
They are trying to pass a law that was blatantly ruled unconstitutional. This is the height of hubris. If they think Alaskans have too much privacy, then they need to change the constitution and not ignore the rule of law when it is convenient.
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Comment #4 posted by mayan on March 22, 2005 at 05:00:44 PT
No Coincidence
Murkowski and his daughter are oil industry puppets. It's not just a coincidence that the plant they fear so much can help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. SHADOW OF THE SWASTIKA:The Real Reason the Government Won't Debate Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Re-legalization:
http://www.sumeria.net/politics/shadv3.htmlSorry if these have been posted...R.I. House and Senate to hear medical marijuana bills:
http://www.browndailyherald.com/news/899597.htmlNewsom wants rules on pot clubs - Moratorium sought; center plans to open in city-funded hotel:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/03/22/MNGDGBT0061.DTLCouncil delays marijuana-club ban - City to await outcome of U.S. Supreme Court ruling:
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/Stories/0,1413,206~22097~2775477,00.htmlState to explore hemp option (Fiji): 
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=18233THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...The Hidden Hand of the CIA,9/11 and Popular Mechanics:
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20050321052700567Karl Schwarz Replies To Bell's Attack,Chertoff,Popular Mechanics Article: 
http://rense.com/general63/dwwg.htm9/11 Was an Inside Job - A Call to All True Patriots: 
http://www.911sharethetruth.com/
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 21, 2005 at 20:50:36 PT
Related Article from KTUU.com
Alaska: Legislation Would Toughen Marijuana LawsMonday, March 21, 2005 By Jason MooreAn effort to criminalize small amounts of marijuana takes shape in the Legislature. The bill from the Murkowski administration would make possession of 4 ounces a Class C felony, 1 ounce would be a Class A misdemeanor and less than an ounce a Class B misdemeanor. The Alaska Civil Liberties Union and Alaskans for Marijuana Regulation and Control say the bill will reduce the right to privacy guaranteed under the Alaska Constitution. Alaska State Troopers say marijuana production is on the rise and more of the drug is finding its way to the Bush. But opponents argue the bill would divert law enforcement away from more dangerous drugs. “The Alaska Civil Liberties Union thinks this is an issue of privacy,” said Wes McLeod-Ball of the organization. “What someone does in the privacy of their own home, in a manner that doesn't affect adversely anybody else, ought not be prohibited by the government.” “There's a large amount of marijuana being produced. There’s historically large amounts being produced, now it’s even larger amounts,” said Capt. Al Storey of the Alaska State Troopers. “Now marijuana’s got to go into the marketplace and it's going to the villages, where our seizures of marijuana going to the villages are up substantially.” More testimony on the issue is expected Wednesday. Bills are moving through both the House of Representatives and Senate.http://www.ktuu.com/CMS/templates/master.asp?articleid=12544&zoneid=4
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Comment #2 posted by ekim on March 21, 2005 at 20:12:20 PT
is anyone near Howard and Misty-- not Molly
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ex-cop: Rein in the war on drugs By Mike Seate 
TRIBUNE-REVIEW 
PittsburghLive.com 
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 Howard Wooldridge rode into town last weekend on his horse, just like a lawman from the Old West. But the former detective didn't visit Pittsburgh to lock up bad guys. He was here to lecture on what he feels is the biggest fraud ever perpetrated on the American public. "After 15 years in law enforcement, I realized what incredible waste the war on drugs really is. I was arresting drunk drivers who were a real danger, while my colleagues were going after kids with Baggies full of pot. It didn't make any sense," Wooldridge said. His tour of Pittsburgh involved several guest spots on TV and radio, and a speaking engagement at Monroeville's Bethel AME Church. That Wooldridge delivers his message from beneath a weathered cowboy hat and crosses the country on horseback helps him gain a foothold with audiences who might not think decriminalizing drugs is the best plan for their communities. A conversation with the man reveals an honest, passionate and often funny approach to this sensitive subject. His freewheeling style has won Wooldridge and his organization LEAP -- Law Enforcement Against Prohibition -- a growing nationwide following. His main problems with the war on drugs are the astronomical costs in lives and money. "What grinds me up is the way law enforcement people perpetuate the lie that arresting drug dealers will make a difference in the availability and strength of drugs," he said. "The smugglers are smart enough to factor in a loss of maybe 20 percent of a shipment. So even when there's a big bust, they just ship more." It might seem odd for a former cop to question the sanity of locking up casual drug users, but Wooldridge said the $28,000 it costs to imprison a user for a year could be better spent on rehabilitation programs or tracking down violent criminals. It's not a message that has a universal appeal for law enforcement personnel, he acknowledged. While serving on the police force in Bath Township, Mich., Wooldridge said, he often kept his opinions on the drug war to himself. "It wasn't really something you could talk about in the doughnut shop with my friends," he joked. As he began to speak out against the war on drugs and its annual cost of about $19 billion, Wooldridge said he met other cops who felt the same way. Today, he said, LEAP has about 2,000 members nationwide. "Even though I knew this (anti-drug effort) was an incredible waste of time, when you're an active duty officer and you come out against (it), people think you must want to use drugs or that you can't be counted on to enforce the laws, so it's a lose-lose situation," he said. With the constraints of police work behind him, Wooldridge plans to finish his cross-country horseback tour astride his faithful companion Molly. Then he'll head to Washington, D.C., where he'll put his skills to work as an anti-drug-war lobbyist. "People are hungry for some answers to this problem besides just building more prisons," he said. Mike Seate is a staff writer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He can be reached at (412) 320-7845 or e-mail him at mseate tribweb.com. 
http://www.leap.cc/howard
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Comment #1 posted by ekim on March 21, 2005 at 19:38:32 PT
Jack Cole EX DIR of Leap will speak their
does anyone know if Murkowski was one of the lawmakers that voted to end Pres. Carters renewable energy bill. Back in the early 80s. It was said that a huge cheer went out from the chambers for all to hear. /who were the lawmakers that dared vote to keep Pres Carters effort to save the children and keep the US strong. 
 
Now where is the news that China has passed laws that will have 10% of that Countrys energy--by renewable by 2020. Who will see that anti and up it by 5% MORE. CA.goen that way.Why did j-pee end the funding for drug free zones by 400 mill.
http://www.leap.cc/events
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