cannabisnews.com: Locals To Enforce New Marijuana Law 





Locals To Enforce New Marijuana Law 
Posted by CN Staff on May 28, 2006 at 07:05:59 PT
By Andrew Petty, Juneau Empire
Source: Juneau Empire
Alaska -- As Gov. Frank Murkowski gets closer to signing a bill aimed at criminalizing small amounts of marijuana possession, Alaskans are wondering what may happen next. Bill Parker, lobbyist for Alaskans for Marijuana Regulation and Control, said he doubts people will smoke less pot, though some fear may be present. "It puts this shadow of home invasion over everybody," Parker said.
Alaska already has laws that make possession of marijuana illegal, but courts have not recognized those laws since a 1975 Alaska Supreme Court case ruled that pot was not dangerous if a person only possessed a small amount in his or her home.Also, under a right-to-privacy clause in the Alaska Constitution, the court said it would not be right for police to enter one's home to look for small amounts of marijuana. The Alaska Legislature later limited the amount of personal use to four ounces.House Bill 149 resets the penalties by making possession of less than an ounce a Class B misdemeanor, up to four ounces a Class A misdemeanor and more than four ounces a Class C felony.John Manly, spokesman for the governor, said he did not know exactly when the governor would sign the bill into law, but it has a deadline of June 9.Recognizing that fear is spreading among those who own small amounts of marijuana and that local police forces may be confused about the new bill, Chief Assistant Attorney General Dean Guaneli said nothing will change anytime soon."We have advised state troopers and advised local police that the bill does not do anything as of this moment that would justify them changing their enforcement policies about small amounts of marijuana in the home," he said.The Alaska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has been fighting the bill ever since it was introduced in 2005. Director Michael Macleod-Ball said the ACLU's position is less about marijuana and more on the constitutional right to privacy."When does the state have the right to come into your home without your consent?" he said.The ACLU has already written a complaint it plans to file with a Juneau court after the bill is signed to seek a temporary restraining order and a temporary injunction asking the court to order the state not to enforce the law as it is drafted, Macleod-Ball said.That court case could be the battle the state will use to present findings included in the bill in arguments to overturn previous court rulings, Guaneli said. The state is also considering using current arrests for trafficking pot to pry the case open, he added.Testimony taken during legislative hearings was summarized and written into the bill so that judges will consider the findings when reviewing the case. The bill explains marijuana is more potent today than in 1975 and poses a threat to children buying the substance from adults.If the Alaska Supreme Court upholds the new law, those with pot used for personal consumption would not see their homes invaded; the state wants to use the bill to take down commercial growers, Guaneli said."With meth labs, with commercial marijuana cultivation, cocaine, all the rest, police simply don't have time to be focusing on somebody's possession of a small amount of marijuana," he said.Without making marijuana illegal, law enforcement would not be able to get search warrants to bust commercial growers, Guaneli said. Growing operations in the state are becoming lucrative, he said."The troopers used to say if we wanted to we could bust one marijuana-growing operation a day in the Mat-Su Valley. There's just that much going on," Guaneli said.Concerning busting people with only small bags of weed, Guaneli said it would be up to local police departments to determine how aggressively they should enforce the law.The Juneau Police Department did not respond to requests for an interview on Friday.Macleod-Ball said most people agree commercial exploitation of marijuana is harmful to society. If the state truly intends to nab more growers, the bill should include penalties that are tougher on selling dope, he said."The only thing this bill did is regulate small amounts of marijuana possessed in the home for personal use," he said.According to Bruce Mirken with the Marijuana Policy Project, a Gallup poll last fall that questioned Americans nationwide said 56 percent believed marijuana should not be a criminal matter.About 772,000 people were arrested for marijuana crimes in 2004, with 88 percent of those for simple possession, Mirken said."It may vary in terms of how it is in Alaska, as it does in lots of places, with the attitudes of the local police departments," Mirken said.Note: Homes will not be invaded, attorney for state says.Source: Juneau Empire (AK)Author: Andrew Petty, Juneau EmpirePublished: May 28, 2006 Copyright: 2006 Southeastern Newspaper CorpWebsite: http://www.juneauempire.com/Contact: letterstotheeditor juneauempire.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Lawmakers Target Regular Alaskans http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21867.shtmlHouse OKs Drug Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21828.shtmlHouse Passes Marijuana Bill http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21824.shtml 
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Comment #46 posted by Hope on May 30, 2006 at 22:51:42 PT
Freshy
Faith? More like "hope", really.
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Comment #45 posted by freshy on May 30, 2006 at 18:56:10 PT
hate to say this
but Nall is going to be at a terrible disadvantage just because of the prejudices inherit in the system. She's a woman and she has to get the white male vote in Alabama. but i guess with both sheriff candidates' support. she can win. "and ye shall know the truth and the truth will set you free" John 8:32 maybe the truth will overcome this time.off-topic: people seem to have a lot of faith in the 08 elections. it seems as if a regime change will shift bush's marijuana-centered drug war to something that has even the slightest chance of hurting someone...
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Comment #44 posted by afterburner on May 29, 2006 at 09:54:14 PT
Hope, in case you missed it: RE God Is Wild
NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- May 18, 2006 afterburner Hope #116
http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread21862.shtml#230
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Comment #43 posted by Hope on May 29, 2006 at 09:50:16 PT
It would be a different and better world
if we had more politicians like Loretta Nall. She's real. Really real.The foul creatures who prosecuted and harrassed her in the first place, unknowingly, did freedom and liberty a favor by bringing her and her strength to the front.Go Loretta! So much power has come to you and the wisdom and intellect that you handle it with is beautiful to us all.
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Comment #42 posted by Hope on May 29, 2006 at 09:45:05 PT
Afterburner
What happened at that meeting is a very good sign for the future. It nearly made me cry. I was so amazed. Loretta Nall is one powerful young woman. She doesn't believe in God. But I do...and I say she and her work are a gift to the people from God, whether she knows it or not. She's wonderful. She definitely could win. I so hope so.The term "Dynamite comes in small packages" was created upon observation of the work and power of women like Loretta, (and FoM) with small physical stature and astounding power to influence human events.Wow. My eyes are misting a bit...but from joy, over the turn of events that day at that meeting in Alabama.
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Comment #41 posted by afterburner on May 29, 2006 at 09:25:16 PT
Hope, Due to my Busy Schedule, I Just Read #31Link
As I read the incredible and encouraging transformation that occurred in that meeting, I read the following:"There is no reward greater than success when your goal is justice for all." 
--Loretta NallWhen I read those words and thought about all the suffering and the heart-ful work of posters and activists at this site, tears came to my eyes, holy tears of gratefulness, blessing and dedication. 
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Comment #40 posted by M Simon on May 29, 2006 at 08:07:33 PT:
Alliances
Here is a place where you can find out a lot about the science of pot:http://ccrmg.org/index.htmlanother:http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/cmu/and another:http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/index.htmand if you are really stuck on the Bushitler bit here is some really good ammuniton:http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n190/a02.html?96143
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Comment #39 posted by M Simon on May 29, 2006 at 07:25:34 PT:
Imperialism
The war on drugs is a war on abused children.http://powerandcontrol.blogspot.com/2004/09/heroin.htmlI look forward to the day when we see the headline:Government war on drugs persecutes abused children.We have science on our side:http://powerandcontrol.blogspot.com/2004/12/genetic-discrimination.htmlAnd all this is hidden in plain sight:http://powerandcontrol.blogspot.com/2005/10/well-known-secret.htmlScience is our most powerful argument. Use it.
Is Addiction Real?
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Comment #38 posted by FoM on May 29, 2006 at 06:57:19 PT
rchandar 
I remember No Doz. Caffeine to go. I tried them but they made my stomach upset.
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Comment #37 posted by FoM on May 29, 2006 at 06:53:57 PT
billos 
We didn't have sodas available when I was growing up in our house either. It was a treat to have a Coke. My parents called what I drank in the morning milk flavored with a little coffee. I was put on powerful amphetamines when I was ten. Amphetamines were the answer for any number of health issues. We were a speedy bunch back then.Everyone took diet pills. 
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Comment #36 posted by rchandar on May 29, 2006 at 06:44:20 PT:
FoM, remember NoDoz?
That's what we used to take during finals week years ago. It would keep you awake and in bodily paranoia--like you were going to be crushed by iron--for about twenty hours per pill. Not a good experience, and somehow I flunked my finals that year.NoDoz, I think, still available in gas stations. A low-grade equivalent of speed.--rchandar
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Comment #35 posted by mayan on May 29, 2006 at 03:52:31 PT
ALASKA
The line between fascism and freedom is very clear there. 
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Comment #34 posted by billos on May 29, 2006 at 03:34:03 PT
                 Hope....FoM
I work with kids ages 6-18 and some of their new favorite beverages are the 'Energy" drinks coming out. They are LOADED with caffiene. These drinks, on top of the sodas and candy they all ingest, puts them right on edge.
When I was growing up we were not allowed caffiene.
It's amazing to see this in our "drug free" Amerika.
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Comment #33 posted by global_warming on May 29, 2006 at 03:32:42 PT
Welcome To Tenn
http://tinyurl.com/jyqogMay 28, 2006
Police torture in Knoxville TNWhen Tennessee law enforcement officials showed up at the home of Lester Siler, who they suspected of drug use, they asked Lester's wife and son to leave. They didn't know that Lester's wife had turned on a tape recorder in the kitchen.
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Comment #32 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 22:07:24 PT
re:31 Go Lorreta
What a women, God Bless Her,
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Comment #31 posted by Hope on May 28, 2006 at 21:04:28 PT
This is so encouraging. Please read this.
http://nallforgovernor.blogspot.com/2006/05/tuskegee-sheriff-candidates-nall-right.htmlYou won't believe what happened until you read it. It's amazing. It sounds like something that could happen in a movie...but real life? It's good. 
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on May 28, 2006 at 20:58:12 PT
Hope
That is really weird. I had a really nice father. He would bring me a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee in the morning. I wouldn't drink milk but if a little coffee was put in the milk I would drink it. I guess that wouldn't be allowed now. I can't remember when I didn't drink at least a little coffee. Everything is so different now.
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Comment #29 posted by Hope on May 28, 2006 at 20:31:53 PT
Comment 18
Now this...http://tinyurl.com/fbkua
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Comment #28 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 13:43:07 PT
We are All
Counting on you,Like my own self,This war on drugs and terror,Who makes the money?Who is the loser?People, flesh and blood,The day may come,When you, rightside, and ready to march,alongside fools and barbarians,who rather hit humans on the head,than can find that gentle hand,that belongs to life on this planet,belong to the everlasting song
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Comment #27 posted by Hope on May 28, 2006 at 13:37:28 PT
"How does it feel to live in Texas,..."
HOT! And it feels like the beginning of a fearfully long, hot, dry, dusty summer. Last year was like the longest summer of my life. I was so glad to finally see a touch of cooler weather. In the winter, if it's bad enough, one can bundle up and burn wood for warmth if he has too. In summer I begin to fear, truly fear, the loss of electricity for cooling. I like some warmth. But ninety is moving towards uncomfortable...and when we start seeing the frying days of 110 degrees again...I get worried after a while.It seems like the weather changes have brought us a new bird that I've never noticed before. It's slightly smaller than a cardinal. It has a crest and it's colored a brilliant irridescent purple except for the entire expanse of it's breast which is a vivid...exceptionally vivid bright red. His breast is redder than red bird and rubier than the ruby throated hummingbird.I suspect it's climate change that has brought them here. Does anyone have any idea what sort of bird it is that I'm seeing here this year?
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Comment #26 posted by Hope on May 28, 2006 at 13:28:33 PT
gw  comment 20
You've made my day. You couldn't have said anything sweeter or nicer than that I might have strengthened someone who feels the persecution of this drug war. Thank you.
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Comment #25 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 13:25:19 PT
From Life
We bring Gifts,Nature and Mysteries,The best World,Enjoys Cannabis,Enjoys Peace,
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Comment #24 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 13:19:11 PT
another thought
grasp Life,with your full life.
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Comment #23 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 13:15:13 PT
having a soul
is a bitche,that is what connects you,
to this infinite journey,is only just starting,
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Comment #22 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 13:09:11 PT
in that meantime
this world is filled with confused zealots,
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Comment #21 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 13:03:03 PT
Butterfly
You may stand on my finger,I swear to not hurt you,I swear to God,
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Comment #20 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 12:50:28 PT
hey Hope
How does it feel to live in Texas,A women in Texas,Deep in that southern life,My hat I take off and bow,Your strength has held so many of us up,
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Comment #19 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 12:38:36 PT
The Sign Says
This war on drugs,A war on human beings has ended.Best to learn to farm,Best that you find another way,To succor that tit,Thank You Lord I'm Alive,
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on May 28, 2006 at 12:35:25 PT
Caffiene
It keeps me moving, too. And I've learned how to "monitor" and "control" my consumption to get the benefits from it without going so far as to get flicky and trembly with it.I'd be in bad shape if they criminalized it. Bad shape. And even worse...I'd be tempted to hate...like I'm so tempted to hate the hateful lovers of cannabis prohibition sometimes. There are so many benefits available to so many people in that plant. It is truly a wonder in itself. It's truly a crime to prohibit the people the use of such a marvelous plant.When I was younger, I just liked it and felt that it was beneficial to me personally. Most of us, that had similar feelings about cannabis use, were just as surprised...but on another level not that surprised at all, as the prohibitionists were, to learn of all the physical, mental, and spiritual benefit of the wonder plant. It's even more wonderful than I had ever dared to imagine. But actually, once or twice, I do recall in discussing the plant and it's benefits with other cannabis consumers, saying something like, "Wouldn't it be something if they found out this stuff was a cure for cancer?" We knew it was good. Some of us even knew it was Holy. But I don't think even we realized how truly wonderful the stuff is.My grandfather suffered for years from dementia and Alzheimer's like symptoms. When my mother heard a brief blurb about research that showed it beneficial to some Alzheimers and dementia victims, she asked me why I had never offered it to him. I didn't, because I didn't know that it might actually give him some of his life back that dementia had stolen. Just like everyone else. Not to mention that I was "paranoid" about offering to share it with anyone...especially someone "over thirty". He loved his pipe. I wish that I could have known to put something in it for him that would have made his life better.The prohibitionist have caused so much harm and loss to so many people.I shall not hate. I will not hate. I shall not hate. I will not hate. It's hard.
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Comment #17 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 12:32:18 PT
NewSeekersDontThinkTwice
Its alright, babe,
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Comment #16 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 12:25:23 PT
Tuesday Afternoon
I am just beginning to see,
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Comment #15 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 12:09:39 PT
A fool and his money are soon parted
Much like "Freedom,Foolish people do not know how to hold on to their money.
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on May 28, 2006 at 12:00:45 PT
Hope
On the drug special on the History Channel they mentioned they almost made caffeine illegal. I run on caffeine. I would sit in a chair and watch tv and become a couch potato without caffeine.
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on May 28, 2006 at 11:54:55 PT
Paranoia
Can you imagine the situation if caffiene, or even just coffee became illegal to use and possess? "Caffiene makes you paranoid." "Caffiene users suffer from paranoia.""Caffiene is dangerous because it makes you paranoid. It's psychcoactive! It messes with your brain and your conscienceness. It can affect the decisions a user makes.""Caffiene users and smugglers are at the root of much of the "crime" in this country.""Turn caffiene users over to the government so that they can be "rehabilitated".""Caffiene can have a serious effect on the growing minds of young people. We must have a war on caffiene...to save the children."We are a nation led into captivity by our "good" leaders. Insane is the only word for those that persecute others and encourage their persecution for what they choose to consume.Some governments, including ours, here in the good ole "land of the free", have as a true goal, and literal "occupation", of hanging, fangs imbedded, on to the back of it's citizens. A "monkey" on your back is an easier thing to deal with than the weight of the entire government hanging there trying to bring you down and in to the system that funnels profit in every form it can, back into itself and it's "supporters". As we know all too well...there is great profit to be had in the imprisonment and legal persecution and prosecution of the cannabis consumer.Sanity in government. What a concept.
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Comment #12 posted by Dankhank on May 28, 2006 at 11:49:32 PT
Agree
with gw's sentiment ...Support the fostering of truth ....
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on May 28, 2006 at 11:39:14 PT
afterburner 
Great post.
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Comment #10 posted by afterburner on May 28, 2006 at 11:35:55 PT
''Let's Impeach the Governor for Lying
Abusing all the power that we gave himLet's impeach the governor for spyingOn citizens inside their own homesWhat if Al Qaeda drilled in the arctic [Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]Would Alaska have been safer that way"--Inspired by "Let's Impeach the President" by Neil Young
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Comment #9 posted by global_warming on May 28, 2006 at 11:29:03 PT
if you are going to donate some money
Let Alaska be the place, where this war on people will be focused, send enough money to support the ACLU in this place Alaska, send so much money, let this war in the courts be openly flamed, with enough money, those flames will catch the eyes of even the most greedy lawyers, to hell with the Murkowskis, full speed ahead, if there is one place where Cannabis is allowed, then so let it be.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on May 28, 2006 at 11:24:33 PT
Second Class Citizens
Any group of people that feel put aside by the powers that be will become paranoid. Fear causes paranoia. 
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on May 28, 2006 at 11:22:46 PT
"The Root of Paranoia Blues"
What some people call the "paranoia factor" in marijuana consumption has nothing to do with the herb itself. If anything, using the substance, can open your eyes to how much danger you are really in. Friends and relations who consumed powerful marijuana in the Netherlands quickly noticed that none of the so called "paranoia" that can affect a cannabis consumers realization and experience in the U.S. was present. It's realizing that you are doing something, that, though you know is not wrong, in and of itself, there are indeed many around you, who would persecute and prosecute you mercilessly for that possession and consumption and sharing, if they get even the slightest chance.
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Comment #6 posted by afterburner on May 28, 2006 at 11:21:43 PT
''recall the Governor ''
Yes, Hope, best idea I've heard today, so far!
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Comment #5 posted by Hope on May 28, 2006 at 11:15:59 PT
Homes will not be invaded, attorney for state says
That's just because he doesn't call it "Home Invasion". He calls it something else. Perhaps, "Dynamic Entry" or "Warranted Search" or some other law enforcement phrase. Of course they don't consider it "Home Invasion"...which it is. And the enforcers don't think of cannabis possessors' homes as "homes". They are "drug houses" or "Premises" or "Facilities", where the "Crime" takes place and other such lovely phrases. Also, the less "Home Invasions", the less theft and seizure of citizen's assets. It means less fodder to feed into the prison and "justice" system. That's money out of their pockets. They don't like that.They're money grubbing tyrants and are interested in controling, punishing, fining, and intimidating the population more than they are with any imagined harm or danger of cannabis consumption.I think the decent people of Alaska should recall the Governor and any one who helped him devise this plan for criminalizing citizens...some more.Life is hard. People like the Governor and the Attorney General are intent on making it harder for as many people as possible.Foul brutes.
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Comment #4 posted by unkat27 on May 28, 2006 at 09:06:05 PT
The Root of Paranoia Blues
"It puts this shadow of home invasion over everybody," Parker said.Yep, and the younger ones that become paranoid after smoking it fail to see the connection, and some, in ignorance, blame cannabis for that effect. 
Reasons to legalize; animated gif cartoon w/message
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Comment #3 posted by afterburner on May 28, 2006 at 08:52:33 PT
OT: Head 'em off at the Pass, Canada!
CN BC: Vancouver Too Soft On Crime, Federal Justice Minister.
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n679/a12.html
Pubdate: Sat, 27 May 2006.
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
 
Excerpt: {"This is vote-grabbing in a very crass way," suggested Richard Fowler, a Vancouver defence lawyer and B.C. representative on the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers. He noted that the federal government can reap the political benefit of appearing "tough on crime," but it will be the provinces that will incur additional costs. More people will be held in custody in provincial jails and more cases will go to trial because defendants would have less incentive to agree to a plea bargain. ...{Statistics released by the Vancouver Police Department, which has had a nearly 15-per-cent budget increase in the past three years, indicate that violent crime is not rising. {Mr. Fowler described the government's insistence that communities in Canada are increasingly unsafe as "intellectually dishonest," yet effective politically. "It is a debate based on a fiction. Politics is about dealing with public perception, not the reality. The realities don't lead to votes."}
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Comment #2 posted by afterburner on May 28, 2006 at 07:38:51 PT
The Title Is Misleading
"Without making marijuana illegal, law enforcement would not be able to get search warrants to bust commercial growers, Guaneli said." Say what? Possession over 4 ounces has been illegal since the 1975 Ravin ruling. How can law enforcement not get warrants? Can't they count?"Macleod-Ball said most people agree commercial exploitation of marijuana is harmful to society."People agree that an unregulated black market, created by prohibition, is potentially harmful due to lack of quality control and turf wars. A regulated market would eliminate these problems, commercial like coffee, beer, cigars."The bill explains marijuana is more potent today than in 1975 and poses a threat to children buying the substance from adults."Stronger is safer, less product, less risk. Regulated markets do not sell to children under threat of loss of license and criminal sanctions."It puts this shadow of home invasion over everybody," Parker said. 
 The real issue!
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Comment #1 posted by potpal on May 28, 2006 at 07:26:27 PT
mail campaign
Everyone mail the governor a fatty...show them the futility of their efforts and what a waste of resources prohibition is. Use oregano.Prohibition is better than no liquor at all. 
Will Rogers
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