cannabisnews.com: Supervisors To Vote on Softening Pot Enforcement










  Supervisors To Vote on Softening Pot Enforcement

Posted by CN Staff on November 13, 2006 at 16:02:35 PT
By Charlie Goodyear, Chronicle Staff Writer 
Source: San Francisco Chronicle 

Calif. -- San Francisco's Board of Supervisors will vote Tuesday on legislation that would set nearly all crimes involving marijuana as the lowest law enforcement priority for city police. The legislation, sponsored by Supervisor Tom Ammiano, was approved today by a board committee with the blessing of police officials and over the complaints of some residents. 
"This measure, which would legalize the unlimited growth and sales (of marijuana) on private property, will make public spitting and (leaving chewing) gum ... on the sidewalk higher priorities," said Kim Stryker, voicing opposition before the supervisors' City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee. Ammiano introduced the legislation in August at the behest of groups pushing for the national decriminalization of marijuana. He defended the policy move, saying it is consistent with Proposition W, a measure passed in 1976 by city voters calling for an end to marijuana arrests and prosecutions, and state Proposition 215, which provides for medical use of cannabis. "There are many better ways that we can be using our tax dollars and empowering our law enforcement than wasting money and police resources on marijuana offenses," Ammiano said. "This ordinance would allow San Francisco to join other forward-thinking cities. It will not result in San Francisco becoming Amsterdam West." Under the proposed legislation, city police would be directed to essentially ignore most marijuana crimes unless they involve minors or acts of violence, driving under the influence or the sale or distribution of pot on public property or within view from public property. San Francisco Police Capt. Tim Hedrick, head of the department's narcotics squad, said Ammiano's legislation is consistent with police policy on marijuana crimes. "It does not tie our hands enforcing the law," he told the committee.  Snipped:Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/ya99jwSource: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Charlie Goodyear, Chronicle Staff WriterPublished: Monday, November 13, 2006Copyright: 2006 Hearst Communications Inc.Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/Related Article: S.F. Law Will Neutralize Pot Prosecutionshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22360.shtmlCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 

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Comment #44 posted by whig on November 15, 2006 at 17:51:00 PT
Dankhank
I saw the message you referred, I said I would defend Judaism. How on earth is that a threat? How am I spinning?Let's drop it, okay? FoM doesn't want me to talk about this.
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Comment #43 posted by FoM on November 15, 2006 at 16:00:56 PT
Dankhank
I understand why you feel the way you do about Cat Stevens. His songs always meant a lot to me. When he turned his back on us it hurt. Only those who loved his music and then lost him to a religion that back in those days was shunned big time can truly understand. Maybe if he could come to the states he would explain in more detail why he did and said what he did but they won't let him come here. I haven't commented because I don't want to get in the middle of it all but that's my way of seeing it. I'm done.
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Comment #42 posted by Dankhank on November 15, 2006 at 14:45:08 PT
Who?
interesting that you don't remember ...or deign to reply to comparing child's play to murderhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/22/thread22377.shtml#19spin it to your heart's content
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Comment #41 posted by whig on November 15, 2006 at 12:33:43 PT
Dankhank
No discussion needed, but who did I threaten?
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Comment #40 posted by Dankhank on November 15, 2006 at 12:22:53 PT
Islamofascism ...
Whig,you spin with the best of them, answering only when it suits you.Equating the punch of a two-year-old-at-play with an enabler of a FATWA calling for the death of a man for merely telling a story is a stretch of titanic proportions. You are quick to accept imagined insults and threatened another here without any foundation in fact.I'm done with this topic.
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Comment #39 posted by whig on November 15, 2006 at 10:38:43 PT
Careful with words like Traitor
There are those who would call me Traitor to Judaism, would there not?I am no traitor. I am true to the spirit of all religions.
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Comment #38 posted by whig on November 15, 2006 at 10:35:41 PT
Even this...
http://cannablog.org/2006/09/15/i-pray-for-george-bush/
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Comment #37 posted by whig on November 15, 2006 at 10:31:49 PT
Toker00
Perhaps you should ignore my own siren song then, if you are so certain to condemn the message with the messenger.I do not hate wayward children, but love them as myself.My two year old niece hit her brother while I was watching. She was given a time-out, but she does not become cast out of the family. We still love her no less than before.
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Comment #36 posted by Toker00 on November 15, 2006 at 09:51:21 PT
If I may...
Whig, it's about more than music. Should you support the singer of the song if the singer of the song is Satan? Even if it were the most beautiful song you had ever heard? Of course not. I watched and heard Congress sing one of the most precious songs ever made about our country, and it sounded HORRID! Not because of the off keys or off beats, but because of the hypocrisy of the SINGERS. Islam rejects Christ (Truth) as our Saviour, and break Gods Commandments in order to push Islam, not just on the willing, but on the WORLD. No different than what the Zionists are doing through this same Fascism. To me, any attempt to control Humanity though a combination of Religion/Government/Business is Fascism. Our particular Fascism is Corporatism, Government/Business. Islam is Government/Religion. When you leave one for the other, you are simply a traitor. In reality, both Fascisms should be rejected for the True Freedom of God/Spirituality.I nor Dankhank are totally God/Spirituality yet, but who here is? I base my dislike of Cat Stevens on his Traitorous actions against America as his Birth Nation, and Christianity, as his Religion. I value Loyalty to God and Nation. (Only now I describe it as Spirituality, not Religion, and Creation, and not Nation. I think Dankhank may agree about the Loyalty part too, but I'm not trying to speak for him. He's quite capable, and obviously has explained his point of view to you before. He is only enforcing what he said before. Peace bro. Sometimes it pays to beware the messenger, no matter how beautiful the message. Like Bush's message of spreading Freedom. Need I say more?Toke. 
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Comment #35 posted by whig on November 15, 2006 at 07:23:37 PT
Dankhank
I reject the term "Islamofascism" as an invention of Republican propagandists.Music speaks for itself. Why do you feel anger towards me for displaying music when others spoke of its beauty and spirit?
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Comment #34 posted by Dankhank on November 15, 2006 at 05:40:56 PT
Blog ...
Keep your sorrow and tell me why you would elevate an enabler of Islamofascism on your site.
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Comment #33 posted by Toker00 on November 15, 2006 at 03:36:12 PT
Selective Blindness
"Most other marijuana offenses will be a low priority but Police Chief Heather Fong says that doesn't mean her officers will turn a blind eye."No. Of course not. You reserve that Blind Eye for Police Brutality and Government Corruption. You use that Blind Eye when you DON'T want to see. Toke.
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Comment #32 posted by Hope on November 14, 2006 at 23:10:21 PT
Actually, comment 26 and 27
How sweet they are!
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Comment #31 posted by Hope on November 14, 2006 at 23:08:51 PT
Comment 27  :o)
How sweet it is.
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on November 14, 2006 at 20:41:38 PT
afterburner 
I think it's wonderful. It's a small step but a big victory. 
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Comment #29 posted by afterburner on November 14, 2006 at 19:51:40 PT
Catch a Fire
Aren't these exciting times?! Now, we have local governments passing decriminalization (deprioritization) legislation *between* elections. The Torch of Freedom continues to burn brightly.
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Comment #28 posted by whig on November 14, 2006 at 19:50:58 PT
Dankhank
Sorry to offend you, but I will not censor my blog for your sake. If that means you do not wish to read, I will be sorry for that as well.Peace and Love.
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on November 14, 2006 at 18:08:03 PT
ABC7: S.F. Passes Marijuana Tolerance Law 
By Carolyn TylerNov. 14 - KGO - San Francisco's Board of Supervisors passed a law that essentially says; when it comes to marijuana the city doesn't much care. Veronica Gaynor, Fair Oaks Community Coalition: "The police will have to arrest for barking dogs or spitting on the sidewalk before they get to this marijuana."Members of a mission neighborhood group oppose the new measure which makes marijuana violations by adults on private property the lowest priority for San Francisco police. The mayor says it simply formalizes what is already city policy. Gavin Newsom, San Francisco: "So I don't see it changing anything what so ever - frankly I think it's just symbolic."The measure provides some exceptions: allowing crackdowns on those caught driving under the influence, selling pot on public property, if it poses a threat to public safety, and the use and sale involving minors. Most other marijuana offenses will be a low priority but Police Chief Heather Fong says that doesn't mean her officers will turn a blind eye. Chief Heather Fong, SFPD: "When there are legitimate criminal behaviors, criminal acts that occur, officers are permitted to enforce the law as they have been."A public hearing was held yesterday. Some critics believe the measure will undermine San Francisco's medical marijuana clubs.Kim Stryker, Fair Oaks Community Coalition: "There's no reason to get a permit for a medical facility, there's no reason to get a medical card - you just go to your neighbor and buy what you want in unlimited amounts according to this legislation."Supervisor Tom Ammiano calls that an over-reaction. He is the sponsor of the legislation.Tom Ammiano: "I don't know why the neighbors, because they aren't my neighbors, keep saying that after we point out that it's not true. Whatever the police are doing now they will continue to do, it's up to them." Copyright 2006, ABC7/KGO-TV/DT.http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=4761989
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on November 14, 2006 at 16:55:59 PT
Update on San Francisco Vote
November 14, 2006Excerpt: The marijuana legislation, which passed on an initial vote 8-3, would set nearly all crimes involving marijuana as the lowest law enforcement priority for city police and urges the district attorney to adopt the same policy when prosecuting criminal defendants. It passed with the blessing of the police officials, but over the complaints of some residents who say the marijuana trade attracts or occurs along with other criminal activity that undermines the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Ammiano introduced the legislation in August at the behest of groups pushing for the national decriminalization of marijuana. Complete Article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/14/BAGUAMCRCP5.DTL
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Comment #25 posted by Dankhank on November 14, 2006 at 14:46:47 PT
Ah, yes, another enabler ...
You gonna keep throwing Yussef Islam in my face?Interesting why you seem to like this fellow ...the song may seem to be a good one, but cannot Satan beguile?Never mind ...this might insure I never go to your blog again.but, hey, you believe what you want, I believe what I want ...It's about PEACE ... 
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Comment #24 posted by thestales on November 14, 2006 at 08:23:33 PT
Amsterdam West...one could only hope.
You mean you want more drug use and homicide? HUH? I am confused. What's wrong with the Netherlands?http://www.drugwarfacts.org/thenethe.htmLess heroin use...Check; 
less cannabis use..Check; 
less homicide...Check; 
less incarceration...Check; 
and all this leads to less spending on the criminal justice system and therefore less taxes.So what is it that you do want?
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Comment #23 posted by whig on November 14, 2006 at 08:02:51 PT
Music video
Okay, last time I did this I got yelled at, but I'm not deterred. Let's see what you all think now.http://cannablog.org/2006/11/14/stirring-the-waters-mixing-the-streams/
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Comment #22 posted by Hope on November 14, 2006 at 07:52:32 PT
Chip, chip, chipping away
at the Beast of Prohibition. San Francisco could take a pretty big chip out of the Beast. Chip. Chip. Chip. Chunk. Chip. Chunk. Ka-blam....down it goes. The sooner the better.
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Comment #21 posted by whig on November 14, 2006 at 07:31:26 PT
yusuf
Maybe he will help people to make peace even between Ishmael and Israel.
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on November 14, 2006 at 07:21:51 PT
Celaya
Oh Lord Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. Wow!
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on November 14, 2006 at 07:09:51 PT
Celaya
What an enlightened album it is. 
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on November 14, 2006 at 07:02:16 PT
Celaya
Thank you! I love Cat Stevens. I will buy his new album. I wish they would allow him to come here and do a tour. Maybe peace might break out and that's why they won't let him. Peace doesn't make any money for the powers that be.
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Comment #17 posted by Celaya on November 14, 2006 at 06:36:47 PT
Off Topic
For those who remember, Cat Stevens was an incredible musician before he quit 30 years ago to dedicate his life to his conversion to the Muslim religion. It was a great loss to so many who loved his music, but who can fault someone for a spiritual quest?Now after 30 years, he has made another album! It is called "An Other Cup" and right now, the whole thing is being streamed here: http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,3821359,00.html
- Click on "An Other Cup - Full Album Stream"It's good! - Full Album Stream
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Comment #16 posted by Sam Adams on November 14, 2006 at 06:35:50 PT
Whew!
Santa Cruz Sentinel must be breathing a sigh of relief - San Francisco can now be the "Pot Capital" of the US.Boy, you can tell from the real estate prices that people are really worried about it! I mean, San Francisco is only the SECOND most expensive city in the US after NY. How terrible. All the poor, poor, policeman must be stressing out and quitting.
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Comment #15 posted by Toker00 on November 14, 2006 at 03:11:47 PT
Max
I had the feeling the boy was corrupt, way before 9-11. He's got that mafioso smirk, with the nose in the air. It's sad when the most crooked crooks in the land wind up RUNNING the land. But that is what has happened. I guess I'll become an optimist again only when they repeal the Unconstitutional Patriot/MCA. Toke. 
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Comment #14 posted by global_warming on November 14, 2006 at 01:15:58 PT
re: comment 9
Spitting is nastier than chewing gum..http://tinyurl.com/ygtpqf
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Comment #13 posted by Max Flowers on November 13, 2006 at 23:51:24 PT
Giuliani
Speaking of fools and the lack of respect for people, does it bother anyone else here as much as it does me that Rudolph Giuliani is going to run for president? The guy is a major league crook, in with Bush up to his eyeballs in the 9/11 crimes. I believe he was in on the whole thing. He had to have been!If he were to win, we would all be SO screwed it's unimaginable.
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Comment #12 posted by Max Flowers on November 13, 2006 at 23:46:25 PT
HempWorld
Try not to be offended, as the people who say things like that are just fools. Of course Holland is a shining example of respect for human and civil rights. America can only dream of being as tolerant and logical. Everyone who knows anything about the subject knows this.
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Comment #11 posted by HempWorld on November 13, 2006 at 20:01:48 PT
"San Francisco becoming Amsterdam West"
Now this is a perfect example how ignorant these people are and how they are prejudging bases on their own (perceived) 'facts.' Being from the Netherlands, I take offense to this statement which would insinuate that it would not be good to be 'Amsterdam West!' Go to Amsterdam and check it out! Amsterdam is a highly organized and neat city, with sanitary laws that are far superior to those of the USA, we have no cannabis POWs in our prisons. Our hard drug addiction rate and abortion rates are the lowest in the world! These are facts. Also, we have same sex mariages and adoption etc. Amsterdam leads the way... is this such a bad thing?I'm so glad Italy is bouncing back from corrupt dictator Berlusconi and his cronies.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on November 13, 2006 at 19:35:22 PT
40 Joints Might Be Enough
I couldn't resist doing this. Thank you Italy for being progressive.http://www.nimbinaustralia.com/mardigrass2003/big-joint.jpg
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Comment #9 posted by whig on November 13, 2006 at 19:30:00 PT
Leaving chewing gum on the sidewalk is nasty
Who cares what people smoke in their own homes?
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 13, 2006 at 18:48:29 PT
Italy Eases 'Personal Use' Cannabis Limits 
November 14, 2006 ROME: Italy's government has doubled the amount of cannabis people can possess without risking prosecution and announced a major overhaul of the laws on narcotics use. Causing an outcry from the centre-right opposition, but joy from campaigners for drugs liberalisation, Health Minister Livia Turco said the maximum amount of marijuana to be considered for "personal use" would be doubled to 1g in terms of its active ingredient. That would allow for possession of up to around 40 joints, the health ministry said. "I intervened so thousands of young people don't have to go to jail or suffer a criminal proceeding for smoking a joint," said Turco, a member of the largest government party, the Democrats of the Left. Turco said the law, which will come into effect as soon it is published in Italy's official journal, was an interim step to a full overhauling of the drugs law passed by the previous government of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. Parliament was suspended briefly after uproar broke out when one leftist member announced he had planted cannabis seeds in the chamber's gardens – a claim he later admitted was merely a provocation to the centre-right opposition. "I've planted some marijuana seeds in the flower beds in the chamber of deputies' courtyard. And they've already started sprouting over the last few days," said Communist Refoundation lawmaker Francesco Caruso. Caruso, also a well-known figure in Italy's anti-globalisation movement, said he was just trying to advertise a pro-cannabis protest day on November 25 when activists will plant the drug in public places. For decades, Italy has swung between liberal to repressive laws on drugs – an issue which sharply divides left and right. Carlo Giovanardi, the centrist former minister who co-sponsored the law under Berlusconi that cracked down on drugs and which will now be revised, said Monday's measure would decriminalise the possession of 40 joints. "We thought that around 20 joints was already a very generous limit to distinguish between personal use and pushing," he said. "Raising the limit to 40 joints is a danger and deprived of any scientific basis. It's a mistaken and morally harmful signal to our young people." http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3860835a4560,00.html
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Comment #7 posted by mayan on November 13, 2006 at 18:22:12 PT
Misc.
Supervisor Fiona Ma, a member of the committee hearing Ammiano's legislation, also spoke out against it, saying she believed it "establishes a new policy that has not been presented to the voters."Everybody and their dog knows that the voters of San Francisco would overwhelmingly approve it! On an unrelated note, Ron Paul has something to say...Congressman: American Concentration Camps "On The Books":
http://www.infowars.net/articles/november2006/131106RonPaul.htm THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Charles Goyette agrees to be on National 9/11 Debate Media Panel:
http://www.muckrakerreport.com/id317.html911 Truth Movement: WE`ll NEVER STOP (video):
http://prisonplanet.com/articles/november2006/131106Movement.htm
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 13, 2006 at 18:03:56 PT
Dankhank
Taking marijuana down to a low priority has worked in my part of my state. Our state changed the law but not by voting. I really believe that is why we don't have Swat Teams around here. It isn't a priority. It takes the sting out of it all really. Before the law was changed it wasn't nice ( 20 to 40 years for possession ) and they had undercover agents (Narcs) and they did make people afraid and because our sentence was so bad they picked Ohio as one of the first states to turn it on it's end. People stopped being afraid and that is good for a town and community and in our case our state. Maybe in cities it's different though. I don't have any idea.
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Comment #5 posted by Dankhank on November 13, 2006 at 17:55:49 PT
Deprioriatize ...
decriminalize, legalize ...no matter ...do it all over the country ...force the Feds to see the truth ...
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 13, 2006 at 16:16:49 PT

Taylor121
Of course not. It is being done by the city and unless a person would be caught trafficking they should be ok. The Feds still have the right to push though. 
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 13, 2006 at 16:12:44 PT

AP: Indicted Va. Sheriff Steps Down
***By Sue Lindsy, 
Associated PressNovember 13, 2006ROANOKE, Va. - A rural county sheriff who faces federal charges in a suspected scheme to sell drugs seized from criminals has stepped down, his attorney said Monday.URL: http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/breaking_news/16004147.htm
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Comment #2 posted by Taylor121 on November 13, 2006 at 16:11:53 PT

Question for FoM and others
Would some of you oppose a city law like this since it isn't done on the Federal level?
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 13, 2006 at 16:05:30 PT

San Francisco
Now is the time for you to stand for what you know is right and fair. The whole USA can learn something from you like being tolerant. We need tolerance desperately in America.
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