cannabisnews.com: Rick Steves Joins ACLU in Tackling Issue of MJ Law





Rick Steves Joins ACLU in Tackling Issue of MJ Law
Posted by CN Staff on February 13, 2008 at 20:48:02 PT
By Nancy Bartley, Seattle Times Staff Reporter
Source: Seattle Times
Seattle, WA -- Travel writer Rick Steves and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington have formed an unlikely partnership to tackle a topic they call the equivalent of the alcohol-prohibition laws of the 1920s — the criminalization of marijuana.Steves, who five years ago openly admitted to his own use of marijuana while in Europe, says he's not "pro marijuana" but in favor of discussing the laws that affect the 830,000 Americans who are arrested annually under existing marijuana laws. About 90 percent of the arrests are for possession.
Because the arrests disproportionately affect minorities and can have severe consequences for possessing as little as 40 grams (roughly the equivalent of two packs of cigarettes), the state ACLU received funding from the organization's national headquarters to create an informational program which they hope will be aired on television stations and the Internet.Washington was considered a good state to launch a campaign to discuss marijuana laws because it's been on the cutting edge of drug legislation, having approved a law allowing medical marijuana use in 1998."We need the understanding to go beyond 'hard' or 'soft' on drugs and find a policy that is smart on drugs," Steves said. The existing drug policy is causing more problems than it solves, he said.Some $7.5 billion is spent annually for marijuana law enforcement nationally. The arrests clog the courts and criminal-justice system, diverting resources from more serious crimes, according to the ACLU study.Complete Title: Travel Writer Rick Steves Joins ACLU in Tackling Issue of Marijuana LawsSource: Seattle Times (WA)Author:  Nancy Bartley, Seattle Times Staff ReporterPublished: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Copyright: 2008 The Seattle Times CompanyContact: opinion seatimes.comWebsite: http://www.seattletimes.com/Related Articles:The Bong Showhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23679.shtml Travel Writer Rick Steves To Speak for Hemphttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23265.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by afterburner on February 14, 2008 at 12:52:27 PT
John McCain Votes In Favor Of Torture & Senate No 
OT: Who’s Your Maverick? John McCain Votes In Favor Of Torture: UPDATED AOL Poll
By: Logan Murphy on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 at 6:00 PM - PST  http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/02/13/whos-your-maverick-john-mccain-votes-in-favor-of-torture/State-by-state results of today's poll (You can still vote!):CROOKS AND LIARS asks...Do you agree with the Senate's vote to ban waterboarding? [btw, the Senate voted to ban it.]41%	Yes52%	No7%	I'm not sureTotal Votes 6,565
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 14, 2008 at 09:31:49 PT
Related Article From The Bellingham Herald
ACLU, Famed Travel Guru Launch Pro-Marijuana Campaign
`*** Fenruary 14, 2008SEATTLE — Travel writer Rick Steves and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington have formed a partnership to tackle a topic they call the equivalent of the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s: the criminalization of marijuana. Steves, the Edmonds-based travel guru who five years ago openly acknowledged that he uses marijuana while visiting Europe, says he’s not "pro-marijuana," but in favor of discussing the laws that affect the 830,000 Americans who are arrested annually under existing marijuana laws. About 90 percent of the arrests are for possession. Saying the laws disproportionately affect minorities and can impose severe consequences for possessing as little as 40 grams (roughly the equivalent of two packs of cigarettes), the state ACLU received funding from the national organization to create an informational program it hopes will air on television stations and the Internet. Steves appears in the program. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/256/story/322283.html
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on February 14, 2008 at 06:58:47 PT
Related Article From Seattle P-I
Steves, ACLU Join Forces for Pot Law Reform
TV Show To Call for Serious Talk on Issue***February 13, 2008Travel guru Rick Steves wants America to take a cue from Europe and start talking seriously about marijuana.Too many lives, according to Steves, are ruined by criminal penalties associated with pot possession, and too much law enforcement and too many court resources are tied up focusing on cannabis as a legal problem instead of a health issue.Steves, who built his Edmonds travel business into a nationally known television show with travel books and tours, is now taking his marijuana message to the masses, too.Snipped:Complete Article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/351227_pot14.html
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Comment #2 posted by sam adams on February 14, 2008 at 05:38:44 PT
new jersey
Great article from the world of reality on cannabis and MS (as opposed to Forbes' Big Pharma land of make-believe):http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/columns-0/1202880979300230.xml&coll=1
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 14, 2008 at 05:24:28 PT
When Hillary Clinton Really Inhaled 
Hillary Clinton's ex-boyfriend David Ruperrt says the Presidential candidate, Congresswoman and former First Lady inhaled when she attended Wellesley College from 1965 to 1969. Rupert is quoted in Gail Sheehy's book, Hillary's Choice (2000), saying Clinton smoked marijuana at an 'anti-war' rally.Complete Article: http://pr.cannazine.co.uk/content/view/158/1/
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