Drugs & Prohibition

Seattle Police Department publishes how-to guide for smoking pot legally

"The Seattle Police Department on Friday published a how-to guide that explains the do’s and don’ts of marijuana legalization in the state. Written by a former writer for The Stranger, an alternative weekly newspaper in Seattle, readers might never guess it’s an official publication of the police department were it not for the .gov web domain. Despite the unprecedented nature of a major city’s police department releasing such a thing, it went completely under the radar until Thursday, when The Associated Press picked it up first." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSeattle Police Department publishes how-to guide for smoking pot legally

Public Health Proposal Considers Mandatory ‘Smokers License’

"A public health proposal suggests that tobacco smokers should be required to apply and pay for a 'smoker’s license' in order to continue buying cigarettes, writing that it could discourage young people from picking up the habit. In a controversial move, the smartcard would allow the government to limit how many cigarettes a smoker could buy. Professor Chapman suggests 50 per day averaged over two weeks to accommodate heavy smokers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPublic Health Proposal Considers Mandatory ‘Smokers License’

Emboldened Rhode Island, Maine lawmakers seek to legalize pot

"Rhode Island Rep. Edith Ajello, D-Providence, said Thursday that the passage of legalization referendums in the two Western states are the latest indication that American attitudes toward marijuana are softening. She said the regulated sale of marijuana would eliminate the black market while raising an estimated $10 million in revenue for government coffers. Maine Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, said she also will propose legislation to legalize marijuana in her state, and estimated that sales taxes on its purchase there would raise $8 million." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEmboldened Rhode Island, Maine lawmakers seek to legalize pot

Boulder DA Stops Marijuana Possession Prosecutions

"The district attorney in Colorado's Boulder County announced Wednesday he will dismiss all pending small-time marijuana and paraphernalia possession cases, saying that given overwhelming support for Amendment 64 in Boulder County he would be hard pressed to find a jury to convict. Boulder police Chief Mark Beckner told the Daily Camera that his department would now stop issuing tickets or making arrests for mere marijuana possession of less than an ounce and paraphernalia." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBoulder DA Stops Marijuana Possession Prosecutions

Ron Paul and Barney Frank tell Obama: Respect state marijuana laws

"Reps. Ron Paul (R-TX) and Barney Frank (D-MA) on Thursday called for the Obama administration to respect state marijuana laws, as California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) did on Sunday. Voters in Colorado and Washington state both approved referenda legalizing the limited recreational use of marijuana. However, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration still classifies marijuana as a schedule I drug: the most restrictive classification, reserved drugs with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medicinal value." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul and Barney Frank tell Obama: Respect state marijuana laws

Police In ‘Riot Gear’ Raid Poker Game With $0 Buy-In, Organizers Arrested

"State and local authorities raided a monthly poker tournament at a bar in the city of Largo, after an investigation into unlawful gambling. The Nutz Poker League, which was running a free game open to the public at Louie’s Grill and Sports Bar at the time of the crackdown, said on its Facebook page that some of the police were in 'full riot gear' and had their 'weapons drawn.' Felony charges have been filed, according to the league. Under Florida law, the felonies would be in the third degree and could carry a prison sentence of up to five years." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice In ‘Riot Gear’ Raid Poker Game With $0 Buy-In, Organizers Arrested

Gov. Perry vows to drug test unemployed Texans

"Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) said Tuesday that he’s throwing his support to proposals that would require applicants for unemployment benefits and food stamps to submit to a urine analysis drug screening. In addition to the drug tests being a potentially illegal search, The New York Times noted in April that only about 2 percent of applicants in Florida were denied benefits due to failed drug tests, saving just $45,780 in total, even though the program itself cost $118,140." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGov. Perry vows to drug test unemployed Texans

Brooklyn pot dealer donates proceeds to hurricane survivors

"A man in Brooklyn says that he raised $700 for victims of Hurricane Sandy in two days by selling pot. The marijuana dealer told The Huffington Post that he came to the conclusion that storm victims without power in Rockaways, New York needed money more than they needed weed. The dealer said that he told his customers that he would be donating money to buy 'hot meals, diapers, formula, clean water and other supplies' so they stocked up on pot for the cause." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBrooklyn pot dealer donates proceeds to hurricane survivors

3rd ex-Jackson officer pleads guilty in bribery case

"The last of three former Jackson police officers charged in a bribery case has pleaded guilty. The three men were indicted on charges of accepting bribes to protect drug shipments. It turned out the men they thought were drug dealers were really FBI agents. Anthony Ricardo Payne changed his plea to guilty on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Jackson, one week before his trial was to begin. Two other former officers, Monyette Quintel Jefferson and Terence Dale Jenkins, pleaded guilty Oct. 17. Their sentencing is Jan. 7, however, it may be pushed to Feb. 28, to coincide with Payne's sentencing hearing. " Continue reading →

Continue Reading3rd ex-Jackson officer pleads guilty in bribery case

Former police chief gets probation for multiple drug charges

"Fisher, 49, was handed a 10-year suspended sentence Oct. 22 and will have to report to a probation officer. He also will have to register with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control because he was caught with 20 grams of methamphetamine. Court documents show that Fisher — who was charged with multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute — had all but one count against him dismissed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer police chief gets probation for multiple drug charges