Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense

U.S. Sentencing Commission expected to recommend lower sentences for drug dealing

"Prison terms for all federal drug dealing offences could be cut under a sweeping sentencing review expected to be announced on Thursday that may go much further than the tentative steps toward ending America’s 'war on drugs', begun this week by attorney general Eric Holder. The US Sentencing Commission, the independent government agency responsible for setting guidelines for judges, will meet in Washington to consider amending the 'drug quantity table' – the grid that determines prison lengths for dozens of different categories of offence. The impetus for the new push to cut sentences appears to have been driven primarily by a need to cut soaring government costs." Continue reading →

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Hawaiian cannabis minister allowed to use religious defense

"The 64-year-old Christie has been in the Honolulu Federal Detention Center since he and 13 other Big Island residents, including Share Christie, were arrested by federal agents on July 8, 2010. All were charged with conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute 284 marijuana plants, which carries a mandatory minimum prison term of five years and a maximum of 40 years if they’re convicted. The others were granted bail, but U.S. Magistrate Kevin Chang ordered Christie held without bail, calling him 'a danger to the community.'" Continue reading →

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NYPD’s ‘Stop and frisk’ tactics ruled unconstitutional by federal judge

"A federal judge has ruled that the New York City Police Department’s heavily-criticized 'stop and frisk' approach to crimefighting is unconstitutional, the New York Times reported on Monday. The ruling by Judge Shira A. Scheindlin is the latest blow to the policy, which data suggests has not been effective in actually preventing shootings in the city while being decried for targeting Black and Latino men almost exclusively. Commissioner Ray Kelly had defended the policy, calling it 'a fact of urban life' in an August 2012 interview with a radio program geared toward teenagers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNYPD’s ‘Stop and frisk’ tactics ruled unconstitutional by federal judge

Holder to propose curtailing mandatory minimum drug sentences

"The Justice Department plans to change how it prosecutes some non-violent drug offenders, so they would no longer face mandatory minimum prison sentences, in an overhaul of federal prison policy that Attorney General Eric Holder will unveil on Monday. The United States imprisons a higher percentage of its population than other large countries, largely because of anti-drug laws passed in the 1980s and 1990s. Holder will also reveal a plan to create a slate of local guidelines to determine if cases should be subject to federal charges." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHolder to propose curtailing mandatory minimum drug sentences

6-year-old Colorado girl in national spotlight over medical marijuana

"Charlotte Figi suffers from a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome. She’s endured violent seizures since she was a newborn. Most weeks, she’d have about 300 seizures a week. After countless emergency room visits, trips to specialists and children’s hospitals, and more than a dozen pharmaceuticals, nothing worked. Then, a year-and-a-half ago, as a last resort, her mom tried cannabis oil. The medical marijuana worked immediately. 'It’s potent, it’s strong, it’s spicy, it’s got some kick,' her mother, Paige Figi, told FOX31 Denver as she showed us a syringe full of the cannabis oil. It’s diluted with olive oil, and mixed with food." Continue reading →

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With Detroit’s Bankruptcy, Anarchists Have Begun Project “Free Detroit”

"With much of the city in disarray and literally moving away, the cost of living has gone down dramatically with housing prices in some cases reaching only a single dollar. Michigan market-anarchists from the 'Michigan Peace and Liberty Coalition' are coming together to put 'theory into reality' when it comes to free markets. In their plans, coalition members believe they’ll be purchasing an estimated five blocks of property. Free Detroit members hope to provide food production, security, water collection, education, construction, communications, child services and many others – through agorism, without any government intervention." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWith Detroit’s Bankruptcy, Anarchists Have Begun Project “Free Detroit”

In Switzerland, Marijuana Use Helps Keep Prisons Calm and Safe

"A recent study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy estimates that 50 to 80 percent of inmates in Swiss prisons use marijuana. Prison staff told researchers they found marijuana to be a relatively safe drug and that cracking down on consumption would have more negative effects than positive ones. Surveys of detainees and guards revealed similar opinions on marijuana use, with both groups describing the effects of marijuana as analgesic, calming and a way to decrease the traumatic prison experience." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIn Switzerland, Marijuana Use Helps Keep Prisons Calm and Safe

HBO says Game of Thrones ‘piracy’ is better than an Emmy

"According to Time Warner CEO Alan Bewkes the 'piracy' buzz around Game of Thrones is a good thing, so good that it's better than an entertainment industry award. The firm was talking about its latest financial results when it was asked about the so-called 'piracy' problem. 'I have to admit it, I think you're right. The much discussed fantasy series is HBO's most popular TV show, and if you go to people who are watching it without subs, it's a tremendous word of mouth thing,' he said, according to the Game of Thrones website White Harbour. In April, HBO programming chief Michael Lombardo said that 'piracy' should be taken as a compliment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHBO says Game of Thrones ‘piracy’ is better than an Emmy

India’s financial prophet Raghuram Rajan to run central bank

"Mr Rajan, a Chicago professor and former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, clashed openly with US Federal Reserve officials and top policymakers in 2005 over the risk that derivative contracts would amplify any financial crisis once the cycle turned. He said the US had created incentives for destructive behaviour, effectively pushing homeowners and banks into risky ventures. He was called a 'Luddite' by none other than Larry Summers, former US Treasury Secretary and now front-runner to take over as Fed chairman. The two men may soon be direct counterparts. Mr Rajan’s warnings were borne out by events." Continue reading →

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De Facto Hash Truce in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley

"The Lebanese government will not attempt to eradicate marijuana fields blooming across the country's Bekaa Valley, Beirut's Daily Star reported Friday. Sources said it was because of the fragile security situation in the area near the border with Syria and because the government had been unable to live up to pledges to provide financial compensation to farmers whose crops were destroyed last year. They are also up against Bekaa Valley marijuana farmers in no mood to see their livelihood messed with. 'In the absence of alternatives, we will break the hands and legs of anyone who dares destroy our crops,' one of the region's biggest growers said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDe Facto Hash Truce in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley