NEW POLL: 74% of Americans Support Alternative Penalties for Marijuana

A new poll, published today by Angus Reid Public Opinion , looks at the changing attitudes towards marijuana possession penalties in the UK, Canada, and the United States. The poll surveyed 1,011 Americans, 2,015 Britons, and 1,005 Canadians during March of this year. The results show that an overwhelming majority of citizens in these countries no longer believe marijuana possession should result in jail time. From Angus Reid : Majorities of respondents in the three countries (Britain 56%, Canada 68%, United States 74%) welcome the concept of using alternative penalties—such as fines, probation or community service—rather than prison for non-violent offenders. At least seven-in-ten Britons (70%), Americans (74%) and Canadians (78%) believe personal marijuana use should be dealt with through alternative penalties. Support for similar guidelines for credit card fraud, drunk driving and arson is decidedly lower. View the full report here .

LAX screeners busted on bribery rap

Four Transportation Security Administration ( TSA ) airport screeners in Los Angeles were arrested April 24 for accepting bribes from drug traffickers. Two current and two former Los Angeles International Airport screeners are accused of looking the other way as cocaine, cannabis and methamphetamine stuffed into carry-on bags passed through their X-ray machines—in exchange for payments of as much as $2,400—on five separate occasions. “This case underscores the unique nature of 21st century drug smuggling,” said Briane Grey the acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA office in Los Angeles. “The defendants traded on their positions at one the world’s most crucial airport security checkpoints and used their special access for criminal ends.” ( UPI , Reuters , April 25) read more

Chase off Malibu coast nets 80 bales

Three Mexican suspects were arrested April 24 after an ocean pursuit off the coast of Malibu. Los Angeles County lifeguards notified the sheriff’s Malibu/Lost Hills Station of a suspicious boat about 50 feet off Latigo Beach. Deputies confirmed it was a panga boat and called the US Department of Homeland Security, which deployed an air and marine unit. Homeland Security’s bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the Mexican nationals were arrested following a chase that ended about 11 nautical miles southwest of Point Dume. Shortly before the pursuit ensued, the panga’s occupants began tossing bales of compacted cannabis overboard. The US Coast Guard has recovered more than 80 bales. read more

Obama clarifies stance on medical marijuana… sort of

President Barack Obama clarified his position on medical marijuana in an interview with Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner , to appear in the May 10 issue: “What I specifically said was that we were not going to prioritize prosecutions of persons who are using medical marijuana. I never made a commitment that somehow we were going to give carte blanche to large-scale producers and operators of marijuana—and the reason is, because it’s against federal law. I can’t nullify congressional law.” read more

Deep Green Fest: Educating, Enlightening, Inspiring [Photos]

All photos by Sharon LettsCanna Comic Sherry Glaser on the main stage “Being Mother Earth.”Photos and Story by Sharon LettsDeep Green Fest II was held the day after 4/20 in the picturesque locale of t

US TX: OPED: War On Drugs Up In Smoke

San Marcos Daily Record, 24 Apr 2012 – Towards the beginning of the cult classic “Dazed & Confused,” a high school senior named Slater, inquires of baby-faced freshman Mitch, “are you cool?” What Slater is really asking–in this ode to 1970s youth and the counterculture–is do you smoke pot? Ahh the 70s. Back before the likeness on Grover Norquist’s Bedtime With Bonzo night light (some guy named Reagan), kicked the kooky, corrupt and thoroughly counterproductive War On Drugs into high gear. And poof, this country suddenly lost its collective mind, suffering a lapse in judgment that vaunted well past ill-advised and just beyond “they have weapons of mass destruction” to what might best be labeled “the mind of Ted Nugent.”

CN BC: Column: Pot Legalization Not That Simple

Vancouver 24hours, 25 Apr 2012 – Friday’s annual 4/20 day smoke-in on the grounds of the Vancouver Art Gallery, on Parliament Hill and in cities around the world had no shortage of supporters of the legalize marijuana issue or police keeping an eye on the illegal activities with no enforcement action. It has become the epitome of the hollowness of this country’s drug laws. The reality is that in Canada in general, and more specifically in B.C., marijuana is effectively decriminalized as things stand today. Yes, the law is still on the books that possession of marijuana is against the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. But should it be?

CN BC: Column: Laws Sending Mixed Messages

Vancouver 24hours, 23 Apr 2012 – The pot prohibition debate: To legalize it or not to legalize it? LAWS SENDING MIXED MESSAGES We hear all the time about how prohibition of marijuana hasn’t really worked. Kids smoke pot, gangs smuggle drugs and bad guys get rich. But all that happens not because of prohibition, but because society lets it happen.

US CA: Lake County Proposition Would Treat Pot Like A Farm Crop

The Press Democrat, 25 Apr 2012 – Traditional farmers are rallying against a novel June ballot measure in Lake County that would extend “right to farm” protections to medical marijuana growers. Right-to-farm laws are intended to protect agricultural operations from nuisance complaints that could threaten their viability. This is the first time an attempt is being made to apply the law to marijuana cultivation, farming and pot advocates say.

CN BC: Column: Going Pro-Pot Better Than Not

Vancouver 24hours, 23 Apr 2012 – The pot prohibition debate: To legalize it or not to legalize it? GOING PRO-POT BETTER THAN NOT If John McKay understands that the pot prohibition is enriching violent criminal gangs, facilitating cocaine trafficking in Canada and making it easier for school kids to buy the drug easily, perhaps, Kathryn, it’s time for you to have another look at the issue, too.

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