Former Narcotics Detective Admits Drug Planting Common | Truthout: "Stephen Anderson, a former New York Police Department (NYPD) narcotics detective, recently testified that he regularly saw police plant drugs on innocent people as a way for officers to meet arrest quotas. While the news may shock many civilians, the custom is so well known among officers that it has a name: "flaking.""
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011
America's self-defeating 'war on drugs' | Dan Gillmor
(88) The Guardian on Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/theguardian/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/08/america-self-defeating-war-on-drugs
Distressingly, the Obama White House seems determined to paint itself into a corner of prohibitionist law enforcement
The murky doings of the hacker group Anonymous took a remarkable turn in recent days. A Mexican drug cartel allegedly kidnapped an Anonymous member, and then, after the loosely organised hackers said they would reveal names of cartel personnel, released him with threats to kill the hacker's family if the names were revealed.
The affair, which played out in blogs and on Twitter, coincided with a week I spent in central Mexico, where I led several workshops for new-media creators. In conversations with a number of people during my visit, I got a clearer understanding of the fear that pervades Mexican society – an undercurrent that also combined despair and anger at the way the cartels have corrupted the country's institutions.
'Operation Whiteout' indicts 33 in Fort Collins-Loveland-Greeley drug ring | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com
'Operation Whiteout' indicts 33 in Fort Collins-Loveland-Greeley drug ring | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com: "DENVER — Police are still rounding up 11 suspects wanted in connection with a major drug ring that was running as much as $1 million worth of cocaine through Fort Collins each month.
The suspects are part of a ring of 33 people who used homes and businesses across Fort Collins to distribute as much as 20 kilograms of cocaine and other drugs each month.
The operation, one of the largest ever in Northern Colorado, was dismantled Wednesday through “Operation Whiteout,” according to a 94-count indictment released Wednesday.
“This operation has, for the time being, wiped out a significant amount of the supply of cocaine and methamphetamine in Northern Colorado,” said Colorado Attorney General John Suthers at a press conference in Denver."
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The suspects are part of a ring of 33 people who used homes and businesses across Fort Collins to distribute as much as 20 kilograms of cocaine and other drugs each month.
The operation, one of the largest ever in Northern Colorado, was dismantled Wednesday through “Operation Whiteout,” according to a 94-count indictment released Wednesday.
“This operation has, for the time being, wiped out a significant amount of the supply of cocaine and methamphetamine in Northern Colorado,” said Colorado Attorney General John Suthers at a press conference in Denver."
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Holder: Fast and Furious errors won’t be repeated - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local
Holder: Fast and Furious errors won’t be repeated - The Pueblo Chieftain: Local: "WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday acknowledged serious mistakes in an arms-trafficking probe that allowed AK-47s and other weapons to leak into the black market, but he insisted the Justice Department was taking steps to ensure that never happens again.
Under pointed questioning by Republicans, Holder also expressed regret that the Justice Department had denied allegations of ‘‘gun-walking’’ in a letter to Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley sent earlier this year.
‘‘Unfortunately, we will feel its effects for years to come as guns that were lost during this operation continue to show up at crime scenes both here and in Mexico,’’ Holder told the Senate Judiciary Committee of the investigation, known as Operation Fast and Furious. "
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Under pointed questioning by Republicans, Holder also expressed regret that the Justice Department had denied allegations of ‘‘gun-walking’’ in a letter to Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley sent earlier this year.
‘‘Unfortunately, we will feel its effects for years to come as guns that were lost during this operation continue to show up at crime scenes both here and in Mexico,’’ Holder told the Senate Judiciary Committee of the investigation, known as Operation Fast and Furious. "
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The Human Solution |
The Human Solution |: "The federal government has started a campaign to close down all store-front collectives where the local law enforcement (state, county, etc) agencies have asked for help. Raids are currently happening in many medical states, in an all-out effort to shut down "pot shops" -- leaving many patients who are unable to grow for themselves without legal or safe access to their medicine, forcing them to seek their medicine from black market sources, an unreliable and sometimes risky undertaking. "
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Obama: From First to Worst on Medical Marijuana — MPP Blog
Obama: From First to Worst on Medical Marijuana — MPP Blog: "During his run for the presidency, Barack Obama instilled hope in medical marijuana supporters by pledging to respect state laws on the matter. And for the first two years of his term, he was generally faithful to his promise. Yet suddenly, and with no logical explanation, over the past eight months he has become arguably the worst president in U.S. history regarding medical marijuana."
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People v. Laura J. Kriho — 96 CR 91 First Judicial District — Gilpin County
http://www.dvmen.org/Cases/96CR91_1Nieto_Kriho.htm
History
This case began on May 13, 1996, when Laura Kriho of Rollinsville, Colorado, a Colorado University researcher, was selected to sit on a jury to hear the criminal trial of 19-year-old Michelle Brannon in the district court of tiny Gilpin County. Brannon was accused of felony possession of methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance, criminal impersonation, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Kriho was the twelfth juror seated. Jurors seated earlier were subjected to extensive voir dire questioning. However, it was late in the day. When asked by Judge Kenneth Barnhill the sole question, "Is there anything, whether I asked it or not, that you can think of that would interfere with your sitting as a fair and impartial juror," she replied, "No." She truthfully could not think of a reason why she could not serve the interests of justice in the case.
What went unasked and unanswered was that twelve years earlier Ms. Kriho had received a deferred sentence on a minor possession drug charge (see Appendix A). Upon the successful completion of two-year probation and 40 hours of community service the charges against her were supposedly dismissed. But, as in all such cases, the charges were still in official records (see COcourts.com) and Appendix A.
The trial lasted two days, after which the jury began its deliberations. Apparently the jury quickly reached a verdict on the criminal impersonation and drug paraphernalia charges but after a mere four hours they could not agree on the possession charge. It seems Laura Kriho was the lone holdout.
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Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Newsom, Johnson Drug Conference: Is Legalization The Answer To The War On Drugs? (POLL)
Newsom, Johnson Drug Conference: Is Legalization The Answer To The War On Drugs? (POLL): "It is rare for a politician to openly advocate the legalization of drugs as the solution to the country's drug problem. But that's just what California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson did this week at the four-day International Drug Policy Reform Conference in downtown Los Angeles.
As the Los Angeles Times remarks, with reggae music blasting and people wearing marijuana leaf-shaped pins, the conference does not seem a likely event for a GOP presidential hopeful to attend. And yet, Republican candidate Johnson, a libertarian often compared to Ron Paul, stood in front of the conference audience and promised that if he was elected president, he would fully pardon anyone in prison for a non-violent marijuana crime."
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As the Los Angeles Times remarks, with reggae music blasting and people wearing marijuana leaf-shaped pins, the conference does not seem a likely event for a GOP presidential hopeful to attend. And yet, Republican candidate Johnson, a libertarian often compared to Ron Paul, stood in front of the conference audience and promised that if he was elected president, he would fully pardon anyone in prison for a non-violent marijuana crime."
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Congressman's Daughter Seeks Injunction Against Federal Crackdown on Medical Marijuana - Rancho Bernardo, CA Patch
Congressman's Daughter Seeks Injunction Against Federal Crackdown on Medical Marijuana - Rancho Bernardo, CA Patch: "Cancer patient Briana Bilbray—the daughter of Congressman Brian Bilbray—and local medical marijuana cooperatives on Monday filed for an injunction to stop a federal crackdown on marijuana sales.
Attorney Matt Kumin, who filed for the injunction, said the goal is for the U.S. Justice Department and U.S. attorneys "to stop threatening folks who are in compliance with state law.""
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Attorney Matt Kumin, who filed for the injunction, said the goal is for the U.S. Justice Department and U.S. attorneys "to stop threatening folks who are in compliance with state law.""
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Monday, November 7, 2011
Reefer Madness - NYTimes.com
Reefer Madness - NYTimes.com: "MARIJUANA is now legal under state law for medical purposes in 16 states and the District of Columbia, encompassing nearly one-third of the American population. More than 1,000 dispensaries provide medical marijuana; many are well regulated by state and local law and pay substantial taxes. But though more than 70 percent of Americans support legalizing medical marijuana, any use of marijuana remains illegal under federal law."
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Sunday, November 6, 2011
Monday Press Conference Will Detail Lawsuit To Halt Federal Medical Marijuana Crackdown | THE Weed Blog
Monday Press Conference Will Detail Lawsuit To Halt Federal Medical Marijuana Crackdown | THE Weed Blog: "SAN FRANCISCO – Lawyers for a growing coalition of Californians who suddenly find themselves under attack by the state’s four U.S. Attorneys – including patients, property owners and medical cannabis cooperatives – will file suit against the federal government, seeking an immediate halt to a statewide crackdown.
The lawsuit will be brought simultaneously in each of the four federal districts in California – San Francisco (Northern), Sacramento (Eastern), Los Angeles (Central) and San Diego (Southern) – where U.S. Attorneys have threatened criminal prosecution of both tenants and landlords where medical cannabis cooperatives exist. The four U.S. Attorneys have also threatened the landlords with forfeiture of their properties."
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The lawsuit will be brought simultaneously in each of the four federal districts in California – San Francisco (Northern), Sacramento (Eastern), Los Angeles (Central) and San Diego (Southern) – where U.S. Attorneys have threatened criminal prosecution of both tenants and landlords where medical cannabis cooperatives exist. The four U.S. Attorneys have also threatened the landlords with forfeiture of their properties."
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Leading Scientists Confirm That Cannabis Is Safe And Non-Addictive | CLEAR
Leading Scientists Confirm That Cannabis Is Safe And Non-Addictive | CLEAR: "At a conference at GW Pharmaceutical’s headquarters in Porton Down, Wiltshire, Professor H.P. Hartung, Chair of Neurology at Heinrich-Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany announced that Sativex, the super strong, concentrated cannabis medicine has “…limited relevant adverse effects and – particularly reassuring – the drug does not appear to lead to withdrawal effects if patients suddenly stop using it.”
Sativex is made from high-THC skunk cannabis blended with a high-CBD variety and concentrated into a super strength solution that can be used to treat MS , chronic pain and, scientists believe , many more previously unrelieved conditions.
Super strong, concentrated cannabis is safe. It’s not addictive. It doesn’t cause psychosis. There are virtually no side effects.
What a breakthrough!"
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Sativex is made from high-THC skunk cannabis blended with a high-CBD variety and concentrated into a super strength solution that can be used to treat MS , chronic pain and, scientists believe , many more previously unrelieved conditions.
Super strong, concentrated cannabis is safe. It’s not addictive. It doesn’t cause psychosis. There are virtually no side effects.
What a breakthrough!"
'via Blog this'
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Florida Medical Marijuana Referendum Needs 600,000+ Signatures By February 1st
Florida Medical Marijuana Referendum Needs 600,000+ Signatures By February 1st: "Due to a severe lack of publicity – today is the first I’ve heard of it – the People United for Medical Marijuana petition to get medical marijuana on the ballot in Florida is less than 5% of the way to its signature goal of 676, 811, which it needs to reach by February 1, 2012.
The referendum itself would allow for a wide range of ailments to be considered for medical cannabis or any “other diseases and conditions when recommended by a physician.” This is a much more lenient bill than the one being considered by the Florida Legislature, HJR 353."
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The referendum itself would allow for a wide range of ailments to be considered for medical cannabis or any “other diseases and conditions when recommended by a physician.” This is a much more lenient bill than the one being considered by the Florida Legislature, HJR 353."
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Filner urges Obama to back off medical marijuana | SignOnSanDiego.com
Filner urges Obama to back off medical marijuana | SignOnSanDiego.com: "Rep. Bob Filner and several congressional colleagues are urging President Barack Obama to reclassify marijuana as a legitimate controlled substance for medicinal purposes under federal law.
In a letter dated Oct. 28, the lawmakers expressed concerns with the Justice Department’s recent crackdown against California medical marijuana dispensaries that are operating legally under state law. State and local governments must be allowed to develop and enforce their own public health laws with regard to medical cannabis, they wrote."
'via Blog this'
In a letter dated Oct. 28, the lawmakers expressed concerns with the Justice Department’s recent crackdown against California medical marijuana dispensaries that are operating legally under state law. State and local governments must be allowed to develop and enforce their own public health laws with regard to medical cannabis, they wrote."
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California Fighting a Drug War Without Drug Agents? - KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News Source
California Fighting a Drug War Without Drug Agents? - KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News Source: "FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -- California's drug war is about to get harder to win. KMPH News has learned that the state sent out notices to 1,200 employees, dozens of them in the Central Valley: get ready to get out.
Senior Special Agent Ben Buford says the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement is losing 20 out of 23 local drug agents. Statewide, 180 received warning notices. Their task forces are likely going with them. 55 narcotics teams throughout California. 9 fight the drug problem across the Valley."
'via Blog this'
Senior Special Agent Ben Buford says the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement is losing 20 out of 23 local drug agents. Statewide, 180 received warning notices. Their task forces are likely going with them. 55 narcotics teams throughout California. 9 fight the drug problem across the Valley."
'via Blog this'
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Republicans Grill Napolitano on Fast and Furious - HUMAN EVENTS
Republicans Grill Napolitano on Fast and Furious - HUMAN EVENTS: "Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano faced a determined panel of House Republicans on Wednesday who grilled her on immigration policies, border security, and how her agency responded after the death of a federal officer exposed the “Fast and Furious” controversy.
Her answers were brief and not very forthcoming, as she sidestepped some questions and invoked the ongoing inspector’s general investigation as her mantra to avoid many questions altogether."
'via Blog this'
Her answers were brief and not very forthcoming, as she sidestepped some questions and invoked the ongoing inspector’s general investigation as her mantra to avoid many questions altogether."
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Sunday, October 30, 2011
White House responds to marijuana legalization petition | The Raw Story
White House responds to marijuana legalization petition | The Raw Story: "Gil Kerlikowske, the director of the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, responded Friday to an extremely popular marijuana legalization petition on the White House’s “We the People” site.
He responded to the petition by stating that the legalization of marijuana would not resolve the problems associated with drug use."
'via Blog this'
He responded to the petition by stating that the legalization of marijuana would not resolve the problems associated with drug use."
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