cannabisnews.com: Police Accused of Illegal Campaign Against Pot










  Police Accused of Illegal Campaign Against Pot

Posted by CN Staff on August 12, 2002 at 13:40:05 PT
By Keith Paul  
Source: Las Vegas Sun  

The leader of a group pushing for a ballot question that would ease marijuana possession laws sent a letter this morning to Clark County Sheriff Jerry Keller accusing Metro Police of using government time and resources to campaign against the initiative -- a violation of state law."The bottom line is you shouldn't be able to use tax dollars and resources to campaign," said Billy Rogers, campaign manager for Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement.
Undersheriff Richard Winget said Metro broke no law when he directed narcotics Detective Todd Raybuck to appear on television news programs -- including CNN's "Crossfire" -- displaying marijuana and discussing Question 9."Mr. Rogers started this by stating the police officers of Nevada were supporting Question 9," Winget said this morning. "Every time a group takes a position, the media come to us for a response. We responded to the media inquires. We did not mount a campaign against Question 9, we simply responded to media requests."The attention to Question 9 -- which would decriminalize possession of 3 ounces of marijuana by people over 21 -- increased last week when Andy Anderson, president of Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs, said his group was supporting the initiative.The endorsement by NCOPS -- an organization of police unions -- received nationwide attention and was quickly denounced by police officials. Raybuck went on several news shows with marijuana checked out of Metro's evidence vault to demonstrate what 3 ounces of marijuana looked like."In his 'Crossfire' appearance, Mr. Raybuck used 6 ounces of marijuana obtained from Metro's evidence vault as a prop in his political campaign against Question 9," Rogers wrote in the letter to Keller. "We think it is likely that tax dollars and government resources were used to provide Mr. Raybuck with the 6 ounces of marijuana he checked out as 'evidence.' "Rogers told the Sun his group has to report all its contributions and expenses in its campaign for the ballot question and Metro should not use government money in its campaign against the question.Winget said Metro did not seek the media exposure but was replying to requests for interviews."They (the media) deluged us and asked us to bring the marijuana," he said.Rogers' group seemed to score an important endorsement when NCOPS came out last week in favor of the passage of Question 9, but that was very short-lived. After several days of criticism, and several NCOPS board members saying they misunderstood what Anderson was seeking support for, the board met on Friday. Board members said they thought the issue was medical marijuana.Anderson resigned at Friday's meeting as the president of NCOPS -- a group he helped found more than 20 years ago -- saying he didn't want to hurt the credibility of the group."Should cops take a stand against drugs? You bet. But it's not the best use of police time to arrest people on marijuana possession and then they are just let go," Anderson said.Source: Las Vegas Sun (NV)Author: Keith PaulPublished: August 12, 2002Copyright: 2002 Las Vegas Sun, Inc.Contact: letters lasvegassun.comWebsite: http://www.lasvegassun.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:NRLEhttp://www.nrle.org/Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Stance on Marijuana Initiative Stirs the Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13715.shtmlNev. Police Group Changes Pot Stancehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13700.shtmlMarijuana Ballot Issue: Police Back Legalization http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13657.shtml

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Comment #23 posted by ekim on August 13, 2002 at 07:13:25 PT
thanks for link canaman
The President is at Baylor College. Talking about how to help the economy. Baylor has been fueling small aircraft for 15years on ethanol. Aircraft engines have used leaded fuel for years after it was banned for cars. The ethanol has given extra octane plus stoped poluting of lead. Why was Mr. Nader the only high level candidate to call for Hemp to be used as fuel such as ethanol. I only hope that today's meeting with business leaders someone will drive this point home. Many billions could be generated for farmers and manufacturing alike. Taxes could help all of us will all the blackmarket money being lost.
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on August 12, 2002 at 22:12:44 PT
canaman
No No not a Fray then. A community. That sounds better. Willie Nelson said it right.I was looking for news and found this chart on state laws from NORML. It wasn't updated like this the last time I looked and it. It breaks down the state laws very nicely. Here's the link so you and others can check your states laws if you want.NORML's Chart on State Laws
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4516
Ohios Laws
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Comment #21 posted by canaman on August 12, 2002 at 22:04:34 PT
nice to be part of the fray (I think)
fray (fr)n. A scuffle; a brawl. A heated dispute or contest. (sounds nicer when you say it FoM)Hey did you here what Willie Nelson said when Arsenio Hall asked him if he had smoked cannabis on the roof of the White House when visiting once? "Well, you know about that short term memory loss?"
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on August 12, 2002 at 21:33:23 PT
canaman
Sshhh don't tell anyone! Short Term Memory Loss. LOL!Glad you jumped into the fray. Heck it sounds good but I'm not even sure what a fray is!
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Comment #19 posted by canaman on August 12, 2002 at 21:26:01 PT
hi FoM
Nice to meet you, too. I've been lurking around these parts for quite a spell now. Thought I might drop in unnoticed...oh well. Hey what's STML....moderator humour? Can't find it in my acronyms dictionary.
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on August 12, 2002 at 21:00:24 PT
MDG
I'm glad your Doctor understand herbal medicine. It's not a cure all. I look at medicine and I mean herbal medicine as a way to help my body and mind to be at it's best for the way I live. I ran out of Gota Cola about a week ago and I can tell. As soon as I get back taking it I will feel better then without it. I know that might not make sense. If it's a placebo effect it works so I don't care. If it works! It Works! I'll take it anyway I can! Just a little humor there.
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Comment #17 posted by MDG on August 12, 2002 at 20:43:59 PT
Nuevo Mexican, FoM...
I certainly am a big fan of Yoga and Kava, actually. I had noticed the synergy between Yoga and cannabis before, and when I had a bit of Kava with the herb, well gosh, I was relaxed as a slug. It made the smell of homemade gingerbread granola like a bowl of Heaven! Right now, the doctor I've been seeing is very understanding and is having me try things which help by restoring hormone balance naturally, and isn't the one that just "had a pill for that". The ones who were testing drugs for the pharmeceutical companies were that way. He's also a supporter of herb, but I just felt too guilty!The only alarming time I had with cannabis was the first time I got ahold of some nugs, and melted one in butter and drank the butter. It was a bit too much at one time, as I could feel it sparkling down my throat. I felt what I can only describe as the Love of God and was surrounded by blue light. I guess I just have the tendency to "get religious" when I have any cannabis (unfortunately I feel guilty as I mentioned). But, I guess that's better than being a mean drunk! :)
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on August 12, 2002 at 20:41:45 PT
canaman
I don't remember if I said hello. My mind get's so busy I forget but if I didn't I'm saying hello now and if I did just consider it STML. LOL!
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Comment #15 posted by canaman on August 12, 2002 at 20:27:56 PT
Bravo!
Didn't want to correct your post without saying that....looking forward to an encore!
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Comment #14 posted by canaman on August 12, 2002 at 20:09:30 PT
that's Brookings Institution
athttp://www.brook.edu/dybdocroot/
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on August 12, 2002 at 19:45:40 PT
ekim 
Well that's great! Way to go! 
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Comment #12 posted by ekim on August 12, 2002 at 19:39:06 PT
called c-span today 
Strob Talbot from the Brokings Inst. was on. asked him if he had studied how much tax would be generated from the NV three oz ballot question in Nov. Also mentioned the fact that 7hundred thousand had been arrested last year for mere cannabis use. And that Clinton had arrested millions of cannabis users. Also said that Ralph Nader had stated that the growing of Hemp for Ethanol would bring in Billions to US gnp. Also got in Swiss Gov't. bowing out of the Treaty of controled substances with many in EU doing the same.  His reply was -----well if I tried to respond to that you would surly see thru me and see I do not know much about what you are talking about. But be assured that when I leave here and go back to my desk that I will look in to what you have said. He then asked me and anyone else to go to the Brokings.edu site and punch in cannabis or marijuana and then hit NV I have not done that ---at least Mr. Talbot was honest I liked that. mike
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on August 12, 2002 at 18:44:31 PT
MDG
I hope you don't mind my 2 cents but here goes but first I want to say I agree with Nuevo Mexican. I had horrible anxiety attacks years ago and they were so bad and would come on whenever they wanted for whatever reason that I was almost afraid to go to the grocery store. There was no consistent event that seemed to trigger one. I tried drugs but we know the dangers of legal prescription drugs. I went that route and it didn't work.Be aware of the foods you eat. Get plenty of exercise and adequate rest. Avoid excessive stimulants (coffee, sugar etc.) I take Valarian Root every night before bed. There are different herbs that can help but it takes time with herbs. Pills work fast but you don't notice much with herbs until some time goes by. I've taken certain herbs everyday since 94 and am all in all doing fine and I ain't a youngin'.  Read up on natural medicine. That's how I learned what I felt my body needed to make it get in sync.This is only from my experience and it's important you are comfortable experimenting a little or don't do it. I recommend buying pure essential oil of lavender. Inhaling lavender oil is calming. Check out some of these ideas and they might help if you want too.
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Comment #10 posted by Nuevo Mexican on August 12, 2002 at 18:27:02 PT
Here I go...
MDG, please try alternatives for anxiety like kava kava, it works better than pharmos, and is not addictive! Don't overuse, and start doing yoga, there is nothing inherently bad with your genetics, just a pre-disposition that is triggered by the stress of daily life in Amerikkka. Yoga is really what you should be doing, daily if possible, and since you are you own best doctor, let your body heal itself through getting to know it intimately, without the use of Pharmoceautical$. Amazon Rainforest Herbs are incredible stress relievers as well and most of the money goes to support the ancient lifestyles of indigenous people. Check em out, they work great! Amazonherb.com
This approach will help in the short and long run. Peace!
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Comment #9 posted by MDG on August 12, 2002 at 16:29:21 PT
Industrial Strength...
Thanks for the compliment. I had originally thought of using Mohammed Atta, but wondered if it might be misinterpreted as "Hippies or Arabs...you choose". Plus, I didn't want to unnecessarily boost support for the "War on Terror". Besides, who doesn't hate a bank robber?Regarding the "not smoking", I suppose it's as good as "okay". I have been trying some other things for anxiety, in fact, having a series of panic attacks right after I "swore off the stuff", meaning herb. Part of my "swearing off" might have been much to do with that fear of legal ramification, like "your in the system, there's no going back", which just ramped me up even more. I have some cousins visiting and it turns out that half of the lot of us have the same condition, which I didn't know before. Certainly seems to be a genetic predisposition for anxiety. We've run the list of meds including Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Doxepin and study drugs...uh, no Zoloft. I mean, gosh, we're not crazy! :)But, I'm not a "pill popper" and hate the idea of something sitting in my belly, just waiting to do who-knows-what. Some of my worst panic attacks have been immediately after taking prescriptions. I might have to dump the pills, call the local Justice of the Peace and have him swear me back in! 
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on August 12, 2002 at 16:05:47 PT

Here You Go!!! Good Job!
http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread13726.shtml
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on August 12, 2002 at 15:54:27 PT

Thanks Dan - Way To Go!
I know Mike very well. He is part of staff talk at Mapinc. We've shared many nice emails to one another. He has always been a great encourager to me when I was down. I hope he wins because he really cares.
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Comment #6 posted by Dan B on August 12, 2002 at 15:52:38 PT:

Oops . . . Sorry!
Forgot to post a link to the LTE. Here it is:http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/081202/opi_lettersto.shtmlDan B
LTE
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Comment #5 posted by Dan B on August 12, 2002 at 15:48:58 PT:

Already sent to MAP Inc.
The article was already sent in to MAP Inc., so I didn't have to do it. By the way, it was sent in by Mike Plylar, who is a Libertarian running for state congress in Colorado. If you want to find out more about Mike, or if you want to make a contribution to his campaign, a link to his website is provided at the end of this message. Seems like a great guy to have in office.Dan B
http://www.plylar.com
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Comment #4 posted by Dan B on August 12, 2002 at 15:34:12 PT:

FoM
I thought I'd let you know that my LTE was finally published. I'll be sending it on to MAP Inc. just as soon as I finish this little note.I found out that my letter was published because I received a telephone call from someone who called the newspaper and wanted to contact me to find out any information I have about Amarillo's PAC program (those are the people who take your kids away and put them in orphanages and, eventually, foster homes). She told me that her husband was beaten to death by the Amarillo police while he was handcuffed, and her kids were taken from her because they claimed "negligence" after she tested positive for cannabis. Her kids have since been drugged (she has a daughter who is awakened with a pill, put to sleep with a pill, and is also on Paxil, which is not approved for children; other kids on Prozac, Zoloft, etc.), and they are exhibiting strong signs of sexual abuse.Now, I don't know what led to the police going after her husband, and I don't know all of the details of the story. I do know that 60 Minutes is supposed to do a story on her situation (especially the beating to death of her husband), and others are interested in airing her story. I'll keep you posted about the air date for that show as soon as I hear about it, if you are interested (she said she'd call me in the next couple of days with more information). In the mean time, I'm going to see what kind of dirt I can dig up on PAC. And the Amarillo police.Take care.Dan...on another note, is it legal for the newspaper to give my telephone number to absolute strangers? They never even called to ask if it would be okay to give this woman my phone number (not that I mind that she called, but I never gave permission to release my phone number). I'm going to give them a call, too.
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Comment #3 posted by Industrial Strength on August 12, 2002 at 14:07:06 PT

that's actually
a really good idea. Really to the point...Maybe even instead a picture of a bank robber, Osama?How's the not smoking working for you, MDG?
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 12, 2002 at 14:06:56 PT

Hi MDG!
That was really good!
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Comment #1 posted by MDG on August 12, 2002 at 14:00:22 PT

I can see it now...
A full page ad in a Las Vegas newspaper with the picture of a classic "hippie" on one side, and a bank surveillance camera still of a robber on the other with the caption, "The police can't chase both. Vote 'Yes' on Question 9."
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