cannabisnews.com: Music Promoters Fear Anti-Drug Clause





Music Promoters Fear Anti-Drug Clause
Posted by CN Staff on April 17, 2003 at 17:05:22 PT
By Molly Freedenberg
Source: Ventura County Star 
Buried deep within the 118-page Amber Alert bill is a provision that has brought fear to the music and entertainment industry. The bill, designed to heighten public awareness of missing children, also includes a provision that would make it easier to prosecute club owners and promoters who sponsor events where there is drug use.
The provision would prohibit an individual from knowingly "making available for use, or profiting from any place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled substance, and for other purposes." The bill was conceived to expand the so-called crack-house law passed in 1986, to crack down on rave parties where drug use is rampant. But some say the wording of the proposed law is so broad that anyone could be targeted. "All you have to do is prove drug use is going on at an establishment to go after the organizers," said Bill Piper, spokesman for Drug Policy Alliance. "In theory, they could go after you if one person smokes marijuana at your barbecue, the law is written so loosely, you could face 20 years in jail and a half-million-dollar fine." Chip Unruhe, a spokesman for the bill's primary sponsor, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware, said opponents' fears are a result of misinformation. "The bill is really a common-sense tool for prosecutors to go after unscrupulous promoters" who endanger kids for profit, he said. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein co-sponsored the bill but could not be reached for comment. The crack-house law has been around since 1986. Last year, Biden and others tried to pass the RAVE Act -- Reducing Americans' Vulnerability to Ecstasy -- which failed. A version of the RAVE Act was proposed in the Senate and House this year as the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act, the text of which has been added in the provision to the Amber Alert bill. The RAVE Act originally was conceived to bolster the crack-house law. It specifically was in response to a case in New Orleans where hospital workers complained of an increase in the number of overdosed patients each time a particular promoter held an event, Unruhe said. The judge in that case wanted a more specific law on the books. The crack-house law applies to an indoor space used repeatedly for the use, sale or manufacture of drugs. In contrast, the provision in the Amber Alert bill can be applied to a one-time event such as a party at a private home or in a vacant field, or outside events such as concerts. It could even conceivably apply to a party held in a rented church basement. The provision is meant to target club owners who shut off water supplies to sell overpriced water to dehydrated drug users, Unruhe said. Another potential target would be club owners who instruct ambulance drivers to take patients to cross-town hospitals to avoid having those who overdose being connected to particular events. Unruhe said he had heard of such tactics. Unruhe emphasized the bill is not intended to stop music or dancing. Piper said the crack-house law already deals with the kind of situations Unruhe describes. And current drug laws allow the prosecution of those who use or deal drugs. But the new provision isn't about cracking down on drugs, Piper said. "It's the events they don't like." He said the law doesn't protect innocent club owners and lowers the bar on proving knowledge or endorsement of drug use. A common fear, he said, is that prosecutors will argue the sale of glow sticks and bottled water -- often associated with dancing at raves but also with the use of the drug ecstasy, MDMA -- or the presence of trained paramedics will prove "knowledge and encouragement" of drug use. These were part of the evidence in two recent crack-house cases, said Piper, including the one in New Orleans, which led to the creation of the RAVE Act. Hans Riemer, of Rock the Vote, said the bill could be a "blanket attack on youth culture." Piper also fears political rallies, hip-hop shows, gay and lesbian clubs, marijuana legalization events and other "politically incorrect" gatherings could be next on the list. Although the bill has raised concerns in the industry, few local club owners had heard of it, including representatives from Nicholby's, Ventura Theater and Seaside Park. But Piper said he doesn't think that will be the case for long. He is getting calls from worried promoters, nightclub owners and people associated with the electronic music scene. He expects opposition to grow fast.Note: They say it could bring crackdowns on many events.Source: Ventura County Star (CA)Author: Molly FreedenbergPublished: April 17, 2003Copyright: 2003 The E.W. Scripps Co.Contact: letters insidevc.comWebsite: http://www.staronline.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Rock The Votehttp://www.rockthevote.org/ Feel Like Dancing? - National Reviewhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15329.shtmlRaving Lunacy - Fox Newshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13536.shtmlParty Poopers - Reason Magazinehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13528.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by rchandar on April 21, 2003 at 00:58:04 PT:
amber alert bill
this is a murderous law but i'm not sure it will really extend to things other than concerts or events or clubs, public places etc. what COULD happen is that STATES could start writing similar laws and guidelines for punishment.it makes me sad, because there is an infallible truth with questions related to authority. it's very, very easy to enact legislation that increases authority and decreases the rights of individuals. but it's damn tough to get those laws removed.makes me sad. i wonder what will happen to the "protest" rock culture. 
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Comment #4 posted by ekim on April 18, 2003 at 18:54:03 PT
what is body count of the war-- anyone heard?
"But Piper said he doesn't think that will be the case for long. He is getting calls from worried promoters, nightclub owners and people associated with the electronic music scene. He expects opposition to grow fast."Instead of Rotary Clubs 
The Promoters should Call or email Mike Smithson, Speakers' Bureau Coordinator at (315) 243-5844 or speakers leap.cc 
 And find out what the LEAP has to say on this subject. 
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Comment #3 posted by afterburner on April 18, 2003 at 07:01:20 PT:
Buried deep...Amber Alert bill...fear to...music
Buried deep within the 118-page Amber Alert bill is a provision that has brought fear to the music and entertainment industry.Speaking of burying things, check out these links:TOP STORY
RCMP puts criminals on notice with DNA bank
http://www.itbusiness.ca/userredirect.asp?linkid=23492&userid=54/17/2003 5:00:00 PM - The way DNA is collected, handled and processed can make the difference between guilty and innocent in the courtroom. The federal agency goes to the private sector to design software to make it work"Once the RCMP has created the profile, it is uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System. The database is used by 12 countries and another 14 are evaluating it as the preferred international standard format. Anjura is currently building a similar STACS system for the FBI and has one operating for law enforcement in Florida."Will they use this new system to help the innocent or to persecute the cannabis users and providers?Pot shipment found in Canadian trash at border http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1050616979825&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968705899037"Pot" deserves better treatment.[Hamilton Spectator] Important Notice 
» On April 22 thespec.com will become a two-tier website. Until then you will be able to use this site without being a subscriber. The mass media is already the fount of managed news. Now they are becoming the gatekeeper of who can access (or copy?) that news.ego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 17, 2003 at 19:22:33 PT
ekim
You're welcome and here's the link if anyone wants to check out the web site.http://www.leap.cc/
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Comment #1 posted by ekim on April 17, 2003 at 18:32:58 PT
FoM thanks for posting this on your Freedomtoexhal
Retired Police Touring Massachusetts Calling For End To Drug ProhibitionLEAP is announcing a statewide tour of the Commonwealth State, January to July, 2003. During this period, Executive Director Jack Cole and Board Member Peter Christ will be presenting to civic & community groups, church congregations, business organizations, neighborhood boards to explain why current policy is a failure. If you live in Massachusetts, be sure to take advantage of this on-going effort to bring this eye-opening discussion to your community. Call or email Mike Smithson, Speakers' Bureau Coordinator at (315) 243-5844 or speakers leap.cc   Date Event Time Speaker City State/Prov Country 
click on titles to sort - click again to reverse order 
April 2003 
Apr 23 03 Chatham Rotary Club 06:00 PM Jack Cole Chatham Massachusetts USA 
 Executive Director Jack Cole is in Chatham Massachusetts for the Chatham Rotary Club meeting at the 400 East Club 
Apr 23 03 Martha's Vineyard Rotary Club 12:00 PM Jack Cole Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts USA 
 Executive Director Jack Cole speaks to the Martha's Vineyard Rotary Club at the Oceanview Restaurant. 
Apr 28 03 Lexington Rotary Club 12:00 PM Jack Cole Lexington Massachusetts USA 
 Executive Director Jack Cole returns as Paul Revere to the Lexington Rotary at the Sheraton Inn, Lexington, Massachusetts 
 
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