cannabisnews.com: Hearing On Outlawing MJ Stirs Strong Feelings










  Hearing On Outlawing MJ Stirs Strong Feelings

Posted by CN Staff on March 24, 2005 at 08:03:05 PT
By Sean Cockerham, Anchorage Daily News 
Source: Anchorage Daily News 

Juneau, Alaska -- The debate over recriminalizing pot has nerves on edge at the Capitol. Eagle River Sen. Fred Dyson, whose committee held a hearing on the issue Wednesday, said he wanted an apology for what he called nasty phone calls from people against a bill designed to make pot illegal again.
The crux of Wednesday's debate was whether marijuana is dangerous enough for government to punish its users or if adult Alaskans should keep their right to smoke it in the privacy of their homes. It's an issue with passionate views on both sides, and it generated tension. Fairbanks Sen. Gary Wilken sharply criticized the head of the state public defenders agency for testifying against the bill in her official position."I'm really disappointed in your testimony today. ... I'm shocked," the Fairbanks Republican told Barbara Brink, director of the agency.The Senate Health and Social Services Committee is holding a series of hearings on Gov. Frank Murkowski's attempt to overrule state court rulings that adult Alaskans have the right to possess up to four ounces of marijuana for personal use in their homes. The bill would also make it much easier to prosecute pot possession as a felony.The Alaska Supreme Court in September let stand a lower court ruling that at-home adult possession of pot was protected under the strong right to privacy from government interference that is protected under the state constitution.Murkowski wants the Legislature to pass his Senate Bill 74, which would say lawmakers want marijuana illegal again. That wouldn't be enough to trump the court rulings that pot is protected under the onstitution.But the governor's strategy is to introduce evidence at the legislative hearings about the harms of pot. That, his aides said, would create a "legislative record" to show the courts that the state has an overriding interest in making all marijuana use illegal in Alaska. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/stirs.htmSource: Anchorage Daily News (AK)Author: Sean Cockerham, Anchorage Daily NewsPublished: March 24, 2005 - Page B-1 Copyright: 2005 The Anchorage Daily News Contact: letters adn.com Website: http://www.adn.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Regulate Marijuana in Alaskahttp://regulatemarijuanainalaska.org/Pot Issue Brought To Senate by State http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20391.shtmlTwo Groups Speak Out Against Marijuana Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20388.shtmlPot Measure Would Test Court Rulingshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20198.shtmlGovernor Moves To Change Pot Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20151.shtml

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Comment #13 posted by FoM on March 26, 2005 at 18:12:20 PT
afterburner
This is off topic but I've been reading about the spread of the Ebola type virus and I came upon this article. It was nice to read because of Canada's generosity. Here it is and Canadians are good people Thank You!***Cda Sends Unique Lab to Test for Fatal Virus in Angola; More Than 100 DeadTARA BRAUTIGAMMarch 26, 2005 TORONTO (CP) - Canada is sending a one-of-a-kind portable laboratory to Angola to help contain an Ebola-like fever that has killed more than 100 people since October.Dr. Heinz Feldman, an expert in deadly pathogens, is set to arrive in the southwestern African country on Tuesday as part of a global response to halt the spread of Marburg, a viral disease with no cure or vaccine that doctors have said can be "rapidly fatal."Feldman and Allen Grolla, a laboratory technician, will be able to quickly diagnose cases of Marburg, which health officials on the ground have been unable to do. So far, only five cases have been confirmed, but at least 112 people have died from the virus, according to Angolan officials.Complete Article: http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n032619A
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Comment #12 posted by afterburner on March 26, 2005 at 12:17:50 PT
'Enormous Victory for Live Music' SHORTLIVED
{Enormous Victory for Live Music [SHORTLIVED]{Dear YOU,{There is great news to report in the fight to Protect Live Music. As you may know, the Drug Policy Alliance spent 2004 battling against the CLEAN-UP Act in Congress.{While there was much in the bill we liked -- it provided funding for safe cleaning of illegal methamphetamine laboratories -- we opposed a key provision that would have punished nightclub owners and music promoters for their customers' drug use.{Well, not only did the CLEAN-UP Act not pass last year, but earlier this month a new version of the CLEAN-UP Act was introduced that does NOT even contain the controversial provision.{This is an enormous victory for the Alliance and our supporters; live music fans across the country; musicians, club owners and activists; and the Protect Live Music campaign. It's also a great way to start to 2005. We are grateful to the thousands of Alliance supporters like you who took action against the CLEAN-UP Act through our website and in protests last year.{Of course, it's possible that this provision or something like it will surface again in other legislation. We're on the lookout for it and will keep you informed.{Thank you for your support and dedication to drug-policy reform.{Sincerely,{Bill Piper Director of National Affairs Drug Policy Alliance}--NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- January 20, 2005 http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/20/thread20144.shtml#2ANTI-RAVE MENTALITY STRIKES AGAIN:US MI: Web: One Hundred Plus Music Fans Arrested at Michigan.
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n502/a10.html .
Newshawk: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=23625&l=84683 .
Pubdate: Fri, 25 Mar 2005.
Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW)
 Take Action! Send a Message. 
Defend Your Right to Dance
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=23625&l=84683 
 
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on March 26, 2005 at 12:06:03 PT
It seems like society is moving backwards.
While some of us are trying to move it forward, to advance it to a better place of more respect and compassion for all human beings. 
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on March 26, 2005 at 11:33:47 PT
afterburner
Oh I know what you mean. We are expendable though. So many areas of society show lack of concern for people. If you are over 65 in Florida you can't sue a doctor for any reason. No health care for us down here. No concern for global warming and I won't even get started on the invasion of Iraq. These are trying times for society.
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Comment #9 posted by afterburner on March 26, 2005 at 11:26:33 PT
FoM, OT, but Relevant
"Sometimes I believe that those that representative the conservatives here in the U.S. and in Canada just wish we would all die and go away." I don't usually post articles about substances other than cannabis, but the recent proposals by the Bush administration regarding government policies on HIV treatment seem to verify your assessment:US: Web: Death Penalty for IV Drug Users. 
URL: 
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n501/a09.html .
Pubdate: Thu, 24 Mar 2005.
Source: Salon (US Web)
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on March 25, 2005 at 20:47:04 PT

afterburner 
Sometimes I believe that those that representative the conservatives here in the U.S. and in Canada just wish we would all die and go away. Maybe that's extreme but I don't hate them but I do feel they hate us.PS: I am still following the Schiavo case. It is very interesting to watch unfold and you see the passion and anger from different sides. Morality is a delicate issue. I believe we shouldn't involve ourselves in others personal moral issues. I think that's why Bush's polls dropped into the 40s. People are tired and we are intelligent and will make decisions that others don't approve of but hating and jailing people for being different just isn't acceptable to me.
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Comment #7 posted by afterburner on March 25, 2005 at 20:34:29 PT

As in Canada, So in Alaska
Every step we take to NORML-ize, LEO's target us.Tom Petty › I Won’t Back Down Lyrics http://www.lyricsfreak.com/t/tom-petty/138493.htmlResponsible adults, many of them respected professionals, who consume cannabis to relax should not be arrested to "save the children" in Alaska. According to the Ravin decision in Alaska Supreme Court, use of cannabis by those under 19 is already illegal. Most of the punitive neo-prohibition proposals will create a criminal class composed of 44% of Alaska's voters. The medicine police in so-called government "health" care are attempting to over-regulate responsible cannabis consumption by adults in order to prevent possible health problems in underage children. This has not been done with tobacco, alcohol (except for the failed Prohibition I), pharmaceuticals, and junk food. Why is cannabis continually singled out for such harsh and unscientific treatment?
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on March 24, 2005 at 12:23:42 PT

fearfull
This audio of the hearing is excellent. The first half is the prohibitionists but the comments after that are really good. Audio of Hearing in Alaska: 
 
http://www.ktoo.org/gavel/archive.cfm?audio=7619&request=
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Comment #5 posted by fearfull on March 24, 2005 at 12:20:03 PT

Just thinking
Just perhaps this will backfire on the prohib scum, and the next legalization and taxation referendum will pass with overwhelming support. I hope.
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Comment #4 posted by Hope on March 24, 2005 at 09:03:19 PT

Don't be sorry, Sam
It's your truly patriotic duty and duty as a rational human being to sound off on Dyson and other's like him. They are avoiding reality, like the one you mention: "What type of reaction did Sen. Dyson expect from his constituents upon learning that he's sending body-armored thugs with battering rams and M-16s to break into their houses while they're watching TV with their kids?" 
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on March 24, 2005 at 08:59:14 PT

off topic, Eddy Lepp
wow, I'm really turbo-posting this AM! Just wanted to forward this, it's not a real newspaper, but it's a detailed update on Eddy Lepp in case anyone is interested, it looks encouraging, at least he has 1 federal judge who's supportive of his cause-http://www.hempevolution.org/thc/lepp_uncertain.htm
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Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on March 24, 2005 at 08:45:51 PT

Sen. Dyson
Sorry, still going off on this guy.What type of reaction did Sen. Dyson expect from his constituents upon learning that he's sending body-armored thugs with battering rams and M-16s to break into their houses while they're watching TV with their kids? Did he expect them to drop by for afternoon tea and proffer some formalities about the weather and this year's moose hunt?
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Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on March 24, 2005 at 08:28:57 PT

disgraceful pols
Sorry pal, but the last time I checked it was your DUTY to communicate with your constituents - it is 100% their right to be rude AND nasty to your staff, and to call repeatedly. They don't like what you're doing! If they're being rude and nasty, then clearly your actions are WAY out of line with their wishes.The truth is, calls against the bill probably outnumber calls in favor by 10 or 20 to 1. The only support for the bills is coming from Washington, 4000 miles away. Do your job, and quit complaining about it.

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