cannabisnews.com: Omnibus Drug Bill Headed for The Senate Floor Omnibus Drug Bill Headed for The Senate Floor Posted by CN Staff on January 12, 2006 at 21:30:51 PT By Anne Sutton, Associated Press Writer Source: Associated Press Juneau, Alaska -- Two bills that aim to curb the production and use of marijuana and methamphetamine in Alaska have been folded into one. The omnibus measure was moved out of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday for possible Senate floor debate and a vote.Finance co-Chairwoman Lyda Green, R-Wasilla, said merging the two bills would create a more efficient vehicle to move the measures through. She said both drugs are controlled substances that create headaches for law enforcement. "We are looking at the final result of (ingesting) the product and what public safety officials and others are going through to curb that," she said.Backed by Gov. Frank Murkowski, House Bill 149 would roll back a 30-year-old Supreme Court decision that makes it legal for Alaskans to possess up to 4 ounces of marijuana for personal use in their homes. It would make possession of 4 ounces or more a felony.State officials say recriminalizing marijuana would help state troopers crack down on commercial growers by making it easier obtain search warrants. Critics counter, however, the penalties only target so-called recreational users and the bill does not enhance fines for those possessing a pound or more of marijuana.Lawmakers also heard testimony from experts called by bill opponents to counter the state's claims about marijuana being more potent now than in mid-1970s, when the state's high court issued its ruling.Dr. Mitchell Earlywine, a professor at New York State University, said marijuana is stronger than it used to be but not to the extent that has been reported. He said the methods for measuring the drug's potency were flawed in the 1970s. He estimates marijuana is about twice as strong as it was.The bill says it is 14 times stronger.Earlywine also challenged the state's contention that today's pot is more dangerous, but he agreed with the state that the drug should not be used by or around children."As more and more work is coming out on the brain, it's clearer and clear that marijuana is hard on the developing brain. I'm absolutely certain this is not something teens should play with," he said.Lawmakers amended the bill on Thursday to remove several references to Alaska Natives, which were included to note the drug's disproportionate use and affects among Natives. Assistant Sen. Donny Olsen, D-Nome, said the references made it appear the law was targeting Alaska Natives.The new omnibus measure would also would limit the sale of a popular decongestant, Sudafed, which is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.It would also list certain anabolic steroids as controlled substances. The performance-enhancing drugs are known to cause serious physical and psychological side effects. Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Anne Sutton, Associated Press Writer Published: January 12, 2006Copyright: 2006 The Associated Press Related Articles:Lawmakers Try To Toughen Alaska's Marijuana Laws http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21471.shtmlGovernor Set To Push Anti-Marijuana Legislation http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21369.shtmlPot Measure Would Test Court Rulingshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20198.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #21 posted by runruff on January 15, 2006 at 10:55:56 PT: Governor Smirkowsky I've heard that Hormel has a bounty out on this guy. He is about 250 lbs. of prime pork. He sound absolutely gagalicous. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on January 14, 2006 at 13:16:28 PT runruff Good comparison thanks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by runruff on January 14, 2006 at 12:20:29 PT: Guilt by association. Rather like an insurance company saying people who drive red Corvettes are 50 times more likely to speed. Therefore we should charge people who drive red Yugos higher insurance rates. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on January 14, 2006 at 09:23:03 PT cloud7 That's how I see it too. Meth is a whole different issue then Cannabis and they just want to change the laws around Cannabis and use the Meth issue and that really bothers me. Politics are so underhanded. If we would finally get Cannabis laws changed the drug war would fall apart and they know it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by cloud7 on January 14, 2006 at 09:18:57 PT RE: 12 "They are trying to make marijuana guilty by association with Meth. That is really underhanded."Yep, nothing new here for the prohibitionists. If they can't scare up the votes needed for a new law on cannibis, just casually associate meth or crack somehow when trying to pass the law. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on January 13, 2006 at 20:49:22 PT ekim It's good to see you. You do good work. I'm not sure I know what you want me to find or I'd give it a try. I hope you have a nice weekend. The news is slowing up so we watched The Book of Daniel and now we are watching a documentary that is on the Times-Discovery Channel called Hearts and Minds. It won an Academy Award and was made in 74 and it is about Vietnam and is very good. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by ekim on January 13, 2006 at 20:32:53 PT FoM what a neat place---- thanks to Libby at http://lastonespeaks.blogspot.com/about Howard Wooldridge -- he and Misty came by here this summer on his cross country ride from LA to NYC. So yes i do know what Libby says about just ask Howard about his shirt "Cops say legalize ask me why"http://www.leap.cc/howard/newsletter010606.phpI believe I've told you that I followed Eric Sterling’s sage advice and brought several gallons of slime remover to DC. Returning from a day on the Hill, I have to use a generous amount to feel clean. After only a month I have used up most of it. Just another expense for being an educator on Capitol Hill.-Howard FoM do you have any way to ck for stories on this bill before when others spoke out against it. I am thinking about Jack Cole Dir of LEAP. I looked at the front page under justice and did not have any luck finding a related story on who spoke out and what they said. Did anyone hear the NPR science fri show today on China and how it is growing and that not to far down the road the globe will not have enough trees for paper or oil for their billion cars. what a great time to be in CA pushing for Hemp to give jobs help stop mud slides and usher in a whole new plastic movement. Here is wishing that those that have some thought in new products and jobs in the Hemp Industry please post here.www.thehia.org as wishing goes would hope Dr Ethan would post results of mental disorders assocatied with cannabis spray. as mental fund rasising group in UKcrys about such a large number of humans affected by cannabis use. http://www.leap.cc/events [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by mayan on January 13, 2006 at 16:52:12 PT Thought Police Critics counter, however, the penalties only target so-called recreational users and the bill does not enhance fines for those possessing a pound or more of marijuana.As I've said before, this bill is simply a ploy to allow Alaskan leo's to search anyone's home at any time. All they have to do is say they smell cannabis or say their dog "indicated" that there were narcotics in the house. It is about instilling fear in Alaskans by taking away their last refuge of privacy...their house. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by museman on January 13, 2006 at 15:01:55 PT: The Epidemic of Cannabis Damage Oh it's there. Just look in the minimum security ward of any/every prison in America. It has created a standing army that is better armed and equipped than our boys in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 75% of the population experience 'terror' in the presence of the legal predators known as LAW ENFORCEMENT.Just scratching the surface... http://wholeearthfamily.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on January 13, 2006 at 12:22:46 PT cloud7 I agree with you but what they are doing is very sneaky. They are trying to make marijuana guilty by association with Meth. That is really underhanded. One is natural and the other man made. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by cloud7 on January 13, 2006 at 12:07:30 PT ... "Two bills that aim to curb the production and use of marijuana and methamphetamine in Alaska have been folded into one."It's two, two, two bad laws in one. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on January 13, 2006 at 11:09:24 PT Taylor121 Are you saying that the roll back would be unconstitutional since it is the state constitution of Alaska. There are no charges by NORML's chart under 4 ounces. Is that why you think what you said? That makes sense to me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Taylor121 on January 13, 2006 at 11:04:11 PT On the Alaskan Law "Ok, how does making "4 ounces or more" a felony roll back a decision that makes "up to 4 ounces" legal?I'm getting confused by the conflicting reports on this bill."It rolls back the under 4 ounces category as well since it makes it a misdemeanor crime to possess less than 4 ounces, which is unconstitutional. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on January 13, 2006 at 09:22:23 PT runderwo Maybe NORML's Alaska state law link might help us sort this out.http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=&Group_ID=4522 [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by runderwo on January 13, 2006 at 09:19:16 PT hmm "Backed by Gov. Frank Murkowski, House Bill 149 would roll back a 30-year-old Supreme Court decision that makes it legal for Alaskans to possess up to 4 ounces of marijuana for personal use in their homes. It would make possession of 4 ounces or more a felony."Ok, how does making "4 ounces or more" a felony roll back a decision that makes "up to 4 ounces" legal?I'm getting confused by the conflicting reports on this bill. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on January 13, 2006 at 06:29:02 PT hchaney I really don't get news in e-mail but by posting the link others can read it even if I don't post it. I don't post a lot of articles but Mapinc. does because I stay focussed on marijuana issues. I saw the article yesterday and it seems to be about a legal pain drug and drug dealing rather then marijuana reform or just marijuana so that is why I didn't post it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Hope on January 13, 2006 at 05:49:34 PT Sam "What about the Republicans striking down Mercury emission reductions laws until 2018?"Sadly, it's about money for their big campaign contributors and thus, themselves.I, too, wonder what those powerful chemicals are doing to delicate forming tissue in the children given them...some of them just so they'll learn to be good little drones for the all pervasive state. I know even mild chemicals can burn delicate tissue. I'm afraid their poor little brain cells are being fried and scarred.And you're right. There is no " epidemic of cannabis damage". We often hear about the increased diabetes and incidence of obesity in today's children and young people. Where's all that schizophrenia that should be ravaging the population since the popularity of cannabis consumption has repopularized itself in society? It didn't happen. Hasn't happened. Won't happen. Cannabis is more likely to have a healing effect on many people.There is a passage in one of the letters from Paul the Apostle that says, "Cretins are always liars."If that's true, I'd say all or most prohibitionists must have some signifigant Cretin heritage back up the line somewhere. They seem to love their lies and lieing.Would a narc lie? [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on January 13, 2006 at 05:15:07 PT brains "As more and more work is coming out on the brain, it's clearer and clear that marijuana is hard on the developing brain. I'm absolutely certain this is not something teens should play with," he said.Just curious...has any "work" been done to find the impact of Prozac and Ritalin on developing brains? i.e., 40 years of vigorous government funding of studies configured to show damage?1/3rd of kids born today will develop diabetes...how much more "work" do we need to do on cannabis at this point? Shouldn't we "work" on McDonald's brainwashing of small babies? Shouldn't we "work" more on parents teaching their kids poor eating and exercise habits? What about the Republicans striking down Mercury emission reductions laws until 2018? what about the fact that one in five American women of child-bearing age have Mercury blood levels above EPA limits? Is cannabis responsible for the autism epidemic?Where is the epidemic of cannabis damage, by the way? Shouldn't we be seeing one, given that 100 million of us have used cannabis? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by hchaney on January 13, 2006 at 03:17:57 PT: Off topic (FOM) http://www.athensnews.com/ Hope you can use this. BTW, how do we e-mail articles or information to you? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by WolfgangWylde on January 13, 2006 at 03:12:16 PT Again, not possible.... "Backed by Gov. Frank Murkowski, House Bill 149 would roll back a 30-year-old Supreme Court decision that makes it legal for Alaskans to possess up to 4 ounces of marijuana for personal use in their homes. "Nope. Can't happen. Only a Constitutional Amendment can accomplish this. All that will happen is that somebody will challenge the new law, take it to the Supreme Court, which will point to Alaska's EXPLICIT Right To Privacy, and strike down the law. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 12, 2006 at 21:34:57 PT Illinois Article from Snipped Source Medical Marijuana Argument Makes Little Headway in Illinois***Chad Morelli Of the Suburban JournalsCollinsville HeraldJanuary 11, 2006In Southern Illinois, the medical marijuana debate is just getting started.Only a handful of local residents apparently even know the names of Rep. Larry McKeon (D-Chicago) and Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago), the two Illinois state representatives who are strong supporters of medical marijuana legislation. Even at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where hundreds of students support the legalization of the drug, groups that lobby for medical marijuana laws have been slow to push the issue.Michael Steelman, a 27-year-old Edwardsville resident and a member of the National Organization for the Reform of Medical Marijuana Laws, believes there is a bright future for medical marijuana. He also believes that future might still be more than a decade away in Illinois."I don't think anyone would accuse this area of being too progressive," Steelman said. "Most people won't even talk about the issue around here. They are terrified of a plant."Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/848xv [ Post Comment ] Post Comment