cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Initiative Qualifies for Ballot Marijuana Initiative Qualifies for Ballot Posted by CN Staff on August 29, 2006 at 07:40:54 PT By Tristan Scott of the Missoulian Source: Missoulian Montana -- An initiative that aims to make marijuana offenses the single lowest priority for Missoula County law enforcement has qualified for a spot on the November ballot, according to proponents of the measure.Dubbed Initiative 2, the measure was proposed by Citizens for Responsible Crime Policy, and, thanks in part to months of aggressive signature gathering, has won the support of more than 20,000 registered voters in Missoula County. The measure required just 11,723 signatures to place on the ballot. If enough voters support Initiative 2 in November's general election, the measure would lean on local law enforcement to make “citations, arrests, property seizures and prosecutions for adult marijuana offenses Missoula County's lowest law enforcement priority,” according to the proposal.The measure would not include marijuana sales or drug use by minors as low-priority offenses, and would in no way legalize the drug.While the initiative is a mere suggestion to law enforcement, and not a law, the proposal does call for a Community Oversight Committee. The committee would consist of community members, criminal defense attorneys and a drug rehabilitation counselor who would investigate marijuana arrests and produce a report on the initiative's effects seven months after its passage.“Initiative 2 will create a citizen oversight committee that would annually track and report to taxpayers how much local government time and money are being spent on adult marijuana offenses as compared to other law enforcement issues,” said Angela Goodhope, a spokeswoman for the group.The measure strives to place increased emphasis on crimes that threaten people's lives and property and on other, more pressing drug issues, Goodhope said.But some law enforcement officials have balked at the measure, describing it as another furtive step toward the legalization of marijuana.“Personally, I think it's a joke,” said Detective Tom Lewis with Missoula's office of High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas. “Most misdemeanor possession cases arise from traffic stops or arrests on other warrants. We're not out there looking for it, but a lot of people have marijuana in their pockets. Across the United States, marijuana is the drug of choice. We see more marijuana than anything.”Goodhope said Initiative 2 mimics a similar measure that's been successful in Seattle for three years.Goodhope also noted that Montana spends more than $9 million every year enforcing marijuana laws. Meanwhile, data from the Montana Board of Crime Control show that less than one-third of the rapes reported in Missoula County last year led to an arrest, and only 8 percent of burglaries led to an arrest.Source: Missoulian (MT) Author: Tristan Scott of the MissoulianPublished: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 Copyright: 2006 Missoulian Contact: oped missoulian.comWebsite http://www.missoulian.com/ Citizens for Responsible Crime Policyhttp://www.responsiblecrimepolicy.org/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #10 posted by global_warming on August 29, 2006 at 16:26:44 PT forget not All the people who are in prisons,for smoking marijuanaI do not want to put Bill Clinton into prisonE nd Cannabis Prohibition, [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by global_warming on August 29, 2006 at 16:06:28 PT Oh, please forget not that twinkle that you borrowed from the Stars,that swim in Eternity,I Love You, [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by global_warming on August 29, 2006 at 16:00:39 PT re: that footpath that leads to eTERNITY... Breath that breath, you are welcome, can 'we rise above this madness? [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by global_warming on August 29, 2006 at 15:43:23 PT re: Shame and unmitigated greed. May your God promise you some place, where you can find comfort, be aware, this world, this universe, with all the stars and galaxies, has a place for you and me, it is not about cannabis, it is about my ability to embrace you" my neighbor, brother and sister, we are ALL on that footpath that leads to eTERNITY... [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by global_warming on August 29, 2006 at 15:03:31 PT in the mean time some more shame and disgrace from Missouri,.."In November 2004, in an election in Columbia that drew more voters than any other in the history of our community, nearly 70 percent supported removing all penalties under city ordinances for the possession and physician-approved use of small amounts of marijuana for medical purposes.""U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia, voted recently against a proposal that would have stopped the federal persecution, prosecution and imprisonment of patients who use medical marijuana with their doctors’ approval in states where the voters or their elected representatives have legalized its use."Shame and unmitigated greed...http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Aug/20060829Comm005.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by global_warming on August 29, 2006 at 14:45:27 PT Go Goodhope, it is time to account “Initiative 2 will create a citizen oversight committee that would annually track and report to taxpayers how much local government time and money are being spent on adult marijuana offenses as compared to other law enforcement issues,” said Angela Goodhope, a spokeswoman for the group.The measure strives to place increased emphasis on crimes that threaten people's lives and property and on other, more pressing drug issues, Goodhope said.But some law enforcement officials have balked at the measure, describing it as another furtive step toward the legalization of marijuana.“Personally, I think it's a joke,” said Detective Tom Lewis with Missoula's office of High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas... Across the United States, marijuana is the drug of choice. We see more marijuana than anything.”Goodhope said Initiative 2 mimics a similar measure that's been successful in Seattle for three years.Goodhope also noted that Montana spends more than $9 million every year enforcing marijuana laws. Meanwhile, data from the Montana Board of Crime Control show that less than one-third of the rapes reported in Missoula County last year led to an arrest, and only 8 percent of burglaries led to an arrest."This Notice is to all the good LEO'S, the marijuana gravy train ride is over, get over it and start to uphold your oath to serve and protect us, those "WE THE PEOPLE, [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by whig on August 29, 2006 at 12:28:12 PT ekim I'm sorry to say I don't. I really should write him a letter. I feel uncomfortable not knowing what I can say that will be allowed, and knowing that I'm basically sending it to the prison warden to read and he'll let Jerry see it if he thinks it's appropriate? I mean, I guess I should just say hello.There, I will."i hope your blog will be of help for those that have been jailed and kept away from cannabis med value."I hope so too and I hope more people keep linking to it so that there will be as many people who can find it as possible. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by ekim on August 29, 2006 at 11:38:08 PT Whig do you have contact with Jerry S i hope your blog will be of help for those that have been jailed and kept away from cannabis med value.as to the need to find those that could be helped but the govt says its not of any med value --how about those like Todd McCormick and countless others that have been in cages or pee tested every week. Be aware that this weekend feds all over the country will be riding with the LEOs for the bigest crackdown on DWI in the history of the law. just a reminder-- http://www.minorml.org/Take Action: Michigan Supreme Court DUID Ruling In a 4-3 decision on June 22, 2006, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that drivers with small traces of marijuana metabolites in their systems can be arrested and convicted even though these metabolites can remain in the body for weeks or months after exposure to marijuana. Under this ruling, people who are completely sober -- and even people who have never smoked marijuana, instead having only been exposed to second-hand smoke -- can be convicted of driving under the influence of drugs. Indeed, the court stated in its decision that "it is irrelevant that a person who is no longer 'under the influence' of marijuana could be prosecuted under the statute." The full text of the decision is available online. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by whig on August 29, 2006 at 11:27:17 PT ASA Wednesday, August 30th, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting*Join East Bay ASA to make strategic plans for the rest of the year to ensure safe access in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties! We will be discussing local and national issues and need your participation in the chapter.Please join us and make your voice heard! Refreshments will be served.* Wednesday, August 30th 7 pm*Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative 1734 Telegraph (back entrance), Downtown Oakland Just a couple blocks from the 19th Street BART station!For more information or to get involved, contact Rebecca: Rebecca [at] SafeAccessNow.org or 510-251-1856 x 308Please spread the word and pass this on to your East Bay neighbors! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Toker00 on August 29, 2006 at 08:21:25 PT ASA Study. FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION, PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY: Dear ASA member, patients, physicians and supporters: Americans for Safe Access is conducting a nationwide research study and is looking for patients in the U.S. (any state) who for some period of time did not use cannabis because of the federal government's claim that it's not medicine. Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists, and concerned citizens working to ensure safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic uses and research. ASA works to overcome political and legal barriers by creating policies that improve access to medical cannabis for patients and researchers through education, legislation, litigation, grassroots action, advocacy, and direct services for patients and caregivers. PLEASE REVIEW THE CRITERIA LIMITATIONS BELOW TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW MEETS THE ELEGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICPATE IN THIS STUDY. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS MESSAGE UNLESS YOU SATISFY ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 1. Did a patient NOT consume marijuana for some period of time within the past 5 years BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAID IT HAD NO MEDICAL VALUE? 2. Can patient demonstrate, THROUGH VERIFIABLE MEDICAL RECORDS, that after beginning medical marijuana use, it improved their health or relieved symptoms? 3. Patient MUST possess (or be able to obtain) DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE BY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS that shows harmful effects from their medical condition prior to using cannabis and evidence of relief or diminished effects as a result of cannabis use. 4. Their medical records must document a change in condition within the past 5 years. 5. In addition to DOCUMENTED MEDICAL EVIDENCE, it would be helpful, but not necessary, if their doctor were willing to testify to their improved health condition as a result of cannabis use. A sample scenario would look something like this: Jon Smith (who is HIV+) refused to use cannabis until two years ago because the federal government says it has no medical value. As a result, Jon suffered some physical harm (nausea, pain, weight loss, etc). Finally, Jon decides to use cannabis at the encouragement of his friend(s), doctor(s) or other individual. As a result of his NEW use of cannabis, Jon was able to demonstrate with MEDICAL RECORDS that his health has improved. It is important to understand that you will incur no financial obligations or benefits for your participation in this study. If you or someone you know meets the criteria mentioned above and would be interested in participating in this very important and timely research study, please contact Americans for Safe Access (ASA) as soon as possible. Please send all inquiries to asa-study SafeAccessNow.org, or contact us by phone at 510-251-1856 xt.306. Thanks for your attention to this very important matter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Caren WoodsonDirector, Government AffairsAmericans for Safe Access http://www.safeaccessnow.org/ Help ASA Support Reasonable Medical Cannabis Policies,We Can't Do it Without You! Join ASA today! http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2283Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment