cannabisnews.com: Emanuel Backs Marijuana Decriminalization

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  Emanuel Backs Marijuana Decriminalization

Posted by CN Staff on June 15, 2012 at 14:30:17 PT
By Mary Wisniewski 
Source: Reuters 

Reuters -- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Friday he would back a proposal that would decriminalize possessing small amounts of marijuana, the latest major U.S. political figure to support diminished penalties for the drug's use. Under the proposed ordinance, to be voted on by the city council later this month, police officers in the nation's third-largest city would be able to issue a written violation for possession of 15 grams or less.
This is a modified version of an ordinance proposed last fall by a group of Chicago aldermen, who said the measure would help raise revenue for the city, save money and free up police to pursue more serious crimes.More than a dozen states and several of the largest U.S. cities have already taken similar steps. New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo is another supporter of pot decriminalization.Chicago Police Department statistics indicate that last year there were 18,298 arrests for possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana, according to a statement from the mayor's office. Each case involves approximately four officers - two arresting and two transporting officers - and places an additional burden on the Cook County court and jail system, the statement said."These arrests tied up more than 45,000 police hours," Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said in the mayor's office statement. "The new ordinance nearly cuts that time in half, which equals an approximate $1 million in savings, while freeing up cops to address more serious crime."Currently, those caught with small amounts of the drug could face up to six months in jail. The aldermen's original ordinance set the limit at 10 grams.When the ordinance was first introduced last year, Emanuel, who was President Barack Obama's first White House chief of staff, had said he would ask the police to do an analysis to see if the reform would make sense."The result is an ordinance that allows us to observe the law, while reducing the processing time for minor possession of marijuana - ultimately freeing up police officers for the street," Emanuel said.McCarthy and Emanuel have been under pressure in recent weeks to quell a spike in gun violence in Chicago. Through May 13 of this year, there have been 185 homicides in the city, up from 116 during the comparable period last year, and the numbers have continued to rise. Emanuel had vowed to cut the city's crime rate when he was elected last year.Fifteen states have reduced the penalty for possession of limited amounts of marijuana, according to Allen St. Pierre, executive director of NORML, a lobbying group working to legalize the drug. Other cities with similar policies include Seattle, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, as well as university towns like Champaign, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana."It's a pragmatic move," said St. Pierre, regarding Emanuel's decision.Under a New York proposal approved by the State Assembly Wednesday and backed by Cuomo, patients could buy marijuana at pharmacies and hospitals or from non-profits certified by the state. The Republican-led New York Senate is not expected to allow a vote on the bill this session.Opponents of decriminalization have argued that it normalizes drug use, and results in a lost opportunity for intervention.The Chicago ordinance will likely be voted on during the City Council meeting June 27.Reporting By Mary Wisniewski; additional reporting by Andrew Stern; Editing by Doina ChiacuSource: Reuters (Wire)Author:  Mary WisniewskiPublished: June 15, 2012Copyright: 2012 Thomson ReutersCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 

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Comment #14 posted by ekim on June 17, 2012 at 20:33:30 PT
nice one AB 
oneder if the poet Javier Sicilia peace caravan will be 
coming to a city near the tuna.has the cat got NYNY what the hay 100 bucks come on why 
no comments for the NY Gov. Cuomo he still is the one going 
in the history books/Come on David Letterman invite the peace caravan to your show
and have the Gov on along with the tuna and Chong .
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 17, 2012 at 09:44:12 PT
Storm Crow
Thank you. I will very soon!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by Storm Crow on June 17, 2012 at 09:41:00 PT
FoM
Go back to bed, hon! Get some decent sleep! 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by FoM on June 17, 2012 at 09:31:41 PT
greenmed
Thank you so much. I have slept 2 nights on the couch so I could hear if all was OK. Now I'll be able to go to bed. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by FoM on June 17, 2012 at 09:28:30 PT
Hope
She had an up and down pregnancy. She had morning sickness and got finicky about what she wanted to eat. The last few days all she would eat was cooked chicken and rice. She is eating normally since the pups were born. I didn't know that morning sickness is common in dogs since I have never had a dog before with morning sickness. Only one pup, the last one, needed intervention but he is doing fine now.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by greenmed on June 17, 2012 at 09:25:37 PT
Puppies!
They look beautiful! I'm so glad the whelping went well!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by Hope on June 17, 2012 at 09:07:51 PT
Puppies!
Yay!
[ Post Comment ]

 


Comment #7 posted by FoM on June 17, 2012 at 08:24:24 PT

Picture of Our Puppies
Our girl had 9 puppies. 5 girls and 4 boys. All went well and we are very happy that it was event free.
Our Puppies
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on June 17, 2012 at 07:48:16 PT

greenmed
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads!
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #5 posted by greenmed on June 17, 2012 at 05:43:55 PT

HFD
Happy Father's Day to everyone!Although it's a 'manufactured holiday'. There should never be an inconvenient time for fathers to appreciate their kids, and vice-versa, and for us to be in touch in whatever way we can with our dads.Peace.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #4 posted by afterburner on June 16, 2012 at 10:57:10 PT

ekim #2
Robert Platshorn, aka, The Black Tuna, has served his time. His parole officer had no problem with his speaking tour, The Silver Tour, to inform seniors of the effectiveness of medical cannabis. He is working on a much-needed movie promoting the medicinal qualities of cannabis. "By this action you are no longer under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Parole Commission."Why does he have to answer to another parole officer? "Now, even though he's been officially released from the jurisdiction of the U.S. Parole Commission, the federal government is trying to silence him, ordering travel restrictions -- which would effectively end The Silver Tour -- and forbidding him to associate with fellow Silver Tour director, federal medical marijuana patient Irvin Rosenfeld." http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2012/06/feds_move_to_silence_platshorn_derail_the_silver_t.php This new parole officer is trying to cancel his treatment of cancer with with concentrated cannabis oil, to prevent him from touring with Irv Rosenfeld, to eliminate his speaking income from the Silver Tour and Black Tuna Diaries book signings, potentially to delay or to cease production of the pro-medical cannabis movie, and possibly to send him back to prison. If anyone has a few spare shekels, please buy the Black Tuna Diaries to help Robert and his semi-invalid wife, help him finish the movie, and help the cause of medical cannabis freedom.It astounds me how vindictive the U.S. federal government is, regarding their hypocritical stance on cannabis having no medical value, as they send free medical cannabis to the survivors of the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program.
Compassionate Investigational New Drug program
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on June 16, 2012 at 09:42:05 PT

ekim
Thank you for those articles.Mr. Chong. I love him. I've always thought he was a handsome, sweet, funny, funny man. Reading his story and his choice of treatment, I'm reminded of the Weed Doctor at the University of Mississippi and his wanting to create a cannabis suppository. I would think that a suppository might be a great way of delivering a nice dose directly to the prostate area.Robert Platshorn. Oh my Lord! Javier Sicilia. "Mexican poet-turned-activist Javier Sicilia has received the U.S. government’s backing for his planned month-long peace caravan in that country aimed at drawing attention to drug-related violence and communicating his anti-drug war message." What?I have a lot of trouble believing that.
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Comment #2 posted by ekim on June 15, 2012 at 21:29:14 PT

please think of ways to make caravan to DC get air
it can be a great event at every stophttp://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/u.s.-supports-mexican-activists-peace-caravan/16436/http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2012/06/feds_move_to_silence_platshorn_derail_the_silver_t.phphttp://blog.aarp.org/2012/06/13/tommy-chong-battling-prostate-cancer-with-hemp-oil-cannabis/
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 15, 2012 at 18:20:37 PT

Montana Democrats Voice Support for MMJ
 Friday, June 15, 2012 Medical marijuana recently received the official support of the Montana Democrats, but the Republicans aren’t likely to follow suit.At their convention in Helena last weekend, Democrats voted to add support for medical marijuana to their party’s platform. Their 2010 platform included no mention of marijuana.URL: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/politics/article_3afc3972-b6a6-11e1-ab4a-0019bb2963f4.html
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