cannabisnews.com: West Wing Producer Faces Drug Charge West Wing Producer Faces Drug Charge Posted by FoM on April 16, 2001 at 21:33:22 PT By Sharon Waxman, Washington Post Staff Writer Source: Washington Post "West Wing" creator Aaron Sorkin was arrested over the weekend at Burbank Airport after he was found with hallucinogenic mushrooms in his carry-on luggage. The 40-year-old executive producer, who had just completed writing the season's last episode of the Emmy-winning White House drama, was headed for a flight to Las Vegas when security personnel doing a routine check found the mushrooms wrapped in tissue paper, according to an airport spokesman. Airport police took Sorkin to the Burbank jail, where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance. He was released on $10,000 bail a few hours later. Sorkin released a statement saying: "I am glad to be surrounded by such a supportive group of people and am prepared to proceed as directed by my attorney and in the best interest of my family." NBC and Warner Bros. Television, which produces "West Wing," also released an official comment, saying that "we have the utmost respect for Aaron Sorkin and his family and fully support them during this difficult time."This is the second embarrassing incident involving drugs for NBC this year. "Friends" star Matthew Perry checked himself into a drug rehab program in late February.Sorkin has spoken openly about his past struggles with drug addiction, saying he used his own experiences to shape the "West Wing" character of White House chief of staff Leo McGarry, a recovering alcoholic. In recent years he has married, and he and his wife had a child last year.News of Sorkin's arrest on drug charges came as a surprise on the set of the show. Close associates say nothing in the writer's recent behavior indicated a relapse into drug use. On the contrary, said one such colleague, "I have no sense of his having any ongoing problem here. He hasn't missed a minute of work. He's here at 7:30 a.m., two hours before anyone else, and the earliest he ever leaves is 7:30 [p.m.]. He frequently leaves after midnight." A hard-charging perfectionist, Sorkin wrote each of the 22 "West Wing" episodes this season. He finished the last episode -- which is being shot this week -- at the end of last week, and went to a wrap party for the show on Saturday night before heading to the airport for Las Vegas on Sunday. Sorkin will be arraigned on the charges on April 30. Source: Washington Post (DC) Author: Sharon Waxman, Washington Post Staff WriterPublished: Tuesday, April 17, 2001; Page C07Copyright: 2001 The Washington Post Company Contact: letterstoed washpost.comWebsite: http://www.washingtonpost.com/Related Articles:Hollywood Is Ignoring a Valid Drug War Scripthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9016.shtmlMartin Sheen Joins Foes of Drug Measure http://cannabisnews.com/news/6/thread6515.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #12 posted by jAHn on April 17, 2001 at 14:01:58 PT By the way of Fact, IF... ...Aaron Sorkin is "Such a Cool Counterculturist" then Why wouldn't he Fight for some True Programming out of NBC? Because he's White and Doesn't Care about anyone else except himself? I'm tired of "These Ideologues."NBC just held a BullChit program about Kids & Drugs! None of it was True! Their OWN employees Are on Drugs! How come Drug Tests don't apply to those who are in the $30,000 and Up Income Bracket? What a LIE this Country Supports! And then, Most Disgracefully, use the same Double_Standard to Control other, smaller, countries with sayings like, "Just say NO to drugs" (you've all grown pretty tired of 'em)((I don't need to recite that D.A.R.E. and programs designed under its' Prohibitionist guise are complete F.A.I.L.U.R.E.S.)) AmeriKKKa is controlling America.Think I'm Weird? Take a look around you, then point to something "Normal" chances are, it really isn't! For REAL N.O.R.M.L.cy [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by jAHn on April 17, 2001 at 12:22:14 PT Will NBC (World's BIGGEST propigator of B.S.) Fire this Cat?In my Utmost Sincere, Honest and most Heartfelt opinion, I believe that People (of ANYcolor) Ought to have Sacreligious uses of any Herb, Dangerous Substance, Intoxicant that proves Ritefully so--By ANY Religious Order---should Be Safe from Prosecution from "certain other, pretendedly Pure, Religions." DRUGS aren't ANYWHERE near as dangerous as Prohibitionists Make, that's right, M-A-K-E dangerous through their Religiously Separative "Laws." Jesus & GOD freaks have been running this country a little to LONG--just on their own... ...It's time to Give The "Power" Back.NBC will just say that Aaron Sorkin "just experimented." What a LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE You LIARS!!!NBC should be SHUT DOWN, In my most Sin-cere of Opinions. They only "turn the cheek" to injustices like these. Where's, uh what's it called, OH! MSNBC Investigates when someone REALLY needs that Shoddy Org? Do us a Favor... The Drug War ON TRIAL in N.Y.City! Apr. 18th, 2001!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by jAHn on April 17, 2001 at 12:12:08 PT The True Magic, Working, Here... ...Is a Skin Tone and Dress Code which is commanded by "Rich, Pure, Snake-Oil and Cosmetic Salesmen/Religious Deities!" Being White Definitely has its' Advantages, I know! I've been Nailed 4 different times for Smoking Herbs! You'll NEVER stop ME from Smoking Pot!!!I've been busted in two different counties, by 16 different "reciffOs" I've been chastised by the Sherrif, after I woke him up, Hot-Box-Smoking in a car in front of his house at 3:00am!!! That jerk just told me to get going! (luckily)To date, I have NOT a MARK on my record...I Pizzed and Probated my Expelsion...Naturally Klean Teas Really work for that test! (P.s. Make sure you Drink up 2 hours before testing time...Works EVERY time!) It's because I'm White though, on the real.White people are Judged and Tried on a COMpletely different Stage than Minorities...COMpletely Softer, COMpletely Faster. Someday, I hope, someone Organizes ALL of the White people who are Tired of these Sentencing Disparities- Organizes in the "Wild West" and holds a Country-Wide march to Make the Rules of Amerika Fair...Once Again. For now, We're all too paranoid to even say Hello to a Cop. Whether they're on This side, or That side. The smoke is Too thick to see through---just yet. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on April 17, 2001 at 11:45:17 PT: Irony The true irony here is that Psilocybe mushrooms and other entheogens such as LSD, peyote and ibogaine have clearly been shown to help overcome addiction. The drug laws ignore science in favor of the iron fist of ideological purity (alcohol, tobacco and caffeine excepted, of course). [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by observer on April 17, 2001 at 09:21:06 PT Religious Bigotry Disguised as 'Science' why hallucinogens like like mushrooms and lsd carry such stiff penalties Hallucinogens like mushrooms and LSD carry such stiff penalties for religious and superstitious reasons; although, the inquisitors who create and mete out ever increasing punishments for the "heresy" of taking (certain) mushrooms, like to dress up their religious bigotry in scientific garb. Like earlier processes of stigmatization and the discriminatory legislation based upon them -- such as those authorizing the persecution of witches and Jews -- statutes discriminating against psychiatric minorities are not imposed on an unwilling public by a few scheming tyrants. On the contrary, the people and their leaders feel equally caught up in an "irresistible" historical and social demand for certain kinds of "protective" laws. In every one of these situations, the leading crusaders, and the masses, whom, by turns, they appease, deceive, and dominate, have the same two-pronged explanation for their actions. First, they deny that the affected minority is seriously mistreated, and defend the "mild" repression they acknowledge by stressing the need for social protection from malefactors. Second, they proudly proclaim their aim to destroy the accused minority, and justify it on the grounds of self-defense against a diabolically dangerous and vastly powerful adversary bent on undermining the fabric of existing society. . .Thomas Szasz, The Manufacture of Madness, 1970, pp.208-209http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0815604610/ . . . It is against this background that we should view, and that I wish to examine, the parallels between licit and illicit drugs, licit and illicit healers, and the contest between them.Those who practiced witchcraft engaged in taking and giving drugs, and so do those who now practice drugcraft -- that is, those who take and give illicit drugs. In both cases, the deviants are persecuted and punished not only for what they do but also for who they are: defiant members of a "counter-culture."Ceremonial Chemistry : The Ritual Persecution of Drugs, Addicts, and Pushers by Thomas Szasz (rev. ed. 1985), p.65http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1556910193/ . . . ProfanationPrior to 1914, the main ingredients of American patent medicines, in addition to alcohol, were cocaine and morphine. Now, these drugs are our favorite scapegoats. In Ceremonial Chemistry I tried to show that we cannot understand the War on Drugs without taking seriously the scapegoat function of so-called dangerous drugs -- a suggestion that, because it presents an obstacle to the arguments of both the opponents and the supporters of drug prohibition, both have ignored. I contend, however, that without recognizing the importance of this theme for drug prohibition, there can be no informed discussion of drug controls, much less an end to the War on Drugs.14The scapegoat's social function of saving the group by its victimization is clearly articulated in the Gospels. The scene is as follows. Jewish society feels itself to be in mortal danger: "The Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation." What is there to do? How can the community save itself? By sacrificing one of its members. Caiaphas, the high priest, addresses the congregation: "You know nothing at all; you do not understand that it is expedient that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish."15Like a Jew defiling the Torah, or a Christian the Host, an American using an illicit drug is guilty of the mystical crime of profanation -- a transgression of the strictest and most feared taboo. The drug abuser pollutes himself as well as his community, endangering both. This is why, while to the secular libertarian the drug abuser commits a "victimless crime" (that is, no crime at all), to the normally socialized person he is a dangerous defiler of the sacred. Hence, his incapacitation is amply justified. After all, what greater good is there than saving the family, the clan, the nation, indeed the whole world from certain destruction?Thomas Szasz, Our Right To Drugs, 1992, pp.62-63http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0815603339 [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by DontArrestMe on April 17, 2001 at 08:56:39 PT I dont understand... why hallucinogens like like mushrooms and lsd carry such stiff penalties. I don't think they are as dangerous as any of the other drugs (excluding pot of course). And abuse is always a misnomer here because no one gets "addicted" to hallucinogens. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by observer on April 17, 2001 at 08:46:44 PT sacred mushrooms There is a world beyond ours, a world that is far away, nearby, and invisible, and there is where God lives, where the dead live, the spirits and the saints. A world where everything has already happened and everything is known. That world talks. It has a language of it's own. I report what it says. The sacred mushroom takes me by the hand and brings me to the world where everything is known. It is they, the sacred mushrooms, that speak in a way that I can understand. I ask them and they answer me. When I return from the trip that I have taken with them, I tell what they have told me and what they have shown me. Mazatec Shaman Maria Sabinahttp://www.deoxy.org/h_maria.htmErowid Character Vaults: Maria Sabinahttp://www.erowid.org/culture/characters/sabina_maria.shtml http://www.erowid.org/library/books/maria_sabina.shtml The Maria Sabina Sculpture (the private collection of Renee A. Freeman of Albuquerque New Mexico.)http://www.zihrena.com/ixchelm/sabina.htm Search the web for maria sabina [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by drfist on April 17, 2001 at 03:51:32 PT sacred mushrooms ? these are the same mushrooms which are sold openly in gift/Head shops in Amsterdam. No problem in Holland, one year in the big house in DEA land. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by dddd on April 17, 2001 at 03:29:38 PT "Problem" That's right Robbie.If you get caught with "drugs",you are labeled.You have a "problem".....no matter what "problem"(s),you mayhave in your personal world,these problems are nothing comparedto the problem you get from being locked up,harrassed by all mannerof government entities,and forever labeled as a "drug offender".I was quite shocked,,as I was trying to hunt down the California lawon mushrooms,I stumbled across this nasty little law....it refers todrug "offenders",,even for pot.;CALIFORNIA CODESHEALTH AND SAFETY CODESECTION 11590 "....any person who is discharged or paroled from apenal institution where he or she was confined because of thecommission of any such offense, or any person who is convicted in anyother state of any offense which, if committed or attempted in thisstate, would have been punishable as one or more of theabove-mentioned offenses, shall within 30 days of his or her cominginto any county or city, or city and county in which he or sheresides or is temporarily domiciled for that length of time, registerwith the chief of police of the city in which he or she resides orthe sheriff of the county if he or she resides in an unincorporatedarea."Yes ,,,it's actually true.By law,you are required to register with thecops like a sex offender.......Unreal!...This is not a joke.....dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Robbie on April 17, 2001 at 02:58:56 PT Road to Enlightenment blocked by police barricade Of couse this guy will easily get "O.J.'d"on this because he can afford to "Cochran",his way outof it....I tend to agree with that dddd...nothing like being a rich and affluent white guy when caught with any sort of drug.But I'll say this of Sorkin and Robert Downey, and even Matthew Perry...the media hype surrounding these people further demonstrate that addiction or drug use is NOT a criminal issue!Even the writer of this piece cannot separate Aaron Sorkin's past with his present. Maybe he did have a problem in the past with a drug addiction. By all means, get him off the coffee and Tylenol. The simple fact of the matter is that the general public equates illicit drugs with someone who has a "problem" and someone must intervene "on the person's behalf." Oh, of course, that's right. And throwing them in jail is the road to redemption. Redemption for whom?Who ever you are, you should be left to your own devices. If you have a problem, then you will ultimately be the one to seek help (Darryl Strawberry for example.) If the fascisti desire to "intervene" on your behalf then you should point out the US Constitution to them.Oh wait! I forgot... That doesn't mean anything anymore. Toke up! It's all good. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by dddd on April 17, 2001 at 00:35:41 PT no biggie I did a bit of research,and I was suprised to find,that down here in California,you get one year formushrooms.Of couse this guy will easily get "O.J.'d"on this because he can afford to "Cochran",his way outof it....dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Duzt on April 16, 2001 at 23:14:14 PT How does this help? How does arresting this man, hurting his career and his family life and embarassing him publicly helping him to be a better person? He seems to have what we all consider a pretty good life. He's extremely successful, determined, hard-working, has a loving wife and child, seems pretty perfect to me. Oh, but he had a mushroom in his carry-on, that's a justifiable reason try and ruin him (and all those affected by this). Gotta love this mentality. http://www.wonderbuds.com [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: