Bad Drug War Bill Wrongfully Fast-Tracked for Vote TOMORROW

by Drug Policy Alliance on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 3:17pm

House Democrats have scheduled a horrible drug war bill for a vote tomorrow (Wednesday). The Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act of 2010 (H.R. 5231), written by Rep. Lamar Smith (a Republican drug war extremist), would expand problematic drug conspiracy laws, apply mandatory minimum drug sentences to more people, increase racial disparities, and subject Americans to incarceration for drug offenses and public health interventions that are legal in the foreign country in which they’re committed. It expands the drug war at a time that most Americans want major drug policy reform.

PLEASE:

1. Call Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at 202-225-0100.  When the receptionist answers, say something like:  "I'm calling to urge Speaker Pelosi to cancel the vote on the Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act that is scheduled for tomorrow.  It is shameful that Democrats are considering expanding the war on drugs, a war that is being waged primarily on young people and communities of color. I can’t believe Democrats are doing this."
2. Please “Share” this Note with your Newsfeed so your friends and family can take action.

Further Talking Points / More Information:

• The Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act of 2010 (H.R. 5231), introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith (the only House member to speak against reforming the racist crack/powder disparity), seeks to authorize U.S. criminal prosecution of anyone in the U.S. suspected of conspiring with one or more persons, or aiding or abetting one or more persons, to commit at any place outside the United States an act that would constitute a violation of the U.S. Controlled Substances Act if committed within the United States.
• These penalties apply even if the controlled substance is legal under some circumstances in the other country. An American treatment provider working with doctors in England, Denmark, Germany, or Switzerland to provide heroin assisted treatment and sterile syringes to heroin users in those countries could face arrest. As could an otherwise law-abiding American planning with some friends to use marijuana legally in the Netherlands while on vacation there.
• Even though this bill references drug trafficking in the title, it also criminalizes conspiring to possess and use marijuana or other drugs in other countries if more than one person is involved - even if drug use is decriminalized in that country.  Thus, it imposes America’s harsh drug policies on other countries, and further criminalizes a health issue. The bill’s title is very misleading.
• Even when applied against drug traffickers, The Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act would likely perpetuate injustice. Under U.S. drug conspiracy laws a person can be found guilty even when there are no drugs or other physical evidence involved. The uncorroborated word of someone pointing fingers to get a reduced sentence is all it takes. Moreover anyone convicted of being part of a drug conspiracy is punished not for the offense they actually committed but for all the offenses committed by members in the conspiracy. This has led to very low-level, impoverished, first-time offenders receiving sentences that are decades long. Conspiracy laws drive the so-called "girlfriend problem" whereby thousands of women every year are sentenced to harsh sentences for the crimes of their abusive partners.
• The United States houses 5% of the world’s population but 25% of its incarcerated population.  This excess of incarceration is a direct result of punitive and ineffective drug laws, which are currently crippling our social and economic resources.  Trends in the U.S. are shifting toward alternative sentencing and away from the policies developed in the almost forty years since Nixon declared the "War on Drugs."  H.R. 5231 would be a detrimental step in the wrong direction.
• House Leadership should not bring this problematic bill up for a vote. It has only two cosponsors and wasn’t even considered in committee.

by Drug Policy Alliance on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 3:17pm

Hemp License In Eastern Kentucky

 

21 September 2010

Hemp License In Eastern Kentucky

compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber
September 2010

Hemp was needed for ropes and used in feed bags and bailing twine. Early Kentucky pioneers brought the seed from Virginia and set aside acres for production. Lewis Collins cited Nathan Burrows of Lexington as being the first to introduce the manufacture of hemp into Kentucky about 1796 [Historical Sketches of Kentucky].
James Klotter's New History of Kentucky references eighteen rope and bagging manufacturers in Fayette County during 1838. By 1890 the Commonwealth was producing 94% of all the hemp produced in the United States.
Both Klotter and John Kleber, author of The Kentucky Encyclopedia, concentrate on larger production in central Kentucky. But it was James F. Hopkins, at the University of Kentucky who realized the historical significance that the production of hemp played within the Commonwealth. While working on his master's in 1936, he concentrated on the relevance of cultivation, processing and marketing relative to Kentucky's social, economic and even political history. His book A History of the Hemp Industry In Kentucky is still available today.
As a baby boomer and a young adult of the 60's our generation's idea and thoughts of hemp was in the form of marijuana known as "pot" and "weed" and smoked at Woodstock. And while today helicopters do regular scans of Eastern Kentucky for marijuana fields I either was very naive or it did not exist in Boyd County when I was in high school.
Thus I was intrigued to learn more about the history of hemp when I discovered that it had been grown and hempseed sold legally from the farm we own.
The effects of cannabis came to national attention in the late 1910's. The Uniform State Narcotic Act was finalized in 1932. But just prior to World War II fiber and jute production was on the rise. Strict controls were imposed on the raising and selling of the seed and hemp. Licenses were issued by the federal government and only a very strict few obtained them. According to the forward in Hopkins book the licenses "became little more than bragging curiosities, and the end of the war rang down the historic curtain on that second modest phase of hemp growing in Kentucky."
I take offense on behalf of my father-in-law about bragging rights. I know what a hard working proud Eastern Kentucky farmer he was. Every inch of dirt on this farm was utilized as was every crop to produce a living to put food on the table. He would not have wasted acres nor the trouble it must have been to acquire the license if it were not going to have a monetary value for the family.
The U. S. Department of Agriculture assigned each farm a number [they still do today]. John H. Klaiber received license 8107 pursuant to the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. It gave him the right to own hempseed and the legal right to sell it. The seed had to be cleaned with a combine or hand fan cleaning mill. The prices were set by the Commodity Credit Corporation and was sold directly to them.

Reading the fine print on the surviving contract, John H. Klaiber had for 1943, the seed had to be cleaned so that morning glory seed or other foreign matter was less than 2%. Klaiber turned in 5.27 bushels. After testing he received $36.37 for his efforts in this early 1943 contract.
According to a USDA publication titled Industrial Hemp in the United States during World War II imports of abaca and jute were unavailable. the Government instituted this emergency program to produce hemp as a domestic substitute. The Commodity credit Corporation contracted with War Hemp Industries, Inc. which was a "quasi-official organization." The production peaked in 1943 which is the year we have the farm license. As soon as the war was over legal restrictions were reimposed though one small hemp fiber industry continued in Wisconsin until 1958.
The USDA produced a film in 1942 titled Hemp For Victory to encourage farmers to grow it as part of the war efforts. The goal for 1943 was 50,000 acres of seed hemp and the target area was Kentucky. Thanks to the Hemp Industries Association the link at the film title in this blog will provide readers with a transcript of the campaign to get farmers to grow the product.

Posted by tklaiber at 3:46 PM

Read more: http://easternkentuckygenealogy.blogspot.com/2010/09/hemp-license-in-eastern-kentucky.html#ixzz10DLIgMIw

PRIVACY AND SAFETY QUESTIONS LOOM OVER FEDERAL PROGRAM TO TRACK PRESCHOOLERS

 

A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
ISSN 1062-9424
effector: n, Computer Sci. A device for producing a
desired change.
: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :
In our 548th issue:
*  PRIVACY AND SAFETY QUESTIONS LOOM OVER FEDERAL PROGRAM
   TO TRACK PRESCHOOLERS
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the ACLU of
Northern California (ACLU-NC) are calling for answers to
critical privacy and safety questions that loom over a
controversial federal program to track Head Start
preschoolers with radio frequency identification (RFID)
chips in Richmond, California. In an open letter sent this
week, we have asked officials to disclose what technical
and security measures are employed to safeguard students,
among other important questions.
For more information on this go to:
https://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/09/13
For the full open letter:
http://www.eff.org/files/filenode/rfid/RFIDletter_full.pdf
* SECURITY ALERT - STOP USING HAYSTACK SOFTWARE NOW
Based on announcement made by The Censorship Research
Center, we recommend that users stop using all versions of
the Haystack anti-censorship software immediately.
To learn more:
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/09/breaking-news-security-alert-stop-using-haystack
* EFF MEMBERS-ONLY SPEAKEASY SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
Join EFF staff members for a special Bay Area happy hour on
Tuesday, September 28th! EFF's Speakeasy is a free
gathering for current members only and space is limited.
Members will receive a personal email invitation with
location details on Monday, September 20th. For more
information, contact membership@eff.org.
: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :
EFF Updates
* John Doe Strikes Back in the US Copyright Group Cases
After months of dragnet litigation and intimidation, some
of the thousands of  "John Doe" Defendants targeted in mass
copyright lawsuits are fighting back in earnest.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/09/john-doe-strikes-back-new-developments-us
* EFF Says Violating Company Policies Is Not a Computer
  Crime
EFF urged a federal appeals court to dismiss charges that
would turn any employee use of company computers in
violation of corporate policy into a federal crime.
https://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/09/14
* Sarah Palin Revisited: Why Terms of Use Shouldn't Be
  Enforced Through Computer Crime Law
Facebook's response to an EFF blogpost about employing
ghostwriters bolsters our argument that violating a site's
terms of use should not be a criminal act.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/09/sarah-palin-revisited
* Revised Opinion in Privacy Case Blurs Clear Limits to
  Digital Search and Seizure
The Ninth Circuit issued an unfortunate revised opinion in
United States v. Comprehensive Drug Testing Inc., a case
featuring blatantly unconstitutional government action.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/09/revised-opinion-privacy-case-blurs-clear-limits
* Jack-Booted Thugs and Copyright Enforcement
When it comes to copyright enforcement and the government,
EFF frequently warns that giving government agents a reason
to censor, search, seize, and indict must be taken very
seriously.  The New York Times reported on a frightening
object lesson from Russia.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/09/jack-booted-thugs-and-copyright-enforcement
* 9th Circuit's Troubling New State Secrets Decision
  Demonstrates Need for Reform
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, ruling en banc in a case
called Mohamed v. Jeppesen Dataplan, adopted the Bush and
Obama Administration's joint Executive Branch power grab in
the form of the state secrets privilege.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/09/9th-circuits-troubling-new-state-secrets-decision
* EFF Welcomes New Attorneys to Transparency Team
EFF is pleased to announce two new additions to our FOIA
Litigation for Accountable Government (FLAG) Project: Staff
Attorney Jennifer Lynch and Open Government Legal Fellow
Mark Rumold.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/08/eff-welcomes-new-attorney-foia-team
* "Magic Words" Trump User Rights: Ninth Circuit Ruling in
  Vernor v. Autodesk
In a major blow to user rights, the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals has issued a decision that will go a long way
toward ensuring that software buyers will rarely be
software owners.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/09/magic-words-trump-user-rights-ninth-circuit-ruling

Reader Letters | Marijuana miracles?

 

The following is an excellent LTE to the CJ&T (Courier Journal & Times), in Louisville, Kentucky:

Dr. Andrew Weil has an excellent article published on Huffington Post titled “Cannabis Rx: Cutting through the misinformation.” The article discusses the criminalization of cannabis to suppress the hemp trade and how cannabis extracts were widely used in medicine prior to 1937. Weil highlights the numerous medical uses of cannabis that our state and federal governments refuse to accept.

The most exciting part of the article is the promise that cannabis shows in curing cancer. Weil discusses recent research that demonstrates cannabis components kill cancer cells while not harming healthy cells. He also recommends a new documentary, “What if Cannabis Cured Cancer,” by Len Richmond. Weil suggests that our political leaders should watch this documentary and then act quickly to change our counterproductive cannabis policies.

I've written the editorial board numerous times since Dr. Donald Tashkin's 2005 marijuana and respiratory cancers study that showed marijuana use lowered cancer risks that you didn't publish. Several studies since then have confirmed Tashkin's cancer findings and others that debunk the gateway drug theory, prove marijuana is effective in pain management, etc., that you don't print. Why?

The truth is the “gateway drug” is actually the gateway back from opiate and alcohol addiction. The likely truth is that cannabis holds the key to curing cancer. It's highly probable that, with a change in thinking, we could develop significant cannabis-based cancer treatments right here in Kentucky. That change in thinking will only happen when you inform the public of the truth.

TOM RECTOR, Jr.

Prospect, Ky. 40059

Last Updated on Friday, 17 September 2010 14:51

Technorati Tags: Reader,Letters,Marijuana,Courier,Journal,Times,Louisville,Kentucky,Andrew,Weil,article,Huffington,Post,

Cannabis,misinformation,medicine,highlights,cancer,components,Richmond,leaders,editorial,Donald,Tashkin,

Several,findings,gateway,drug,theory,pain,management,truth,addiction,RECTOR,Prospect,Last,September,

miracles,governments,cells,policies,cancers,treatments,documentary

Marijuana to Blame for Increased Drug Use in 2009, Government Report Says

Posted by Peter Maer

A new government report blames increased marijuana use for an uptick in the overall use of illicit drugs among Americans.

 

 

National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske, (Credit: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

The annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows the rate of illicit drug use rose from eight percent in 2008 to 8.7

percent in 2009. The survey also found increases in the use of ecstasy and methamphetamines.

Authorities are especially concerned about use of illicit drugs by young people. The survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental

Health Services Administration found 21.2 percent of young adults experimented with illegal drugs in 2009. The report says the

trend "was also driven in large part by the use of marijuana."

National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske told CBS Radio News, young people are being exposed to "mixed messages"

about marijuana including the idea that it is a medicine.

The "drug czar" said marijuana "may have properties that have medicinal values that should be tested" but he insisted it is not

medicine.

Kerlikowske views marijuana as "an entry drug." The survey found that for the first time since 2002, less than half of young people

believe using marijuana is harmful.

The Obama administration remains strongly opposed to legalization of marijuana.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Marijuana Nation

Coincidentally, the survey is being released as California voters consider a November ballot issue on legalizing pot.

Proponents believe the move would ease crowded court dockets and weaken Mexican drug cartels. Kerlikowske and many veteran

former federal drug enforcement officials reject those ideas.

The president's drug adviser said it is a "false argument" to say marijuana legalization would reduce cartel violence in Mexico.

Kerlikowske, a former police chief and undercover narcotics detective, noted, "Taking one small part of the (cartel) enterprise,

marijuana away from them isn't going to change them."

Listen to Maer's Interview with Kerlikowske | Download MP3

LISTEN

He concedes the drug gangs south of the border can not be totally defeated but he believes "their impact and their violence

can be reduced."

While the report emphasizes the detrimental effects of marijuana, Kerlikowske says abuse of prescription drugs rises to the top

of his concerns because, "young people don't perceive them as dangerous or addictive."

He said the availability of prescription medications in home medicine cabinets often makes them widely available and attractive

to young people. The non-medical use of prescription drugs notched up slightly to nearly three percent of the population.

The annual survey offered some encouraging news. It showed decreasing levels of tobacco use to a new low level of 23.3 percent.

But the report warned, "The pace of improvement is stagnating."

The administration's drug control strategy emphasizes prevention and treatment along with law enforcement. Kerlikowske told

CBS News, "We have had a focus of a criminal justice lens on drug abuse for quite a while." He added, "It should be a blend" that

includes prevention and education.

The administration is seeking a 13 percent increase in funding for the federal drug abuse prevention effort.

The drug control policy chief rejects the term, "War on Drugs."

He said, "If we approach it with the same level of complexity that we approach things like cancer, I think we're better off than

telling the American public, here's a bumper sticker to solve your problem."

The survey covers the transition year as President Obama took office. Next year's report will be the first true test of any initial

results from the administration's approach to a drug abuse problem that has been a national challenge for decades.

---

Peter Maer is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.

You can also follow him on Twitter.

Posted by Peter Maer

WordPress Tags: Marijuana,Blame,Drug,Government,Peter,Maer,Americans,National,Control,Policy,Kerlikowske,JEWEL,SAMAD,Images,Survey,Health,ecstasy,Authorities,Substance,Abuse,Mental,Services,Administration,trend,Radio,News,messages,medicine,Obama,legalization,CBSNews,Special,Nation,California,voters,November,Proponents,Mexican,veteran,ideas,president,adviser,argument,cartel,violence,Mexico,detective,enterprise,Listen,Interview,Download,impact,prescription,population,improvement,strategy,prevention,treatment,justice,education,effort,rejects,Drugs,cancer,American,sticker,transition,office,results,House,correspondent,Hotsheet,Twitter,cartels,gangs,medications,cabinets

WordPress Tags: Marijuana,Blame,Drug,Government,Report,Peter,Maer,Americans,National,Control,Policy,Director,Kerlikowske,Credit,JEWEL,SAMAD,Images,Survey,Health,ecstasy,Authorities,Substance,Abuse,Mental,Services,Administration,trend,Radio,News,messages,medicine,Obama,legalization,CBSNews,Special,Nation,California,voters,November,Proponents,Mexican,veteran,ideas,president,adviser,argument,cartel,violence,Mexico,detective,enterprise,Listen,Interview,Download,impact,prescription,population,improvement,strategy,prevention,treatment,justice,education,effort,rejects,Drugs,cancer,American,sticker,transition,office,results,White,House,correspondent,Hotsheet,Twitter,cartels,gangs,medications,cabinets

Windows Live Tags: Marijuana,Blame,Drug,Government,Report,Peter,Maer,Americans,National,Control,Policy,Director,Kerlikowske,Credit,JEWEL,SAMAD,Images,Survey,Health,ecstasy,Authorities,Substance,Abuse,Mental,Services,Administration,trend,Radio,News,messages,medicine,Obama,legalization,CBSNews,Special,Nation,California,voters,November,Proponents,Mexican,veteran,ideas,president,adviser,argument,cartel,violence,Mexico,detective,enterprise,Listen,Interview,Download,impact,prescription,population,improvement,strategy,prevention,treatment,justice,education,effort,rejects,Drugs,cancer,American,sticker,transition,office,results,White,House,correspondent,Hotsheet,Twitter,cartels,gangs,medications,cabinets

Technorati Tags: Marijuana,Blame,Drug,Government,Report,Peter,Maer,Americans,National,Control,Policy,Director,Kerlikowske,Credit,JEWEL,SAMAD,Images,Survey,Health,ecstasy,Authorities,Substance,Abuse,Mental,Services,Administration,trend,Radio,News,messages,medicine,Obama,legalization,CBSNews,Special,Nation,California,voters,November,Proponents,Mexican,veteran,ideas,president,adviser,argument,cartel,violence,Mexico,detective,enterprise,Listen,Interview,Download,impact,prescription,population,improvement,strategy,prevention,treatment,justice,education,effort,rejects,Drugs,cancer,American,sticker,transition,office,results,White,House,correspondent,Hotsheet,Twitter,Live,cartels,gangs,medications,cabinets

Downtown event will offer art, history, music and culture

 

Downtown event will offer art, history, music and culture

Merlene Davis - Herald-Leader columnist

My kids are grown now, but when they were younger, I remember scouring the newspaper for activities or events I could take them to that could enrich their lives and enlarge their worlds.

Fortunately for parents, members of the Lexington Learning Cooperative and organizers of Spotlight Lexington have made world-broadening an easy task.

During each weekend of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the Learning Cooperative will host several events geared for children and families.

Children can learn to weave a bookmark at the Family Arts Paddock during the World Equestrian Games.

Rangoli is an art form that evolved in India. Artists make designs with rice powder.

Children will learn to make hemp-fiber bracelets and other accessories on Sept. 25 at the Family Arts Paddock.

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

• 
• 
• 

• What's happening at the Family Arts Paddock

  Schedule of activities at the Family Arts Paddock during Spotlight Lexington, Sept. 25-Oct. 10.

  Sept. 25:

  10 a.m.-2 p.m. Hemp Rope Accessories. The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation. Make bracelets, key chains or necklaces from hemp.

  2-6 p.m. Kentucky Treasure Box. The Living Arts and Science Center. Decorate a keepsake box and fill it with mementos from mapped locations.

  Sept. 26:

  10 a.m.-2 p.m. Horse sculptures. The Art Museum at the University of Kentucky. Create a sculpture from a variety of materials.

  ■ Ribbon Trees. The Living Arts and Science Center. No experience required to create a work of art in the trees with artist Adam Craft.

  2-6 p.m. Mini journals. The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. Decorate and bind a journal. Young Women Writers will read their works at 5 p.m.

  Oct. 2:

  10 a.m.-2 p.m. Guys and Gals. Isaac Scott Hathaway Museum. Make 18th- and 19th-century dolls with clothes pins, corn shucks, paper, fabric and paint.

  ■ Banners. Headley-Whitney Museum. Create banners for a "drive-thru" art show displayed in downtown Lexington.

  2-6 p.m. Recycled Jewelry. Bluegrass PRIDE. Make jewelry from recyclable items.

  Oct. 3:

  10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jockey Silks: Design Your Own. Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate. Put together your own jockey silk design.

  2-4 p.m. Alebrijes. Bluegrass Youth Ballet. Presentation of excerpts of the ballet Alebrijes, celebrating a famous Mexican artist. Visitors may create their own Alebrijes art.

  2-6 p.m. Postcards from Kentucky. Sisohpromatem Art Foundation Inc. Create Kentucky trading cards to trade with locals and visitors.

  Oct. 9:

  10 a.m.-2 p.m. Native Americans in Kentucky. Lexington History Museum. Learn about Kentucky Native Americans, listen to traditional music and make a clay coil pot.

  ■ Kentucky Weaving. Living Arts and Science Center. Weave a bookmark on a simple loom.

  2-6 p.m. Painted Horseshoes. Explorium. Decorate a real horseshoe using paint, glitter and more.

  Oct. 10.

  10 a.m.-2 p.m. Art in the Garden. Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment. Create garden art while learning about native plants, beneficial bugs and composting.

  ■ Music-making Gymboree. Explore the power of rhythm and melody while moving to the beat of Latin sounds.

  Noon-2 p.m. Interactive Theatre. Lexington Children's Theatre. Each half hour, Lexington Children's Theatre will help participants create a short performance using art, music movement and drama.

  2-6 p.m. Folk Arts of India. Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society. Participate with children from Lexington's Indian community in demonstrating rangoli folk art and enjoy performances by an Indian classical dancer and her students.

More Information

• More World Equestrian Games coverage

Similar stories:

• Entertainers, parade of horses added to WEG's Spotlight Lexington

  Entertainers, parade of horses added to WEG's Spotlight Lexington

  Lexington will kick off the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with a parade of horses, according to Mayor Jim Newberry, who also announced an expanded lineup of entertainers for the Spotlight Lexington festival.

  The city will "show the world what an incredibly rich heritage we have when it comes to all things related to the horse," Newberry said during a news conference at the Courthouse Plaza. He was flanked by several exotic breeds, including an Akhal-Teke Russian sport horse and an Austrian Haflinger.

  The parade is being organized by the International Equestrian Festival and the Downtown Lexington Corporation, which is taking applications from equine groups to participate at www.downtownlex.com.

• Businesses can still get involved in WEG

  Businesses can still get involved in WEG

  This is the first in a series of weekly updates about what's going on in Lexington and beyond related to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

  ■ On Monday, Lexington city officials will hold briefings on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games for restaurant owners and other businesses who want to learn more about the event. Officials will be talking about ways businesses can get involved.

  In addition, Sysco Food Services and Brown Foreman are planning a training program this summer for local restaurants on how to prepare for such a big event — everything from menu planning to protocol for European visitors.

• Spotlight Lexington — traffic challenges with entertainment

  Spotlight Lexington — traffic challenges with entertainment

  Mayor Jim Newberry encouraged people to go downtown for live entertainment during the Spotlight Lexington festival, but he warned of possible traffic backups because of closed streets starting Sept. 24.

  "There may be some traffic challenges with the added visitors," Newberry said Tuesday, "but a good time can still be had by all."

  The festival is the after-hours entertainment for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which will be at the Kentucky Horse Park from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10. City officials are expecting the heaviest traffic downtown on the three Fridays of the festival — Sept. 24, Oct. 1 and Oct. 8.

• Spring Break: Cheap family fun

  Spring Break: Cheap family fun

  To a college student — and in recent years, high school, middle school and elementary students as well — the two most beautiful words in the English language have to be "spring break."

  College students, who already have had their semester break, have a simple formula for determining a locale: Beach + beer = a good time. Younger students, however, require a bit more supervision than sand and a six-pack, no matter what your teenagers might think.

  A family spring break vacation is all about having a good time (but hey, if a little bit of education slips in, so much the better) without breaking the bank. This year, destinations close to Lexington have spring break families in mind with a host of recreational activities.

• While CentrePointe project stalls, festivals make use of grassy lot

  While CentrePointe project stalls, festivals make use of grassy lot

  A year ago the CentrePointe block was a mud hole. Today, it's a grassy lawn in the middle of downtown Lexington, and that's turning out to be a handy place to have activities for events such as the Fourth of July and the Spotlight Festival during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

  Developer Dudley Webb said this week that the CentrePointe groundbreaking will not occur before the World Equestrian Games end in October.

  Meanwhile, the block bounded by Main, Vine, Limestone and Upper streets will be in the center of Fourth of July activities and also will be a key location for Spotlight Lexington.

The informal networking group, which is composed overwhelmingly of non-profit educational, historical, artistic, musical, environmental and cultural organizations, will produce the activities.

"We have a variety of activities scheduled," said Sonja Brooks of Sisohpromatem Art Foundation, "including individual art projects that you will have the opportunity to make something and take it away."

At least once during each of the three weekends during the Games, there will be a community project, she said, such as the use of materials to create a large-scale weaving between trees and poles in Triangle Park on Sept. 26.

"We are trying to get people to know that from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, there are free family activities along with all the other things that are going on in Triangle Park for Spotlight Lexington," Brooks said.

Activities will be at the Family Arts Paddock, a tent near the split at West Main and West Vine streets on the west side of the park.

Historic presentations from the Isaac Scott Hathaway Museum, Native Americans, and the Bluegrass Indo- American Civic Society also will be featured.

The first activity will be making bracelets, necklaces, anklets or key chains from hemp as taught by members of the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation.

Alison Carter, historic preservation specialist, said participants will be taught a simple style and a more intricate style of braiding.

"The reason we are doing the hemp," Carter said, "is because John Wesley Hunt, one of the first millionaires west of the Allegheny Mountains, made most of his money with the production of hemp when it was legal. Hemp was a big part of Lexington and the Lexington economy."

With his money, Hunt built Hopemont, a home for his wife and 12 children, now known as the Hunt-Morgan House, at 201 North Mill Street.

You can take your hemp creation to the house for a free tour during the Games. Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tours on the hour.

Talk about expanding worlds.

With all of the activities scheduled for adults and for children, Spotlight Lexington seems to be the place to be during the Games, especially if you can't get to the Kentucky Horse Park.

Reach Merlene Davis at (859) 231-3218 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 3218, or mdavis1@herald-leader.com.

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/09/14/1433873/merlene-davis-downtown-event-will.html#ixzz0zjQZZRuR

Cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs

Harm Reduction Journal 2009

 

Background

Substitution can be operationalized as the conscious choice to use one drug (legal or illicit) instead of, or in conjunction with, another due to issues such as: perceived safety; level of addiction potential; effectiveness in relieving symptoms; access and level of acceptance. This practice of substitution has been observed among individuals using cannabis for medical purposes. This study examined drug and alcohol use, and the occurrence of substitution among medical cannabis patients.

Read more here:  Harm Reduction Journal 2009

Technorati Tags: alcoholism,cannabis,hemp oil,harm reduction

S 510 you will be a criminal if you plant a garden

PLEASE VIEW THIS VIDEO!

Technorati Tags: food,gmo,government,gardens,vegetable,illegal

O'Fallon Hemp Hop Rye – O'Fallon, MO

O'Fallon Hemp Hop Rye – O'Fallon, MO

The beauty of American brewers is that they're not beholden to traditional styles like the British, Germans, and Belgians. And in that innovative spirit, Missouri's O'Fallon Brewery released their new Hemp Hop Rye – an amber ale with toasted hemp seeds and malted rye. Combined with a share of American hops, the beer is a smooth and balanced brew with a deep, earthy character. The spice notes of the rye and hemp blend seamlessly into the citrus hops, creating an interesting beer that's easy to drink on a sweaty day, but worth sipping when you have the time.

MERP

 

The "Marijuana Re-Legalization Policy" (MRP) Project
Pronounced "Merp Project"

After covering drug policy for over a decade it is becoming apparent that Marijuana Re-Legalization must occur through a thoughtful restructuring of existent laws.  To that end New Age Citizen will soon be embarking on what will be known as the "Marijuana Re-Legalization Policy" (MRP) Project

The initial phase of the project will be geared towards gathering the endorsement of the following Re-Legalization Guidelines, by both individuals and organizations:

"The most important aspect to any reform in Cannabis law needs to minimally allow non-commercial cultivation, by adults above the age of 18, to be done without any form of government taxation or interference."

If you agree with these guidelines we urge you to get on our mailing list by clicking on the "Join us - It's Free" hyperlink.  These Re-Legalization Guidelines closely parallel the way that we regulate the home brewing of another mind altering drug - beer. The primary purpose of these guidelines are to insure that government is forever restricted from taxing or regulating the personal use of Cannabis.

Of course these guideline encapsulate much forethought and will require further explanation which will be forthcoming.  In the meantime let me just throw out the following points:

* One of major focus of the Drug War has been to whittle away at our constitutional rights to privacy, free speech and unreasonable searches and seizures.  The Re-Legalization Guidelines will go a long way in taking back much of what has lost over the last 67  years since passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.

* Many activists argue that the only way that Marijuana can be legalized is if the Government can find a way to make money off it.  "Tax it" they say "and we can pay off the national debt."   But this will require costly regulation and enforcement which will still afford the government an excuse to enter you home and violate your privacy rights.  It is not hard to imagine that "no knock" busts would still be executed in order to prosecute citizens who might be growing Cannabis "without a licence."

The MRP Project argues that it would be better to see Americans allowed to grow their own Marijuana and then spend the savings (from no longer having to buy ounces at $400+) on food, clothing, retirement savings and other goods and services.  In redirecting their savings towards goods and services tax revenue will also be generated as purchases are made.   So the MRP Project approach is actually superior to the "tax and regulate" approach because it does not require ANY money to be spent on a new government bureaucracy.  And, as previously stated, it also protects our constitutional gaurantees against unreasonable searches and seizures by eliminating one of the greatest excuses for "no knock" home invasions by government agents.

Current Law
MRP Project Law

Jack is a moderate smoker.  He consumes about 3 ounces of high grade Cannabis each year [This amounts to .23 gms of Cannabis per day -- a fraction of what is in an average cigarette].  At $400/ounce this amounts to $1,200 which goes directly to his local drug dealer.
Jack is still a moderate smoker.  But it is now costing him only $20, per ounce, to grow his own Cannabis.  So he now only spends $60 for his 3 ounces and now has freed up $1,140 each year to spend on legal goods and services.  Jack decides to spend his $1,140 savings on a new wardrobe.  Since he lives in Michigan, where there is a 6% sales tax, the State of Michigan gets an extra $68.40 in tax revenue this year.  If there are a million moderate smokers in Michigan, about 10% of the population, this would result in $68 million dollars of tax revenue each year.

Jack gets pulled over for a bad tail light and the officer insists on a search.  A roach is found under the seat.  By the time he pays the fines and an attorney he has been set back nearly $3,000 dollars and he nearly spent some time in jail.  For the next year he must submit to random drug tests at the insistence of the court.
Jack gets pulled over for a bad tail light and the officer issues a warning which requires him to fix the bad tail light.  This costs Jack about $20 -- saving him $2980 from NOT getting busted.  Let's  assume that the 700,000 Amereicans, that get busted for Cannabis possession each year, spend an average of $2,000 on fines, urine tests, court costs and attorney fees.  That amounts to about 1.2 BILLION dollars that American citizens will have back in their own pockets each year! 

* We are supposed to have a government that is "by, for and of the American people."  If that is the case why does the Federal Government continue to fight against the medical use of Cannabis when over 70% of the American people believe such access should be available? 

* With pharmaceutical drugs falling further out of reach of the poor and elderly the MRP Project argues that non-taxation will provide a means for reducing the cost of pharmaceutical drugs by forcing competition with one of the worlds safest, most effective medicines: Cannabis.  While Cannabis will not supplant all pharmaceutical drugs it may offer an alternative in some areas (e.g., glaucoma treatment; as an alternative to certain anti-depressants, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs).  Hopefully this will give impetus to the use of other plant based medicines as well.

If you think these guidelines have merit we encourage you to sign up and get involved.  If your financial situation allows, we also encourage subscribing to our eMagazine and purchasing products from our online store

Yours in Freedom,

Professor Hemp

Cast a vote for compassion

Re "Anniston man finds one state's medicine is another's illicit drug" (News article, Aug. 18):

Thanks to The Star for the article on Michael Lapihuska's situation. Michael's predicament clearly demonstrates the need for Alabama to pass comprehensive medical marijuana legislation.
What happened to Michael is a complete miscarriage of justice. Since when is geographic location used to determine whether someone is a patient or a criminal? If Michael's doctor recommended marijuana for his treatment, then who are the cops/courts to decide whether he can have that treatment? Cops and judges haven't been to medical school. They are not doctors. Their solution to every problem is taser, shoot, abuse and/or imprison. Clearly, that isn't how we want to treat patients in Alabama. It isn't against the law to be sick or to try and alleviate one's own suffering.
The state of Alabama should respect the laws and professional licenses of other states. An Alabama patient living in a state that recognizes marijuana as a valid medical treatment should not have to fear returning home to visit family and friends. They should be able to bring their medicine with them, without fear of arrest and imprisonment. As it stands now, any Alabama patient living in a medical marijuana state must decide between risking arrest and imprisonment if they bring their medicine, not bringing their medicine and thereby compromising their health, or deciding to never return home again. Imagine if the medicine in question was seizure medication or blood pressure pills. Only barbarians would uphold such a terrible law.
Alabamians for Compassionate Care will reintroduce medical marijuana legislation in the 2011 legislative session. This bill would protect patients like Michael Lapihuska by recognizing medical marijuana patients from other states. Please contact your representative and ask them to support the Compassionate Care Act when it comes before them in 2011.
Loretta Nall
Executive Director
Alabamians for Compassionate Care
Alexander City

Read more: Anniston Star - Cast a vote for compassion

Contrary to Ms. Cris Ericson’s comments…

THE U.S. MARIJUANA PARTY IS A VALID POLITICAL PARTY…

I received a disturbing email from someone who I had  thought of as a colleague this morning.   This is an excerpt of that email: (Ms. Ericson’s writing is highlighted in “orange”)…

REVISED PLATFORM AUG. 23, 2010
The United States Marijuana Party is on the
official election ballot in Vermont for the
general election Nov. 2, 2010, with candidate
Cris Ericson for United States Senator
and
Cris Ericson for Governor.

Please send campaign contributions
by check or money order to
Ericson for Governor
or
Ericson for U.S. Senate
Please call for information regarding the
largest legal amounts you can contribute.
You must be a U.S. Citizen.

The United States Marijuana Party in Vermont
is a separate legal entity from the
United States Marijuana Party in other states.

The United States Marijuana Party in Vermont
owns the domains:
http://USMJP.com
http://USMJP.net
http://USMJP.org

The United States Marijuana Party in other
states was originally owned by Marc Emery,
Prince of Pot, who was extradited from Canada
to the United States for selling marijuana
seeds over the internet to allegedly 70,000
Americans.  His sentencing hearing is not until
September 2010. He is being held in Federal Prison
in the State of Washington.  There is no statement
from Federal Prosecutors yet as to what will happen
to the 70,000 Americans that Marc Emery sold
marijuana seeds to over the internet from Canada
using U.S. mails.
Marc Emery's domain was http://usmjparty.com
and domain searches no longer publicly list the owner.
Rich Rawlings owns the domains:
http://usmjparty.org
http://usmjparty.net

Cris Ericson, with her more conservative approach,
is the only candidate in the Unites States of America
who has achieved BALLOT STATUS for the
United States Marijuana Party.

The United States Marijuana Party in other states
under those other domains
( http://usmjparty.com
http://usmjparty.org
http://usmjparty.net )
has NEVER HAD A CANDIDATE ON ANY BALLOT IN ANY STATE
AND IS NOT REGISTERED AS A POLITICAL PARTY
IN ANY STATE WITH ANY SECRETARY OF STATE.

CRIS ERICSON, UNITED STATES MARIJUANA PARTY
is registered with the Vermont Secretary of State
http://www.sec.state.vt.us

Regardless of what Marc Emery's people may say,
CRIS ERICSON IS THE ONLY
UNITED STATES MARIJUANA PARTY CANDIDATE
REGISTERED WITH ANY SECRETARY OF STATE,
AND WITH THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS,
AND WHO IS ON ANY OFFICIAL ELECTION BALLOT.

THE OTHER GUYS ARE NOT ORGANIZED OR CERTIFIED
OR REGISTERED AS A LEGAL POLITICAL PARTY ENTITY.

Cris Ericson does not smoke, use, inhale, ingest,
grow, cultivate, sell, transport or do anything
will any real marijuana.

Cris Ericson believes that marijuana should be legal
for adults to use responsibly.

Cris Ericson has an entirely intellectual and factually
correct approach to marijuana legalization based on facts
and statistics,  using only
legal and proper procedural tactics.

Cris Ericson has been on the official election ballot
in Vermont 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010.
Her domain
http://crisericson.com
is archived in the Library of Congress Minerva Program.
Cris Ericson has actively campaigned to legalize
marijuana every campaign season, with diligence and
dedication in the pursuit of freedom to control our
own bodies and our own minds.

THERE ARE STATE
AND
THERE ARE FEDERAL
MARIJUANA ISSUES.

There are Vermont State Marijuana Laws,
and there are Federal Marijuana Laws.

In 2011 USMJP will be able to file as a minor party in Vermont.
<a href="http://usmjp.com"> USMJP Vermont </a>

2010 UNITED STATES MARIJUANA PARTY
PLATFORM OF
MARIJUANA
POLIITCAL ISSUES
FOR THE NOV. 2, 2010 ELECTION IN VERMONT.

*************************************************************************************************************************************

CONTRARY to what Ms. Ericson is claiming, the U.S. Marijuana Party HAS been listed in the Library of Congress:  http://webarchive.loc.gov/lcwa0017/*/www.usmjparty.com/

and http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/lcwa/mrva0017.1992/default.html  and http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/lcwa/searchAll?query=U.S.+Marijuana+Party&field=all&sort=titlesort  and http://webarchive.loc.gov/lcwa0016/2004*/www.usmjparty.com/

and continuing:

http://web.archive.org/web/20050403213736/usmjparty.com/usmjparty_sites.htm

The above lists the archived websites of the State sites of the U.S. Marijuana Party.

The U.S. Marijuana Party was in Time Magazine in March of 2010.

Historically, the Founder of the U.S. Marijuana Party was Ms. Loretta Nall, in November of 2002 after having met Marc Emery while on a vacation in Canada.

After returning home from that trip her home was raided by DEA looking for evidence of illegal Marijuana, of which none was found.  That was effectively the beginning of the U.S. Marijuana Party.

While it is true that there were “Seeds” which were sold through mail order from Marc Emery’s “seed bank” to individuals in  the United States, it is NOT true that the U.S. Marijuana Party is, has, or ever would operate off of Marc Emery’s money since Richard J Rawlings has been Executive Director, starting in 2006. 

Quite the contrary, Marc Emery is now asking for donations to support himself in prison in the U.S.  (For unjust charges, I might add).

Politically speaking we are Independents with many socially libertarian positions.  But each state contends with its own  pertinent demographic problems in a way they feel will best represent their state.

The U.S. Marijuana Party will address any issue concerning  Cannabis/Marijuana/Hemp Prohibition, Human Rights and Civil Rights, as we believe in adhering to the "original" Constitutional Rights of all United States Citizens.

We most certainly believe in the REPEAL OF THE PROHIBITION  OF MARIJUANA/CANNABIS AND HEMP!

There were quite a few “State” party affiliations until 2005 when the DEA arrested Marc Emery with a “trans-national” warrant.  At this time, as is common for third party affiliations, many State sites ceased and desisted out of fear of retaliation from the DEA for something they were not guilty of to begin with.

It was not until 2006 that Richard J. Rawlings was offered the opportunity to take over the U.S. Marijuana Party via Loretta Nall who decided it was in her best interest to run  Independent in Alabama, as she was running for Governor.  Of note, Loretta Nall was then, and still is a very influential political person in her home state.

At the time Richard J. Rawlings took over the U.S. Marijuana Party, there was NO money.  The party still operates with NO budget, NO income to speak of and only Four legitimate state chapters, which are:

ILLINOIS  U.S. MARIJUANA PARTY, Richard J. Rawlings

COLORADO U.S. MARIJUANA PARTY, “Wayward” William A. Chengelis

KENTUCKY U.S. MARIJUANA PARTY, Sheree Krider

WYOMING U.S. MARIJUANA PARTY, Charlie Lake

The U.S. Marijuana Party has legitimate Federal Tax Identification and operates as a LEGAL ENTITY within the U.S. Tax Codes, (even though there is little to report). 

Our follower’s can verify the fact that a “US Marijuana Party of Vermont” never existed, via this link of archived sites for the Party. 

The Official Domains for the United States Marijuana Party
https://usmjparty.org | http://usmjparty.com | http://usmjparty.net
http://usmarijuanaparty.com | http://usmarijuanaparty.org

Official State Chapters
Colorado: http://co.usmjparty.org | http://co.usmarijuanaparty.org
Illinois: http://il.usmjparty.org | http://il.usmarijuanaparty.org
Kentucky: http://ky.usmjparty.org | http://ky.usmarijuanaparty.org
Mississippi: http://ms.usmjparty.org | http://ms.usmarijuanaparty.org
Wyoming: http://wy.usmjparty.org | http://wy.usmarijuanaparty.org

Furthermore, the following information is provided to confirm the ownership of the U.S. Marijuana Party:

The data contained in GoDaddy.com, Inc.'s WHOIS database,
while believed by the company to be reliable, is provided "as is"
with no guarantee or warranties regarding its accuracy. This
information is provided for the sole purpose of assisting you
in obtaining information about domain name registration records.
Any use of this data for any other purpose is expressly forbidden without the prior written
permission of GoDaddy.com, Inc. By submitting an inquiry,
you agree to these terms of usage and limitations of warranty. In particular,
you agree not to use this data to allow, enable, or otherwise make possible,
dissemination or collection of this data, in part or in its entirety, for any
purpose, such as the transmission of unsolicited advertising and
solicitations of any kind, including spam. You further agree
not to use this data to enable high volume, automated or robotic electronic
processes designed to collect or compile this data for any purpose,
including mining this data for your own personal or commercial purposes.
Please note: the registrant of the domain name is specified
in the "registrant" field. In most cases, GoDaddy.com, Inc.
is not the registrant of domain names listed in this database.
Registrant:
United States Marijuana Party
861 S. KIM MOOR Rd.
Peoria, Illinois 61605
United States
Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: USMJPARTY.COM
Created on: 24-Aug-01
Expires on: 24-Aug-10
Last Updated on: 05-Aug-09
Administrative Contact:
Rawlings, Richard richrawlings@usmjparty.com
United States Marijuana Party
861 S. KIM MOOR Rd.
Peoria, Illinois 61605
United States
3096488734
Technical Contact:
Rawlings, Richard richrawlings@usmjparty.com
United States Marijuana Party
861 S. KIM MOOR Rd.
Peoria, Illinois 61605
United States
3096488734

Now that this issue has been addressed as to the “ownership” of the name, we will address a few other issues as well.

Here are a few links either depicting or opinionating Ms. Ericson’s work:

Crackpot Candidate #1: Cris Ericson, Candidate for Governor of Vermont.

Ms. Cris Ericson on Blogger

Theocracy For Marijuana In Vermont

United States Marijuana Party is on Vermont ballot for Governor & U.S. Senate 2010      “…Because Corporations may now promote campaigns, a good campaign fundraiser should be seeking a reality t.v. show producer to follow Cris Ericson's campaign….”

Marc Emery Update  

(Coincidentally enough, after having shunned the U.S. Marijuana Party for it’s alleged affiliation with Marc Emery, she has used “his” update to post her candidacy on that site.)

HOW DOES A CANDIDATE W/NO FUNDS "HIRE" A FUNDRAISER?

Free Marc Emery!! Canada's Prince of Pot Has Begun His Journey Into America's Gulag  (Once again, using a Marc Emery discussion to promote her campaign:..”…)

MAKE MARIJUANA LEGAL! VOTE CRIS ERICSON 2010!

by Ms. Cris Ericson (not verified), September 29, 2009, 04:23pm

DO YOU LIVE IN VERMONT?

DO YOU WANT TO HELP MAKE MARIJUANA LEGAL?

VOTE CRIS ERICSON 2010!

http://makemarijuanalegal.com
MAKE MARIJUANA LEGAL dot com

OUT-OF-STATE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ARE LEGAL!
VOTE CRIS ERICSON
FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR
FOR VERMONT 2010.”

As of this time, the political satire of Ms. Cris Ericson for Governor, or Senator (whatever), as a U.S. Marijuana Party Candidate is questionable because there is NO legal affiliation with the UNITED STATES MARIJUANA PARTY.  There are NO “USMJParty” Candidates. 

The following statement was made by Richard J. Rawlings and sent to the Vermont Board of Elections:

“To whom it my concern,

Cris Ericson used fraud to get on the ballot for the 2010 election in your state of Vermont.

Cris Ericson has never been a member of the United States Marijuana Party nor has there ever been a chapter of the United States Marijuana Party in the State of Vermont. Cris Ericson used the United States Marijuana Party name to get the 500 signatures needed to get on the ballot in 2010 without the permission of the United States Marijuana Party. Cris Ericson does not represent the United States Marijuana Party, and we ask that you to remove our name from the Vermont ballot for 2010.

Sincerely.

United States Marijuana Party
Richard James Rawlings
Executive Director”

The “USMJParty” will continue to look into this matter and the legalities thereof, and will post updates as warranted.

smkrider

Federal Marijuana Laws are Unconstitutional