Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 08:34:31 -0700
Subject:Federal Crackdown on California Medical Marijuana Sparks Criticism, Protest  Up TOC

from Preston Peet of drugwar.com

http://www.drugwar.com/lyppscrackdown.shtm
Federal Crackdown on California Medical Marijuana Sparks Criticism, Protest
By Heidi Lypps-
Director of Communications, Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics:
Special to DrugWar.com
(photo)
Mike and Valerie Corral of WAMM
Sept. 18, 2002
The month of September has seen a dramatic escalation of the War on Drugs in
California, with DEA raids on two leading medical marijuana dispensaries. On
September 5th, DEA agents arrested Valerie and Michael Corral of WAMM
(Wo/Men's alliance for Medical Marijuana) and destroyed approximately 150
marijuana plants intended for use by WAMM's members, most of whom are
terminally ill. On September 12, the Petaluma-based Genesis 1:29 medical
cannabis dispensary was raided, and Robert Schmidt, the owner, was arrested
by the DEA. On the same day, the agents also raided a garden in Sebastopol
which supplied the Genesis dispensary.

These raids are only the most recent actions in an escalating DEA campaign
directed at medical cannabis co-ops in California. The Petaluma and Santa
Cruz co-ops were among California's most carefully law-abiding: each
required members to have a doctor's prescription, issued ID cards, and
worked with local officials to shape agreements and protocols for operation.
snip-
Read Article and access multiple links at above URL.
Peace,
Preston Peet
ptpeet@nyc.rr.com
Editor http://www.drugwar.com
Editor at Large High Times mag/.com
"You can bomb the world to pieces,
but you can't bomb the world into peace."
Michael Franti- Spearhead

------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 08:25:42 -0700
Subject:Germany: Press Release CannaBusiness - only 10 days to go! Up TOC

PRESS RELEASE

7th International CannaBusiness 2002:

International Branch Meeting in the FORUM of Castrop-Rauxel

Once again, 110 exhibitors from  14 nations  will turn  the "Europastadt"
Castrop-Rauxel (the city was formerly located right in the geographic heart
of Europe) into a heavily attended  center of the worldwide hemp scene. For
the very first time, we gladly welcome exhibitors from Australia, Indonesia,
Israel and Sweden in this year. The hemp boom in Canada will bring the
visitors of the CannaBusiness many new interesting products: Manifold
cosmetics made from hemp or the latest greenhouse technologies for example.
The internationally well-known  hemp journalist Pete Brady will report on
the exciting development of the worldwide hemp scene (in English).

Unbroken dynamics: The CannaBusiness team managed to attain 42 new
international producers und wholesalers with new products for
Castrop-Rauxel. For every visitor, the exhibitors from the categories  hemp
products, media, greenhouse technology, paraphernalia, herbs/tea and
commercial services will certainly have something special in store.

According to the motto "innovation vitalizes the market and promotes
diversity!",  an innovation competition will initially be hold this year. In
cooperation with the Association of Hemp Business in Europa incorporated
society  (A.H.EU), the  Republic of Bongland and  a couple of celebrity
judges, novelties, prototypes and smart business ideas concerning hemp shall
be selected and awarded. Products, commercial services and concepts from the
categories paraphernalia, greenhouse technology and hemp products of all
kinds are admitted in the competition.

A variegated supporting programme will  make the CannaBusiness(r) an
intensive experience for everybody. Live glass blowing will for sure be one
of the highlights, but also Didgeridoo Performance and Walking Acts will
catch the public`s eye. Not to mention the bodypainting with attractive
models, the crackling eroticism of which topped last year`s incredible hot
temperatures.
On the whole, photographers can once again make use of excellent "hunting
grounds" for beautiful snapshots.

On Sunday, the Association of Hemp Business in Europa incorporated society
(A.H.EU), the first intersectoral international hemp branch association,
introduces itself to the public (www.aheu.org).

Sunday: Shopping Day!
On Sunday, people can shop to the top of their bent - our shopping day
offers the visitors the possibility to copiously enjoy the whole world of
hemp products, receiving samples and other advertising gifts. The huge
selection of different products from all spheres clearly shows: Hemp is
Lifestyle!
Important information:

1. Press conference on Wednesday 25 September 2002, 2:00 p.m., in the FORUM
Castrop-Rauxel! Please accredit in time. You will find the accreditation
form in the internet at
http://www.cannabusiness.info/_info/ger/index1.html?presse.html. Your
contact person is Jens Wehrmeister, tel. 0030 (0)234 - 935 79 72.

2. Final press conference on Sunday, 29 September 2002, 2:00 p.m., in the
room K2! Afterwards, the hemp branch association A.H.EU will draw its
conclusion of the fair and finally the results of the innovation competition
will be announced. A live glass blowing performance will follow for those
who are interested.

3. Opening Times: From now on, even the longest journey is worth the effort!
Friday (trade visitors only): 1:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. (B2B meeting till
about 1:00 a.m.)
Saturday (trade visitors only): 12:00 noon till 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. Shopping Day

4. Entry Fees:

We have also lowered our entry fees by 25% so that the visitors have more
money for shopping purposes at their disposal.

Trade visitors  Day Ticket ? 15,- (prolongation ? 5,- per day).
Day Ticket ? 7,50 / reduced ? 5,- (students and disabled persons only with
valid pass copy)



Program

Friday  27 September 2002

01:00 p.m
CannaBusiness(r) opens

02:00 p.m
Press reception at the action stage
Time schedule for glassblowing at the stage, in between didgeridoo sounds
with Marc Iwaszkiewicz

09:00 p.m.
NightFlight - glassblowing live

10:00 p.m.
CannaBusiness(r) closes

till 1:00 a.m.
B2B continues in the Europahalle

Saturday 28 September 2002

12:00 noon
CannaBusiness(r) opens

1:00 p.m
The second day starts with Bodypainting on stage. Time schedule for
glassblowing at the stage, in between didgeridoo sounds with Marc
Iwaszkiewicz

08:00 p.m.
CannaBusiness(r)  closes

08:30 p.m.
Presentation of the Association of Hemp Business in Europe and discussion in
the fair restaurant

Sunday 29 September 2002

11:00 a.m.
CannaBusiness(r) opens

12:00 noon
Bodypainting on stage

2:00 p.m.
Press conference CannaBusiness(r) and A.H.EU in room K2, afterwards awards
show on stage

More info + Contact: Tri Tec GmbH,  Tel.: 0049 (0) 234 935 79 72, Fax: 0049
(0) 234  935 79 75. presse@cannabusiness.info, www.cannabusiness.com with
special page for downloads (texts, photos, banner etc.)

Please contact us, if you need tickets or  merchandising articles e.g. for
lotteries!

Please be so kind as to include the CannaBusiness in your calendar of
events!

------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 09:32:24 -0700
Subject:CA: Employee Fired For Medical Pot Use Sues Firm Up TOC

Newshawk: Jay Bergstrom
Pubdate: Wed, 18 Sep 2002
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Webpage: http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/4447794p-5468814c.html
Copyright: 2002 The Sacramento Bee
Contact: opinion@sacbee.com
Website: http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Author: Ramon Coronado, Bee Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

EMPLOYEE FIRED FOR MEDICAL POT USE SUES FIRM

In what may be a first since California voters passed the medicinal
marijuana law six years ago, a Sacramento man is suing his former employer
for firing him because he uses doctor-prescribed pot for a disabling back
condition.

In a lawsuit filed in Sacramento Superior Court, Gary Ross, 40, is seeking
more than $100,000 in damages from RagingWire Telecommunications Inc., a
Sacramento-based information-technology firm.

"Californians have said medicinal marijuana is legal. Does an employer have
the right to fire someone because they don't agree with the law? I don't
think so," said Ross' attorney, Stewart Katz.

In a prepared statement, RagingWire's lawyer said Tuesday that the company
is standing by its decision to fire Ross.

"RagingWire is committed to a drug-free work environment. RagingWire's
customers, who entrust it with highly sensitive and confidential
information, have similar commitments," said San Francisco lawyer Patrick
C. Mullin.

"RagingWire is confident that actions taken in the enforcement of this
policy are in compliance with both state and federal law," Mullin said.

Gerald Uelmen, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law, disagrees.

"Just last month, the California Supreme Court said taking medicinal
marijuana is as legal as any other prescribed medication. I can't imagine
an employer telling an employee that 'I don't want you taking your
prescription,' " Uelmen said.

The professor, who teaches a course dealing with drugs and the law, said he
has not heard of any similar suits and that he thinks Ross may win in court.

In a 1978 New York case, a federal court held that a transit worker could
legally take methadone, a narcotic used in the treatment of heroin
addiction. That court said the drug prescribed by a doctor was like any
other legally prescribed medication, Uelmen said.

Marijuana has been legal for certified medical use in California since
1996, but the drug remains illegal under federal law.

That has left state and federal officials clashing on several fronts.

"There are all kinds of settings in which this conflict will continue to
come up," Uelmen said.

The suit alleges that the company offered Ross a job last year as a lead
systems administrator. In accepting the position, he turned down a higher
salary and selected a $74,000 annual salary with more stock options because
he intended to have a long future with the company, the suit said.

Prior to taking a mandatory drug test for employment, Ross said, he
provided officials with a copy of his physician's prescription for
marijuana use. Ross suffers from lower-back strain and muscle spasms
resulting from an injury in January 1983 while in the Air Force. He
receives some disability payments from the government as a result of the
injury, the suit said.

Katz said conventional pain relievers didn't always work for his client.
Ross told RagingWire officials he would not smoke marijuana at work, nor
would he come to work under its influence. He would smoke it at his home
once every week or sometimes every three weeks, the lawyer said.

Shortly after being hired, RagingWire's board of directors met to discuss
Ross' marijuana use, the suit said. Chief Executive Officer George
Macricostas was the one who told Ross he was fired.

"This has nothing to do with job performance. I was wrongfully discharged
because of my choice of medication. The doctor's recommendation was
legitimate, the injury was real and now I am out of job," Ross said. He and
his wife have two children, ages 19 and 16.

"What they told me was that they don't want drug users. They said they
worried about what their customers would think," Ross said.
__________________________________________________________________________
Distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in
receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom

------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 09:34:04 -0700
Subject:SF Chronicle on Santa Cruz MMJ Handout Up TOC

via Dale Gieringer  <canorml@igc.org>

Santa Cruz joint effort hands out medical pot

Maria Alicia Gaura, SF Chronicle Staff Writer   Wednesday, September 18, 2002
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2002/09/18/MN242751.DTL
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Openly defying the federal government, a host of Santa Cruz officials
stood witness Tuesday as medical marijuana advocates distributed
cannabis products in the courtyard of Santa Cruz City Hall.

As street musicians performed in the background and an unmarked green
helicopter hovered persistently overhead, the mayor and five of six
City Council members, three former mayors and the city's
representative on the county Board of Supervisors joined with an
estimated 1,000 citizens to show support for medical pot.

The crowd, alert for signs that federal agents might stage a raid,
shook their fists at the helicopter and chanted, "DEA, go away!"

Rich Meyer, spokesman for the federal anti-drug agency, wouldn't say
whether the helicopter belonged to the DEA or whether plainclothes
agents were in the crowd.

The rally was in response to the Sept. 5 bust of the Wo/Men's
Alliance for Medical Marijuana, a Santa Cruz-based collective of more
than 230 members whose doctors have recommended they use marijuana to
relieve symptoms of illness. DEA agents chopped down the group's 2002
marijuana crop and arrested founders Valerie and Mike Corral. The
Corrals were released that day and have not been charged with any
crime.

More than a dozen seriously ill patients came forward at Tuesday's
rally -- in wheelchairs, with canes or on emaciated legs -- to stock
up on cannabis tincture, cannabis-laced milk, buds for smoking and
bright green marijuana muffins. Despite fears of a bust, no arrests
were made.

"I think (the federal government) will find that going after Mike and
Valerie was a big mistake," said Dale Gieringer, spokesman for NORML,
the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws. "This case could
be their Waterloo."

DEA spokesman Meyer was dismissive of such claims and hinted that
city officials may be criminally liable for their stance.

"We take violations of the law seriously, and today the federal drug
laws were broken in Santa Cruz, in the presence of the mayor and City
Council," Meyer said. "The message I got was that officials there
have not upheld their oath to uphold and enforce the law."

A SHARP BACKLASH

The DEA raid infuriated local officials, who had worked with WAMM for
years to create a verification and distribution system that would
conform to California's Proposition 215 -- which legalized medical
marijuana use -- and prevent ailing people from being forced to rely
on black-market marijuana.

WAMM's members grow their own organic pot for distribution within the group.

The collective has operated openly in Santa Cruz since 1996, when
Proposition 215 passed. The federal government has always asserted
that marijuana use for any reason is illegal, however, and has
recently raided a string of medical marijuana clubs across the state.

But the WAMM raid provoked a sharp backlash. Even state Attorney
General Bill Lockyer has challenged the federal government's
authority in the case.

The Corrals' legal representatives, led by Santa Clara University law
professor Gerald Uelmen, hope the facts in WAMM's case will allow for
a successful challenge of federal authority. Since the U.S. attorney
seems reluctant to file criminal charges, Uelmen plans to sue the
DEA, demanding return of seized property and a reassessment of the
law.

'A HIGHER LAW'

Since WAMM grows its own pot for personal use, Uelmen questions
whether the federal government's right to regulate interstate
commerce should apply.

And since the DEA has shown a pattern of busting medical marijuana
providers but then failing to prosecute them, he argues that the
raids are illegal "punitive expeditions," which are illegal under the
Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.

"When you boil it down, one issue in the case of the U.S. vs. Valerie
and Mike Corral, and 238 sick and dying people, is: Has compassion
for the sick and dying become a federal crime?" Uelmen said Tuesday,
to deafening cheers. "WAMM is a collective hospice, where giving
comfort and love to those afflicted with AIDS and other serious
illness is the only priority. This is recognition of a higher law
that commands us to love one another."

County Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt said that local officials have few
options in confronting an unfair federal system and that Santa Cruz
residents are solidly behind her and her colleagues.

"There is little we can do except standing by the people who are so
courageously defying the law," she said.

'NOT ABOUT DEFIANCE'

Few communities have been as fervent in their support of medical
marijuana as has Santa Cruz, where 77 percent of voters approved a
local ordinance in 1992 and 81 percent approved Proposition 215.

Still, there were a few brave dissidents in Tuesday's crowd, one of
whom held a sign reading: "Someone has to be the grown-up around
here."

But Valerie Corral thanked Santa Cruz for its unstinting support of
her group and her cause, and urged the rowdier members of the crowd
to behave.

"Thank you for offering this sanctuary that Santa Cruz is for so many
people," Corral said. "Please, don't smoke or drink here, please
don't confuse our message. Our message is not about defiance. It is
about peaceful assembly, a coalition of humanity that pleads for the
same respect from our government."

E-mail the writer at mgaura@sfchronicle.com.

- -- 
- ----
Dale Gieringer (415) 563-5858  // canorml@igc.org
2215-R Market St. #278, San Francisco CA 94114
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attachment: http://www.drugsense.org/temp/part2221.html

------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 09:40:50 -0700
Subject:SJ Merc on Santa Cruz MMJ Giveaway Up TOC

via Dale Gieringer

Posted on Tue, Sep. 17, 2002
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/4096459.htm
Pot giveaway in Santa Cruz draws 1,100
RALLY CONDEMNS MARIJUANA RAIDS
By Ken McLaughlin
Mercury News

Karen T. Borchers--Mercury News
Valerie and Michael Corral, who were arrested in a Sept. 5 federal
raid on their one-acre pot farm, embrace before addressing supporters
at Santa Cruz City Hall.

Thumbing their noses at federal drug laws, members of a Santa Cruz
County medicinal marijuana organization on Tuesday staged their own
version of the Boston Tea Party.

Only they didn't dump tea in the harbor. They passed out pot -- right
in front of Santa Cruz City Hall and with the support of local
officials and several hundred other people.

Their message: The federal government needs to acknowledge that
states like California should be able to decide for themselves
whether marijuana can be used as medicine.

The pot giveaway and rally attracted nearly 1,100 people, including
about 200 journalists from around the world who came to witness the
latest -- and most serious challenge yet -- to stepped-up federal
efforts to confiscate the drug from medicinal marijuana clubs and the
farms that produce it.

No arrests were made, although a mysterious helicopter hovered
overhead. While it circled, politicians, prominent attorneys,
physicians and numerous AIDS and cancer patients vowed to prod
Washington lawmakers to preserve medicinal marijuana laws.

Six of seven city council members and three former Santa Cruz mayors
attended, but while the officials supported the rally, they did not
handle the marijuana.

The event was triggered by an early-morning Sept. 5 raid on a
one-acre pot farm in the hills north of Davenport run by the Wo/Men's
Alliance for Medical Marijuana, better known as WAMM. About 30 U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents carrying M-16s cut down 167
plants and took them away in U-Hauls, arresting WAMM founders Valerie
and Michael Corral.

The Corrals, who helped write a 1996 California measure aimed at
legalizing medicinal marijuana, were arrested on federal charges of
intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy. But the U.S.
Attorney's Office has not yet filed charges against them -- and
officials have refused to say if they will.

In July, the state Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the 1996
measure, Proposition 215, protects Californians who have a doctor's
approval to smoke marijuana from conviction for violating state drug
laws. The ruling came two months after the U.S. Supreme Court said
that ``medical necessity'' should not exempt marijuana users from
federal drug laws.

``I think it's outrageous that the federal government is ignoring the
will of the huge majority of people in the county and the state who
want to see medicinal marijuana legal,'' said Councilman Scott
Kennedy. ``Given the developments around the world, you'd think
federal agents would have better things to do.''

A DEA spokesman, however, defended the crackdown and decried elected
officials who took part in the event.

``If I were a teenager in Santa Cruz and heard that the mayor and
city council were at this event, I'd be confused,'' said DEA special
agent Richard Meyer. ``Anyone who thinks that marijuana is not a
dangerous drug is in denial.''

Meyer acknowledged that the agency was ``monitoring'' the event.

``Go away, DEA! Go away, DEA!'' a crowd of several hundred people
shouted as they gazed skyward at the helicopter.

One Santa Cruz protester dressed in camouflage and wielding a toy
machine gun pretended he was a DEA agent. Others held up signs
reading ``God Gave Us Herbs,'' ``My Medicine Is Not a Crime,''
``States Rights'' and ``Federalism Now.''

Notwithstanding the ``Legalize Pot'' signs, speakers at the rally
were careful to draw the distinction between medicinal marijuana and
pot used to get high.

``Even our children can understand the difference between the
recreational use of drugs -- which we condemn -- and giving marijuana
to sick and dying people,'' said Santa Clara University law Professor
Gerald Uelmen, a noted constitutional expert.

Only a ``twisted and perverted bureaucrat'' could approve sending in
agents with automatic weapons to wipe out WAMM's tiny farm, he said.

California's chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Bill
Lockyer, a strong backer of Proposition 215, has also condemned the
DEA's latest efforts. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General John
Ashcroft sent a day after the raid, Lockyer said federal officials
were acting like bullies.

Eight states besides California -- Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii,
Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington -- also allow marijuana to be
grown and distributed to people with a doctor's prescription. But the
DEA has focused its raids on California, where medicinal pot clubs
have been routinely raided this year.

The Santa Cruz raid was the most dramatic because WAMM has been so
high-profile and has earned the respect of Sheriff Mark Tracy and
other law enforcement officials.

``This is grass-roots Santa Cruz compassion,'' said Uelmen, who was a
member of O.J. Simpson's legal defense team and plans to put a team
of legal experts together to fight the federal government on the
issue.

Other city council members attending the rally and watching some of
WAMM's 238 patients getting marijuana in small bags, muffins and
tincture were Mayor Christopher Krohn, Vice Mayor Emily Reilly and
Councilmen Tim Fitzmaurice, Mark Primack and Ed Porter. Former mayors
Mike Rotkin, Jane Weed and Celia Scott also were on hand, as was
county Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt.

Councilman Keith Sugar said he chose not to attend the event because,
even though he supports WAMM, he wanted to work with the DEA to
re-focus its efforts in Santa Cruz on heroin traffic.

``We have cops getting shot over heroin,'' he said, referring to Aug.
1 incident in which an officer was seriously wounded in the Beach
Flats area near the boardwalk.

Police had returned fire and killed a Mexican national, who family
members said was a heroin addict.

Phil Baer, a city council candidate, has made the growing heroin
problem in Santa Cruz his main campaign issue. He did not attend the
rally and does not support its cause.

``It hurts our city to be known for lax drug law enforcement,'' he
said. ``Santa Cruz has a reputation as a pot town.''
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Ken McLaughlin at kmclaughlin@sjmercury.com or (831) 423-
- -- 
- ----
Dale Gieringer (415) 563-5858  // canorml@igc.org
2215-R Market St. #278, San Francisco CA 94114
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attachment: http://www.drugsense.org/temp/part2227.html

------------------------------
Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 09:40:18 -0700
Subject:NV: Drug Czar To Lobby In Nevada Up TOC

Newshawk: Vote Yes on Question 9: www.nrle.org
Pubdate: Wed, 18 Sep 2002
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)
Copyright: 2002 Las Vegas Review-Journal
Contact: letters@lvrj.com
Website: http://www.lvrj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/233
Author: Steve Tetreault, Stephens Washington Bureau
Cited: Marijuana Policy Project ( www.mpp.org )
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?162 (Nevadans for Responsible Law
Enforcement)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?163 (Question 9 (NV))
Note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.

DRUG CZAR TO LOBBY IN NEVADA

Federal Official Plans Battle Against Marijuana Ballot Initiative

WASHINGTON -- The nation's drug czar plans to boost his fight against
Question 9, the Nevada ballot initiative that would legalize possession of
up to 3 ounces of marijuana.

John Walters, chief of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, plans to
visit drug treatment centers and meet with law enforcers and newspaper
editorial boards during a trip to Las Vegas and Reno scheduled Oct. 9-10,
spokeswoman Jennifer deVallance said Tuesday.

At a news conference, Walters said he spoke in Las Vegas this summer against
marijuana, "and I'm going back again."

"I am going into every state that has a ballot initiative and working with
people in community coalitions," Walters said.

Besides Nevada, states where voters face marijuana-related ballot questions
include Arizona, Ohio and South Dakota, the pro-legalization Marijuana
Policy Project reports.

In Nevada, Question 9 asks whether the state should legalize possession of
up to 3 ounces of marijuana, enough to roll about 100 joints.

People older than 21 would be allowed to smoke in their homes but not in
public places. Marijuana would be sold in state-licensed stores and taxed
like tobacco.

Voters must approve the initiative in November and again in 2004 before it
can be made part of the state constitution.

Walters disclosed his travel plans as he announced a national media campaign
this fall by his office and 17 education and public health organizations to
discourage young people from smoking marijuana.

The campaign will include newspaper advertisements running in big markets,
television and radio spots and an effort to reach youngsters through the
Internet.

Government drug policy officials said the ads, produced for national media
use, will not focus special attention on Nevada. A spot ran this week during
Monday night's NFL game.

"This is a national youth anti-drug media campaign. We don't heap up in
states where there are ballot issues," said Tom Riley, a Walters aide.

Walters urged parents against trivializing for their children the dangers of
marijuana, and he said the drug is more potent today than what mom and dad
may have smoked in their youth.

More teens enter rehabilitation to treat marijuana addiction than alcohol or
all other illegal drugs combined, he said.

"Our effort is to correct the ignorance that is the single biggest obstacle
to protecting our kids," he said.

Krissy Oechslin, Marijuana Policy Project assistant director of
communications, questioned the effectiveness of government ad drives, some
of which she said employ "scare tactics and distortions of the truth."

"There are still record numbers of kids that use marijuana and other drugs,"
Oechslin said. "They've been doing this over and over and over, and it
doesn't work. Maybe it's time to try a different campaign."

Riley said drug use over the long term has declined because public
awareness.

"Drug use is half of what it was in the 1980s," he said.

A study issued last month by the Office of National Drug Control Policy
reported first-time marijuana use among Nevada youth ages 12 to 17 is among
the highest in the nation.

The state tied with Hawaii for seventh among the 50 states, with 7.63
percent of adolescents trying marijuana for the first time in 1999 and 2000,
the report said.
__________________________________________________________________________
Distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in
receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk


------------------------------
End of Restore-Digest V2002 #196
********************************