Wednesday, October 1, 2003

We are not a province of America! Yesterday, I said that I didn't think the Dutch would take kindly to Drug Czar John Walters telling them to increase their police powers at the expense of individual liberties. Well, Expatica reports: The Lower House of Parliament is opposed to the US suggestions and Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner rejected calls for criminal agent provocateurs. Democrat D66 leader Boris Dittrich reacted furiously, saying "we are not a province of America". I understand, Boris. We don't like having him either. 7:08:59 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Oral Arguments in Hemp Foods Case Via Hit and Run... SAN FRANCISCO, CA - U.S. COURT of APPEALS for the NINTH CIRCUIT - The Hemp Industries Association (HIA), representing over 200 hemp companies in North America, is predicting victory in a major legal battle to prevent the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from banning nutritious hemp foods such as waffles, bread, cereal and snack bars. A decision in HIA v. DEA is expected within six months. "Retailers and manufacturers of hemp foods should be confident that we will win this case," says David Bronner, a board member of both the HIA and Vote Hemp, and Chair of the HIA Food and Oil Committee. "The three judge panel seemed in agreement over our main argument that the DEA's 'Final Rule' ignores Congress' specific exemption in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) under the definition of marihuana that excludes hemp seed and stalk from control. Based on the questions posed to the DEA, it appears the court reasonablyviews trace insignificant amounts of THC in hemp seed in the same way as it sees trace amounts of opiates in poppy seeds," says Bronner. A transcript of Monday's oral arguments is available here (pdf). The Justices asked tough questions of both sides, but seemed unconvinced by the government's reasoning for the sudden ban on food products (several times asking why they haven't outlawed poppy seed bagels). The government admitted that the trace amounts of THC in hemp food products have no effect. Due to a court-ordered stay of the DEA's "Final Rule," hemp foods remain perfectly legal to import, sell and consume while the Court considers arguments and renders a decision. This means you can get your delicious and nutritious hemp food products, like those pictured from Ruth's Hemp Foods, where they have hemp bars, hemp oil, tortilla wraps/chips/pasta, hemp milk and more. Hemp cannot be legally grown in the U.S., but hemp foods can be imported from Candada, and at Ruth's it's easy to order online and have it shipped here. Disclaimer: I do not work for Ruth's Hemp Foods, nor have I received any consideration for promoting their products. However, if Ruth's Hemp Foods appreciates this product placement, and wants to thank me... I particularly like the Cranberry Almond SoftHemp bars and the SoftHemp seeds (a case of each would be great!) 9:59:48 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

What? Yesterday, an Ohio man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for selling a bag of baking soda to undercover officers. Police said Chandler negotiated a deal with the officer in July that he would deliver 4.5 ounces of crack for $8,000. Chandler produced a small bag and was arrested. Later, tests showed it was baking soda. A jury convicted him last week of cocaine trafficking, which Ohio law defines as selling or offering to sell the drug. It makes no difference that Chandler was peddling a fake, Stark County assistant prosecutor Joe Vance said. The amount was found to be more than 100 grams, qualifying Chandler as a major drug offender. That brings a mandatory 10-year sentence, and a judge may add up to 10 more years. 9:28:21 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

House approves ONDCP extension The House approved a five-year extension of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy late yesterday by voice vote. (see Monday's alert). There's still the Senate. The re-authorization was brought forward at the last minute by Drug War Cheerleader Mark Souder under suspension of the rules, which provided for limited debate and no amendments. It gives the Drug Czar more taxpayer money for his ineffective ad campaign, and allows him to reward local areas that follow his approach with extra funding. It could be worse. Some of the most offensive items were eliminated in committee because drug policy reform groups raised the alarm -- including provisions that would have allowed the Drug Czar to use taxpayer money to campaign against candidates and referendums he didn't like. Update: Even at the last moment, pressure from drug policy reformers was able to make a difference. According to Drug Policy Alliance: House Democrats helped us win a victory by pressuring Republicans to overturn a ban on using High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) funding for drug prevention - rather than law enforcement. The Drug Policy Alliance has pushed for this change because it is the first step to shifting millions of dollars from away from arresting non-violent drug offenders and into prevention. 9:00:03 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []