Thursday, April 1, 2004

Jennings' piece on Ecstasy a must-see This piece was astonishing - a factual investigative report on ecstasy that shows how the government has been its own worst enemy. It showed all the good things about ecstasy and all the stuff we don't know (including potential dangers) and for which need more studies. It slammed the bad science involved, and also slammed the government for squandering all credibility by lying and exaggerating the problems. A couple of startling moments where the program showed dramatically how making the drug illegal caused most of the problems that exist. It you missed it, you can purchase a video of the program for $29.95 at the ABC store. I think I may get a copy just to have in my library. Update: Chris puts it best: "This is the strongest major-network condemnation of federal drug policy that I've ever seen." 10:05:38 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

President Bush Legalizes Marijuana in America Historic Executive Order to Take Effect on April 20 April 1, 2004 Washington, DC: In a move that astonished conservatives and liberals alike, President George W. Bush issued a surprise executive order today legalizing the possession and sale of marijuana in the United States. The order will take effect on April 20, long considered marijuana smokers' independence day. When asked about the sudden change of heart, President Bush explained; "The other night Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Powell and I were in the war room mulling over how to sway public opinion on the war in Iraq. We were stuck in the same rut of tired old ideas and were in desperate need of creative new ways of thinking. That's when Karl Rove pulled out a fatty." While Bush admitted that it had been 30 years since his last toke, he figured, "Why not. I am the President. What can they do, arrest me?" President Bush made the announcement in his weekly radio address, saying that it's "high time" we reformed our marijuana policies. "The reality is," said the President, "marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco and far too many people have had their lives ruined after being arrested for nothing more than a doobie. Besides, my Pink Floyd records haven't sounded this good since my days at Yale. Boy, those were some good times." Newly appointed Drug Czar Keith Stroup hailed the move as a great step forward for America. "For 33 years NORML has worked to show that marijuana smokers are no different than the average American. Thankfully we finally have a president who has come to his senses on this issue, albeit with a little help from his old friend Mary Jane." Stroup went on to announce that his first move as Drug Czar will be to free all marijuana smokers currently incarcerated, and to form a commission to study reparations for all former marijuana prisoners. He also outlined the newest ONDCP ad campaign, "Don't Bogart That Joint," featuring the newly reunited Cheech and Chong. The campaign is designated to promote civility and sharing amongst cannabis consumers. Of course, not everyone was thrilled about the President's sudden change of heart. Sue Rusche, over-protective soccer mom and founder of National Families in Action, lashed out at the president from behind her bottle of valium saying that the President's decision would send the wrong message to children. Former Drug Czar Bill Bennett, when questioned about the executive order outside of the Sands Casino in Las Vegas, could only mutter, "I need a cigarette." Meanwhile, Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), author of the Higher Education Act Drug Provision that has denied federal financial aid to over 140,000 students with drug convictions, nearly broke into tears upon hearing the announcement. "My children are near college age and now they may never receive a college education," stated Souder in an impromptu press conference with former ONDCP Director John Walters. "There is no way I will risk sending my kids to school with a bunch of pot smoking hippies." John Walters, looking overly mellow for a man having just lost his job, simply passed a blunt and replied, "Just hit this Mark. You need to loosen up. You're starting to harsh my buzz." Meanwhile marijuana smokers nationwide took to the streets to celebrate their newfound freedom. A haze of sweet smelling sativa smoke wafted over the nation's capitol as Americans of all walks of life flooded Washington, DC for the first ever legal smoke-in. The gathering featured over a million people, without a single arrest. "This is the best day of my life," said local hot dog vendor Joe Giamatti, "I ran out of hot dogs two hours ago and now they're buying up all the buns. Thank you President Bush!" In the wake of Bush's executive order, NORML's Board of Directors issued a statement announcing that the organization will gladly go out of business effective April 20. "It took 33 years," said the statement "but our work here is finally done. Our staff can finally go home and get baked in peace." Via NORML. For more information, have a happy April Fools Day. 9:25:20 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Anatomy of a settlement A very interesting article in the Morning Call about the Hirko settlement. It could have been a $30 million or even a $100 million award (which would have really damaged the city). This article shows how the two sides worked together and is a very interesting look behind the scenes. Callahan told Hirko family lawyer John Karoly Jr. that the city was willing to make police reforms part of the settlement, that the city had gotten the message that the police force needed reforms.... It was something Karoly and his clients had been waiting to hear for seven years -- that city officials recognized police had erred during the disastrous raid. Without that new direction in the settlement talks-- and without the willingness of Karoly's side to compromise financially -- the case might not have been settled last week. The Morning Call has been outstanding in its coverage of the Hirko case. Here's the archive of their articles. [Thanks again to Patrick Dickinson!] 9:21:18 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

TV Alert: Primetime Thursday: Peter Jennings Reporting: Ecstasy Rising Tonight, Thursday, April 1, 2004 at 10 pm Eastern, 9 pm Central. "Government is best when government is most honest, especially for the younger generation, which is more susceptible to trying drugs," says ABC's "World News Tonight" veteran anchor.  "If ( young people ) can't rely on the government for good and honest information, then government has lost something enormously valuable, which is people's belief in the government's credibility." ... "This was an opportunity for us to look at whether or not the government isn't its own worst enemy in trying to control illegal drugs," Jennings says.  And is it? "Yes," Jennings replies.  "I believe a lot of people in government understood the science ( about Ecstasy's negative side effects ) was not good.  But not until real attention was drawn to it did they take down their Web site on Ecstasy." ... Jennings admits working on the special was educational for him.  "I had no idea Ecstasy was as old as it is," he says.  "I had no idea that it had been introduced in California through psychotherapy, and I had no idea how effective it seemed to have been for some psychotherapists.  I remember one psychologist telling us that one session with a patient on Ecstasy was equal to four years ( of treatment ) with a similar patient." Although practically everyone has heard of Ecstasy, which was made illegal in 1985, most people aren't familiar with the drug's origins.  "Ecstasy Rising" serves as a fascinating history lesson.  [from Longview News Journal] 12:52:59 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []