Two parents in Philadelphia have been arrested for stuffing their boys' backpacks with marijuana. Image: Flickr / jauhari / CC-BY-ND

Police have arrested two parents in incidents involving marijuana. Police say two kids were used as drug mules in Philly. Three additional people have been arrested in conjunction with this incident.

2 kids used as drug mules in Philly

Early Tuesday morning, police made a routine traffic stop in Philadelphia. Rodney Saunders was found to have a “very significant” amount of marijuana in his vehicle and was arrested. When Saunders’ wife, Senya, was informed of the arrest, she decided that the two kids in the house should be used to “hide” the marijuana in the home. She packed the school backpacks of the 10-year-old and 9-year-old with seven total pounds of marijuana and sent them out of the house. Police intercepted the kids, the mother and three others in the home.

9- and 10-year-old drug mules

A “drug mule” is usually an individual who transports drugs for another person. The term “drug mule” is most often applied to people who transport hard drugs, such as heroin, across state or international borders. These 9- and 10-year-old drug mules in Philly reportedly had no idea what was in their backpacks, only that their mother gave them the backpacks and told them to go out of the house. Generally, possessing more than 1 ounce of marijuana is a felony crime. Pennsylvania does not have a medical marijuana law, but no medical marijuana law would justify the parents that used two kids as drug mules.

Parents held on bail

In the initial hearing for the parents arrested for marijuana crimes, the judge set $150,000 bail. Should the parents be convicted of possession with intent to distribute, one of the multiple crimes they are charged with, they could face several years in jail. The children have already been taken into custody by Child Protective Services. However, their parents could qualify to get their children back if the courts determine the children are no longer at risk in the home.

Sources

My Fox Philly
Philly.com

A new study purports that pot causes mental illness symptoms to come on far sooner than in patients who don't use marijuana. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

New research has found a link between a greater likelihood of mental illness and using marijuana. A review of more than 80 studies found that pot use was linked to mental illness such as schizophrenia or other psychosis developing faster in patients prone to mental illnesses. It appears a new generation of “Reefer Madness” has emerged.

Marijuana users develop mental illness faster

Emerging research has found a link between marijuana use and faster onset mental illness for individuals predisposed to developing mental illness, according to WebMD. The study will be published in the June issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, a psychiatric science journal. The research was compiled by a team of researchers led by Dr. Matthew Large from the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Data from 83 individual studies involving more than 8,000 individuals were reviewed, and it was discovered that pot use was linked to an earlier emergence of mental health disorders, especially schizophrenia.

Marijuana and other drug use

The link suggested by the research is that people at risk for developing mental illness such as schizophrenia can develop symptoms earlier if they use marijuana. Subjects in the study that were marijuana users developed schizophrenia symptoms 2.7 years earlier than those who did not. People who used multiple substances, including marijuana, cocaine and other drugs, developed symptoms of mental illness two years earlier than those who did not use drugs. Alcohol was not found to accelerate the onset of symptoms of mental illness by itself, according to Time. Tobacco use is noted in the study as not having sufficient evidence to find any affect on mental illness.

Study warns those at risk of mental illness should not use drugs

It has been suggested many times that people at risk for mental illness should not use psychoactive substances. There has been more than one study suggesting a link between schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis and marijuana use. However, no link has ever been found suggesting that marijuana use causes schizophrenia, only that those at risk can have their symptoms made worse or brought about earlier by using marijuana.

Sources

WebMD

TIME

Archives of General Psychiatry (PDF – Requires Adobe Reader)

Dixie Elixirs are currently available in the United States for medical marijuana patients only. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Wellspring Collective)

Soda sales have been in the proverbial toilet lately because of the recession, and organic soda has fared even worse. However, Discovery News reports that there is one new organic marijuana soft drink that is sure to give the munchies to medical marijuana patients. Dixie Elixirs of Denver, Colo., is selling organic marijuana soda to anyone with a valid prescription for medical marijuana.

Marijuana soft drink in a tie-dyed rainbow of flavors

Dixie Elixirs marijuana soda comes in eight flavors that are not commonly associated with hemp. Pink lemonade, root beer and grape are just some of the sweet tastes that will help medical marijuana patients take their minds off painful chemotherapy, glaucoma or other marijuana-worthy affliction. Tongue-in-cheek, the owners of Dixie Elixirs told Discovery that future flavors for marijuana lovers may include pizza and nachos.

Most of the U.S. can’t legally drink Dixie Elixirs

Currently, 14 states allow the use of marijuana with a valid doctor’s prescription. Hence, the 500,000 or so medical marijuana patients in America reside in these states: Alaska, California, Colorado, D.C., Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

Washing away the ‘reefer madness’ stigma

Dixie Elixir’s owners take their marijuana soda line quite seriously, writes Discovery. They are committed to removing the negative stigma – the “reefer madness” strain – that surrounds marijuana. Voters in California are currently considering whether to make recreational marijuana use legal, so the winds of change may be blowing. What Dixie Elixirs would ideally like to see is their brand of marijuana soda sold alongside Pepsi and Coca-Cola on grocery store shelves.

Original Coca-Cola was worse than marijuana soda

Marijuana soda certainly wouldn’t be the most controversial soda to be sold in American grocery stores. Back in 1885, the original formula for Coca-Cola was based on two ingredients that were marketed as being medicinal in nature: extract of coca leaves and kola nuts. Thus, the “coca” in the cola was cocaine. However, Snopes.com points out that by 1891, national fear of “cocainism” prompted Coca-Cola to scale back the amount of cocaine in the soft drink. By 1902, there was only 1/400 of a grain of cocaine per ounce of cola.

Sources

Discovery News

ProCon.org

Snopes.com

Civil unrest has led to areas of Kingston, Jamaica being declared State of Emergency areas. Image from Wikitravel Commons.

In Kingston, Jamaica, an outbreak of violence connected to a drug cartel has led to officials declaring a monthlong state of emergency. The unrest started when the U.S. State Department requested the extradition of Christopher “Dudus” Coke. Some are pointing to the unrest as proof of government corruption. Others are saying this situation is a chance for the government to prove itself.

Kingston Jamaica put under limited state of emergency

The limited state of emergency declaration for Kingston, Jamaica currently only covers two districts. As of Monday, seven police officers have been wounded, and at least three people have been killed. Police stations have been the central targets of these attacks, with at least five police stations set on fire in the last three days. Jamaica has not requested to borrow money for additional enforcement assistance yet. Currently, areas of Kingston have been barricaded by the related gangs and are being patrolled by heavily-armed groups of people.

Christopher Coke suspected to be behind unrest

The civil unrest in Kingston, Jamaica, started when the U.S. State Department asked the Jamaican government to extradite Christopher “Dudus” Coke. Coke is the suspected head of the Shower Posse of drug traffickers. The Shower Posse is so named for the alleged murder of hundreds of people, with showers of bullets, during the cocaine wars of the 1980s. Christopher Coke is currently suspected of trafficking marijuana and cocaine to the United States. Prime Minister of Jamaica, Golding, has stated that he will cooperate with the United States in the extradition of Christopher Coke. It is suspected that supporters of the drug trafficker are responsible for the violence.

Gang-related violence leads to Kingston Jamaica travel advisory

Kingston, Jamaica, is a popular tourist destination for cruise ships and travelers. Because of the extensive violence that has led to heavily armed police patrolling the streets, looting and death, the State Department in the U.S., as well as Canadian and British governments have issued a travel advisory for Kingston, Jamaica. This travel advisory is not expected to impact cruise travel, and the Kingston airport is still open. However, with 45 percent of the Jamaican economy relying on tourism, the $1.3 billion industry is sure to feel the impact of the travel advisory.

Shower Posse gang behind Kingston Jamaica unrest

Shower Posse gang members have been arrested in Toronto, New York City, Florida and Jamaica. Christopher Coke took control of the Shower Posse from his father in the 1980s. Lawyers for Coke have challenged the extradition in Jamaican Supreme Court, who will render a decision relatively soon. Until the extradition of Christopher Coke is resolved one way or another, it is likely the civil unrest in Kingston, Jamaica, will continue.

If passed, the California act would legalize and tax recreational marijuana. Image from Flickr.

Yesterday evening, the California Secretary of State confirmed that the voter initiative to legalize marijuana received an estimated 523,531 valid signatures – well more than the 433,971 signatures needed to get on the November ballot. The California legalization initiative has supporters that argue pot legalization will not only save the cash-strapped California economy money, but will bring in the instant cash of tax revenue. Some detractors of the bill argue that legalizing the drug will lead to an increase in crime and health impacts. Other detractors worry that legalizing gray-market marijuana will decrease the quality of marijuana and significantly harm the budding marijuana industry. Part 1 of this article covers the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act in California and the arguments for its passage. Part 2: Arguments against Marijuana Legalization in California covers the arguments against marijuana legalization in California.

History of marijuana legalization in California

In 1913, the first state law criminalizing marijuana in the United States was passed in California. Other states quickly followed suit. By 1937, federal law made possession or transfer of “Marihuana” illegal for everything except medical and industrial uses.

This act was declared unconstitutional in 1969, but the U.S. Federal government included marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. In 1996, California legalized medical marijuana with Proposition 215, reigniting a national debate. On the federal level, marijuana remains an illegal Schedule I narcotic considered to have “no valid medical use.”

The California marijuana legalization measure

The California voter initiative to legalize pot, known as the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act lays out several limitations on the legal use of marijuana. The initiative would allow anyone 21 or older to “possess, cultivate or transport marijuana for personal use.” Local governments throughout California would have the ability to tax and regulate commercial production or sale of marijuana. Individuals would also be prohibited from smoking marijuana in public, smoking marijuana while minors are present, providing to any underage person, possessing the drug on school grounds or driving while under the influence of marijuana.

The cost-savings argument for marijuana legalization

Supporters of the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act argue that the legalization of marijuana would save the State of California a significant amount of money. California is currently in a huge budget deficit, and has been using payday cash advances on the state budget to cover costs.

Estimates for these savings range from $156 million to $1 billion. Supporters claim that once the already-stretched-thin law-enforcement system stops prosecuting individuals for growing, possessing or selling marijuana they can focus on crimes and criminals that are more violent or dangerous. Proponents also point out that while very few deaths in California can be attributed to marijuana, alcohol contributes to hundreds of deaths each year.

The taxation argument for cannabis legalization

In addition to saving the state of California millions of dollars in law enforcement, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act also gives local governments the ability to tax marijuana. Proponents of the act estimate that $15 billion worth of gray-market and black market marijuana is sold each year in California.

An excise tax on the retail sales of marijuana would bring in an estimated $1.3 billion a year or more in revenue. Some counties and cities within California currently tax medical marijuana dispensaries. These city and county taxes bring in as much as $350,000 per dispensary.

The jobs argument for legalizing pot

Some areas of California, such as Humboldt County, already have a thriving marijuana tourism industry. With services from medical marijuana dispensaries to schools focused on how to grow marijuana, the area brings in several million dollars a year in tourism revenue. Supporters of legalizing cannabis point out that if the marijuana tourism industry in California grows to just one-third the size of the wine industry, it would create more than 50,000 jobs. If marijuana were legalized, it would also become legal to produce hemp in the state, which could add to the agricultural base of California.

California’s Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act is due to go on the November ballot. To see the arguments against the legalization of marijuana in California, see Part 2: Arguments against Marijuana Legalization in California.

Sources:

Business Week
Seattle Times
Time Magazine
CNN
California NORML

Opponents of the California marijuana legalization measure would prefer that crops such as this were not legal. Image from Flickr.

California’s Secretary of State has certified that the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis act in California has received enough voter signatures to be considered on the ballot in November. To see a full rundown of the voter initiative and arguments for marijuana legalization, see The California Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act: Part 1. While polls show a 59 percent majority of California voters have decided do support the marijuana legalization measure, there are detractors of the voter initiative that say the tax pay day is not worth the problems the act will create. These opponents fall into two major camps – those who believe the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis will cause medical or crime problems, and those who believe it will hurt the quality of marijuana.

The medical argument against legalizing cannabis

While the medical uses of marijuana are under debate, many doctors agree there are some medical uses for the drug. However, the legalization of recreational use could lead to many negative health effects.

Marijuana is mainly ingested through smoking, and the smoking of any substance, especially long-term, can seriously damage a person’s lungs. It has also been shown that frequent heavy use of marijuana can permanently impair short-term memory and reaction time. These opponents argue that legalized recreational marijuana would increase the use of marijuana, which would be a danger to public health.

The crime argument against marijuana legalization

The California Peace Officers Association, among many others, has spoken out against the initiative intended to legalize marijuana. John Lovell, who lobbies for the association went on record against the bill, saying “We have enough problems with alcohol and abuse of pharmaceutical products. Do we really need to add yet another mind-altering substance to the array?”

Detractors also point out that, no matter what California voters pass, marijuana remains a Schedule I illegal substance, federally. Federal law enforcement officials have not been prosecuting small medical marijuana dispensaries or users, but large-scale production and distribution still remains a serious federal crime. If marijuana were to be legalized in California, it could draw organized crime and drug cartels to the state.

The quality argument against legalizing pot

While many marijuana smokers and growers usually stand at odds against those who want to keep marijuana illegal, a small coalition is emerging. In Humboldt County, many growers and distributors of gray or black market marijuana fear that legalized pot could be economically and socially damaging. Economically, growers fear that legalized marijuana would significantly reduce the sales price of their cash crop. This would put their livelihood and the economic base of much of Humboldt county at risk, sending many of them to credit counseling. Additionally, many growers are concerned that if marijuana does become legal, large corporations would move into the market. Like many other small-scale growers in America, the growers would be forced to compete against agribusinesses, which could drive up the cost while driving down the price of their crops.

There are many arguments both for and against the passage of California’s Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis act. The debate about legalization has been raging for over a hundred years, and when California voters go to the polls in November, the result will be closely watched and hotly debated for a long time to come.

Sources:

Business Week
Seattle Times
Time Magazine
CNN
California NORML

Image from Wikimedia Commons.

The California Safety Committee today passed AB 390, a bill that would legalize, tax and regulate marijuana. AB 390 passed 4-3, and now it goes to the health committee. AB 390 calls for regulations similar to those placed on alcohol, and it would legalize marijuana for personal recreational use.

California has had gigantic budget problems, and when the news was first released that the state had a huge budget gap, many people suggested that if marijuana were taxed in California it would help decrease California’s tax debt.

Marijuana to go up for a vote

Most sources appear pretty certain that AB 390 will get killed at some point in the process, maybe even very soon in health committee. However, in the November election, California will put the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 up to a statewide vote. California voters will have the opportunity to legalize marijuana for recreational use and become the first state to do so.

People argue that legalizing marijuana would help the state’s budget as well as decrease crime and weaken drug cartels. Others argue that marijuana is too dangerous to be legalized. There are also a lot of arguments about whether regulating it would be feasible because marijuana is easy to grow.

Marijuana money

An article from Time Magazine says that marijuana is California’s biggest cash crop, and statewide sales are estimated to be about $14 billion per year. The same article says California could make $1.3 billion in taxes if AB 390 or a similar bill is passed.

Medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996, and the state currently collects taxes on about $200 million per year in medical marijuana sales. On a federal level, the Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske had a reputation for letting marijuana possession slide and not prosecuting people for it when he was police chief in Seattle, Wash., so it might not be long before we see changes in federal marijuana law.

No more doctor's note needed in Breckenridge, Colorado.

The federal government still states that possession of marijuana is illegal, as does the state of Colorado. However, in the city of Breckenridge, Colorado, people who possess less than an ounce of pot will not face any criminal or civil charges.

Yes, on election day 2009, Breckenridge, Colorado, voters made marijuana legal — to an extent. Basically, police who work for the City of Breckenridge can’t charge people with a crime for possessing up to an ounce of marijuana, though the police chief says they “still have the ability to exercise discretion.” Let’s pick this apart, shall we?

No state revenue

People often argue that pot should be legalized because it would bring in revenue through sales tax for states and perhaps provide some debt relief. However, Breckenridge, Colorado, has legalized only the possession of pot, not the sale of it. So the only people who benefit financially are still the dealers, who can still be busted if they’re found with more than an ounce.

Furthermore, anyone who gets caught by state police or federal agents can still be arrested for pot possession. So, really, the numerous publications that are saying the vote was “largely symbolic” are right on the money.

Do you have a doctor’s note?

Of course, medical marijuana is legal in the State of Colorado, and unfortunately for the voters of Breckenridge, Colorado, their symbolic vote might get the state some extra attention from the feds. In states such as California, where medical marijuana is illegal, federal agents are trying to shut down dispensaries.

This is, of course, because even medical marijuana is still illegal on a federal level. Now that Breckenridge, Colorado, has established itself as a progressive player in the game of legalizing marijuana, the state might become more of a target for federal enforcement of pot laws. Then again, maybe they don’t care if a bunch of hippies in a ski town smoke a bowl. I guess we’ll see.