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Morocco Halves Hashish Production |
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Drought and an efficient anti-drug campaign have drastically cut hashish
production in Morocco, the world's biggest producer of the drug until
now, according to a United Nations report quoted Tuesday by the Spanish
daily El Pais.
The production of the resin of cannabis, the plant from which hashish is
made, declined by 62 per cent to 1,066 tons in 2005, according to the
report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which
has not yet been made public.
The cannabis cultivation area was reduced by 42 per cent to 72,500 hectares.
The report attributed the decline to weather conditions and to efforts
by the authorities, who issued warnings to cannabis farmers and even
destroyed their crops.
Cannabis is cultivated in northern Morocco. The anti-drug campaign has
been most successful in Larache and Taunate provinces, which do not have
such an old cannabis tradition as the heart of the Rif mountains.
"No other (hashish) producing country in the world has made so many
efforts and achieved so much success," Moroccan Interior Minister Chakib
Benmoussa told El Pais.
He called on Europe to cut down the demand for hashish to "consolidate
this success."
In the whole of Africa, however, the amount of cannabis seized increased
from 16 per cent to 30 per cent of the world total in a decade,
according to the report.
http://www.playfuls.com/[read article] |
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Malaysia: Thai to hang after appeal rejected |
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PUTRAJAYA: After 12 years of being convicted for drug trafficking and an
unsuccessful attempt to appeal against the sentence, it will be the
gallows for Thai national Wichai Onprom.
Yesterday, the Federal Court dismissed his case against a decision by
the Court of Appeal to uphold his death sentence for trafficking in
1.2kg of cannabis in 1995.
Federal Court Justices Alauddin Mohd Sheriff, Arifin Zakaria, Nik Hashim
Nik Ab Rahman, Abdul Aziz Mohammad and Azmel Ma'amor unanimously
affirmed the lower courts' conviction and sentence against the butcher.
Wichai was caught trafficking in the drug at the Bukit Kayu Hitam
immigration complex in Kedah at about 2.45pm on Feb 24, 1995.
On April 6 that year, the High Court sentenced him to death for the
offence. On Sept 6, 2004, his appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed.
At the outset of the court proceedings yesterday, counsel Datuk K.
Kumaraendran said the trial judge had failed to find whether the
prosecution had proven its case beyond doubt.
“Nowhere in the judgment did the trial judge give reasons on why he
called for the appellant's defence when it is a trite law that he is
required to do so,” he said.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurulhuda Noraini Mohd Nor said that
although the judge did not state the reasons, the judge had clearly
addressed his mind to it by accepting the evidence of the prosecution's
witnesses.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/27/courts/16982291&sec=courts[read article] |
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UK: Legalise cannabis to help stop drug dealers, s |
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SCOTLAND'S best known advocate Donald Findlay QC yesterday called for
the legalisation of cannabis.
In an interview with Solidarity MSP Tommy Sheridan on radio station
talkl07, Mr Findlay said he felt legalisation could lead to a better
level of control of some drugs by taking them out of the hands of dealers.
He said: "When people like me talk about legalising cannabis, we're not
talking about just having a free-for-all.
"By legalising it, I'm talking about putting it in a legal structure, so
you could buy it as you can buy alcohol from licensed premises if you
wish, and it would give authorities, not just 'the police, but medical
authorities and so on, that level of control.
"Now, if we don't try that, then the alternative is the same and the
same is causing harm, and the same cannot be acceptable and we cannot
just let this drift on."
Mr Findlay added: "The damage that drugs have done, not just to people,
but also to the country in terms of the economics of the country because
of the amount of money that has been siphoned off by drug dealers, well
we're talking the amount of money that would run a small country."
The QC, who was Scotland's top legal aid earner in 2006, said that while
he did not like drugs, and had never even tried cannabis. he felt a more
radical approach was needed along with resources to help people beat
their addictions.
This is not the first time Mr Findlay has sparked controversy.
In 1999 he was caught on video singing sectarian songs with Rangers
supporters, and was fined 3,500 pounds by the Faculty of Advocates and
resigned as vice-chairman of Rangers football club. In June 2005 Mr
Findlay resigned as chairman of Faculty Services Limited, a private
company that looks after the business affairs of advocates.
The move followed controversy over a joke he made about the death of the
Pope during a speech at a Rangers supporters' event in Larne, Northern
Ireland, in April that year.[read article] |
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Scotland: Findlay urges cannabis legalisation |
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Scotland's best known advocate Donald Findlay QC has called for the
legalisation of cannabis.
In an interview with Solidarity MSP Tommy Sheridan on radio station
talk107, Mr Findlay said he felt legalisation could lead to a better
level of control of some drugs by taking them out of the hands of dealers.
He said: "When people like me talk about legalising cannabis, we're not
talking about just having a free-for-all. By legalising it, I'm talking
about putting it in a legal structure, so you could buy it as you can
buy alcohol from licensed premises if you wish, and it would give
authorities, not just the police, but medical authorities and so on,
that level of control."
http://icscotland.icnetwork.co.uk[read article] |
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UK: Epiletic Steven Atkin grew drug to ease condit |
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A man with epilepsy ended up in court when he tried a home-grown herbal
approach to tackle his condition.
Steven Ian Atkin, 37, grew 20 cannabis plants in his home in Fifth
Avenue, Tang Hall, York, and used the leaves to treat his epilepsy, the
city's Magistrates Court heard.
Prosecutor Xanthe Tait said police also found 80.67g of cannabis when
they raided his house on November 28.
Atkin pleaded guilty to possessing and growing cannabis and was
conditionally discharged for 18 months. The plants, associated drug
paraphernalia and cannabis will be destroyed.
"There is no suggestion by the Crown or the police that anything you
were doing was for sale or distribution to a third party," said district
judge Martin Walker.
Atkin's solicitor, Sandra Keen, said he suffered from epilepsy and that
is why he used cannabis.
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/[read article] |
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UK: MS cannabis supplier tells of court ordeal |
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A woman with multiple sclerosis who narrowly avoided jail for helping to
supply cannabis chocolate bars to disabled people has told DN she was
driven to the point of suicide by her court ordeal.
Lezley Gibson (pictured) was found guilty of conspiring to supply
cannabis and received a nine-month jail sentence suspended for two years
at Carlisle Crown Court in late January.
Mrs Gibson said: “There are points when I would rather have been dead
than go through what I went through. I said to my husband, ‘do you fancy
driving the car off a cliff? I’ve had enough.’”
Mrs Gibson and her husband, Mark, who received the same sentence,
produced more than 20,000 chocolate bars containing cannabis and sent
them to people with MS. Niamh Eastwood, legal adviser at drugs charity
Release, said: “We are glad to see that no custodial sentence was given
[to the Gibsons], but the law is not clear in this area.”
She added: “We have seen a number of prosecutions fail because courts
did accept the use of cannabis for medical purposes fell within a
necessity test. That’s no longer accepted.”
Meanwhile, Conservative leader David Cameron, who is refusing to deny
allegations that he used cannabis at Eton, has given cautious backing to
the campaign to legalise the drug for medical purposes. Jeremy Hunt, his
shadow minister for disabled people, said: “David has said that we would
be “guided by the science”.
“If the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) were
satisfied that there was scientific evidence that cannabis could be used
safely for medicinal purposes then we would make the necessary changes
to the law.”
http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/news/news_mar_2007_004.htm[read article] |
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UK: Major clampdown on skunk dealers in Camden Tow |
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A huge boost to police power in Camden Town aims to dramatically reduce
the aggressive drugs market - and kick-start a two-year drive to
clean-up the area.
The significant investment marks the beginning of a major project led by
Camden Council and the police to bring together public services,
businesses and residents to make Camden Town a better place to live,
work and visit.
Following calls from residents, businesses and others, Camden Council is
investing Ł300,000 to fund an additional 18 PCSOs (Police Community
Support Officers) and the local police have agreed to dedicate an
additional ten police officers specifically to Camden Town.
The new police officers will be in place from mid 2007 to tackle the
aggressive cannabis market - only being sent to other areas of the
borough in major emergencies.
Tackling the drugs market in Camden Town is a top priority for residents
in all parts of the borough and that was a clear message from both the
recent consultation on the new Community Strategy and the council's
review of action to tackle anti-social behaviour.
The council and local police believe this enhanced visible police
presence is a critical part of the answer to the destructive drugs
market in Camden Town, particularly the sale of cannabis, alongside a
package of environmental and physical improvements to the area.
People have told the council they want a Camden Town that everyone can
enjoy - young, old and families - with a safe environment and a wider
offer of shops and restaurants.
The council is reviewing its planning guidance on food, drink and
entertainment to help bring about significant changes.
Cllr Ben Rawlings, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: "One
message came very clearly through both the anti-social behaviour review
and the Community Strategy consultation - Camden Town needs more police.
Making a real improvement in Camden Town will require everyone to play
their part, and the council knows that the local community and
businesses have already made good progress. With this investment in a
strong police presence, the council can kick-start a focussed and
co-ordinated effort to break the drugs market and make real progress
towards a safer Camden Town."
Cllr Keith Moffitt, Leader of Camden Council, said: "The Liberal
Democrat/Conservative administration is committed to tackling the
aggressive drugs market in Camden Town. It is one of London's greatest
landmarks and a critical part of the cultural heritage of the borough.
For too long the aggressive, visible cannabis market has blighted the
Camden Town experience and that is why we have been working closely with
the local police to secure this significant additional investment in the
area.
"The additional police power along with the existing Street Warden and
Safer Neighbourhood teams, means that there will be a strong uniformed
presence in Camden Town to crack down on the drugs market and make it a
safer place."
Cllr Andrew Marshall, Deputy Leader of Camden Council, said: "As part of
our Community Strategy consultation, we received overwhelming feedback
that our local residents want to see a Camden Town where drug dealing,
especially visible dealing, is dramatically reduced. The council also
agrees with local residents that we need to keep Camden Town's unique
character while offering more in the area for locals and visitors of all
tastes and ages. The additional PCSOs and other projects we're working
on will help make it a reality."
Mark Heath, Camden Police Borough Commander, said: "I welcome this joint
partnership initiative to provide an increased uniform presence in
Camden Town. This two-year investment provides the opportunity to make a
significant difference by providing high degrees of visibility to match
the enormous numbers of visitors to this, one of the most popular
tourist attractions in London.
"However, for this investment to truly pay off there needs to be a much
wider responsibility to actually change the reasons why Camden Town has
been like this for so long. Success will mean that Camden Town is no
longer associated with the place to go 'if you want to buy cannabis."
The full council is due to agree the final budget at its meeting on
February 28.
http://www.24dash.com/localgovernment/16991.htm[read article] |
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Czech Rep: Supreme Court says growing cannabis sti |
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The Supreme Court says the cannabis plant is considered a narcotic under
the law on addictive substances and that growing it is illegal.
Growing cannabis, the plant which produces marijuana is produced, is
still illegal without the relevant permit, the Supreme Court (NS) said
yesterday. The court was reacting to an interpretation by Mlada fronta
Dnes (MfD) which said that one can grow cannabis legally on the basis of
a NS ruling.
Since the cannabis plant itself is considered a narcotic under the law
on addictive substances, growing it is illegal, the NS said.
The NS only said that it was impossible to identify automatically the
growing of cannabis with the production of a drug. As a result, courts
must assess the circumstances of every case apart, the NS said.
MfD published the case of Mojmir Miklica and Hana Ticha from Hradec
Kralove region, east Bohemia. They had been sentenced for growing 500
cannabis plants, but appealed the verdict, claiming that they used
cannabis for medical reasons.
The NS cancelled the verdict and returned it to the Hradec Kralove
court, which must collect more evidence.
MfD wrote that this meant that a criminal act was only committed by
those who dry the plants and start making a drug from them. However, the
NS said that this interpretation was wrong.
"The NS certainly did not say that growing marijuana in itself is legal.
Marijuana, or to put it exactly the plant Cannabis sativa, is in itself
an addictive substance under the law on narcotics," the court said.
If there is no permit, its growing is still illegal, the NS added.
The NS only said in the ruling in question that as growing the plant in
itself did not amount to producing marijuana, the grower was not
automatically considered as having committed the crime of illegal drugs
production and possession.
The growing of cannabis can still be a criminal act especially if the
plant is grown for someone else, the NS said.
Even if someone grows cannabis for his own needs, he can be criminally
prosecuted provided the amount of the plant is "less than a small
amount," the NS said.
One can only speak about the production of marihuana at the moment when
the plant is harvested and processed into the "state ready for
consumption [of marijuana] or for the gaining of the psychotropic
substance THC."
The court should consider as production even the growing of the plant
designed for the production of marijuana if the drug eventually were not
produced, the NS said.
http://www.praguemonitor.com/en/29/czech_national_news/1779/[read article] |
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US: Medical pot advocates sue feds over false info |
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Medical marijuana advocates have sued the federal Department of Health
and Human Services, accusing it of lying to the nation about the drug's
lack of accepted medical use despite scientific studies showing its
efficacy.
The lawsuit, filed today in federal court in Oakland, comes a week after
the release of a controlled, clinical University of California, San
Francisco study showing HIV patients who smoked marijuana found relief
from chronic foot pain.
"We are asking the courts to weigh in on the science ... and force the
government to stop making false statements about medical cannabis," said
Steph Sherer, executive director of Americans for Safe Access.
ASA attorney Joe Elford said the lawsuit is brought under the federal
Administrative Procedure Act, which provides for judicial review and
reversal of any agency action found to be arbitrary and capricious.
ASA in October 2004 had petitioned the Department of Health and Human
Services and its subordinate Food and Drug Administration under the Data
Quality Act, a 2000 law requiring information circulated by federal
agencies to be fair, objective and meet certain quality guidelines. That
law lets citizens challenge government information believed to be
inaccurate or based on bad data; ASA's petition claimed the government
has ignored scientific studies and medical consensus on marijuana's
efficacy as medicine.
HHS denied the petition in 2005 and denied an appeal in July 2006. Those
decisions are arbitrary and capricious, Elford said, and so Americans
for Safe Access has been biding its time ever since to sue.
"We aimed to file this lawsuit at a time when the country was talking
about the science," Sherer said, but her group doesn't think it even
needs the newly released UCSF study to bolster its case; it believed the
science was solid enough when it petitioned HHS in 2004.
"The federal government has had enough information in front of it for
years to break the gridlock on this issue," she said. "We're suing to
demand that the FDA stop holding science hostage to politics."
Sherer is one of four medical-marijuana users used as examples in the
lawsuit. She suffered a neck injury in 2000 and later developed kidney
problems from the ibuprofen and other painkillers she'd been prescribed.
The government told her marijuana had no medical use, so she was delayed
in seeking a doctor's advice to the contrary and finding relief, she says.
California voters approved medical use of marijuana by passing
Proposition 215 in 1996, but federal law still bans the drug's
cultivation, possession and use. Despite years of lobbying by advocates,
it remains on the nation's list of most-restricted drugs -- along with
substances such as heroin and LSD -- without accepted medical use. And
despite a 1999 federal Institute of Medicine study urging more research,
studies like UCSF's still face enormous obstacles and so remain rare.
Medical marijuana patients Angel Raich of Oakland and Diane Monson of
Oroville sued federal law enforcement officials in 2002, claiming the
federal government lacks authority to prosecute California's patients
and providers. The U.S. Supreme Court in June 2005 ruled 6-3 to uphold
federal prosecutions, finding that even marijuana grown in back yards
for personal medical use can affect or contribute to the illegal
interstate marijuana market and so is within Congress' constitutional reach.
But the court, in a footnote, did "acknowledge that evidence proffered
by respondents in this case regarding the effective medical uses for
marijuana, if found credible after trial, would cast serious doubt on
the accuracy of the findings that require marijuana to be listed" among
the most-restricted drugs.
Contact Josh Richman at jrichman@angnewspapers.com
http://origin.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/ci_5273381[read article] |
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US: Medical Marijuana Advocates Sue Federal Govern |
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SAN FRANCISCO -- Armed with a new study showing cannabis can ease pain
in some HIV patients, medical-marijuana advocates sued the federal
Department of Health and Human Services over its claim that pot has no
accepted medical uses.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court by Americans for Safe Access,
accuses the government of arbitrarily preventing ``sick and dying
persons from seeking to obtain medicine that could provide them needed
and often lifesaving relief.''
A spokesman for the group tells KCBS’ Bob Melrose that until the Food
and Drug Administration rethinks its opinion on the possible health
benefits of medical marijuana, the U-S Government can not make informed
decisions regarding the drug.
The Food and Drug Administration's position on medical marijuana ``is
incorrect, dishonest and a flagrant violation of laws requiring the
government to base policy on sound science,'' said Joe Elford, chief
counsel for Americans for Safe Access.
California voters made marijuana use legal for people with a doctor's
recommendation in 1996. But because the U.S. government does not
recognize pot's medical benefits, federal authorities can still arrest
patients who use the drug with a prescription.
Last week, researchers from the University of California at San
Francisco reported in the journal Neurology that a test involving 50 HIV
patients showed that those who smoked pot experienced much less pain
than those given placebos.
http://kcbs.com/[read article] |
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