Youth courts appeal for cannabis rethink
The News Review:
- Youth courts appeal for cannabis rethink
- €250,000 in cannabis seized in Cork
- Cannabis Spoof Lights Up Stage
- More Marijuana Plants Removed From West Marin
- OVI Chase Results In Marijuana Bust
Youth courts appeal for cannabis rethink
Telegraph.co.uk – Sep 17, 2007
Cannabis had been downgraded to a class C drug in 2004 by the then home secretary, David Blunkett, meaning dealing the drug or possessing it carried less severe penalties. However, since then youth offending teams (YOTs) claim they have seen cannabis use soar among young offenders. In a national survey, two thirds of the teams are reported to have found that use of the drug has risen by between a quarter and three quarters. In some areas nine out of 10 young offenders were reported to be using cannabis. Article continues advertisement… Darren Johnson, the secretary of the Association of YOT Managers, said cannabis use was “out of control” in some areas. John House, the chief superintendent of South Yorkshire Police, who commissioned the Kings College research, said: “The reclassification of cannabis was a decision taken based on a different drug. “It wasn’t taken bearing in mind the strength of new cannabis, or the potential damage to social fabric caused by open cannabis smoking in the street by those who don’t perceive it as a serious crime. Cannabis is the most popular drug in Britain, with 11 per cent of those aged 16 to 59 claiming to have used it in the past year. Up to one in five young people now reports smoking it at least once a week. The Government signalled a review of the classification earlier this year amid concerns over the long-term effects of the drug and the rise of far more potent strains. The review may see cannabis reclassified as a class B drug.
€250,000 in cannabis seized in Cork
Irish Times – Sep 17, 2007
A total of 21kg of the drug was seized when officers searched the luggage of a passenger who had arrived on a flight from Johannesburg via Heathrow. Officers from Revenue’s Customs Service found the suitcase packed with the drug and said the find resulted from “risk profiling”. A man (43) has been arrested and is being held at Togher Garda station. © 2007 ireland. comADVERTISEMENTdocument.
Cannabis Spoof Lights Up Stage
madison.com – Sep 17, 2007
Johnson was a cast standout as the tragically beautiful but addicted Mae. She brought a captivating stage presence and melodramatic flair to her role as a kindhearted woman trapped by the forces of evil. Robert Daniel Graupner didn’t stand out as marijuana den leader Jack Stone. He was not as seductive or as slimy as his character should have been portrayed. But he lit up the stage in wildly hilarious appearances as a singing and dancing Jesus. Graupner had no trouble connecting with the crowd that cheered most loudly for him during his musical numbers, one audience member Saturday shouting "You rock, Jesus!" F or a company that doesn’t specialize in musicals, the overall singing talent was rather impressive, particularly from Johnson and Murphy. The lead vocals, however, often competed with and were drowned out by the chorus, which was also good but needed to pull back its intensity in these spots… Also impressive was the combined talent of the large cast and crew that made this an interesting, detailed and successful production. Director Pete Rydberg kept the audience engaged with a tight pace and high energy level from beginning to end. "Costuminatrix" Jenni Schwaner Ladd added an extra touch of comedy in all the right places in designs that varied from sock-hop skirts to nude-colored spandex with strategically placed cannabis leaves. Fight coordinator Talish Jude Barrow gave polished and comic detail to the exaggerated slapping and tumbling throughout the play, and choreographer Cindy Severt provided brilliant and funny solo and group dance scenes, keeping the audience’s eye moving and amused wherever it wandered on stage. "Reefer Madness" contains brief partial nudity, copious herbal cigarettes and numerous scenes that will likely disgust and offend extreme social conservatives. However, those who filled the theater Saturday night showed loud and vocal appreciation, capping off the show with a standing ovation. Judging from the musical’s early popularity, the Mercury box office anticipates continued full houses, so advance ticket reservations are suggested.
More Marijuana Plants Removed From West Marin
abc7news.com – Sep 17, 2007
Point Reyes National Seashore spokesman John A. Dell’Osso said the growing site was on Bolinas Ridge off Platform Bridge Road. Last year more than 22,000 marijuana plants with a street value of more than $48 million were removed from parklands in west Marin County and the Seashore spent more than $100,000 in clean-up costs, Dell’Osso said. The grow sites also caused extensive resource damage, park service officials said. Story continues below Advertisement digGetAd(“Rectangle”); Don Neubacher, Superintendent of Point Reyes National Seashore, said park service rangers have been on the alert for more growing sites and suspicious activity since the summer of 2006, the last time pot plants were removed. Dell’Osso said a comprehensive resource assessment will be conducted after the area is secured and all the plants are removed. The area’s native vegetation was damaged by the growers who constructed water systems, used harmful pesticides and diverted streams that contain threatened species of fish, he said.
OVI Chase Results In Marijuana Bust
WCPO – Sep 17, 2007
Officers pursued the suspect across Dana over to Wabash before he jumped out of the car and ran off. When police searched the abandoned vehicle they found over 100 pounds of marijuana inside. The man remains on the loose, but a source at the Norwood police department tells us they will try to make contact with the registered owner of the car and go from there.