Federal Eye - DEA identifies 3 agents killed in Afghanistan

Federal Eye - DEA identifies 3 agents killed in Afghanistan

Ok I am not going to say that these DEA agents had it coming or anything extremist like that, but I do have to wonder what these guys were doing in Afghanistan. DEA is a police agency, they have no rights to be in other countries period. It bothers me when I hear about DEA offices in countries other than the USofA, especially here in Canada. DEA stay on your own turf, get out of the business of trying to police the world, you have no rights to do so.

Son leads police to father's marijuana operation - WHIO Local News on newstalkradiowhio.com

Son leads police to father's marijuana operation - WHIO Local News on newstalkradiowhio.com

Ouch, that hurts, ratted out by your own kid. Well he was dumb enough to grow pot with such a young kid in the home while the law is still so strict, I guess he had it coming.

And no I don't believe this guy really had it coming. I don't think people should be arrested for such things, but as long as it is illegal people have to be careful.

Study Downplays Marijuana's Link To Schizophrenia | AHN

Study Downplays Marijuana's Link To Schizophrenia | AHN

Wow I saw this article in my inbox and thought "great more cannon fodder to blow away the schizoid link", while it does somewhat do this, it doesn't do a very good job of it, and whats worse is the author makes a statement like "preventing young people from smoking marijuana is important for reasons like curbing tobacco use and drug dependence, and improving scholastic performance".

While the study might be a good thing, taking further steps away from the often debunked "schizophrenia link", its still full of fear mongering falsehoods.

The Economics of Legal Marijuana

The Economics of Legal Marijuana

This is an excellent article on how taxing and regulating marijuana would do wonders to stop the violence in Mexico. bring a seriously needed cash infusion into government coffers., and LOWER the cost of marijuana.

The article quotes from a Fraser Institute study saying:

The study estimates that the average price of 0.5 grams (a unit) of marijuana was $8.60 on the street, while its cost of production was only $1.70. In a free market, a $6.90 profit for a unit of marijuana would not last for long. Entrepreneurs noticing the great profits to be made in the marijuana market would start their own growing operations, increasing the supply of marijuana on the street, which would cause the street price of the drug to fall to a level much closer to the cost of production. Of course, this doesn't happen because the product is illegal; the prospect of jail time deters many entrepreneurs and the occasional drug bust ensures that the supply stays relatively low. We can consider much of this $6.90 per unit of marijuana profit a risk premium for participating in the underground economy. Unfortunately, this risk premium is making a lot of criminals, many of them with ties to organized crime, very wealthy.

“If we substitute a tax on marijuana cigarettes equal to the difference between the local production cost and the street price people currently pay--that is, transfer the revenue from the current producers and marketers (many of whom work with organized crime) to the government, leaving all other marketing and transportation issues aside we would have revenue of (say) $7 per [unit]. If you could collect on every cigarette and ignore the transportation, marketing, and advertising costs, this comes to over $2 billion on Canadian sales and substantially more from an export tax, and you forego the costs of enforcement and deploy your policing assets elsewhere.”

Its a very interesting article with some very interesting points. None that haven't been brought up time and time again on this blog and by many other pro marijuana supporters.

Legalized Marijuana? We May Already Be on the Way - ABC News

Legalized Marijuana? We May Already Be on the Way - ABC News

ABC is reporting that Obama appears to be headed towards legalization of marijuana. While I wish it were true, because any step in this direction will free up Canada to do the same (once we oust W. Bush Jr aka Harper from his throne), I highly doubt it.

Sure Obama is refusing to attack people who are using it medically, but come on, is refusing to prosecute sick people for using medicine that has been proven effective really the same thing as legalizing the medicine for anyone to use. The whole thing is a farce. Obama has no interest in legalizing marijuana, and is just as anti-drug crazy as any other american politician.

Emery To Surrender

The Prince of Pot is set to appear in BC Supreme Court to be taken into custody to serve his time in US prison. This miscarriage of justice is being carried out despite attempts by supporters to get the Canadian government to intervene on Emery's behalf.

The internets are alive with chatter about Emery today, some say he is a villain and others a martyr. Personally I think he's a Jack Ass that made some very poor choices and doesn't know when to shut up. That being said he should not be going to jail, especially not in the states. Stupidity is not a crime, nor is Jack Assery. The government should have charged Emery the second they got the "request" from the DEA to arrest Emery. That way Emery could not be extradited since under extradition treaties Canadian citizens cannot be charged for crimes they have already been punished here for. Charge him here, give him the traditional fine and slap on the wrist and tell the DEA to go take a flying leap off the nearest bridge.

Now that I am in full rant mode, I have to ask (AGAIN) why the hell does the DEA have offices on our soil. How does a foriegn police agency have ANY right to be here investigating US crimes and arresting Canadians. Sure they call the RCMP in to help out, but really come on, we should stop giving them permission to act as a police agency on our soil... where is our soverignty?

Jason Saltoun-Ebin: Marijuana: Still a "Threat to Our People"?

Jason Saltoun-Ebin: Marijuana: Still a "Threat to Our People"?

Here is an excellent article on the Legalization of Marijuana.

Sheriff Indicted For Selling Marijuana On Duty Won't Lose Job Unless Convicted

Sheriff Indicted For Selling Marijuana On Duty Won't Lose Job Unless Convicted

I can't say that I agree with this article, it makes it sound like the Sheriff should be fired. At this point in time he is only accused of selling marijuana. If they keep him on after he is found guilty, well that's another matter, but you shouldn't be able to fire someone because they have been accused of a crime, but rather if they are found guilty of said crime.

Brave But Stupid Student Smokes One For the Team

I am always glad to hear of a new Weed Warrior dedicated to the task of the Legalization of Marijuana, so when I read this story on the net part of me said "Alright dude, that's the way to show them", the other more rational side said, "Doh!". On one hand what this student did is great for the legalization of marijuana movement, more press = more sympathy, that being said he got himself arrested. As the local pig spokesman said "If people want that law changed, they need to go about it the right way."

Ok for those of you who don't want to read the article let me give you a quick recap. A 17 yr old boy, who's name cannot be released from Tacoma Washington gave a speech in school, his topic, Legalizaton of Marijuana, by all accounts his speech was eloquent and well argued. At the end of the speech, to prove his point, he took out a joint and smoked it. Even some who were opposed to the movement praised him for his actions, one such student stated "He took action in what he believes. ... I do not condone the action, but I commend the passion."

I too commend this boy's passion. If the movement had more people like him perhaps marijuana would already be legal. However, when all is said and done he is a seventeen year old boy with a record, a drug offence at that. I wish him luck and hopes he continues the good fight.


Wash. student caps class essay reading by lighting joint | News Bizarre | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Denver Political Issues Examiner: Drugs like marijuana: the no-brainer!

Denver Political Issues Examiner: Drugs like marijuana: the no-brainer!

I highly recommend reading this article, the author is bang on.