Hemp News Archives - April 1998



		News Archives: April 1998 Countywide Judge OKs Pardon For Pot Conviction April 30, 1998 - Los Angeles Times Superior Court judge on Wednesday approved a medical marijuana activist's request for a pardon for a 1991 conviction for cultivating pot. San Jose Pot Club Will Shut Its Doors Forever Next Week April 30, 1998 - San Francisco Chronicle Faced with mounting legal problems and a frozen bank account, Santa Clara County's only medical marijuana center will close for good next week, Executive Director Peter Baez announced yesterday. Capitol Rally Opposes Marijuana Ballot Issue April 29, 1998 - Rocky Mountain News Former U.S. drug czar Bill Bennett led a rally Tuesday to urge opposition to a November ballot proposal to legalize marijuana for "debilitating medical conditions." Legal Victory For San Francisco Marijuana Club April 29, 1998 - Reuters SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco's main medical marijuana club scored an unexpected legal victory Wednesday when a judge refused California Attorney General Dan Lungren's demand for a legal order to close it down. SF Marijuana Club Under New Legal Attack April 28, 1998 - Reuters SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco medical marijuana club that earlier this month sidestepped an order to shut down faced new legal problems Tuesday as a judge considered whether to hit it with a fresh restraining order. HEMP Group To Contest Seats April 28, 1998 - Australian Broadcasting Corporation The northern New South Wales based Help End Marijuana Prohibition group says it will contest seats in three states at the next federal election. 9 arrested at 'Extravaganja' April 27, 1998 - Daily Hampshire Gazette Amherst, MA -- The message on Saturday was: You can rally on the Town Common in favor of marijuana, but you can't bring it with you. Judge Delays Mccormick Marijuana Decision April 27, 1998 - KNBC Los Angeles -- A federal judge said Monday he will allow a medical marijuana advocate to use synthetic pot substances if prosecutors cannot prove he is using the legal prescription to mask marijuana use. IOC Cracks Down on Marijuana April 27, 1998 - Los Angeles Times Sydney, Australia -- Moving to close a loophole exposed by the Ross Rebagliati case in Nagano, the IOC said today that marijuana and other "social drugs" will be included on its list of banned substances. Scots Say No To Legalising Drugs April 26, 1998 - Scotland on Sunday Survey reveals majority opposed to changes in the law despite current campaign to decriminilise cannabis By James Murray Home Affairs Editor Doctors take neutral stand on medical marijuana April 26, 1998 - The Associated Press GLENEDEN BEACH, Oregon -- Oregon doctors voted Sunday to remain neutral on a ballot measure that would legalize marijuana use for medical purposes but they were nearly unanimous in their opposition to a measure that would ban abortions after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The Ill are In The Line Of Fire In Medicinal Marijuana War April 26, 1998 - Orange County Register Monday was judgement day in Department Two of Tuolumne County Superior Court, with a couple dozen defendants awaiting their sentences. Some shuffled awkwardly into the courtroom in orange jail uniforms, legs shackled in chains. Others came in civilian clothes with their families, hopeful that the judge might be softened by a mother's presence, or at least by a clean T-shirt. Hemp Store Owner Still In Jail For Selling Literature April 25, 1998 - : Cannabis Canada On April 17, Terry Tew, owner of "Hemp, Head and Sound", a Hemp Store in Hamilton, Ontario, was charged with 462.2 if the Criminal Code for selling illicit literature and instruments. A customer who was in the store during the raid was found to be carrying cocaine, and Terry was held responsible for that as well. 462.2, as it applies to literature, was ruled invalid in '94 by the Ontario Supreme Court. Hemp Cultivation Sows High Hopes in Canada April 24, 1998 - Wall Street Journal Hemp is back. Ever since the "Reefer Madness" scare of the 1930s, both the U.S. and Canada have strictly forbidden farmers to grow the plant, a relative of marijuana. But now, Canada has broken the taboo. In the next few weeks, its farmers will seed their first legal hemp crops in 60 years. Pot Smoking Admission Barring Some From U.S. April 23, 1998 - Vancouver Sun OTTAWA -- Canadians are being barred from entering the U.S. after admitting to American immigration inspectors they once smoked marijuana. Alaska Voters to Consider Medical Marijuana Use April 23, 1998 - Reuters ANCHORAGE, Alaska, -- Alaska voters in November will be asked to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. A question on the subject will be placed on the November general election ballot, the result of a petition drive that collected 25,090 verified signatures of registered voters, a spokesman for Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer said Thursday. Thunder Bay "Cafe" Supplies Pot To The Ill April 22, 1998 - Calgary Herald THUNDER BAY, Ont. -- A small group of local residents is running a network that gives or sells marijuana at cost to people who use pot for medicinal purposes. Doc Clone's Compassionate Cafe has been functioning for at least six years and insiders say the group has distributed no-or low-cost marijuana to more than 60 ill people in that time. Governor Frees Man Convicted of Drug Charge April 22, 1998 - Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Gov. George Voinovich has commuted the 15-year-to-life prison sentence of an Indiana man whose case was cited as an example of unjust mandatory minimum sentences for first-time drug offenders. Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Filed By Pro-Pot Advocates April 22, 1998 - Hawaii Tribune Herald The question of who can and cannot set policy for the Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has led a federal judge to toss out the remaining claims in a $3 million dollar federal lawsuit filed by two Big Island marijuana advocates. Toker To Appeal Roach Ruling April 22, 1998 - Vancouver Province A pot smoker who has fought a five-year battle for dope-smokers' rights is vowing to fight on. Defiant Cop Says Call Off War On Drugs April 22, 1998 - Vancouver Province An outspoken Vancouver police constable has defied efforts by police Chief Bruce Chambers to muzzle him on drug decriminalization. Protestors Plant Pot In Valley Park April 21, 1998 - Edmonton Sun About 30 pot lovers armed with placards, joints and bags of seeds marched into Edmonton's river valley yesterday, rolled up their sleeves and started weeding. S.F. Cannabis Club Officially Shut Down, Grand Reopening Today April 21, 1998 - San Francisco Chronicle It could have been a scene out of ``Evita'' -- throngs of people standing on the street, shaking their fists in the air and bellowing: ``PER-ON! PER-ON!'' Judge Defends Use Of Pot April 21, 1998 - Vancouver Sun A lengthy case over the butt of a marijuana joint ends with an absolute discharge. Drugs Hot Topic at Olympic Meeting April 21, 1998 - Reuters SYDNEY -- The burning issue of drugs in sport will be top of the agenda when International Olympic Committee (IOC) heavyweights meet in Sydney this week for a series of high-level talks on the 2000 Games. Charges Dropped Against M.S. Patient April 20, 1998 - Marijuana Policy Project Washington, D.C. -- At their arraignment in D.C. Superior Court today, marijuana possession charges against multiple sclerosis patient Cheryl Miller and her husband, Jim, were dropped. On the morning of March 30, 1998, Cheryl Miller, who is severely disabled, used medicinal marijuana in U.S. Rep. Jim Rogan's (R-Calif.) office with the help of her husband and caregiver, Jim Miller. Both were arrested and subsequently charged with possession of marijuana, an offense punishable by up to six months in jail. Sheriff Closes Pot Club, Slams Court Order April 20, 1998 - Associated Press A sheriff reluctantly shut down San Francisco's largest medical marijuana club Monday, as organizers waited in the wings to reopen under another name. Nurses Set to Back Use of Cannabis April 19, 1998 - Scotland on Sunday Nurses are joining the fight to get cannabis products prescribed for patients. The move follows concern that people with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and cancer are not getting adequate pain relief from traditional treatments. Court rejects religious pot defense April 18, 1998 - The Daily Olympian TACOMA -- A Littlerock man who defended his possession of marijuana on religious grounds was dealt a legal setback Friday. Pot Club in Oakland Enduring April 18, 1998 - San Francisco Chronicle In the midst of legal actions taken against medical marijuana clubs in San Jose and San Francisco recently, Oakland's pot club appears to be the last one standing clear and easy -- in a manner of speaking -- in the Bay Area. Crusader For Medical Pot Use Fed Up With Hassle, Expense April 17, 1998 - London Free Press Lynn Harichy says she's sorry she ever started her campaign to legalize marijuana for medical use. New Charge Filed Vs Cannabis Co-Op Founder April 17, 1998 - Orange County Register Prosecutors say Marvin Chavez mailed 7 ounces of pot, a felony. San Francisco Sheriff Vows To Close Pot Club April 17, 1998 - Orange County Register San Francisco's sheriff promised Thursday to carry out a judge's order to shut down the city's largest medical marijuana club, while the club's founder vowed it would immediately reopen. Operator To Close S.F. Cannabis Club April 17, 1998 - San Francisco Chronicle Leave it to Dennis Peron to figure out a way to wiggle around a San Francisco judge's order to shut down the Cannabis Cultivators Club. Dutch Marijuana Use Lower Than U.S. - Study April 16, 1998 - Reuters AMSTERDAM -- The Dutch are less inclined to smoke marijuana than U.S. citizens, although the drug is widely available in Dutch coffee shops, according to a study. Marijuana Pipes Smoked Out of Smoke Shops April 15, 1998 - The University of Washington Daily After June 11, local smoke shops will have to pack up their water pipes and send them back to their suppliers. Gov. Gary Locke signed a bill April 3 that will make the sale of water pipes and some other kinds of pipes sold in smoke ships illegal. The law will also apply to the sale of these pipes and other paraphernalia over the Internet. Marijuana initiative gets big financial boost ... again April 15, 1998 - Associated Press Olympia, WA -- They're as reliable as rain around these parts, perhaps even more so. Opponents call marijuana initiative a ruse April 15, 1998 - The Associated Press EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Supporters haven't begun to gather signatures yet, but opposition is appearing to a proposal to allow some medical patients to smoke marijuana. Marchers Protest Arrest, Ask City to Back Medicinal Use April 15, 1998 - San Jose Mercury News Members of the Santa Clara County Medical Cannabis Center on Tuesday protested criminal charges against the agency's executive director and petitioned San Jose officials for renewed cooperation. Judge Orders Medical Marijuana Club Shut April 15, 1998 - Reuters San Fransisco, CA -- San Francisco's trailblazing medical marijuana club was ordered closed Wednesday after a judge ruled that it was ``illegally selling'' the drug. Todd McCormick Released April 14, 1998 - Colorado Hemp Initiative Project Los Angeles -- In a stunning display of justice, Federal Judge George King released Todd McCormick today -- because there was no federal law to have had McCormick imprisoned in the first place. Mum's the Word on Group Giving Pot to the Sick April 13, 1998 - The Record Ontario -- A local club that provides marijuana to ill people began operations last week, with organizer Jeannette Tossounian saying she's prepared to risk going to jail for supplying cannabis to members. Cannabis Club Leader, Partner Are Arrested April 11, 1998 - Orange County Register GARDEN GROVE- The leaders of a group of ailing adults who distributes medical marijuana to more than a hundred Orange County clients has been arrested a second time in three months on drug charges, police said Friday. Cannabis Club Closes Its Doors in Santa Cruz April 10, 1998 - San Jose Mercury News The Santa Cruz Cannabis Buyers' Club shut down last week after its supplier refused to extend further credit and an associate took off with the club's patient list, the club's founder said Thursday. Supporter's cannabis pitch fails to take root with council April 08, 1998 - San Diego Union Tribune Dion Markgraaff's idea went up in smoke as quickly as it was presented to the San Diego City Council yesterday. Warrant Needed to Scan Home with Imager, Court Rules April 08, 1998 - San Diego Union Tribune SAN FRANCISCO -- Federal agents need a warrant before scanning a home with a thermal imager, which is supposed to detect heat from indoor drug labs but also may be able to peek into bedrooms, the federal appeals court for nine Western states ruled yesterday. Pot Club Director Quitting April 07, 1998 - San Jose Mercury News Peter Baez, co-founder of the Santa Clara County Medical Cannabis Center, faced more legal trouble Monday with the addition of five new felony counts charging him with illegally selling marijuana. New law to put the bite on sellers of drug paraphernalia April 06, 1998 - Associated Press OLYMPIA -- Pushed by a community up in arms over the presence of a "head shop" near its public schools, police are about to tighten the screws on stores that sell drug paraphernalia. Hash Bashers Advocate The Medical Use Of Pot April 05, 1998 - The Detroit News ANN ARBOR -- Winds carried the smells of burning incense and marijuana across University of Michigan's central campus Saturday during the 27th Hash Bash. Jury Clears Man Accused Of Growing Cannabis April 04, 1998 - The Independent A man accused of growing and giving cannabis to his wife, a multiple sclerosis sufferer, was yesterday cleared by a jury's majority verdict of cultivating, cultivating with intent to supply, and supplying the drug. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Visits Farms, Hosts Forum April 04, 1998 - Lexington Herald-Leader Lexington, KY -- U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman came to Central Kentucky yesterday to take the pulse of American agriculture, and farmers let him know that Kentucky lives and dies by tobacco price supports. Medical Pot Activist Returned to Jail After Failing Drug Tests April 04, 1998 - San Jose Mercury News Los Angeles -- Medicinal marijuana activist Todd McCormick was ordered back to jail Friday for violating bail by failing drug tests three times this month. Billboard Ad Disturbs 6th-Graders April 03, 1998 - Associated Press MOLINE, Ill. -- Kids 1, Hemp 0. State Lawyer asks Judge to Close Cannabis Club April 03, 1998 - Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO -- Describing San Francisco's major medical marijuana club as a ``drug house,'' a state lawyer urged a judge Friday to change his mind and order the club closed immediately. Man Can't Be Arrested Because of Marijuana Odor In His Car April 02, 1998 - Associated Press A MADISON, WI police officer's nose can't tell if a man smoked marijuana, even if the man's ear reeked of pot when he pulled over and asked the officer for directions, an appeals court ruled Wednesday. Felony Charges in Pot Case April 02, 1998 - Santa Rosa Press Democrat Ukiah, CA -- Yvette Rubio, the woman arrested last fall for growing marijuana she said was for the Ukiah Cannabis Buyers' Club, has been charged with felony counts of possession and cultivation of marijuana for sale. S.J. Pot Club Limits Clients April 02, 1998 - San Jose Mercury News The Santa Clara County Medical Cannabis Center said Wednesday it will no longer accept new clients because of the club's legal troubles. Reader's Digest: High on a Lie April 01, 1998 - Reader's Digest One Saturday last September, 50,000 people, most of them teen-agers, crowded into the Boston Common for the eight annual Freedom Rally. Its organizers billed it as the largest marijuana-legalization event on the East Coast. Strolling through the crowd, holding a joint, was a 17-year-old high-school senior who said his name was Bill. "If they allow sick people to use it," he said, "it can't be that damaging." London Marijuana Club Starts Distribution Amid Controversy April 01, 1998 - The Record London, Ontario -- She knows firsthand the devastating effects of having her home raided by police searching for pot. Govt Rules Out Moves To Legalise Cannabis April 01, 1998 - Evening Post New Zealand -- The Government has ruled out any move to legalise cannabis until more research into its health effects is done. Legislators Decline To Ask Congress For Marijuana Rx April 01, 1998 - Honolulu Star-Bulletin Hawaii -- The House Health Committee isn't ready to ask Congress to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana. Ventura Residents Say Ad Tarnishes Their Image April 01, 1998 - Los Angeles Times Ventura, CA -- What looks like a giant marijuana leaf looming over Ventura Avenue has enraged a group of west side residents who are calling for its removal. News Archives In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 and The Berne Convention on Literary and Artistic Works, Article 10, news clippings are made available without profit for research and educational purposes.