Archive for February, 2010
Calif. Research Shows Pot Can Ease Muscle Spasms
February 18th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 17, 2010
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The first U.S. clinical trials in more than two decades on the medical benefits of marijuana confirm pot is effective in reducing muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis and pain caused by certain neurological injuries or illnesses, according to a report issued Wednesday.
Read the full article here, if you pay for it…
The First City in America to Criminalize Marijuana Passes Resolution Criticizing Drug War
February 18th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
The El Paso city council has gone on record as condemning current US drug policies and demanding a shift to a smarter, more humane approach to drug sales and use.
A year ago, dismayed at the violence rocking its sister city of Ciudad Juárez just across the Rio Grande River, the city council in the remote Texas border city of El Paso unanimously passed a resolution calling for serious consideration of ending drug prohibition, only to see it vetoed by Mayor John Cook. Then, after heavy-handed warnings from US Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) and the city’s delegation in the state legislature that such a resolution could threaten the city’s funding, the city council backed down, failing to override Cook’s veto.
Close Up staff investigated over marijuana claims
February 15th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
TVNZ staff under investigation for marijuana use tried to get photos taken during a smoking session deleted, according to people at the gathering.
But others who were present say the few images taken don’t show anything incriminating – and TVNZ does not have copies.
Three staff at TVNZ’s flagship current affairs show Close Up have been accused of smoking marijuana after filming a segment called “Reefer Madness”, which screened last Tuesday. A fourth TVNZ staff member was also present.
The story showed supporters of the movement travelling to Waitangi and featured interviews with campaigner Dakta Green, previously known as Kenneth Morgan.
Online debate about the show among pro-legilisation campaigners prompted complaints to TVNZ and the claim staff socialised and smoked marijuana with the campaigners after the story.
“Nobody should be punished by their boss simply for smoking cannabis”
February 13th, 2010
Dakta Green
“Nobody in New Zealand should be ever punished by their boss simply for smoking cannabis on their own time”, said Dakta Green today.
“So long as no-one is being hurt and no disturbance caused, what goes on outside of the job is no matter of the company or the employer”.
Mr Green was referring to the current investigation by TVNZ into claims that its staff smoked cannabis during a visit to Waitangi on the CannaBus with Dakta Green and members of NORML and the Daktory.
“NORML sympathizes with any employee in New Zealand who fears for their job because of private cannabis use, or who has faced consequences from their employer for having used cannabis”, Mr Green said.
Dakta Green said he knew of many people in the cannabis culture who felt upset about the way in which Close Up treated him in a segment aired last week. “Some have made formal complaints to the Broadcasting Standards Authority, but my understanding is they only complained about the content of the show, nothing else”, he said.
“Any claims of wrongdoing alleged against the TVNZ staff in question are nothing but hearsay”, he said. “We enjoyed their company and I believe they enjoyed ours, but I can categorically say they never smoked cannabis with us on the CannaBus”.
“And besides”, Mr Green continued, “even if they had, so what? They’re adults! It’s only cannabis – a drug that’s far safer than both alcohol and tobacco”.
“I’m very sorry these people are being treated this way; particularly as it’s happened immediately following the Law Commission’s report recommending no more criminalization of cannabis smokers.”
Dakta Green said that such persecution is an infringement of basic human rights, something he plans to talk about more on the upcoming Armistice Tour 2010.
ENDS
Contact: dakta_green@thedaktory.org.nz
TVNZ probes claim staff used cannabis
February 13th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
Television New Zealand is investigating an allegation that staff smoked cannabis while in Waitangi during a visit by drug law reform campaigners.
A report on a journey to the Waitangi Day celebrations by activist Dakta Green and others in the “Cannabus” bus featured on Close Up last Tuesday.
Mr Green is a leading member of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml).
The report featured scenes of drug-taking.
The Herald understands a complaint about the item included an allegation that four TVNZ staff took drugs with the Norml contingent in the bus after filming had finished for the day.
TVNZ: Calls for laws to be softened
February 11th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
A high powered legal team is calling for cannabis laws to be softened, with the penalties reduced for those caught with a small amount of the illegal drug.
The Law Commission also wants sick New Zealanders to be able to use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
The commission says large scale commercial drug dealing wreaks havoc in New Zealand’s communities and the law should continue to impose heavy penalties in these cases.
But President Sir Geoffrey Palmer says the Misuse of Drugs Act is over 30-years-old and patterns of drug use have changed markedly over this time.
Complain to the Broadcasting Standards Authority
February 10th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
After the disgracefully one sided story that was shown on Tv1′s Close Up last night, we are encouraging everyone to send letters of complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority.
Considering the introductory segment of the article shows it as “Reefer Madness,” there is clearly going to be some classic Government/Media cover up involved.
Watch the story, or read the article for yourself if you haven’t already and judge it for yourself. We also have the original post on our site, with some comments.
Thanks to Hybrid for the link and excerpts.
http://www.bsa.govt.nz/complain-formstandard.php
THE GUIDELINES THAT WERE BREACHED:
Broadcasting Act 1989 section B:
The maintenance of law and orderBroadcasting Act 1989 section D:
The principle that when controversial issues of public importance are discussed, reasonable efforts are made, or reasonable opportunities are given, to present significant points of view, either in the same programme or in other programmes within the period of current interest
Closeup TV 1
February 9th, 2010
Dakta Green
Tonight, Close up on TV1 had an article on Mary Jane, the Cannabus. They had based the story around it being following her trip up to Waitangi, but ended up spending most of the time showing every bad clip they could about the trip, and of ‘Dacktar’ Green! Yes, that’s right, they didn’t even bother checking to see how to spell it.
Though there is the presence of a balanced article, it seems to lack any any footage of support for the cause, other than members of The Daktory talking to the camera.
For those of you who haven’t read the text article, or seen the poor photography to go with, you can check it out here.
For those of you who want to check out the video, you can get that here.
Addressing the issue in Detroit
February 8th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon