Lawmakers Merge Marijuana, Meth Bills

[Tafari]

Lawmakers Merge Marijuana, Meth Bills


Senate: Omnibus Drug Measure Aims to Reduce Law Enforcement Headaches.

JUNEAU -- Two bills that aim to curb the production and use of marijuana and methamphetamine in Alaska have been folded into one.

The omnibus measure was moved out of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday for possible Senate floor debate and a vote.

Finance co-chairwoman Lyda Green, R-Wasilla, said merging the bills would create a more efficient vehicle to move the measures through. She said both drugs are controlled substances that create headaches for law enforcement.

"We are looking at the final result of ( ingesting ) the product and what public safety officials and others are going through to curb that," she said.

Backed by Gov. Frank Murkowski, House Bill 149 would roll back a 30-year-old Supreme Court decision that makes it legal for Alaskans to possess up to 4 ounces of marijuana for personal use in their homes. It would make possession of 4 ounces or more a felony.

State officials say recriminalizing marijuana would help state troopers crack down on commercial growers by making it easier to obtain search warrants. Critics counter, however, the penalties only target so-called recreational users and the bill does not enhance fines for those possessing a pound or more of marijuana.

Lawmakers also heard testimony from experts called by bill opponents to counter the state's claims about marijuana being more potent now than in mid-1970s, when the state's high court issued its ruling.

Dr. Mitchell Earlywine, a professor at New York State University, said marijuana is stronger than it used to be but not to the extent that has been reported. He said the methods for measuring the drug's potency were flawed in the 1970s. He estimates marijuana is about twice as strong as it was.

The bill says it is 14 times stronger.

Earlywine also challenged the state's contention that today's pot is more dangerous, but he agreed with the state that the drug should not be used by or around children.

"As more and more work is coming out on the brain, it's clearer and clear that marijuana is hard on the developing brain. I'm absolutely certain this is not something teens should play with," he said.

Lawmakers amended the bill on Thursday to remove several references to Alaska Natives, which were included to note the drug's disproportionate use and affects among Natives. Sen. Donny Olsen, D-Nome, said the references made it appear the law was targeting Alaska Natives.

The new omnibus measure would also would limit the sale of a popular decongestant, Sudafed, which is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

It would also list certain anabolic steroids as controlled substances. The performance-enhancing drugs are known to cause serious physical and psychological side effects.


Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK)
Copyright: 2006 The Associated Press
Author: Anne Sutton, The Associated Press

[Tafari]

Very dirty play going on in AK.

Tafari

[Ferre]

Please provide a link to the source when you post articles Brother Tafari.
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[Ferre]

Please provide a link to the source when you post articles Brother Tafari.
_________________
█ Please read the Board Rules and Posting, and you
█ Radio Free Amsterdam
People who know truth, speak truth.
Those who don't, quote scriptures.

[Rev. Steve]

This what happens when you put peasants in power. Frank Murkowshit needs a big dose of "go fuck your asshole Frank", excuse me. Frank Murkowshit needs a big dose of "go fuck your asshole Governor".