Global Ganja Report

In the Oct. 5 debate between the two candidates for state attorney general, both were asked: If California voters pass Proposition 19, would they defend it in court? Neither Democrat Kamala Harris, the San Francisco district attorney, nor Republican Steve Cooley, the Los Angeles district attorney, gave a direct "yes" or a "no" answer.

A debate over California's Proposition 19 was disrupted by critics of the measure, who heckled scheduled speakers and interrupted proceedings at the International Cannabis and Hemp Expo at San Francisco's Cow Palace Sept. 25. What the Legalization Nation blog wryly dubs "Stoners Against Legalization" teamed up with cultural conservative crashers to shout down Prop 19 advocates.

San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano on Sept. 23 introduced a bill to provide a regulatory structure for cannabis if California voters approve Proposition 19 on Nov. 2. One of the arguments Prop 19 opponents make is that the measure doesn't provide details or direction on how the substance should be regulated. Assembly Bill 9 6X would create a statewide regulatory system to oversee the sale of cannabis to Californians at least 21 years old, while still allowing local governments to decide whether to allow the sale of the substance. (Sacramento Bee, Sept. 22)

San Diego area medical marijuana dispensary operator Jovan Jackson was convicted by a jury Sept. 28 on all three counts of possession and sales. The conviction came after San Diego Superior Court Judge Howard H. Shore refused to allow Jackson a medical defense at trial. The jury took less than 24 hours to reach a verdict. Jackson is likely to appeal the conviction and his inability to use a medical defense. Leading medical marijuana patients' rights group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) had previously submitted a brief in Jackson's case supporting his right to a medical defense and is considering assisting with an appeal.

The Obama administration opposes legalizing marijuana and views medical marijuana dubiously as well, said Kevin Sabet, special adviser for policy at the Office of National Drug Control Policy. "Marijuana cannot be the one exception in history of the world that doesn’t go through a scientific process to be approved as medicine," Sabet told the Montana Supreme Court Administrator's annual drug court conference in Helena. “It doesn’t make any sense. “How can we imagine that a dangerous, illegal drug like marijuana should be voted on by the people? That’s not how we do medicine in this country.”

Nearly 4,000 attended the 11th annual Cannabis Revival in Joplin, Mo., on Sept. 25. Among the speakers advocating for legalization of marijuana was former Republican New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (1995-2002). Kelly Maddy, director of the Joplin chapter of the NORML and organizer of the Cannabis Revival, said the weekend event was held as a way to encourage public involvement in marijuana law reform. Johnson, who has toured the country speaking on the issue, says the drug should be regulated and taxed like alcohol. (AP, The Fuse, Joplin, Sept. 26)

In a joint hearing of the Senate and Assembly Committees on Public Safety in Sacramento Sept. 21, proponents and opponents weighed in on California's Proposition 19. In the latter category was, surprisingly, the California Cannabis Association, an alliance of medical users which has launched a website called Keep Cannabis Medical. "Proposition 19 is a direct assault on medical marijuana patients," Cap Radio quoted George Mull, the group's president. "Prop 19 is deeply flawed, and creates a chaotic, local, 'you figure it out' approach to marijuana regulation. That won't work."

The results of a national survey on drug use and health were issued Sept. 15 by the federal government, noting a surge in the use of marijuana and other drugs such as ecstasy and methamphetamine. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services publishes the annual study, which is often used by the "drug czar" to highlight the status of the so-called "War on Drugs." Although the government claims that prescription drug abuse is its highest priority, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) took the opportunity to rail against medical marijuana use.