A panel of marijuana criminal defense attorneys on the opening day of NORML's 39th Annual National Conference in Portland Thursday were unanimous and emphatic on one thing people with pot should do when confronted by police: exercise their right to remain silent.

Toronto City politics got heated a few weeks ago when it was revealed right wing mayoral candidate Rob Ford got popped with a roach in his pocket a decade ago in Florida. This didn't hurt his election bid in the least. In fact Yongesterdam potheads began to wonder about Ford, who two years ago ushered through a busted grow-op cost recovery bylaw. After Ford's roach revelation, complete with mug shot via CBC, other candidates were quick to claim their cannabis cred.

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire say pot serves as a "gateway" to other drugs mainly for young people who are poor, unemployed, and subjected to severe psychological stress.

In other words, it's not about pot but about the potholes young people encounter on the road of life.

The FDA uses it's powers to ban "electronic" cigarets. Welcome to the new powers of the government.

Aren't these really a toy instead of a food, drug or cosmetic? Yes, yes, yes. I know how they work and that these can be used as a drug delivery system. So does your automobile. I believe that the FDA needs to narrow it's focus and do a better job there instead of expanding what it does. Consumer Reports or similar private testing agency would be a better forum for public safety with respect these devices.

“The costs of that war have long since reached intolerable levels: more than 28,000 of our fellow citizens dead since late 2006; expenditures well above $10 billion; terrible damage to Mexico's image abroad; human rights violations by government security forces; and ever more crime. In a recent poll by the Mexico City daily Reforma, 67 percent of Mexicans said these costs are unacceptable, while 59 percent said the drug cartels are winning the war.”

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/350509_american-hubris-has-killed-28000-m...