Copyright © 2007 by "www.kopproductions.com" • All Rights reserved • E-Mail: ROBIN@kopproductions.com
Greetings from Alaska friends, I hope this finds everyone doing great, and having a nice summer; it’s been 62 degrees here twice now!! I heard Oregon, baked at 85, and southern Ohio at 90 for the past few days. Thank you for coming to visit the site and Robin’s corner. Some one tan for me, please, lol, straight to news:
Former Alaska Senator and Democratic Presidential hopeful Mike Gravel, says he would not just legalize marijuana unlike his fellow candidates, Gravel has officially gone on record supporting the taxation and regulation of marijuana. In an interview with OpEdnews.com, Gravel stated "First of all, I think we ought to stop the prohibition of marijuana, and let marijuana be sold in liquor stores. You get a much bigger high off a 5th of scotch than you do off a couple packs of marijuana. That’s why it should be legalized. Now the regulation and legalization of hard drugs is a whole other matter. What we have to do is stop criminalizing this whole drug problem, the addiction problem. This is a public health problem. It’s not a criminal problem. We need to identify these drug users so that they can get their drugs by prescription from a doctor. They are thereby registered, so that we can begin to monitor these people and help them to get off of drugs. That’s not what happens today. What happens today is you’re thrown in jail. Half the people in jail have a drug problem, and we don’t address that at all. It’s a health issue and we don’t look at it for what it is. This whole War on Drugs is a hoax we spend 50 to 70 billion dollars a year on, and it’s no more effective than prohibition was against alcohol back in the 1920s. All it does is criminalize a major segment of our population and cause another major segment to break the law and lose respect for the law, because it is just a bad law. I would do away with the prohibition that we have in respect to marijuana, and bring the legalization and the regulation of hard drugs.”
Hemp extract is becoming a focus for many manufacturers who are increasingly drawing on more innovative ingredients in a bid to shake up the over-saturated natural and organic market. Consumers are increasingly searching for cosmetic products that are both sourced from the natural environment and are innovative in nature, prompting manufacturers to constantly create product ranges that cater to their demands. Oil derived from the hemp plant has long been used for its moisturizing properties in creams, cosmetics and the antiperspirant market. However, there has been a notable influx of product launches across the globe in the past six months.
Organic Monitor, a research company, estimates that the European market for natural and organic products is currently growing at 20% a year, and is set to surpass a value of €1 billion. Tight regulations in the US have withheld hemp cultivation, with legislation lagging behind other countries in terms of differentiating between hemp production for recreational and industrial use. It is the only industrialized country where it is illegal to grow hemp freely. Despite this restriction, the US is one of the biggest producers of cosmetic products manufactured with hemp seed, alongside the UK and Germany. US natural and organic personal care provider Burt's Bees this month launched a chemical free sun care range that has titanium dioxide minerals and wheat grass in the formulation with the use of hemp seed oil as the main marketing slant.
The real roots of drug abuse and addiction have more to do with poverty, alienation and despair than crimes of malice. Most violence associated with drugs stem from policies of prohibition-just as gangsters derived their wealth through bootlegging alcohol. We must find a more compassionate and effective drug control policy. President Jimmy Carter said in 1977, “Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself.” Over the last three decades, the “War on Drugs” has done little more than incarcerate hundreds of thousands of non-violent prisoners, militarize government agencies and police forces around the world, and generally advance a policy of “harm maximization” instead of harm reduction.”
Former Alaska Senator and Democratic Presidential hopeful Mike Gravel, says he would not just legalize marijuana unlike his fellow candidates, Gravel has officially gone on record supporting the taxation and regulation of marijuana. In an interview with OpEdnews.com, Gravel stated "First of all, I think we ought to stop the prohibition of marijuana, and let marijuana be sold in liquor stores. You get a much bigger high off a 5th of scotch than you do off a couple packs of marijuana. That’s why it should be legalized. Now the regulation and legalization of hard drugs is a whole other matter. What we have to do is stop criminalizing this whole drug problem, the addiction problem. This is a public health problem. It’s not a criminal problem. We need to identify these drug users so that they can get their drugs by prescription from a doctor. They are thereby registered, so that we can begin to monitor these people and help them to get off of drugs. That’s not what happens today. What happens today is you’re thrown in jail. Half the people in jail have a drug problem, and we don’t address that at all. It’s a health issue and we don’t look at it for what it is. This whole War on Drugs is a hoax we spend 50 to 70 billion dollars a year on, and it’s no more effective than prohibition was against alcohol back in the 1920s. All it does is criminalize a major segment of our population and cause another major segment to break the law and lose respect for the law, because it is just a bad law. I would do away with the prohibition that we have in respect to marijuana, and bring the legalization and the regulation of hard drugs.”
Hemp extract is becoming a focus for many manufacturers who are increasingly drawing on more innovative ingredients in a bid to shake up the over-saturated natural and organic market. Consumers are increasingly searching for cosmetic products that are both sourced from the natural environment and are innovative in nature, prompting manufacturers to constantly create product ranges that cater to their demands. Oil derived from the hemp plant has long been used for its moisturizing properties in creams, cosmetics and the antiperspirant market. However, there has been a notable influx of product launches across the globe in the past six months.
Organic Monitor, a research company, estimates that the European market for natural and organic products is currently growing at 20% a year, and is set to surpass a value of €1 billion. Tight regulations in the US have withheld hemp cultivation, with legislation lagging behind other countries in terms of differentiating between hemp production for recreational and industrial use. It is the only industrialized country where it is illegal to grow hemp freely. Despite this restriction, the US is one of the biggest producers of cosmetic products manufactured with hemp seed, alongside the UK and Germany. US natural and organic personal care provider Burt's Bees this month launched a chemical free sun care range that has titanium dioxide minerals and wheat grass in the formulation with the use of hemp seed oil as the main marketing slant.
The real roots of drug abuse and addiction have more to do with poverty, alienation and despair than crimes of malice. Most violence associated with drugs stem from policies of prohibition-just as gangsters derived their wealth through bootlegging alcohol. We must find a more compassionate and effective drug control policy. President Jimmy Carter said in 1977, “Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself.” Over the last three decades, the “War on Drugs” has done little more than incarcerate hundreds of thousands of non-violent prisoners, militarize government agencies and police forces around the world, and generally advance a policy of “harm maximization” instead of harm reduction.”
ROBIN'S Corner
Friday, June 15, 2007
Just note, for instance, that:
• On average a new prison is built every week.
• The U.S. has 1/22 of the world’s population, but 1/4 of the world’s prisoners.
• Between 1990 and 1999, drug offenders were responsible for 60.9% of the federal prison population growth
• While African-Americans constitute 13% of the nation’s monthly drug users, they represent 35% of those persons arrested for drug possession, 55% of drug possession convictions, and 74% of those sentenced to prison for possession causing critics to call the war on drugs the “New Jim Crow.”
• Yet today more illegal drugs of higher quality and cheaper price are entering the U.S. than when the “Drug War” began in the early 1970’s.
If we take a Stand....We can make a Difference!
{ NORML, ALASKA CHAPTER, 04-30-07 Alaska’s Marijuana Laws}
Details about this report Incarceration Fine Possession: 1 oz. or less in your residence or home no penalty. 1 oz. to 4 oz. misdemeanor 90 days $1,000. More than 4 oz., or 25 or more plants, felony 5 years $50,000. Any amount within 500 feet of school grounds or rec. center felony* 5 years $50,000 * If charged with possession of marijuana in a school zone, an affirmative defense may be raised in court that the conduct took place entirely within a private residence. Sale or Cultivation Sale less than 1 oz misdemeanor 1 year $5,000, 1 oz or more felony 5 years $50,000. Miscellaneous (paraphernalia, license suspensions, drug tax stamps, etc...). Maintaining any structure or dwelling for keeping and distributing marijuana felony 5 years $50,000.
Details Possession of one ounce or less of marijuana in the privacy of the home is legal. The status of possessing an amount between one ounce and four ounces is unclear, pending clarification by the courts. Possession of 4 ounces or more of marijuana is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Possession of less than 25 plants is protected under the Alaska Constitution’s right to privacy (See Ravin v. Alaska). Possession of 25 or more marijuana plants is “Misconduct involving a controlled substance in the fourth degree” and is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 or five years in prison. Any possession within 500 feet of school grounds or a recreation center or possession on any school bus is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Sale, delivery or manufacture of marijuana of less than one ounce is a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. For amounts of one ounce or greater, the crime is a felony which can be punished with a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. It is an affirmative defense to possession, manufacture or delivery that the offender is a patient or caregiver who is registered with the state for medical use of marijuana. Maintaining any structure or dwelling, including vehicles, to use for keeping and distributing marijuana, is a felony offense and punishable by up to five years in prison, and a fine of up to $50,000. Alaska’s Law is much less strict than most other states.
I hope you Have Enjoyed and/or been educated further by this weeks Robin’s Corner. Please come again, KOPPRODUCTIONS.COM has a lot to offer besides my corner. Everyone at KOP Productions wants to thank you for your continued support, please come visit us often.
Sincerely,
Robin
KOP PRODUCTIONS.COM & ROBIN@KOPProductions.com
• On average a new prison is built every week.
• The U.S. has 1/22 of the world’s population, but 1/4 of the world’s prisoners.
• Between 1990 and 1999, drug offenders were responsible for 60.9% of the federal prison population growth
• While African-Americans constitute 13% of the nation’s monthly drug users, they represent 35% of those persons arrested for drug possession, 55% of drug possession convictions, and 74% of those sentenced to prison for possession causing critics to call the war on drugs the “New Jim Crow.”
• Yet today more illegal drugs of higher quality and cheaper price are entering the U.S. than when the “Drug War” began in the early 1970’s.
If we take a Stand....We can make a Difference!
{ NORML, ALASKA CHAPTER, 04-30-07 Alaska’s Marijuana Laws}
Details about this report Incarceration Fine Possession: 1 oz. or less in your residence or home no penalty. 1 oz. to 4 oz. misdemeanor 90 days $1,000. More than 4 oz., or 25 or more plants, felony 5 years $50,000. Any amount within 500 feet of school grounds or rec. center felony* 5 years $50,000 * If charged with possession of marijuana in a school zone, an affirmative defense may be raised in court that the conduct took place entirely within a private residence. Sale or Cultivation Sale less than 1 oz misdemeanor 1 year $5,000, 1 oz or more felony 5 years $50,000. Miscellaneous (paraphernalia, license suspensions, drug tax stamps, etc...). Maintaining any structure or dwelling for keeping and distributing marijuana felony 5 years $50,000.
Details Possession of one ounce or less of marijuana in the privacy of the home is legal. The status of possessing an amount between one ounce and four ounces is unclear, pending clarification by the courts. Possession of 4 ounces or more of marijuana is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Possession of less than 25 plants is protected under the Alaska Constitution’s right to privacy (See Ravin v. Alaska). Possession of 25 or more marijuana plants is “Misconduct involving a controlled substance in the fourth degree” and is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 or five years in prison. Any possession within 500 feet of school grounds or a recreation center or possession on any school bus is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Sale, delivery or manufacture of marijuana of less than one ounce is a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. For amounts of one ounce or greater, the crime is a felony which can be punished with a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. It is an affirmative defense to possession, manufacture or delivery that the offender is a patient or caregiver who is registered with the state for medical use of marijuana. Maintaining any structure or dwelling, including vehicles, to use for keeping and distributing marijuana, is a felony offense and punishable by up to five years in prison, and a fine of up to $50,000. Alaska’s Law is much less strict than most other states.
I hope you Have Enjoyed and/or been educated further by this weeks Robin’s Corner. Please come again, KOPPRODUCTIONS.COM has a lot to offer besides my corner. Everyone at KOP Productions wants to thank you for your continued support, please come visit us often.
Sincerely,
Robin
KOP PRODUCTIONS.COM & ROBIN@KOPProductions.com
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