Suetaz

Alaska Ponders Pot Initiative

August 20, 2004 | FOXnews.com

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Last Frontier state just may become the first in the nation to legalize marijuana completely.

Backers of a controversial ballot initiative want pot to be treated just like alcohol. If voters pass the measure, it would be legal to grow, smoke and sell any amount of marijuana so long as one is 21 years of age. The state would regulate the cannabis industry just as it licenses booze and cigarettes.

[Suetaznote: This sounds like a damn good idea to me! ]

"Alaskans are independent and I think Alaskans believe people should have the maximum freedom of choice," said Ken Jacobus, a pro-marijuana attorney. "Adults can choose cigarettes, they can choose alcohol."

Alaskans can currently possess small amounts of pot for use in their homes, and medical marijuana is allowed.

[Suetaznote: Too bad life in Alaska isn't more appealing, but it's just so COLD there!]

State Attorney General Gregg Renkes opposes the initiative. He says liberalizing the drug laws will "lead to a higher rate of addiction for marijuana and other drugs.

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ACT to promote cannabis law changes

Australians in Canberra toughen growing laws

ABCNewsOnline | August 21, 2004

The ACT Government will mount a public education campaign to promote changes to Canberra's drug laws.

Under laws passed by the Legislative Assembly last week, maximum sentences will rise to 25 years for growing or supplying commercial amounts of drugs.

The main change is that the number of cannabis plants which attract an infringement notice will drop from five to two.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope says he is aware of the need to inform the community.

"I will be seeking and will receive assurances that we do engage as broad as possible an information and education campaign in relation to the new regime in relation to the personal use cannabis," he said.

"It will increase the burden on the state, and I think it's really a disservice to our young people."

[Suetaznote: It's a disservice to young people to put them in jail for growing a plant too! 25 years for growing more than two plants?! Why don't Doctors get 25 years for prescribing medications with opiates in them that the patients get addicted to and overdose on? Oh ya, because all they do is prescribe it and you're on your own after that. If people can be expected to be responsible with addictive killer opiates, why can't they be expected to be responsible with a harmless plant for medicine?]

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