---
TWO men have been arrested after a large cannabis farm was discovered in
Rochdale.

The police raided an industrial unit on Bishop Street in Smallbridge,
where they found over a 1,000 plants.

They found cannabis with an estimated street value of £1m, as well as
electrical equipment, lighting and ventilation systems.

Three cars parked next to the industrial unit were also seized as part
of the investigation.

Two men aged 50 and 35 were arrested on suspicion cultivating cannabis
and are currently being questioned by officers.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1034748_arrests_after_cannabis_raid_

---
Police have now gained access to the house on Deansgate Lane and cleared
the property of plants and growing equipment after the property was
finally made safe enough to enter.

Criminals had hot-wired the electrical system, making the house too
dangerous for people to enter, while the owner had been absent.

Locks on the doors of the property, which is regularly rented out, had
been changed when the owner and a property agent had unexpectedly
returned to the property.

http://icseftonandwestlancs.icnetwork.co.uk/

---
A SUSPECTED drug dealer caught with £50 worth of cannabis is being
ordered to pay £15,000 – 300 times the value of his illegal stash.

Umer Safdar has been ordered to pay out the staggering fee by Bolton
Crown Court following his conviction for possession of the class C drug
with intent to supply.

The 20-year-old, of Mitchell Street, Spotland, was given 150 hours of
community service in September, having originally been caught with the
drug in his Honda Civic car in December 2006.

But prosecutors then applied for the cash through under the Proceeds of
Crime Act 2002.

The courts have the power to seize a minimum of £1,000 in assets if it
is suspected that the cash will be put to an illegal use.

Detective Inspector Daryl Chadwick said Safdar’s case sends out a strong
message to other criminals.

“Rochdale police does not tolerate drug dealing,” he said.

“The decision to confiscate such a large amount of cash compared with
the value of the drugs originally seized demonstrates the commitment of
the court to the same cause.

“I am sure this decision will have a significant impact on Mr Safdar.

“The seizure of assets hits offenders where it hurts the most – in the
pocket.”

http://www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk/news/s/1034765_15k_fine_for_dealer

---
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch interior minister wants police officials
to stop using soft drugs when they are off-duty as it tarnishes the
image of the force.

The use of some soft drugs is tolerated in the Netherlands and the sale
of cannabis in small quantities for recreational use is permitted in
government-regulated coffee shops.

"The minister does not want police officials to use soft drugs, such as
cannabis, not even during their spare time. It does not fit with the
presentation of the police to the public," a spokesman said on Thursday.

There are 25 regional police forces in the Netherlands, some of which
have implemented a no-drugs policy for off-duty officers while others
have not, he said.

"We should have one rule for the whole force," he said.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Sami Aboudi)

---
Moroccan police officials have seized more than 24 tons of cannabis in
three days, in the region of Tetouan (north), the second TV chann e l,
"2M", reported Wednesday.

About 13.5 tons of cannabis, 9 tons of kif, 2 tons of hemp-seed, 15.4 kg
of chir a and 15 kg of tobacco, as well as 14,000 euros have been seized
between 22 and 2 4 January, the same source disclosed.

Some 18 tons of cannabis were also seized in December in the same region.

The cannabis, grown in the mountainous areas of Northern Morocco, is
presently p lanted on 72,500 hectares, compared with 1134,000 hectares
in 2003, according to official figures.

http://www.afriquenligne.fr/news/daily-news/24-tons-of-cannabis-seized-in-morocco-2008013116064/

---
Los Angeles To Provide Authorized Users With 24-Hour Access

The city that popularized the fast food drive-thru has a new innovation:
24-hour medical marijuana vending machines.

Patients suffering from chronic pain, loss of appetite and other
ailments that marijuana is said to alleviate can get their pot with a
dose of convenience at the Herbal Nutrition Center, where a large
machine will dole out the drug around the clock.

“Convenient access, lower prices, safety, anonymity,” inventor and owner
Vincent Mehdizadeh said, extolling the benefits of the machine.

But federal drug agents say the invention may need unplugging.

“Somebody owns (it), it's on a property and somebody fills it,” said DEA
Special Agent Jose Martinez. “Once we find out where it's at, we'll look
into it and see if they're violating laws.”

At least three dispensaries in the city, including two belonging to
Mehdizadeh, have installed vending machines to distribute the drug to
people who carry cards authorizing marijuana use.

Mehdizadeh said he spent seven months to develop and patent the black,
armored box, which he calls the “PVM,” or prescription vending machine.

A sliding fence protects the tinted windows of his dispensary, barely
distinguishing it from a busy thoroughfare of strip malls, automobile
dealers and furniture shops. A box resembling a large refrigerator
stands inside the nearly empty shop, near a few shelves stocked with
vitamins and herbs.

A guard in a black T-shirt emblazoned with the word “Security” on the
front stands at the door. A poster of Bob Marley decorates a back room.

The computerized machine requires fingerprint identification and a
prepaid card with a magnetic stripe. Once the card and fingerprint are
verified, a bright green envelope with the pot drops down a slot.

Mehdizadeh says any user approved for medical marijuana and registered
in a computer database at his dispensaries can pre-purchase the drug and
then use the machine to pick up.

The process provides convenience and privacy for users who may otherwise
feel uncomfortable about buying marijuana, Mehdizadeh said.

At the Timothy Leary Medical Dispensary in the San Fernando Valley, the
vending machine is accessible only during business hours. An employee
there said the machine was introduced about five months ago, and
provides speedy service.

“It helps a lot of patients who are in a lot of pain and don't want to
wait around to get help,” Robert Schwartz said. “It's been working out
great.”

Mehdizadeh said he sought the advice of doctors, and decided to limit
the amount of marijuana per user to an ounce per week. Each purchase
from the machine yields 1/8th or 2/8th of an ounce. By eliminating a
vendor behind the counter, he said, the machine offers users lower drug
prices. The 1/8th ounce packet would cost about $40 - $20 lower than the
average price at other dispensaries.

A spokesman for a marijuana advocacy group said the machine also
benefits dispensary owners.

“It limits the number of workers in the store in the event of a raid,
and it'll make it harder for theft,” said Nathan Sands, of The
Compassionate Coalition.

Marijuana use is illegal under federal law, which does not recognize the
medical marijuana laws in California and 11 other states.

The Drug Enforcement Agency and other federal agencies have been
actively shutting down major medical marijuana dispensaries throughout
the state over the last two years and charging their operators with
felony distribution charges.

Mehdizadeh said the Herbal Nutrition Center was the target of a federal
raid in December. He said no arrests were made and no charges have been
filed against him.

Kris Hermes, a spokesman for advocacy group Americans for Safe Access,
said the machine might benefit those who already know how much and what
strain of marijuana they're looking for. But he said others will want to
see and smell the drug before they buy it.

A man who said he has been authorized to use medical marijuana as part
of his anger management therapy said the vending machine's security
measures would at least protect against illicit use of the drug.

“You have kids that want to get high and that's not what marijuana is
for,” Robert Miko said. “It's to medicate.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/30/health/main3770460.shtml

---
Los Angeles To Provide Authorized Users With 24-Hour Access

The city that popularized the fast food drive-thru has a new innovation:
24-hour medical marijuana vending machines.

Patients suffering from chronic pain, loss of appetite and other
ailments that marijuana is said to alleviate can get their pot with a
dose of convenience at the Herbal Nutrition Center, where a large
machine will dole out the drug around the clock.

“Convenient access, lower prices, safety, anonymity,” inventor and owner
Vincent Mehdizadeh said, extolling the benefits of the machine.

But federal drug agents say the invention may need unplugging.

“Somebody owns (it), it's on a property and somebody fills it,” said DEA
Special Agent Jose Martinez. “Once we find out where it's at, we'll look
into it and see if they're violating laws.”

At least three dispensaries in the city, including two belonging to
Mehdizadeh, have installed vending machines to distribute the drug to
people who carry cards authorizing marijuana use.

Mehdizadeh said he spent seven months to develop and patent the black,
armored box, which he calls the “PVM,” or prescription vending machine.

A sliding fence protects the tinted windows of his dispensary, barely
distinguishing it from a busy thoroughfare of strip malls, automobile
dealers and furniture shops. A box resembling a large refrigerator
stands inside the nearly empty shop, near a few shelves stocked with
vitamins and herbs.

A guard in a black T-shirt emblazoned with the word “Security” on the
front stands at the door. A poster of Bob Marley decorates a back room.

The computerized machine requires fingerprint identification and a
prepaid card with a magnetic stripe. Once the card and fingerprint are
verified, a bright green envelope with the pot drops down a slot.

Mehdizadeh says any user approved for medical marijuana and registered
in a computer database at his dispensaries can pre-purchase the drug and
then use the machine to pick up.

The process provides convenience and privacy for users who may otherwise
feel uncomfortable about buying marijuana, Mehdizadeh said.

At the Timothy Leary Medical Dispensary in the San Fernando Valley, the
vending machine is accessible only during business hours. An employee
there said the machine was introduced about five months ago, and
provides speedy service.

“It helps a lot of patients who are in a lot of pain and don't want to
wait around to get help,” Robert Schwartz said. “It's been working out
great.”

Mehdizadeh said he sought the advice of doctors, and decided to limit
the amount of marijuana per user to an ounce per week. Each purchase
from the machine yields 1/8th or 2/8th of an ounce. By eliminating a
vendor behind the counter, he said, the machine offers users lower drug
prices. The 1/8th ounce packet would cost about $40 - $20 lower than the
average price at other dispensaries.

A spokesman for a marijuana advocacy group said the machine also
benefits dispensary owners.

“It limits the number of workers in the store in the event of a raid,
and it'll make it harder for theft,” said Nathan Sands, of The
Compassionate Coalition.

Marijuana use is illegal under federal law, which does not recognize the
medical marijuana laws in California and 11 other states.

The Drug Enforcement Agency and other federal agencies have been
actively shutting down major medical marijuana dispensaries throughout
the state over the last two years and charging their operators with
felony distribution charges.

Mehdizadeh said the Herbal Nutrition Center was the target of a federal
raid in December. He said no arrests were made and no charges have been
filed against him.

Kris Hermes, a spokesman for advocacy group Americans for Safe Access,
said the machine might benefit those who already know how much and what
strain of marijuana they're looking for. But he said others will want to
see and smell the drug before they buy it.

A man who said he has been authorized to use medical marijuana as part
of his anger management therapy said the vending machine's security
measures would at least protect against illicit use of the drug.

“You have kids that want to get high and that's not what marijuana is
for,” Robert Miko said. “It's to medicate.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/30/health/main3770460.shtml

---
Paul Muscat, 59, from Gozo was found guilty of cultivating cannabis in
his fields and the surrounding area in Wied Bingemma in Nadur at the end
of a trial by jury on Wednesday. The verdict was reach by seven votes
to two.

He was also found guilty on charges of trafficking and possession with
intent to distribute with eight votes to one.

The Gozitan man was sentenced to 18 years in prison and fined €45,000.

Before the sentence was passed, defence lawyer Dr Joe Brincat begged the
court to consider the defendant's clean conduct prior to the case and
brought the court's attention to Mr Muscat's heart problems.

Prosecutor Lara Lanfranco insisted that the court should conversly also
consider the fact that the accused attempted to slander the police
during the trial.

The large amount of cannabis related to this case was mentioned by
Justice Joe Galea Debono in passing his sentence. He also maintained the
need for uniformity in drug cases, particularly with impressing on the
public the damage done by illict substances.

http://www.maltamedia.com/artman2/publish/law_order/article_4899.shtml

---
Paul Muscat, 59, from Gozo was found guilty of cultivating cannabis in
his fields and the surrounding area in Wied Bingemma in Nadur at the end
of a trial by jury on Wednesday. The verdict was reach by seven votes
to two.

He was also found guilty on charges of trafficking and possession with
intent to distribute with eight votes to one.

The Gozitan man was sentenced to 18 years in prison and fined €45,000.

Before the sentence was passed, defence lawyer Dr Joe Brincat begged the
court to consider the defendant's clean conduct prior to the case and
brought the court's attention to Mr Muscat's heart problems.

Prosecutor Lara Lanfranco insisted that the court should conversly also
consider the fact that the accused attempted to slander the police
during the trial.

The large amount of cannabis related to this case was mentioned by
Justice Joe Galea Debono in passing his sentence. He also maintained the
need for uniformity in drug cases, particularly with impressing on the
public the damage done by illict substances.

http://www.maltamedia.com/artman2/publish/law_order/article_4899.shtml

---
RE-CRIMINALISING THE PLANT

The only effect so far of the governments’ ‘Public consultation on
drugs seems to be a plan to put cannabis back into class B. If the
government goes ahead with a recriminalisation of the cannabis
community, they will discover why they put cannabis into class C
originally.

The report by the Institute for Criminal Policy research into Policing
cannabis as a class C drug shows that not much has changed as a result
of cannabis being in class C. The main difference is that the
number of of arrests for small amounts of cannabis has dropped. The
Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA) predicted that cannabis use would fall
if it was downgraded into class C. According to the governments own
figures, use has dropped by 25% . We based our prediction on the fact
that in Holland the use among the Dutch Nationals is half what it is in
Britain where it is prohibited. Many people who have used class A drugs
have found that cannabis is the most effective way to break a Class A
addiction.

LCA predicts that if cannabis is returned to class B with the attendant
criminalisation of cannabis users, then there will be the following
results:

Increase in alcoholism
Increase in street violence
Increase in Class A drug use, particularly Cocaine
Increase in the prison population . At any one time there are 1000
‘cannabis only’ offenders in prison.
Increase in gun crime
Increased addiction to pharmaceutical drugs more distrust of the police

Steve Barker, a spokesperson for the LCA, said: "The government seem to
be taking notice of the campaign of failed writer Debra Bell who a year
ago started a website called ‘talking about Cannabis’ in a
weekly/monthly website diary she accounts her failures to
communicate with her disobedient son William.

"Mrs Bell is still hoping to get a publishing deal out of her account of
her family breakdown. Several LCA members recently attended the lobby
in the Houses of Parliament that she called to promote her cause. We
found that the majority of the people there were parents of users of
heroin and other drugs , not cannabis."

What was not made clear to the public at the time of reclassification
to class C was that the penalties for the offence of cultivation or
‘intent to supply’ class C drugs was increased to class B level: a
maximum of 14 years imprisonment. Many people cultivated a small
amount for personal or medical use, under the impression that this was
tolerated. They ended up being caught in a trap of a criminal
prosecution. and some even a confiscation order meaning they can lost
their house and their savings.

Steve Barker added "If the Government does carry out its plan to return
cannabis to class B we can only hope that the level of tolerance to
personal use will remain and that possession of small quantities will
remain a non-arrestable offence. Also that cautions which are give out
on occasion for possession of small amounts will not count as a criminal
offence. A conviction can put a person in danger of losing his or her
employment."

Alun Buffry from the LCA said: "The Advisory council on the Misuse of
Drugs is to hold a session for oral testimonials on February 5th at the
Excel Suite in London. When the LCA applied for a slot to present our
evidence based upon personal experience with cannabis, the ACMD said
that the agenda was full and could not be changed, and evidence had to
be submitted in writing within a few days. Meanwhile prominent
prohibitionists such as Debra Bell and Marjorie Wallace have been given
up to an hour.

"Self-confessed cannabis users are once again being ignored despite the
fact that figures suggest as many as 25% of people have used the plant
and so few have suffered from that use."



Steve Barker
Legalise Cannabis Alliance
01508 480528
SteveBarker@lca-uk.org
http://www.lca-uk.org/