MarijuanaNews.com : Article in University of Wisconsin Student Paper Follows The Prohibitionist Party Line. A Young Journalist Has a Great Future at the Washington Post.

September 14, 2000
From The Badger Herald
(MarijuanaNews note: The badger is an animal whose name has become
synonymous with persistent digging, a characteristic that is also admirable in reporters,
but not in evidence here. Perhaps they should change their name to The Gull.)
http://www.badgerherald.com/about/contact_staff.shtml
http://www.badgerherald.com/
By Eileen Boyce

MADISON POLICE SAY THEY WILL TAKE STUDENT MARIJUANA USE SERIOUSLY

As another school year starts, so begins the thrill of the Madison party scene, which
often involves the use of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs. It is a party scene,
according to Madison police, that should not be taken lightly.
See
Twenty Percent
Of Adults Living Within 100 miles of Madison Drink Heavily,
University of Wisconsin Study Says

While marijuana usage has continuously been a problem in Madison,
marijuana-related arrests are not primarily student-related, said Lt. Bill Housley of the
Dane County narcotics unit.

Despite arrests records, Housley and the Madison Police Department are still very
concerned with the potential dangers marijuana and other
controlled substances can bring to the UW-Madison campus area.
(MarijuanaNews note: Are the students genetically different from the
other area residents? Why is it a “problem” off-campus, but not on campus? It
certainly is not because the students don’t smoke. This article does not report on
the point that should be of greatest concern to students.)
See
Drug Arrest Record Disclosures On Student
Loans Go Into Effect

Madison police have a particular concern this academic year with a
new and much higher grade of marijuana being grown in Dane County.
(MarijuanaNews note: The potent pot myth comes to Wisconsin.)

See
Potent Pot Myth Undermined By Report From
The Ultimate Authority.
Cited By Swedish Prohibitionist Who Don’t Seem To Understand. As Usual.
and links

Lt. Housley said most marijuana arrests in Madison are possession arrests, but that
COLOR=”#ff0000″>distribution of high-grade marijuana that remains the department’s biggest
concern.
(MarijuanaNews note: Oh really?)
See
When Is There Mercy ? When
Is There Journalism?
An Excellent Article On A Horrifying Story Ignored By The Major Media

“The current grade of marijuana is a more potent and
dangerous strain than grown in the past,” Housley said.

However, many UW students do not view marijuana use as a significant problem.

“I don’t feel that marijuana use is problematic on this campus, although I’m not in
an environment where it is prevalent or frequently used,” said one UW junior
COLOR=”#ff0000″>who preferred to remain anonymous.

The more potent strain of marijuana, as with any controlled
substance, introduces potentially dangerous situations and may lead to the use of more
serious drugs.
(MarijuanaNews note: And now the Gateway “Theory”.)
See

href=”http://www.marijuananews.com/marijuananews/cowan/those_who_insist_on_keeping_the_.htm”>”Those
who insist on keeping the plant illegal bear a serious degree of moral responsibility
for young marijuana users who do go on to use cocaine, heroin,
PCP or other genuinely dangerous or addictive drugs.”
Alan Bock, of the Orange County Register On the Real Gateway
and links

The Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force reported 350 drug arrests of all types
between January and July. Reports have also documented homicides and
sexual assaults in connection with marijuana.
(MarijuanaNews note: And now the reefer madness. Would it be too
much to ask about these reports that have also “documented homicides and sexual
assaults in connection with marijuana”?
Consider this from the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force –
“Wild
marijuana can lead youths to get addicted to other drugs:”
The Rationale For Ditchweed Boondoggle
Is this really a credible source?)

“The level of impairment marijuana creates is its most lethal component,” said
Housley..
See
UK Study Finds Marijuana Use Makes Drivers
Safer. Now The Prohibitionists Can’t Hide the Study,
So They Will Just Ignore It.
and links

Many students said they do not think of marijuana as a dangerous drug.
See
Campus Magazine Survey Says Only 36% Of
College Students “feel that marijuana should remain illegal.”
But they downplay the results.

“I believe most students use marijuana because it is a type of high that is different
from alcohol, but not as addicting or serious as a drug like cocaine,” said another
UW student who preferred to remain anonymous. “I think
many students believe it is a perfect medium.”
(MarijuanaNews note: For another story with a Madison connection see
Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome:
Media Reports Decry Effects Of Illegal Drugs Such As Marijuana, Cocaine And Heroin.
“They don’t have anywhere near the effect that alcohol does on the unborn
baby.” )

A UW sophomore, who wished to remain anonymous, agreed that
marijuana use on campus is not taken to dangerous levels.
(MarijuanaNews note: Students are afraid to disagree publicly with
the party line. Doesn’t that raise some concerns?)

“I think those who use marijuana on campus do not do so to a dangerous extent,”
he said. “I’ve never really thought of it as a dangerous drug.”

Despite this belief, many health agencies and the MPD report many
serious drug habits begin with marijuana use.
(MarijuanaNews note: From the IOM report: “(I)t is the legal
status of marijuana that makes it a gateway drug.” Is that a sufficiently credible
source?)

Although UW students and Madison police officers do not share the same views on the
problem of marijuana, Madison police hope students realize the potential hazards of not
only marijuana, but also of alcohol and other drugs throughout the school year.
(MarijuanaNews note: Why should the students believe anything that
the Madison police say, or that the Badger prints? If the Badger really wants to do some
reporting on marijuana and the law they should see

color=”#000080″>How The War On Marijuana Really Works:
Great Journalism That Should Serve As A Template For Local Publications Around The Country.
)
and
Madison DA
Responds To The Isthmus With Reefer Madness and Illogic.
and

HREF=”http://www.marijuananews.com/marijuananews/cowan/madison_capital_times_reacts_to_.htm”>Madison
Capital Times Reacts To Isthmus Story On Marijuana Prosecutions:
DA Is On The Spot.
“Tax dollars and lives are being wasted on a fool’s mission that
sensible Madisonians thought they had ended more than two decades ago.”
and
Madison Mayor
Says Marijuana Possession Charges Should Be Handled Through City Ordinance;
DA Attempts To Intimidate Local Media

Copyright: 2000 Badger Herald

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