"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded."

Abraham Lincoln (1809-65), U.S. President. Speech, 18 Dec. 1840, to Illinois House of Representatives --

IL: Illinois Dealer Faces 20-year Sentence; State Police Catch Two Men With 4,400 Lbs Daily RFT | 2/24/10 | Keagan Hamilton

CO: Sirota: Rogues Gone Wild Summit Daily | 2/22/2010 | David Sirota

“I am in control here in the White House.” — Secretary of State Alexander Haig, 1981

IL: Marijuana Substitute, K2, Readily Available Chicago Sun-Times / Feb, 20, 2010 / Jim Janssen

You don’t have to look hard to find legal dope for sale at Chicago head shops. The marijuana substitute called K2 is openly on display, sold as incense for up to $35 a gram.

You’ve certainly heard me talk about Michele Leonhart enough here.

Now that President Obama has nominated her to stay on officially as Director of the DEA, we do have the opportunity to educate the Senate before her confirmation.

Someone at Change.org has put together an action item — a petition to sign and send letters to your Senators.

Check it out here. Only 23 people have acted so far on this item — would be nice to see that go up a bit.

Why there isn’t a shield law everywhere that prevents prosecuting anyone who calls 911 to report an overdose… well, it’s beyond me. The fact that activists have to work hard to even get such a bill considered is ridiculous.

That means that a majority of politicians are essentially saying: “No, I’d prefer that they die.”

From our Oakland rally with Mickey Martin.  Via Fox Reno television:

Lauren Payne of Americans for Safe Access … said the Obama Administration has said it will no longer raid medical marijuana clubs and she believes it’s time for federal prosecutors to honor that policy.

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IL: Candidates For IL Governor Weigh In On Medical Marijuana

13 News Today / Jan 03, 2010 / Staff \

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Candidates for governor in Illinois discuss legalizing marijuana for medical use in an Associated Press questionnaire.

It’s the time of year for family, and carols, and eating, and football on widescreen, and a whole lot more.

I’m spending the week on the road — currently with my Mom in Indianola Iowa, and later with my Dad in Quincy, Illinois (both are 87). These are important trips — time with family is precious.

Perhaps you’ll have some time with family this week as well. So I’d like to give you two seemingly contradictory pieces of advice.

IL.:Efforts Under Way To Stem U.S. School Dropout Problem

Andrew Stern CHICAGO Efforts under way to stem U.S. school dropout problem | Reuters Wed Dec 2, 2009 1:28am EST

Reading a puff piece on one of the most disingenuous anti-cannabis activists in America, Dr. Andrea Barthwell of IL and VA, made my eyes roll as the contradictions and hypocrisies kept coming out–like a parade of clowns in one’s mind.

From Crain’s Chicago Business