Burmese Dissidents Broach Opium Decriminalization

As Burma’s opium wars continue despite the country’s democratic opening, activists are using the new political space to advocate for a more tolerant policy on poppy cultivation.

At a Feb. 16 panel in Rangoon, the Drug Policy Advocacy Group (DPAG) issued a call for a reform of Burma’s drug laws, The Irrawady newspaper reported.

“The 1993 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law focuses on punishment. But what then, after a drug user is given imprisonment?” asked DPAG coordinator Dr. Nang Pann Ei Kham. “The 1993 law is out of date, and what’s more, is that it has not been a successful law [in terms of] drug elimination.”

Under the 1993 act, a prison term of five to 10 years is imposed for any narcotics offense.

This, of course, has done nothing to slow Burma’s booming opium production. The country has, for decades, vied with Afghanistan for the dubious honor of the world’s top producer. It is currently in the second place slot, but rapidly catching up.

DPAG has been working to develop an advocacy platform for “non-punitive, evidence-based drug policy changes” in the country. The network was formed in 2014 under the name “Support, Don’t Punish,” to give voice to opium growers in the northern mountains who have been protesting government eradication campaigns.

Key recommendations raised by DPAG at the Rangoon meet included decriminalization of drug use and small-scale poppy cultivation by those with limited sources of livelihood.

The group also recommended voluntary treatment instead of punishment for drug addiction, and shifting the focus of enforcement to large-scale trafficking.

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by Bill Weinberg at High Times

Philippines Marshals Troops in Deadly Anti-Drugs Crackdown

BY JIM GOMEZ

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines’ main antinarcotics agency signed an agreement with the military Tuesday to harness troops in President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly anti-drug crackdown after he barred the national police force from carrying out the campaign to cleanse its ranks of rogue personnel.

Military spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said that troops would only back up the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, or PDEA, which has a tiny force, in assaults against major drug suspects and in raids in far-flung areas facing insurgency and terrorism threats under the new agreement.

Troops would not get involved in routine street and residential checks and raids against small-time targets, Arevalo said. Previous community raids by police have left thousands of mostly suspected drug users and petty dealers dead since July, alarming the United States, Western governments and human rights groups.

“With this agreement, we can now push through with our new and bigger role in ending the illegal drugs scourge,” Arevalo said. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines will only be involved in high-impact operations and arrest of high-value targets.”

The military would also back the agency in building up intelligence and investigating government officials and personnel and influential groups linked to illegal drugs, he said.

Duterte barred the 170,000-strong national police from his anti-drug crackdown a few weeks ago after two anti-narcotics officers were implicated in the killing of a South Korean businessman in an extortion scandal that allegedly used the antinarcotics campaign as a cover.

The victim was reportedly strangled to death by one of the officers inside the main national police camp in metropolitan Manila, angering Duterte, who ordered an internal cleansing of a police force he once said was “corrupt to the core.”

Since the police force was removed from the crackdown, the number of raids nationwide has declined and police officials have reported that the illegal drug trade has returned in some communities.

On Tuesday, Duterte said he has ordered the national police chief to form special task forces of new police personnel with clean records and “imbued with the fervor of patriotism” to carry out anti-drug operations. It may take a long time to form such task force, he said, because “it’s not easy to look for honest men.”

“I have to call back the police again to do the job most of the time on drugs,” the president said. “I have to do it because I don’t have enough people.”

The PDEA, which only has more than 1,800 agents, has tapped the national police to help it fight an illegal drug trade Duterte said has worsened into a national security threat.

Drug assaults whether by the military or police would be supervised by the PDEA, he said, adding he has asked the police to form monitoring squads to conduct surveillance on police personnel who would be dismissed from the force amid the ongoing cleansing operation.

“They were criminals when they were policemen, so all the more they would be when they’re out of the police force,” Duterte said.

“I will really have them marked,” he said. “I would like to warn them, I won’t spare you, you will really be the first to die if you commit a wrongdoing … your wives will really become widows.”

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by Associated Press at High Times

6 Scrumptious Cannabis Cookies

Rights Group Says Thai Prisons Fall Short of World Standards

BY KAWEEWIT KAEWJINDA AND DAKE KANG
ASSOCIATED PRESS

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s prisons fail to meet international standards, with inmates routinely shackled, stuffed into overcrowded cells and forced to work in harsh conditions, an international human rights group said Tuesday.

Thailand also has the highest incarceration rate in Southeast Asia, jailing 425 out of every 100,000 people, according to the report by the International Federation for Human Rights.

There are more than 260,000 inmates in 148 prisons with an originally estimated capacity of less than 120,000, the report said, with the massive overcrowding forcing the inmates to live in harsh conditions.

Most inmates were convicted on drug-related charges, the legacy of a war on drugs launched by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003. Under Thai law, possession of heroin or methamphetamine is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The overcrowded conditions are made worse by high turnover among guards, forcing prisons to rely on skeleton staffs, said the Paris-based human rights group.

Prisoners told interviewers from the rights group that overworked guards would beat them with clubs, throw them in solitary confinement, or keep them chained and shackled for weeks, despite government initiatives in 2013 to end the practice.

With too many prisoners, inmates can find themselves stuffed into packed cells with no beds and squat toilets with no enclosures for privacy. At night, they lie pressed against each other on mats on bare linoleum floors.

The prisons have medical clinics, but at one Bangkok prison inmates say they are treated by “two-minute doctors” because they rush through the medical checks. Inmates work seven days a week, sewing, folding paper and fixing shoes, earning as little as 23 U.S. cents a day, according to the report.

“The claim made by the Thai government that the country’s prison conditions conform with international standards is ludicrous,” said Dimitris Christopoulos, the president of the rights group. Prison conditions violate various U.N. treaties barring torture and stipulating minimum prisoner rights that Thailand ratified decades ago, the group said.

Government agencies involved in justice and narcotics issues say they are working to ease the problems.

“We’re trying to fix it,” said Kobkiat Kasiwiwat, director of the Corrections Department. “They’re in the process of fixing drug laws to have milder punishments and push people towards rehab more, instead of throwing them in prison.”

Thailand amended its regulations on prisons this month, but the laws still allow shackling, solitary confinement for more than 15 days, and liability exemptions for prison officials in certain situations – all breaches of international standards, the report said.

Thailand is ruled by a military junta, which seized control from a democratically elected government in 2014. After the coup, the junta jailed some civilians at military detention centers, where rights groups allege that soldiers use torture to extract confessions. At one center at a Bangkok army base, two people charged under Thailand’s lese majeste laws – defaming the monarchy – were found dead within weeks of each other in 2015.

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by Associated Press at High Times

High Horoscopes | March 2017

Now monthly: The HIGH TIMES astrological forecast, complete with strain recommendations!

Ask Aelie anything! Find her on Facebook and Twitter.

ARIES

While watching the Oscars this year, audiences around the globe gushed over the beautiful and unique gowns, most of which were accompanied by some version of the tuxedo.  Some might think tails to be a timeless masterpiece, but isn’t it just the same old look, over and over again, even if you add a sparkly bow tie or a jaunty cummerbund? This is your tux month: a mindless revisit of the same damned suit—heightened and intense yet super repetitive. It might feel like the madness from 2016 is upon you again, but fear not: it is in fact a secret penguin suit, armoring you for a deep dive into the icy waters of release and self-care. Swim! Leave those silly celebrities behind and whip your way through the blue waves. Strain recommendation: Blue Dream

TAURUS

Your energies and wellness levels have been low lately; it’s difficult to rise up and challenge the day when you feel like you need a nap 20 minutes after waking up. You’d think that the cure would be to get more sleep, but in fact the opposite is true. What you need is some stimulation, inspiration and excitement. Your blood needs to course freely, your breath needs to be deep and your muscles must be flexed. Your monthly prescription is to drag your fatigued body into nature, awaken your creativity with a collaboration and soothe your heart by taking your honey out on a date, or taking a chance with a new love. Strain recommendation: Grape Ape

CANCER

While most memories fade with time, some root themselves into our subconscious so deeply that we can feel helpless to them. They surface without being called, stay as long as they want and leave an ache in your bones. I am reminded of the aunt who would arrive without notice and no specific date of departure. Despite the love we had for her, the weight of her presence could not be ignored. I invite you to make friends with your visiting aunt; tell her that you understand why she has come, but that you need her to move on. You need to lay down the law. She is absolutely welcome to visit but on your terms only. I know it’s hard, but if you don’t make a conscious decision to control what your brain fixates on then it will control you. Strain recommendation: Four Way

GEMINI

You have always been a sensitive flower; ready to take things personally and blame yourself for imagined slights and invisible scowls.  A shift is coming, however; someone will send a thought to your brain at the exact moment you have a window of emotional flexibility and mental sponginess open. This will allow the thought to fly in and settle into your guest room: ready to be considered, analyzed and ultimately adopted. The thought is this: Let it go, no one cares anyway.  So now all you need to do is pay attention to your inner monologue. Every time you hear yourself thinking the same old tired refrain “nobody liked me’, drag the needle across the record like a bad 90’s rap break. Make red lights flash, bells ring and sirens alarm and then let this new thought swarm your senses. Strain recommendation: Jack Herer

LEO

Ah poor misunderstood Leo; the lion who is more pussycat than predator, humble not proud, almost unaware of his own beauty, full of brains without the need to mansplain. What a wonderful catch you are! You’ve been working that tail off lately and finally now you have been given a moment to breathe. Are you taking it seriously enough? Will you allow all that piled up desert dust called stress to be washed off in the cool rain, freshening up your dirty fur? All of those wonderful Leo qualities are hidden when you don’t take care of yourself. Your frustration turns to aggression and your subtly is replaced by unnatural forcefulness. Please put those paws up and drink a freakin’ mojito already. Strain recommendation: Lee Roy

VIRGO

When I think of you I hear The Beatles chant “Good-day-sun-shine!”. I see you strutting down a sunny street, local vendors waving hello, children handing you hand picked flowers, stupid bunnies hopping by your side. It’s just lovely, super sweet and sugary. In fact, I am getting cavities. Where’s the grit? You used to have a bit of funk in your trunk. You used to be called Ms. Nasty on the sly. You weren’t scared of getting a little dirty. Your task this month is to let the skank-shine in. Dip down low when you boogie my friend. You have all the permission in the world this month to do all the fun consensual adult things you want but have been locking away in your rainy day closet. Freak flags must fly! Strain recommendation: Destroyer

LIBRA

You are a rolling stone: wherever you lay your hat is your home. You visit all the parts of you that have been scattered by time, barely stopping between each to catch your breath. What is of more importance than this work of keeping your loved ones bonded to you? However, while you flit across the globe, seeing your beautiful family and friends, hugging their bodies, laughing at old stories, wiping away tears and dancing, you must remember there is more to you than just your relationship to others. Yes, absolutely, connection is crucial, but so are your own interests: the things that make you an individual. Some of your passion has dulled and it’s time to relight the flame. Can you channel your old fire to serve you on this new family focused mission? Strain recommendation: Blue Mystic

SCORPIO

How much of your day do you spend thinking about what others are saying about you? And how much time is spent thinking nasty thoughts about others? For such a kind person you can get caught up in this mean girl preoccupation of letting your insecurity feed your bitterness and vice versa. This is a childhood pattern that you have yet to take in hand. You’ve done great work on yourself in the past, but this is a blind spot that continues to elude you. Now is the time. See the space this cycle takes up in your life and do away with it. Highlight and hit delete. It’s clogging up your hard drive and slowing down your operating system. Strain recommendation: Deep Cheese

SAGITTARIUS

Stanford researchers have confirmed what everyone already knows: walking helps promote creativity. Is it the movement, the repetition of the steps, which allows the brain to wander? Or is it the fresh air that gets the oxygen into the brain? Maybe it’s the solitude, though many creative walks are taken with partners. Whatever it is, I am prescribing a few good long strolls for you this month. It’s time to get out of this artistic slump. Weighed down by so much blah-blah lately, you’ve forgotten to let the juices flow. You have a big idea coming, it’s brewing and it’s a good one, so do what needs to be done. Drink the imagination prune juice, so to speak. Strain recommendation: Sunset OG

CAPRICORN

So much sitting on your butt lately! You’ve got a serious case of flat ass. Sciatica been acting up? Let me introduce you to Kaizen. The Japanese practice of gradually implementing a new practice in your life, one minute a day. Set an alarm to ring at the same time every day, and right then, stop everything you are doing, get up from your goddamn chair, and dance or jog or do jumping jacks for a minute. Don’t stop mid way! You’ll see how quickly you get bored and want to do something else, it’s remarkable but you must push through; it’s only a goddamned minute. Maybe by the end of the month you will be a little less sloth-like. Good luck with that. Strain recommendation: Purple Elephant

AQUARIUS

The opportunities you’ve been waiting for are going to pop up earlier than expected. This March will be beaver month. Busy. Busy as a beaver. No other meanings of beaver are to be applied. Just the pervy little animal with the big teeth. So, loads of career pressures and many hours to be spent slugging away to achieve them are coming your way.  Do what you can to prepare ahead of time: pack your lunches, clean the dishes, do the laundry. Call your pals and tell them you can’t come out to play for a while. Don’t get caught with your pants down during beaver month. Those teeth are sharp. Strain recommendation: White Nightmare

PISCES

Maeve Higgins, the Irish comedian who co-hosts Star Talk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, was discussing political correctness in comedy on the show recently. She said that when she is wondering if a new joke might be considered offensive she asks herself “Is this punching up or punching down?”. This is a great quote for you this month, as you work your revolutionary magic. Firing folks up, getting your righteousness on, speaking your mind – keep in mind that when attacking an idea, you want to punch those who are not traditionally on the bottom struggling for place. Punch upwards, at the bullies who loom. Keep up the good fight! Strain recommendation: Lemon Pie

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by Aelie Câlin at High Times

79 Reasons Trump Should Support Legalization

Bone up on your actual cannabis facts while listening to the President's address to Congress tonight.

The post 79 Reasons Trump Should Support Legalization appeared first on Leafly.

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by Bruce Barcott at Leafly

STRAIN OF THE DAY 03/01/2017: MASTER BUBBA (INDICA)

CANNABIS STRAIN OF THE DAY 03/01/2017: MASTER BUBBA (INDICA)

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by Potbox, Inc.