PORT RICHMOND-August 22, 2004 — Police say the firefighters who perished in the basement of 3630 Belgrade Avenue in Port Richmond died in a tangled web of wires, high intensity lamps and fans that were rigged in a basement closet to grow marijuana. *- Despite the tragedy of this event it is important to remember that like the dangerous moonshine stills of the days of alocohol prohibition, the type of dangerous grow room described above, is largely due to the illegality of marijuana.

TORONTO — A marijuana protest turned nasty Saturday when at least two people were detained during scuffles with city police on a park lawn near the provincial legislature. The dustup started after police -- accompanied by municipal bylaw officers and parks officials -- shut down the Canabian Day festival, a pro-pot rally when Toronto organizers failed to produce the necessary permits and insurance. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1093127573838_85/?hub=Canada

It’s not often that police are ordered to hand the contents of a marijuana grow operation back to the very people they confiscated it from. But that’s the decision a court of law made Wednesday regarding two police raids on a local compassion club. http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20040818-014/page.asp

In an outrageous verdict that shows the disparity of Canadian Cannabis Law, in order to "set an example" Saskatoon Judge Lavoie sentenced Marc Emery to 3 months in jail for passing two joints! If this is drug trafficking what was Paul Martin's wife doing when she was dishing out hash brownies? Send out the Press Release on the show page to your local media and write PM Martin and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler and tell them what you think about this travesty of justice.Mail Marc a Letter of Support c/o Saskatoon Correctional Centre 910 60th St. East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 2H6

Indianapolis -- After months of touting their past accomplishments, Governor Joe Kernan and GOP challenger Mitch Daniels are suddenly confronting past indiscretions. Specifically marijuana use. Daniels admits while at Princeton his use led to an arrest, two nights in jail and a $350 fine. An account Democrats quickly challenged. http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=2187761&nav=9TaiPyUt

An anonymous tip lead Counter Narcotics Alliance officers and Tucson Police to a Midvale apartment complex last night. They arrested Timroy Blake, Jason Brooks and Shawna Grant. Police say the Jamacians had nearly 200 pounds of marijuana. It was ready to be shipped out of state. http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=2187536

On Tuesday, drug agents busted an international drug trafficking ring. The Dominguez drug organization had ties to Jamaican smuggling organizations. It's reported they were responsible for bringing up to $1 million worth of marijuana into Southern Arizona every day. http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=2177012

A $665,000 house in the Tucson Mountains is one of 30 properties seized by drug agents of the Counter Narcotics Alliance last week. Authorities have now started forfeiture proceedings on the homes and over 50 vehicles. A number of them are luxury vehicles, like a Mercedes SUV. http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=2177012http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=2181965

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BBC- An ingredient in marijuana may be useful for treating brain cancers, say Spanish researchers from Madrid. Chemicals called cannabinoids could starve tumours to death by halting the growth of blood vessels that feed it, the Complutense University team hope. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3561686.stm