The U.S. Supreme Court said on October 14th it would not hear a case about whether doctors can talk to patients about medical marijuana. The decision allows existing laws that recognize the medicinal benefits of marijuana to stand in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, even though federal law still prohibits marijuana's use. Gwen Ifill gets two perspectives on the controversial decision from Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, and Dr. Andrea Barthwell, deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

NBC News. The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way Tuesday for state laws allowing patients to smoke pot if a doctor recommends it. The Supreme Court refused to let the Justice Department punish doctors in California and other states for recommending marijuana to their ill patients. http://www.nbc11.com/news/2553544/detail.html

First it's illegal to posses small amounts of marijuana... then it's not... now it is again... but that might change... depending on which Prime Minister you listen to. White House officials say we should be "ashamed" of our leaders... if you care what White House officials think anymore... all because judges want to make it easier for medical marijuana users to get pot from a legal supply that doesn't even exist! So where do you stand on marijuana reform?Featuring John Conroy, Alan Young, and Dan "The Traitor" McTeague.

CBC coverage of Cauchon's attempt to push his Americanized Decrim Bill through the House of Parliament. Although possession of small amounts of marijuana will be subject to fines instead of incarceration, this bill doubles the penalty for growing and distribution.

The federal government is considering changing its proposed marijuana decriminalization law by cutting the amount that would result in criminal charges from 15 grams to 10 grams, according to a report in The Globe and Mail. The current bill takes a tough line against illicit growers and traffickers, especially those linked to organized crime. The maximum penalty for grow operations would be boosted to 14 years from the current seven. The penalty for large-scale trafficking is already life, although 20 years has been the stiffest sentence handed out in recent years.

The federal government's latest attempt to patch the constitutional holes burning through its medical marijuana program has been rejected. And in the process, the Ontario Appeals Court has again made the possession of small amounts of pot illegal. Show Link Halfway down the page on the right. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1065535109744_60944309//#

Have you got an out of control youth who is experimenting with marijuana and other drugs? Why not try a little behavior modification? Send them to Calgary's Ivy Ridge for intensive prison like environment aimed at breaking their spirit.

Tuesday the 23rd of September 2003 saw the Parliament of Western Australia pass the Cannabis Control Bill 2003. This legislation reduces penalties for smallscale cannabis cultivation and possession to a system of fines or "education" sessions for up to 30g of cannabis and two non-hydroponic plants. Cannabis paraphernalia will be regulated with health warnings and 18 purchases only.While the law has passed, it will be another 6 months before Police have updated their procedures and are able to issue Cannabis Infringement Notices to offenders.

CTV News. Prime Minister Jean Chretien joked he would try marijuana once it's decriminalized in an interview. Joke or not, the remark has stirred up some heat as he tries to get his government's new marijuana bill through Parliament. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1065207902957_60617102//#

Roger Sylvester, 30, died a week after being detained by eight Scotland Yard officers at his Tottenham home in 1999. The inquest jury said he was unlawfully killed. He had been restrained too long, in the wrong position, it said. But the jury found Mr Sylvester died from brain damage and cardiac arrest, triggered and exacerbated by breathing problems which occurred during the restraint, and also cannabis-induced delirium. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3163192.stm