Psychoactive Drugs

Corrupt Pima Sheriff's Deputy Sentenced for Aiding Smugglers

A judge sentenced a former Pima County Sheriff's deputy for his role in ripping off drug smugglers, attempting to distribute marijuana, and aiding a drug trafficking organization.  Francisco Jimenez pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiring to commit offenses again ... More >>

Poll: Most Arizona Voters Support Medical-Marijuana Act; 59 Percent Would Legalize Pot

An increased number of Arizona voters support the 2010 Medical Marijuana Act, and most would vote to end marijuana prohibition, a new poll shows. The poll of 600 Arizonan residents was conducted on January 9 and 10 by Public Policy Polling on behalf of the National Cannabis Industry Association. T ... More >>

Teenagers May Get Marijuana From People Who Have Marijuana, Local Media Discovers

According to several Valley reporters, a new survey shows that some Arizona teenagers have obtained marijuana from people who can legally possess marijuana."No shit," say the rest of us.See also:-Medical Marijuana in Arizona a "Charade," and What's Wrong with That, Exactly?-Arizona Organix Steps Out ... More >>

Marijuana Legalization Passed in Colorado and Washington; Massachusetts OKs Medical Marijuana

Marijuana wasn't on the ballot again in Arizona this year, but historic elections concerning the intoxicating plant could affect how it's handled nationwide. Colorado and Washington have become the first states in the country to legalize the possession and use of marijuana for any adult 21 or over. ... More >>

Sun City's Alleged Meth-Lab Mom Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse

Half of a Sun City couple that allegedly ran a meth lab in their garage pleaded guilty this morning to child abuse.Brenda Lipe initially faced five felony charges after she and her husband, Lancelot Lipe, were arrested in April after Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies found out Lancelot had allegedl ... More >>

Arizona Medical-Marijuana Law Debated in Court; Judge Criticizes Wording of 2010 Law

Medical marijuana in Arizona faces an important court decision in a case that local prohibitionists see as a weak link in the voter-approved 2010 pot law. Arizona Republic reporter and rapid-fire Tweeter Yvonne Wingett-Sanchez has been filing live updates from the courtroom this afternoon. The hear ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday August 30, 2012

Arizona Medical-Marijuana Card Database Used Frequently by Cops and Employers

See also: Blunt Justice See also: Marijuana is Real Medicine for a Long List of Ills A database of everyone who has an Arizona medical-marijuana card is being well-used by employers and law enforcement officials, a report of database users shows. The 2010 Arizona Medical Marijuana Act requires ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Grower Shot and Stabbed During Apparent Robbery

A medical marijuana grower was shot and stabbed inside his Surprise home yesterday in an apparent robbery.Martin Ridgway is in critical condition after being shot once in the abdomen and stabbed multiple times by one of the three men who came to Ridgway's home posing as medical marijuana patients, p ... More >>

Pot Activists Rally at Phoenix Police Headquarters

See also: Medical-Marijuana Supporters Plan Rally at Phoenix PD Headquarters on Wednesday at 5 p.m. See also: Judge Orders Arizona to Implement Medical Marijuana Act Marijuana advocates rallied outside Phoenix police headquarters yesterday evening, demanding respect for state law. Motivated at lea ... More >>

Arizona High Schoolers Beat the National Average (in Cocaine, Meth, and Steroid Use)

According to the federal government, Arizona's high school kids are above average -- in drug and alcohol use.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its annual report yesterday on "risk behavior" in high school students, and there's not a single category related to drugs or alcohol t ... More >>

Medical-Marijuana Clubs Busted in Tempe, Phoenix; Arizona Patient Education Center Sold Pot, Cops Say

The Tempe and Phoenix locations of the Arizona Patient Education Center, which provided medical marijuana to state-registered patients, were raided on Thursday by Phoenix police. "These guys applied for a (dispensary) license but didn't have one, but it doesn't matter anyway because they're not all ... More >>

Arizona Medical Marijuana Act's 25-Mile Ban on Growing Pot Challenged in Lawsuit; Another Suit Seeks Different Rule Change

A new lawsuit over Arizona's Medical Marijuana Act targets the provision that bans patients and caregivers from growing pot within 25 miles of an open dispensary.Bill Hayes, a marijuana activist and qualified patient who lives in Surprise, argues in a federal complaint filed yesterday that the provi ... More >>

Punks Target 71-Year-Old Medical Marijuana Applicant for Burglary Attempt. Victim Only Had Small Amount of Weed

​A 71-year-old Phoenix man recently applied for a medical-marijuana card -- which apparently was all it took to make him a target for a few punks looking to steal some medical weed.According to the Phoenix Police Department, about 5:30 p.m. yesterday, a neighbor of the victim's called 9-1-1 to ... More >>

Eric Holder Must Clarify Decision on Medical Marijuana, Congressmen Say; Dems Argue for States' Rights, Repubs Want Federal Status Quo

Barney Frank​ Four U.S. Congressmen want Attorney General Eric Holder to clarify the Obama Adminstration's position on medical marijuana, and what they're asking for cuts down party lines. Ironically, it's two Democrats who are pushing for states' rights, while two Republicans are demanding&nb ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Patient: Gilbert Police Took Me to Jail

  ​In the latest sign that Gilbert police have gone rogue, a medical marijuana patient tells New Times that he was taken to jail two nights ago for possessing a half-ounce of weed. This is the third case we've heard about in the past week in which Gilbert officers allegedly told patie ... More >>

Tom Horne, Arizona Attorney General, Worked With Anti-Prop-203 Leader Carolyn Short on Federal Lawsuit Idea

Image: Carolyn Short's Facebook siteCarolyn Short, leader of the "No on 203" movement, admits she's actively trying to defeat the voter-approved medical marijuana law. Tom Horne and Jan Brewer appear to be taking her cues.​ Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne discussed a plan to launc ... More >>

Governor Brewer Fails to Defend Will of Voters in Attack on Medical Pot; Supports Enforcement of Federal Drugs Laws

Governor Jan Brewer is failing to stand up for Arizona's voters following the Arizona U.S. Attorney's threat to arrest participants of the state's new medical marijuana program.​ Governor Jan Brewer ought to just come out and admit it: She's thwarting the will of voters who approved Ari ... More >>

Anti-Prop 203 Bill Would Allow Employers to Discriminate Against Qualified Medical Pot Users

Image: www.azleg.govState Rep. Kimberly Yee, R-Phoenix, wants employers to have the right to discriminate against and fire qualified medical marijuana users.​ A state lawmaker wants to scratch out the anti-discrimination clause in Arizona's medical marijuana law and give immunity to employers ... More >>

Montana Lawmakers Vote to Repeal Medical Pot; Arizona's Prop 203 Probably Safe From Similar Fate

Montana's House of Representatives voted today, mainly along party lines, to repeal the state's voter-approved medical marijuana program. It seems doubtful that Governor Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat, will go along with the plan -- even if this really isn't his pot card.​ Montana's State House ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Tax Proponent Aims Lower; State Rep. Steve Farley Now Wants 100 Percent Tax, Not 300 Percent

​ State Representative Steve Farley, D-Tucson, plans to amend his proposed 300 percent tax on medical marijuana, lowering the tax rate to 100 percent of the retail cost. The amendment, which hasn't yet been posted online, also details where the new revenue would go. Farley's assistant tells Ne ... More >>

Arizona's Medical-Marijuana Pioneers Don't Know the Final Rules of the Game Yet -- But They Are Certain of the Prize

Map Your Medical Marijuana Dispensary; State Wants to Allow One Medical Pot Shop Per "Health Analysis Area"

  ​Arbitrary locations around the state created in 2005 by the state Department of Health Services will help guide where medical marijuana stores will go. The state agency created the "Community Health Analysis Areas" in 2005 for other purposes, but has found them useful in rolling out ... More >>

Doctors Recommending Medical Marijuana to be Scrutinized by State and Medical Boards

  Will Humble, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, explains how rules for the state's medical pot system attempt to screen out recreational users.​A state database under development will help regulators figure out whether money-minded doctors and recreational pot use ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Should be Taxed, Says AZ Attorney General Tom Horne

Tom Horne​ Republicans are anti-marijuana and anti-tax. Unless there's a buck to be made. Tom Horne, the state's new Attorney General, just came out in favor of taxing the medical marijuana soon to be sold in Arizona. True, a small tax on the product isn't such a bad idea. The pot shops will ... More >>

Proposed Rules on Medical Marijuana are Illegal, "Cruel and Unreasonable," Says Valley Doctor

​ Proposed restrictions on Arizona's voter-approved medical marijuana law are worse than illegal, says one Valley doc -- they're "cruel and unreasonable." Edgar Suter, a Mesa doctor of nuclear medicine, writes in an a lengthy call-to-arms today that the state Department of Heal ... More >>

Mesa Woman Brings 5-Year-Old to Meth Deal

MCSOLori Hammar brought a 5-year-old with her when she allegedly sold meth to an undercover cop.​September 22, was apparently "bring a kid to work day" for a Mesa woman, which is never a good idea considering her job is allegedly selling crystal meth.Lori Hammar, 38, was arrested on Tuesday after ... More >>

Medical Marijuana: Prop 203's Passage Means a New Billion-Dollar Industry for Arizona

Ibogaine Helps Junkies Kick Heroin and Meth. Is It the Trip That Does the Trick?

Joe Arpaio Pissy Over Pro-Pot T-Shirt Bearing His Image

Joe hates this t-shirt​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's panties are in a bunch over a t-shirt that's being distributed by Arizona's "Weed Party." The t-shirt is pro-prop-203, shows a picture of a pot leaf, and pictures Arpaio suckin' on a weed pipe.We have one in our office -- it's very hip.Th ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Proponents Remain Hopeful, Despite Early Results

Andrew Myers of Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project checks preliminary results on Prop 203.​As initial poll results start to come in, Proposition 203 -- the Arizona Medical Marijuana Initiative -- is losing by a small margin. The mood at Alice Cooper'stown-- where supporters of Prop 2 ... More >>

Arizona Medical Marijuana Bill Still Too Close to Call

Andrew Myers of Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project addresses the crowd at Cooper'stown.​As we reported, more than 70 percent of precincts have delivered voting results -- and Proposition 203, Arizona's Medical Marijuana Initiative, is losing by a narrow margin. As this is being writte ... More >>

Border Agents Find 22 Pounds of Heroin in Truck Engine

www.icanhascheezburger.com​We don't claim to be well-versed in the black tar heroin trade, but a pound of heroin seems like a lot. That said, 22 pounds of heroin seems like a shit load -- and that's exactly how much of it border agents found in the engine of a pickup truck that tried to cross into ... More >>

Prop 203 -- the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act -- Puts the Chronic in Chronic Pain

Why Medical Marijuana is Awful -- Compliments of Keep AZ Drug Free

​Prescription pot has become a hot topic in Arizona lately because of Proposition 203.Prop 203 would allow people suffering from various ailments to be prescribed marijuana by a doctor. It will appear on the ballot in November.A lot of people don't like it, but it's not just conservative party ... More >>

Arizona Cardinals Get Political -- Not on Immigration, On Medical Weed

www.gohastings.com​Like the Phoenix Suns, the Arizona Cardinals have decided to get political.Don't expect to see any Los Cardinals jerseys, or anything immigration related -- the Cards sat out the whole SB 1070 debate (it was the off-season). The Cardinals are throwing their political weight (and ... More >>

High Science: Synthetic Marijuana Is Legal, and It Might Get You High -- But Is It Safe?

U.S. Senate Candidate John Dougherty's Got a Plan for the War on Drugs: End it

​U.S. Senate candidate and former New Times columnist John Dougherty (pictured) discussed his plan for the infamous "War on Drugs" this morning at a debate near Yuma. Bottom line: End it. The "squares" have gotta love that."The War on Drugs has been an abject failure. We need to move it o ... More >>

Budget Analysts Predict 66,000 People Would Sign Up for Medical Weed if Legalized in Arizona

​If medical marijuana is legalized in Arizona, 66,000 people would register to be recipients of prescribed pot -- that's according to a legislative budget assessment of what the impact would be on the state should medical weed be legalized in Arizona. Analysts predict that 39,600 pe ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Heads Back to Arizona Ballot

​Arizona voters will have yet another chance to vote on whether they want medicinal marijuana legalized in this state, thanks to the efforts of a statewide advocacy group that's collected hundreds of thousands of signatures over the last several months.Only 153,356 signatures were needed to ge ... More >>

DPS Announces First Quarter Drug Bust Numbers; They're Impressive

www.mysouthwest.com​Arizona is a hot-bed for drug activity in the United States and the Arizona Department of Public Safety announced this morning just how hot it is. According to DPS, officers recovered nearly $30 million in drugs and more than $2 million in drug money during several ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Probably Will Be on Arizona Ballot in November

​The Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project announced today that it will submit more than enough signatures to the Secretary of State's Office to get an initiative that would legalize the use of medical marijuana on the November ballot here.The initiative only requires 15 ... More >>

Psychedelic Mushrooms May Help Treat Drug Addiction; Somebody Call the Irony Police

www.theemptyroom.com​Congratulations drug addicts -- doctors hope to prove that the cure for your addiction is the actual cause of your affliction: More drugs!Doctors from around the globe are meeting in San Jose, California, this week to revisit the topic of hallucinogenic drugs used t ... More >>

Max Fose, Former McCain Political Aide, Fights Medical Marijuana Initiative; Also Behind State Tax-Increase Initiative

Image: Max Fose's Facebook page PR hound Max Fose wants to deprive sick people of medicinal pot and tax them more at the same time.​A former political aide for John McCain has put up $2,500 of his own money to counter a medical marijuana inititiative that probably will be be on the 2010 bal ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Tax Bill Clears Arizona Senate

www.chattahbox.com​A voter initiative to legalize medical marijuana in Arizona is likely to go to the voting booth in November and if it passes, the state hopes to tax the ever-loving crap out of medicinal weed.The Arizona Senate passed SB 1222 yesterday, which allows the state government to levy ... More >>

DPS Officers Find 17 Pounds of Meth in Bumper of Chevy Malibu

Arizona DPS​A San Diego man was ridin' dirty through Goodyear yesterday, but Department of Public Safety officers cleaned him up.Rap metaphors aside, a guy got busted with about 17 pounds of crystal meth hidden in the bumper of his car.

Two Teenagers Set Record for Largest Attempted Meth Smuggling Ever at Yuma Checkpoint

www.shoelace.org Let's just hope her kids aren't in the backseat.​Two teenage girls made history at a border checkpoint in Yuma, but it's hardly a record that will make their families swell with pride. The two unnamed girls, ages 18 and 19, were arrested by border patrol agents for attempt ... More >>

Doris Marie Provine @ Changing Hands Bookstore

The Bong Show

Pay $1,200 for a water pipe? Are you high?

Meth and Sex

Tweakers, straight and gay, are obsessed with sex. The result is that pregnancy and HIV-infection rates among meth-heads are increasing at alarming rates