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Loretta Nall with an interesting tale of President Obama’s college friend, Rep. Artur Davis of Alabama, asking people online during his gubernatorial campaign about which policies they’d like to see enacted, much like Obama’s “Open for Questions“.
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 1:20 pm | By: Radical Russ
(Tampa Bay Online) TAMPA – Known as Rachel’s Law in honor of slain police informant Rachel Hoffman, legislation about the use and control of confidential informants goes into effect Wednesday.
In Hillsborough County, supervisors whose detectives and deputies handle confidential informants will attend an eight-hour training seminar about the law Wednesday.
The new law will require police departments to train officers who recruit confidential informants, tell informants they can’t promise a reduced sentences in exchange for their work and allow informants to consult with a lawyer if they ask.
Hoffman’s parents had wanted even stronger language in the bill, including barring police departments from using people in substance-abuse programs as drug informants and those who are nonviolent in work involving suspects with violent histories. Both provisions would have excluded Hoffman — a nonviolent offender in treatment — from the undercover operation she participated in.
Police departments opposed those provisions, saying investigators need flexibility to make judgments on a case-by-case basis. Hoffman’s parents said they will return to the Legislature to ask for even tougher provisions.
Translation: the new law will force cops to tell snitches they can’t promise reduced sentences, which is something cops could never promise anyway, but would slyly avoid saying as they made every hint and implication that they could promise a reduced sentence. The new law will give snitches the right to speak to an attorney, which they already had. The new law won’t stop cops from using people in drug rehab as snitches, because most of the people who could be leveraged into becoming a snitch are low-level non-violent offenders who’d likely be sentenced to drug rehab. And the new law won’t stop cops from using non-violent offenders as snitches against violent predators, because again, cops don’t have much leverage against the violent offenders.
In other words, aside from possibly having to say “We cannot guarantee you a reduced sentence and you may wish to speak to an attorney” before they frighten and intimidate the next Rachel Hoffman into becoming a snitch, it’s business as usual in Florida.
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Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 10:20 am | By: Radical Russ
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — With the parents of a slain police informant looking on, Gov. Charlie Crist signed a law Thursday that will require police departments to adopt policies to protect people like their daughter.
The bill signing took place a year after the death of Rachel Hoffman, a 23-year-old Florida State graduate who was helping the Tallahassee police. She was recruited by authorities after being caught with some marijuana and pills not prescribed for her.
She was shot to death in a botched drug sting that began May 7, 2008, and two men are now charged in her death. Her parents pushed for the legislation, named “Rachel’s Law.”
Hoffman’s mother, Margie Weiss, told the governor she got goosebumps as he signed the bill, and she said she planned to put the pen he used on Hoffman’s grave. Hoffman’s father, Irv Hoffman, wiped away tears during the ceremony and said later that he was “honored” the bill passed.
The new law will also require police departments to: train officers who recruit confidential informants, tell informants they can’t promise reduced sentences in exchange for their work, and allow informants to consult with a lawyer if they ask.
Hoffman’s parents had wanted even stronger language in the bill, including barring police departments from using people in substance abuse programs as drug informants and those who are nonviolent in work involving suspects with violent histories. Both provisions would have excluded Hoffman – a nonviolent offender in treatment – from the undercover operation she participated in.
Police departments opposed those provisions, saying investigators need flexibility to make judgments on a case-by-case basis. Hoffman’s parents said they will return to the Legislature to ask for even tougher provisions.
Q: What kind of case is it where law enforcement needs the flexibility to send non-violent folks in rehab on stings to catch violent predators?
A: Most of them. Law enforcement uses the low-level marijuana offender as a narc to go after the mid-level drug dealer. What makes him mid-level? More money and harder drugs. Who has the skill set to be mid-level? Guys who tend to have violence in their history. Where does the justice system place the low-level marijuana offender? In substance abuse rehab.
In other words, nearly everyone police would want to use as a confidential informant would be in court-ordered rehab and nearly everyone they’d want to pursue with confidential informants would have a violent history. If Rachel’s Law was passed as her parents intended, there’d be virtually no use of confidential informants, which means far fewer drug cases, which means much less cash and property seized for the police. You can understand why law enforcement would lobby so hard at the Capitol for some “flexibility” here.
Instead the police get some new training on how to properly place non-violent marijuana possessors on undercover stings meant for violent criminals, they are limited to telling one less lie to the confidential informant, and the confidential informant is re-granted the right she already had to speak with an attorney. The public gets a dog-and-pony show of a bill with a tragic victim’s name on it so they can believe the problem’s been solved and law enforcement is allowed to continue to employ its dangerous drug war tactics against non-violent citizens.
UPDATE: Here’s the new law. Cops also can’t date the C.I.s, I suppose that’s good. That lawyer you’re allowed to consult before becoming a C.I.? You have to pay; you get no right to public defender. And while the law has a list of all sorts of considerations law enforcement should take into account before making you a C.I., they really don’t have to do it and you really can’t make them, because at the very end…
The provisions of this section and policies and procedures adopted pursuant to this section do not grant any right or entitlement to a confidential informant or a person who is requested to be a confidential informant, and any failure to abide by this section may not be relied upon to create any additional right, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a defendant in a criminal proceeding.
Monday, April 27th, 2009 at 5:20 pm | By: Dudemaster
From Tampabay.com 29 Apr 09 – The House just unanimously approved a bill that would create greater safeguards for police informants — nearly a year after the death of Florida State University grad Rachel Hoffman.
“Depending on your age, Rachel could have been your sister and Rachel could have been your daughter,” said Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs, the bill sponsor. “Rachel Hoffman’s death was unnecessary and unneeded.”
But the bill (HB 271) has lost some of its force after law enforcement groups complained provisions would hurt the widespread use of informants. Hoffman’s parents, who watched from the House gallery, say they will fight to strengthen the legislation next year. Among their wishes: That people in drug treatment programs not be used as informants.
Hoffman agreed last April to become a police informer after officers found marijuana and ecstasy in her Tallahassee apartment. The 23-year-old was found dead of gunshots on May 9 after police gave her $13,000 to buy 1,500 ecstasy pills, cocaine and a gun from suspected drug dealers. Two men have been arrested.
Rachel Hoffman was a bright young Florida State University graduate arrested for possession, and subsequently forced into drug deal by Tallahassee Police who unintentionally arranged her brutal murder. (Just a reminder for our readers that on issues related to marijuana, police are NOT your protector, they are your oppressor).
As crazy as this sounds, that is exactly what police did. They arranged for her to meet several known violent criminals, left her completely alone with them, the criminals killed her, and now she’s dead. No charges have been filed against any of the law enforcement officers that unintentionally arranged her murder.
If you are ever asked, compelled, or ordered to participate in an undercover narcotics operation as the result of a “deal” you’ve made with the DA, you need to understand they do NOT have your best interested in mind. Their only concern is “the bust”, above and beyond your safety. Your concern should be your safety above everything else. Rachael Hoffman would still be alive today and would likely be finishing her culinary school this spring if she would have said, “no” to being a narc.
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You Stashers rock! Plenty of comments and chatter over in the Guestbook, and 95 of you signed up on Day One. Consider yourself the O.S. (Original Stashers) – come meet me at Seattle Hempfest and tell me you’re an O.S. and I’ll have li’l suttin suttin fo ya. Holla!
(Oh, that sounds funnier than it types, especially coming from a translucent spud like me.)
Today on the Stash something a little different. We talk to a lot of doctors, activists, politicians, and musicians, but every so often, we like to talk to your average everyday cannabis consumer. Tim Carll was a student at the University of Central Florida who found himself in a Rachel Hoffman-like predicament with law enforcement: busted for weed, set up for a drug sting involving massive amounts of ecstasy pills, and a scared 20-year-old facing the possibility of death.
Not from marijuana. From prohibition. Could be you. Could be your kid. Could be a niece or nephew or even just the part-time server/student you remember from your favorite lunch hangout. Marijuana’s never killed anyone. Marijuana prohibition has killed quite a few.
Then stick out your toungue and say “ahh,” Dr. Mitch Earleywine is here with your Cannabis Science. Today we look at teens and the reasons they don’t use or quit using marijuana. Here’s a shocker: it’s not because it’s hard to get or expensive.
Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 9:17 pm | By: Radical Russ
Dear Stashers, I hope you can forgive me for today’s Stash, which I can’t get completed and uploaded tonight. I volunteered to help two dear friends and Oregon NORML volunteers move across town from the scary county to the friendly county for medical marijuana patients. They now have gone from hive apartment to nice home with nice basement and nice grow room! In the process, I managed to acquire the big old freezer nobody wanted. It was win-win for everyone… except you guys, because I was out all day moving and doing errands and you didn’t get your Stash.
I’m sure most of you will find a way to cope and reduce the anxiety and stress.
Lots of stories will be forthcoming, though. I’ve got eleven drafts ready to go, including announcements of medical marijuana and decrim bills in Virginia, South Dakota, and Connecticut. Plus some really cool interviews, including Clifford Shaffer, head librarian of DrugLibrary.org and a Stasher who had a Rachel Hoffman-like sting experience (with a better ending, obviously).
Finally, made a couple of extra tweaks to the blog. Long lines in posts shouldn’t cause the page to get out of whack anymore. I’ve turned on the ability for you to create your own account here at the Stash, so your comments will appear immediately and you can keep a public profile and set a Gravatar image. To register your account, just use the “Register” link below “Stash Login” over on the right below the Stash Player. When you create an account, the Stash will email your password. When you login, you can modify your profile and change your password. Go to Gravatar.com to create an icon registered with the same email address you used for your Stash account and you’ll have a cool picture next to all your comments.
I promise a great Stash tomorrow… and some exciting musical news next week. — “R”R
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Another documentary on tonight (for my West Coast peeps) at 10pm – Rachel Hoffman on NBC’s “Dateline:NBC” show. Don’t miss it!
I’ve also got the audio from the Aaron Houston / Asa Hutchinson debate, with my analysis, and a replay of the Kris Hermes interview, so the people who only surf by on the weekends will hear the story of the first DEA raid of the Obama Administration.
[UPDATE: What the hell is wrong with me? I have a two-part interview with Liza Patty, Rachel Hoffman's friend, that I should be replaying on today's Stash! Give me a moment to get them uploaded and I'll post them here. -- "R"R]
bullbog: Hawkeyes you had a good run...this toke is for you.
Track Snack: Mornin Stashers! Tokin on the Mean Green Martian for breakfast.
MrSpof: Maybe Dr Mitch could comment on the efficacy of reasonable amount of weed like that consumed (smoked) quickly mitigating migraine effects. I know the lowering of blood pressure would be [...]
MrSpof: Had the onset of a migraine yesterday. Immediately took 8 , moist cool washcloth on eyes, heating pad on neck and upper back, turned off lights. Migraine gone in [...]
MrSpof: As you personal non-accredited doctor, I advise the rest of you to smoke/vape/eat heavily
slash5city: frickazee'd.... Mr. Spof, thank you very much
MrSpof: Risen and roasted How the hell are you?
RevRayGreen: always Fidget......always.
Adam: Maybe in WA, judges are starting to think about the true cost of a Drug charge...
Adam: Tim Lincecum, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants will pea to a paraphernalia charge/ Possession charges DROPPED
Adam: Add some cottage cheese to your pancake batter, replace the maple with a fruit syrup! f-ing killer, YES I was stoned...
Fidget Truittelli: Good morning from beautiful Arizona! I hope you all have a happy, fun day. Remember to 'pay-it' forward. Do something nice for someone.
BenJaMin: Go NORML!!!
BenJaMin: Russ Is Tha BEst! :smokin:
SneakerPimp: oh there it is thanx russ
SneakerPimp: so whats up with today stash?
RevRayGreen: Barney Frank Present When Partner Arrested for pot-- http://bit.ly/1XpM2R
RevRayGreen: KMK 11/17/09 VAL AIR ballroom DSM
bullbog: that's crazy. I had a NORML black t-shirt on. It was hell of a show
RevRayGreen: dude I was probably 4-5 seats from you then
bullbog: 4th row center. I wish I was closer.
RevRayGreen: were in in the orchestra pit 4th row? or 4th row center, that's where I was bu slightly to the right
RevRayGreen: our show ______v'''''''
RevRayGreen: catch our chow tomorrow online Carl'sCannabis Corner
www.macswordlive.com 12-2 PM you can go there now and find archived shows
"Truth In Trials Act" Reintroduced In Congress; Maine: Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Measure; Colorado: Breckenridge Voters Overwhelmingly Decide To End Pot Penalties. […]
Maine: Voters To Decide Next Week On Medical Marijuana Expansion Measure; Colorado: Breckenridge Voters To Decide Next Week On Eliminating Pot Penalties; California: Lawmakers Hold Historic Hearing On Marijuana Legalization; New Hampshire: Senate Fails To Override Medical Marijuana Veto. […]
Gallup: Majority Of West Coast Voters Back Marijuana Legalization; Pot Arrests Responsible For Majority Of Marijuana Treatment Referrals; DOJ To Federal Prosecutors: Do Not Focus Resources On Medical Marijuana. […]
Some of the nation’s top athletes discuss why today's pros are turning to cannabis — and away from alcohol and painkillers — off the field, and question why pro sports leagues are continuing to sanction those who do. Moderator: Steve Bloom, Author, Pot Culture; editor, celebstoner.com * Toby Grear, MMA fighter * Sean Neumann, Documentary Filmm […]
Cannabis Law Reform's Missing Link: Law Enforcement Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper; LEAP and NORML Advisory Board; Author of Breaking Rank Putting the Mexican Cartels Out of Business Mexican drug cartels now employ over 100,000 soldiers and are responsible for nearly ten thousand deaths per year. Their largest source of income is marijuana. […]
Stash for Tue, Jun 30, 2009
frickazee'd.... Mr. Spof, thank you very much
and roasted 
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