North County Times, 08 Dec 2012 – A response to Ray Raino ("Legalize drugs to help solve national debt," Dec. 5). I too recall the Prohibition era, as I lived in Chicago. It may be that those who wished for alcohol then were not corrupted with it at the end.

DrugSense

Times-Standard, 09 Dec 2012 – The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors unanimously extended the pot dispensary moratorium another year. Their primary concern was saving their own skins. "We are afraid the federal government might prosecute us for marijuana crimes, therefore we are going to deprive our constituency of access to lawful medical marijuana" was the call of the day. The supes used the advice of Deputy County Counsel Davina Smith as cover when she informed the supes that the law is unsettled with several cases up in the state Supreme Court that will be decided within a year. But those cases will not settle anything with the federal government. Anyone who thinks the federal government will change the marijuana laws between now and next year is dreaming.

The Reporter, 09 Dec 2012 – I think it’s entirely appropriate that Humboldt State University has developed an institute devoted to marijuana research (Editorial, "Marijuana research welcome," Dec. 4). Federal agencies such as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration have zero credibility. Ignorance is a prerequisite for employment.

New York Times, 09 Dec 2012 – LOS ANGELES – The small, open-hull fishing boats head north from Baja Mexico, traveling at night, their navigation lights off. It is an old smuggling route, popular with tequila runners during Prohibition in the 1920s and then little used for nearly a century. Enlarge This Image But as a result of a security crackdown along the border with Mexico, the waters off Southern California have again been teeming with smugglers in the last few years, as drug cartels seek new avenues to move illicit cargo into the United States.

Sacramento News & Review, 06 Dec 2012 – What’s a good holiday present for a stoner? You know, like pipes and stuff? – -St. Chron Nicholas Like pipes and stuff? For pipes, I like hella cool hand-blown glass made by artisans. Find them at a local head shop (duh). You can always get any manner of mass-produced smoking devices there (don’t say "bong" in a head shop; they’ll have to kick you out), but please take a moment to look at the hand-made pieces. In the past 10 years, especially on the West Coast, artists have embraced the softening of marijuana laws and are making all kinds of color-changing dragons and eyeballs and swirly things that don’t even look like pipes yet are pipes. Get your friend one of those-which look great on coffee tables and are terrific conversation starters-and maybe you will inspire someone to start their own art-glass collection.

The Reporter, 04 Dec 2012 – Last week’s news reports that Humboldt State University had developed an institute devoted to marijuana research instantly drew plenty of jokes. "We already have a college research institute devoted to marijuana," cracked late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. "It’s called college."

Los Angeles Times, 04 Dec 2012 – Crewman’s death after Coast Guard craft was rammed by a panga boat comes amid rise in use of sea routes. The small Coast Guard inflatable vessel was 20 yards from the panga, an open fishing boat that law enforcement officers say has become the craft of choice to ferry untold numbers of marijuana bales and undocumented immigrants from Mexico to Southern California.

Los Angeles Times, 03 Dec 2012 – Coast Guardsman’s Boat Was Rammed After He Approached Suspected Smugglers Near Santa Cruz Island. A veteran U.S. Coast Guard chief petty officer was killed Sunday after suspected smugglers rammed his vessel near Santa Cruz Island, casting him into the ocean with a fatal head wound.

The Daily Californian, 30 Nov 2012 – A local medical cannabis business will be moving its operations out of Berkeley after the City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to declare it a public nuisance. As part of the declaration, the city ordered Perfect Plants Patient’s Group — also known as 3PG — to shut down due to complaints from community members and multiple violations of the Berkeley Municipal Code, including operating in a commercial zone and being located within 600 feet of Longfellow Middle School.