Free Republic

LONDON, Ky. -- A major marijuana roundup in Eastern Kentucky resulted in federal indictments of 17 people accused of cultivating nearly 4,000 plants. U.S. Attorney Greg Van Tatenhove of the Eastern District of Kentucky said the joint federal, state and local investigations announced yesterday show authorities are serious about cracking down on the ''most widely used illicit drug in America.'' ''We're still in the midst of the battle,'' Van Tatenhove said at a news conference on the indictments. The two-day roundup of suspects that ended yesterday resulted in nine drug busts in seven counties -- Breathitt, Knott, Knox, Pulaski, Rockcastle,...

FAYETTEVILLE -- An armed man entered a soldier's Fayetteville home and stole one pound of marijuana Wednesday night. The soldier, her roommate, and a friend followed the suspect's vehicle and called 911 during their pursuit. The soldier, 24-year-old Linda Isabel Gonzalez did not immediately report to sheriff's detectives that the robber had taken the marijuana. She later admitted that the marijuana was stolen and did not want to pursue charges regarding the robbery. The Fayetteville Police Department located the vehicle, apprehended the gunman along with the driver of the vehicle. Gonzalez is an active military soldier in the Untied States...

A pot-legalization group is taking on the White House over marijuana. A group that wants to see marijuana legalized is angry with the Bush administration because they say the government is being too critical of pot. The issue all started with a letter from Scott Burns, the deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control. In the letter, Burns told district attorneys across the country that they must better educate the public about marijuana use. Keith Stroup, who heads up the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), claims the administration is going over the top suggesting...

BENTON - Prosecutors around the country are being urged to take a stand against attempts to legalize or decriminalize controlled substances - in particular, marijuana. “Those who support drug legalization are well funded and highly adept at manipulating the media,” reads a Nov. 1 letter to prosecutors from the president of the National District Attorneys Association, Dan M. Alsobrooks. “And they do not mind deceiving the American public as well.” The letter warns of “incremental victories” by those in favor of legalizing drugs and notes the “key role” local prosecutors play in anti-drug efforts. Included with the letter was an...