BRITAIN: Five Hospitalized After Drinking Poppers At Dance Music Festival

Via the Independent:

At least five people have fallen ill after drinking suspected “legal highs” at Parklife festival over the weekend. Four people have been discharged from North Manchester General Hospital but a 26-year-old woman is still being treated, police said. Her condition is not known. Greater Manchester Police said festival-goers had been drinking poppers, which are usually sniffed. Officers seized 400 bottles of the drugs and are urging anyone who bought them to hand them in “before it’s too late”. Chief Inspector Gary Simpson said: “We are now extremely concerned that people are drinking poppers and this poses a significant risk to life and would urge anyone using, or considering using them or any 'legal high' to cease from doing so immediately, before it's too late. "Anyone who has consumed any of these substances is urged to seek medical help immediately.

Last month Britain banned the selling of amyl nitrate, but personal possession remains legal.

Bill Maher Launches 4/20 Holiday Petition

From the petition:

Now that marijuana is legal in one form or another in 24 states and counting, I’m here to urge you to sign my petition to make 4/20 a national holiday. We celebrate everything from Arbor Day to Groundhog Day to a National Day of Prayer. It’s high time we had a weed day. Because if we can set days aside to pay tribute to trees, a rodent or a space ghost, we can certainly designate one day to officially recognize a true American institution. Sign my petition and make 4/20 a national holiday.

Roy Moore's Son Busted On Drug Charges

Caleb Moore, the apparently still-partying son of Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, has been arrested yet again on drug possession charges.

According to court documents, officers responded to the 1200 block of Allen Street in Troy to a report of an attempted home break-in. They found five men, including Moore, outside near a pickup truck that smelled strongly of marijuana. After the men said there were no drugs in the vehicle, officers searched the truck and found a bag of marijuana in the glove compartment, along with Moore's passport. Several Xanax pills also were found in the bag. Moore was arrested and taken to the city jail. He was released on bond totaling $8,500. His first court appearance is set for April 7 before Pike County District Judge William Hightower.

Several weeks ago I reported on Caleb Moore's social media posts, prompting him to say this to AL.com: "I've done nothing more than any other college kids. Because of who I am, it gets blown out of proportion. Since then I've got in a closer walk with the Lord. Whatever anyone says about me, it doesn't bother me. The people who know me and know what's true can really see what's going on here and see through critics of my dad."

This is Caleb Moore's third arrest on drug charges. As I noted in my first post about him, tax records appear to indicate that in 2012 he worked part-time for the virulently anti-gay Foundation For Moral Law, which was founded by his father and is now headed by his mother, Kayla Moore.

UPDATE: More from the Montgomery Advertiser:

Caleb Moore has been charged with possession of marijuana in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class C felony. Bond was set at $1,000 on the marijuana charge and $7,500 on the controlled substance charge. Scott Hoyem, a spokesman for the Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts, confirmed the arrest Monday but said Chief Justice Moore would not comment on it, calling it a personal matter.

Per Alabama law, conviction on a Class C felony calls for this prison sentence: "No less than one year and one day and no more than 10 years."

OHIO: Parents Sue Amazon After Son Overdoses On Caffeine Powder

Via the Associated Press:

The parents of an Ohio high-school student who overdosed on caffeine powder last May have filed a lawsuit against Amazon and the powder’s manufacturer, claiming they failed to provide suitable warnings. Doctors caution that people can overdose with ease. Dennis and Katie Stiner of LaGrange, Ohio claim the online retailer sold the Hard Rhino caffeine powder to a classmate of their son. Logan Stiner, 18, was found dead inside the family home last May, after consuming the powder. Medical examination declared the cause of death to be “cardiac arrhythmia and seizure caused by acute caffeine toxicity.” Amazon has declined to comment on the lawsuit, but the company did stop selling Hard Rhino after another man died in Georgia last summer. “Parents should be aware that these products may be attractive to young people,” the Food and Drug Agency said in an advisory issued, in December 2014, urging consumers to “avoid powdered pure caffeine” as it is “nearly impossible to accurately measure” a proper dosage at home.

The Hard Rhino powder has 4700mg of caffeine per teaspoon. An average cup of coffee contains about 320mg.

DC Legal Pot Law Goes Into Effect, GOP Threatens To Have Mayor Arrested

Via USA Today:

Despite warnings from congressional Republicans, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser allowed D.C.'s marijuana legalization law to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, told Bowser that if she continued with her plan to implement marijuana legalization she would face "very serious consequences," The Washington Post reported. "You can go to prison for this," The Post quoted Chaffetz as saying. "We're not playing a little game here." Bowser was undeterred by the threat of prison time. "We are acting lawfully," she told reporters. "I have a lot of things to do, being in jail wouldn't be a good thing." Nearly two thirds of D.C. voters approved Initiative 71 in November. Under Initiative 71, people ages 21 or older will be allowed to possess two ounces or less of marijuana, use marijuana on private property and give one ounce or less to another person as long as no money, goods or services are exchanged. Residents will also be permitted to cultivate up to six marijuana plants — although no more than three mature plants— in their primary home.

Recreational use of marijuana is also legal in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington state.

On Highsexuality

Dr. Marcie Bianco writes at Mic.com:

Does getting high make you a little gay? If so, you may just be a "highsexual." The term, ensconced in Urban Dictionary since 2009, made its way onto two Reddit forums in recent weeks as a way to describe the alleged phenomenon of participating in sex with someone of the same gender or having same-sex fantasies when getting incredibly high. But while perhaps not common parlance, these two threads — "Can LSD make you temporarily gay?" and "Weed makes me temporarily gay. Anyone else?" — are example of a phenomenon that's been around for awhile. It seems straight guys have wondered about "highsexuality" for a few years, given the plethora of online evidence. Are drugs the key to sexual fluidity in men? Responses in both Reddit threads exhibited an awareness of "highsexuality," as well as the fact that getting high makes you horny and just might lead to a more unconventional sexual encounter. But they also were encouraging in their acceptance of sexual fluidity.

Hit the link for examples from the Reddit threads.

REPORT: Accused HRC Co-Founder Terry Bean Met Teenaged Boy On Grindr

Portland police yesterday reported that accused HRC co-founder Terry Bean, 66, met the teenaged boy he is charged with molesting on Grindr. The boy was identified after police were given his phone number by Bean's former partner, Kiah Lawson, 25, who has also been charged with sexual abuse of a minor. Via the Oregonian:

Bean and Lawson are accused of setting up an encounter with the teen through the iPhone app Grindr, a mobile social network that helps men find "local gay, bi and curious guys for dating.'' The app advertises, "Meet the men nearest you with GPS.'' Bean, 66, and Lawson, 25, are accused of having sex with the boy at a Eugene hotel on Sept. 27, 2013. A Lane County grand jury indicted both on two counts of third-degree sodomy and one count of third-degree sexual abuse. On Friday afternoon, Lawson pleaded not guilty to the three-count indictment in Lane County Circuit Court. Bean, who posted bail, is set to appear in court Dec. 3. "The surprising thing to me is Kiah was indicted in this case because it was Kiah who helped authorities find this kid,'' said Jeffrey Dickey, Lawson's attorney at the time. "If someone is going to cooperate and be helpful for the police there should be some kind of reward for that. It could have a chilling effect on others coming forward.''

Bean contends that he is the victim of an "extortion ring" that included Lawson, who claims to have discovered that Bean secretly videotaped sexual encounters with Lawson and other men in Bean's bedroom. It was Bean who first went to police in June to charge that Lawson and others were demanding money in exchange for remaining silent about the videotaping.

In March of this year, Bean filed for a restraining order against Lawson, claiming domestic physical abuse. In that petition, Bean claimed that Lawson is a crystal meth addict who had burglarizing his home and charged $15K on stolen credit cards. He also accused Lawson of dealing meth out of  Bean's second home, a condo where Lawson lived at that time. Bean claims that police characterized his accusations as a civil dispute between landlord and tenant.

UPDATE: Lawson's mother has weighed in.

Lawson’s mother, Tim Nouanemany, told KOIN 6 News after the hearing her son never had contact with the teen, and that Terry Bean arranged the encounter. She also said Lawson is himself the victim, a pawn used by Bean to “get young kids.” She called it “grooming,” and claimed several times Bean gave her son alcohol and Viagra as part of the grooming process to entice the teen. Nouanemany is sticking by her son and said she just wants the truth to come out. She also hopes he gets to take a lie detector test. Lawson, she said, went from being a happy young man last year after first meeting Bean to someone who is not himself lately.

And there's this from the 15 year-old's lawyer: "He’s been traumatized and he’ll be living with that trauma. It’s important that the two adults involved he held to account for that. Something like this can follow a victim for their life. As we go to electronic court records, everything becomes searchable."

RELATED: In August of this year, a New Jersey man filed a federal lawsuit against Grindr, alleging that the hook-up app's "lax age verification standards" led him to be arrested for having sex with a 13 year-old boy, who had been allowed to be a paying member of the site. Grindr's motion to dismiss cites the Communications Decency Act, which they claim immunizes companies from bad acts resulting from misinformation provided by other parties. They additionally claim that the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that it is "not feasible" for web publishers to verify the age of users. 

NEW YORK CITY: Gay Banker Found With Throat Slashed After Online Hook-up

Gay Citigroup executive Shawn Miller, 42, has been found dead in his lower Manhattan apartment after apparently hooking up with a man he met online. Miller was discovered with his throat slashed "from ear to ear," but NYPD investigators say his death was likely a suicide fueled by crystal meth and alcohol.

Cops initially suspected foul play, saying earlier that no weapon was found in the apartment and that Miller was caught on surveillance video arguing with a male companion in the building’s elevator. When crime scene investigators moved Miller’s body, they discovered a knife under him, leading them to believe he slashed his own throat and collapsed into the tub on top of the weapon, sources said. Detectives now suspect Miller killed himself after going on a booze- and drug-fueled bender since at least Monday with a stranger he hooked up with through the classified advertising website Backpage.com, the sources said. Police found evidence of alcohol and drug use in the apartment, including what appeared to be crystal meth, sources said. The man who Miller was arguing with in the elevator apparently left the banker’s apartment late Sunday or early Monday, sources. Miller called down to the lobby and asked the doorman not to allow the man back into the building, according to sources.

Records show that Miller called 911 twice to report that he was being stalked by somebody outside his apartment building. Police are seeking the man seen on the surveillance video.

MAP: What EU Nations Are Worst At

The categories for France, Denmark. and Romania are really dumb compared to the seriousness of the others. Visit Thrillist for a breakdown. A huge version of the map is here. (Via JMG reader Aaron)

NYPD To Ease Pot Arrests

Fairly major marijuana news for New York City:

In a historic change, city cops on Nov. 19 will stop arresting people on low-level marijuana charges and issue them tickets instead, Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said on Monday. People caught smoking on the street would still wind up in the pokey, however, but someone caught with less than 25 grams of marijuana would be slapped with a noncriminal violation. “As for those who want to avoid summonses, don’t do it; it’s that simple,” Bratton said at a press conference at NYPD headquarters, holding up a baggie of oregano as a visual aid. “It’s still against the law. I’m not giving out get-out-of-jail-for-free cards.” If found guilty, a first-time violator would face a fine of $100; for a second offense, a fine of $250 could apply, a high-ranking police source told the Daily News. Mayor de Blasio, who made curtailing the NYPD’s use of the stop-and-frisk tactic a central campaign pledge, said the new policy would be more fair. “Too many New Yorkers without any prior convictions have been arrested for low-level marijuana possession,” he said. “Blacks and Latino communities have been disproportionately affected.” A marijuana arrest, if it leads to a conviction, means one has a police record, and that “hurts their chances to get a good job, it hurts their chances to get housing, it hurts their chances to qualify to get a student loan,” de Blasio said. “It can literally follow them the rest of their lives.

Drug-Addled Christian "Zealot" Beheads Teen For Practicing Witchcraft

Via Patheos:

Christian terror? In a grisly murder an Oklahoma college student with strong Christian beliefs nearly decapitates a young man because the victim practiced witchcraft. Isaiah Zoar Marin, 21, is charged with first-degree murder for the killing of Jacob Andrew Crockett, 19. Marin is accused of using a “long knife or sword” to kill Crockett. According to a court affidavit, the suspect, Marin, is described as a “religious zealot” and “heavy drug user.” The victim, Crockett, is the son of an Oklahoma state trooper. Police report the victim had what appeared to be multiple deep slash and stab wounds and the “head was mostly severed from his body.” Marin was watching videos on YouTube “related to his Christian beliefs and the Book of Matthew” before the murder, according to the affidavit.

From the alleged killer's Facebook page: "Tried to take on a demon and God had to help me through the tough parts. Got to be careful with my words and pay closer attention to my emotions. Need to figure out how to keep on speaking when I'm with the presence of the Lord God." (Tipped by JMG reader Scott)

NEW YORK CITY: Man Dies After OD'ing In Penthouse Of Gay Hotel Developer

A 25 year-old man died yesterday after an apparent drug overdose in the multimillion dollar penthouse of developer Ian Reisner (left), who in 2012 opened the posh Out NYC hotel and nightclub complex near Times Square.

Sean Verdi, of Bay Ridge, was rushed from 230 Central Park South to Saint Luke’s Hospital after Reisner called 911 about 8:20 a.m., police sources said. He died at 9:03 a.m. The death appeared to be a drug overdose, according to a police source, but the Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy on Thursday to determine the cause of death. Investigators do not believe that any criminality was involved, police said.   Verdi was found unconscious in a bathtub in hotel tycoon Ian Reisner’s penthouse apartment on Central Park South, police sources said. Verdi was graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., in May. He majored in bioengineering. He met Reisner previously in clubland, his parents told the Daily News on Wednesday night. Verdi, Reisner and a friend were at a bar in Hell's Kitchen before returning to Reisner's pad, Verdi's parents said, citing information given to them by NYPD investigators.

Reisner was arrested in May for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident in the Hamptons.

The officer found Mr. Reisner to be unsteady and slurring his speech. Roadside sobriety tests were administered, which police said he failed. He was taken to headquarters, where a breath test produced a reading of .06, too low for a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated but high enough for the drug-related misdemeanor charge. Mr. Reisner refused to have his blood drawn, the chief said. A blood test is the only admissible way for a court to determine the level and type of drugs in the body. Because he was arrested after East Hampton Justice Court had completed its Sunday arraignments, Mr. Reisner spent the next 20 hours in a holding cell at Cedar Street headquarters.

The nightclub at Out NYC opened as XL and is currently known as BPM. It's the largest gay nightclub in the city.

RELATED: In July, the New York Observer profiled Reisner's Central Park South penthouse, which he values at $25M.

UPDATE: Gay Socialites reports that Verdi was the manager of the popular Hell's Kitchen lounge Bartini.

TORONTO: The Ford Era Has Ended

Via the Associated Press:

Toronto's next mayor will be a straight-laced, button down moderate conservative — almost the polar opposite of current Mayor Rob Ford, whose term was plagued by scandals involving public drinking and illegal drug use. John Tory won Monday's election with 40 percent of the vote, compared to 33 percent for Doug Ford, brother of the outgoing mayor. Left-leaning Olivia Chow was third with nearly 23 percent, with 100 percent of polling stations reporting. "Torontonians want to see an end to the division that has paralyzed city hall for the past four years, and to all that I say, 'Toronto, I hear you. I hear you loud and clear,'" Tory told cheering supporters, vowing to restore Toronto's reputation on the international stage. Rob Ford's four-year tenure as mayor of Canada's largest city was marred by his drinking and crack cocaine use. He announced last month that he wouldn't seek re-election as he battles a rare form of cancer. His brother, a city councilor, ran in his place. "Hallelujah!" Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said upon learning the election results while on a trade mission in China.

More from the National Post:

Earlier in the day, Doug Ford had joined hundreds of volunteers pulling out the vote across suburban Toronto, where the brothers’ support remains strong. “I’ll be your voice, but we got to get elected,” he said urgently to anyone he met at a Toronto Community Housing building on Ellesmere. “If I don’t get elected, you’ve got no voice.” At an after-party at the Woodbine Banquet Hall that was much smaller than the 2010 victory romp, supporters had swarmed Rob Ford, who won his seat back in Ward 2. They demanded a “recount” on the mayoral race and yelled “In Ford we Trust.” “Ford Nation is alive and well,” Doug Ford confirmed after he gave a concession speech in which he congratulated John Tory on his victory. “We’ve changed the landscape of politics across the country and I’m proud of it.”

Voter turnout was pegged at just under one million, the highest in many years. Rob Ford won his brother's city council seat with 59% of the vote. His term as mayor ends on December 1st.

ASAP Science: Your Brain On MDMA

AUSTRALIA: Gay Club Issues Lifetime Ban On Patrons Found Using (Some) Drugs

Saying they are fed up with problems caused by patrons using GHB and crystal meth, the popular Melbourne gay nightclub Poof Doof has announced a lifetime ban for any customer caught using those substances. These bans will be shared with more than 100 nightclubs across Australia, who jointly use a system called Scantek to record the identities of problem customers.

It's the first time a city club has made a public stance on crystal methamphetamine, following moves at mainstream venues almost two years ago to place life bans on punters caught partying on the drug GHB. "There is a sadness and exhaustion attached to these drugs - everyone seems to know someone who has been directly affected," Poof Doof organiser Anthony Hocking said. "An individual who has been given a lifetime ban at one venue, will be flagged by all venues," he said. Melbourne clubs have been using the technology since 2006 and there are now 33 Victorian venues on Scantek. There are almost 4500 active bans across the country and nearly 1500 in Victoria with men accounting for 84 per cent of bans. Drug use or possession accounts for about 20 per cent of prohibitions, while threatening or violent behaviour is responsible for 43 per cent. Venues have used the system for years, but it is rare for Melbourne club owners, wary of being cast as having a drug problem, to go public and threaten drug users with lifetime bans. The last time was more than a year ago.

Poof Doof posted a statement on Facebook:

After seeing how these horrific drugs have affected our community, Poof Doof has decided to take action. Far be it from us to tell you what to do – we’re not the fun police – but we are putting our foot down with regards to what goes on whilst you’re all in our care on Saturday nights. Any doofer caught with these substances inside Poof Doof will be banned for life via the Scantek security system. This means that individual will also be banned for life at all other Scantek venues. Our venue staff and security will be assisting us to identify, eject and ban those individuals who have not heeded our warning. Make no mistake: we are serious. And the lifetime bans will be irreversible. Poof Doof says no.

Notably, the anti-drug campaign makes no mention of ecstasy or its current incarnation, molly. Doof, by the way, is Australian slang for a rave party.

Barney Frank: Pot Will Be Legalized

"Former US House Representative Barney Frank argues that the ignorance underlying resistance to same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization is similar. In both cases, he says, reality will overcome prejudice and ultimately be adopted as the law of the land."

Toronto Faces Used Ford Trade-In

ASAP Science: Your Brain On Coffee

NEW YORK CITY: Anti-Drug PSA To Air During Electric Zoo EDM Festival

Last year Mayor Bloomberg's office canceled the final day of New York City's Electric Zoo EDM festival on Randall's Island after two drug-related deaths and numerous overdoses took place despite repeated cautions to the 100,000+ attendees made by the promoters over the event's sound system. This year the organizers are stepping up their warnings with an anti-drug video that will be played "regularly" during the three days of Electric Zoo.

EDM fans going to Electric Zoo in New York City will have to watch a film about the dangers of drugs in order to gain entry. It’s all part of the “Come To Life” micro-campaign. Electric Zoo organizer Made Event announced the program this morning. Promoting the healthier aspects of dancing ‘til dawn, the program warns fans about illicit drugs, particularly MDMA, aka Molly or ecstasy. The two- minute film “The Molly” was created, written and produced by “Dexter” creator/writer James Manos, Jr., and his 19-year-old daughter Ellie Manos. “Ellie represents the target audience and she’s been to EDM concerts and seen the behavior of her peers on Molly,” Manos said. “She was the perfect partner to help me write the spot. “This is a really interesting and volatile time of life for teens and young adults, and I was up for the challenge of crafting the right tone, manner and overall approach to creating a PSA that would have a net positive influence in their behavior and lives, in an entertaining and authentic way.”

Electric Zoo takes place over Labor Day weekend. A three-day pass is $369 and single-day tickets are $139. Headliners include David Guetta, Kaskade, Armin Van Buren, Sasha, Danny Tenaglia, Victor Calderone, Pete Tong, and Paul Van Dyk. Watch The Molly below.

RELATED: Last week federal investigators arrested a 23 year-old man they allege sold drugs to one of the Electric Zoo attendees who died at the event.

New York Times: Legalize Marijuana

From the editorial board of the New York Times:

It took 13 years for the United States to come to its senses and end Prohibition, 13 years in which people kept drinking, otherwise law-abiding citizens became criminals and crime syndicates arose and flourished. It has been more than 40 years since Congress passed the current ban on marijuana, inflicting great harm on society just to prohibit a substance far less dangerous than alcohol. The federal government should repeal the ban on marijuana. We reached that conclusion after a great deal of discussion among the members of The Times’s Editorial Board, inspired by a rapidly growing movement among the states to reform marijuana laws. There are no perfect answers to people’s legitimate concerns about marijuana use. But neither are there such answers about tobacco or alcohol, and we believe that on every level — health effects, the impact on society and law-and-order issues — the balance falls squarely on the side of national legalization. That will put decisions on whether to allow recreational or medicinal production and use where it belongs — at the state level.