We frist brought you this story in May of 2009 Illinois Sheriff Arrested when this cop was just a thief. Stealing drug dealers marijuana, and guns. Now him, and his family have been arrested for murder for hire. Damn marijuana has never harmed anyone, but the prohibition of marijuana has made criminals out of other wise law abiding citizens.

Raymond and Krista Martin (Cody Martin, Inset)

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (AP) — Federal charges that the longtime sheriff of Gallatin County in southern Illinois sold marijuana while in uniform seemed odd enough to county board chairman Randy Drone. But new allegations the sheriff plotted from jail to have someone killed made the case even stranger.

“Is it greed? Ignorance? I don’t know,” Drone said Tuesday before Sheriff Raymond Martin’s first court appearance with his wife and 20-year-old son, who also are charged in the murder-for-hire scheme. “Arrogance — maybe that’s it. Thinking he’s so above the law he could actually get away with this.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Some Republican candidates for Illinois governor would consider allowing marijuana use for medical purposes, but others are sticking by long-held opposition that it would start the state on a slide toward pot legalization.

Smoking or eating the illegal drug eases pain and nausea in people suffering from a variety of ills without the sometimes harsh side effects of existing medicine, the state Senate agrees. It voted to approve using it under a doctor's care last spring, but the House failed to go along.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn says he's open to local efforts to decriminalize marijuana.

Produced by Travis Truitt on Thursday, July 23, 2009

AP/File

The Cook County measure must still be approved by board president Todd Stroger.

Meanwhile, Quinn says the state needs to review corrections policies, including the early release of some inmates near the end of their prison term. That move could save the state more than $100 million.

Source: Chicago Public Radio

DETROIT -- Cubs catcher Geovany Soto, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, tested positive for marijuana while representing Puerto Rico during the 2009 World Baseball Classic and has been banned from international play for the next two years.

Soto, who did not start today against the Detroit Tigers, will not be disciplined by Major League Baseball or the Cubs.

"While I fully acknowledge my inappropriate behavior, I want to assure my fans and my family that this was an isolated incident," Soto said in a statement released by the Cubs during their game against the Tigers. "I do not say this to minimize or deflect from my conduct and I fully understand the ramifications of my actions. I have and will accept any and all consequences.