Washington, D.C.

Study examines effects of marijuana laws

Law enforcement officials in four of the states that allow medical use of marijuana say the laws have had minimal effect on crime-fighting, although they at times complicate prosecution of drug cases, a congressional report said Friday.

The report by the General Accounting Office said that only a small fraction of people in Oregon, Hawaii and Alaska used marijuana for medical purposes. The results in California, the fourth state studied, were limited to four counties.

In some cases, law enforcement officials said the marijuana laws resulted in “a general softening” in attitudes among the public toward marijuana, the report said.

Some officials were concerned about conflicts that arise with federal law enforcement, which still bans the drug.

Miami

El Nino helped limit hurricanes in 2002

With only four hurricanes, the Atlantic storm season that ends today was the calmest in five years, and forecasters credit the climate phenomenon known as El Nino.

Don’t expect such help next year, though: Storm expert William Gray said El Nino would probably be gone before the new season begins July 1.

In all, this season produced a dozen tropical storms, two more than average. The four hurricanes ” Gustav, Isidore, Kyle and Lili ” were two less than average, and all developed in less than a month, between Sept. 8 and Oct. 4.

El Nino also suppressed hurricane activity in 1997, but federal forecasters hadn’t expected it to be strong enough to have an effect this year.

El Nino results in increased evaporation and rising air currents that affect the winds that steer weather’s movement.