Why Is Marijuana Illegal In The United States?

In the United States, marijuana is illegal under federal law, which covers even states that legalize it. Under the scheduling system of the federal government, it’s a schedule 1 drug, meaning it’s deemed to have no medical value but with a high potential for abuse. Marijuana is in the same category as heroin and in a more restrictive classification than schedule 2 drugs such as cocaine.

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For nearly a century, there are different lines of reasoning used to argue for the criminalization of marijuana across the U.S., including the following. First, it’s perceived as addictive. Second, it is considered to have no medicinal use, and third, it has been historically linked with narcotics including heroin.

The 1906 Federal Food and Drug Act set the stage for the series of legislative acts on the substance – it didn’t actually restrict marijuana but instead expanded the federal government’s power regarding drugs. After three years, the Congress passed the Opium Exclusion Act. Twenty years later, the Food, Drug, and Insecticide Administration was formed. In 1930, its name was shortened to the FDA.

While many calls have been made to reschedule marijuana, there are serious hurdles along the way, mainly that there have been no large-scale clinical trials on the substance, which are traditionally needed to prove medical value to the federal government. It should be noted, however, that these clinical studies are much more difficult to undertake when a substance is strictly regulated as a schedule 1 drug.

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The barriers are in place to using marijuana medicinally with freedom, but debates around the marijuana policy rage on and are likely to continue doing so.

Adam Quirk is a private investigator who has had 15 years of experience working for both the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For more on Adam, visit this page.

Road Safety: Preventing Car Theft

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a vehicle is stolen in the United States every 44 seconds. Car theft prevention should always be on the mind of every car owner. 

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Always keep track of the keys and never leave them in places accessible to thieves. Leave spare keys at home, far from the main door of the house, and preferably in the bedroom. Avoid resting primary keys on key-holders near the main door as well. 

If there isn’t anyone behind the wheel, turn off the engine. Car owners often leave their cars running on their driveway, then head back inside their homes to finish their morning coffee or fix their bags. This mistake invites burglars and saves them time to break into the car with minimal effort. 

Park in well-lit areas to deter criminals. Parking near security cameras and entrances of establishments can provide car owners added layers of protection. 

Valuables are thief magnets or eye candies; never leave them inside the car. Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, purses, and even loose change are all temptations for break-ins. If a person has to leave valuables inside the car, this should be placed in the trunk, under the seats, or any other area of the car not visible through the windows.

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Adam Quirk is experienced in the areas of investigation of drug diversion, violent crime, and bank robbery cases, and interviewing witnesses and interrogating suspects. Read other similar updates by subscribing to this blog.

Tips To Help You Survive An Armed Robbery

Any type of robbery puts a person in a dangerous situation.  Criminals often look for individuals whom they can target.  The best way to be safe from an armed robbery is by avoiding one.  Armed robbers are often strong and have targets.  And in most cases, they don’t want to get caught.

Almost all robberies are considered “strong-arm” robberies.  These happen on the streets, such as in alleys, sidewalks, and parking lots.  In essence, purse-snatching and mugging are similar to a strong-arm robbery.  Armed robberies can happen at any time of day, but most cases take place at night; before sunrise and after sunset.

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In the event of a robbery, most people who cooperate with a robber don’t get hurt.  To survive an armed robbery, it’s best to cut down the heroics, even when it’s tempting to fight back.  If a robber has a weapon, they could be overly suspicious and nervous, causing them to act quickly with the trigger.  When they demand money, kindly and clearly state that money will be given while handing over the wallet.  Try to stay calm to not cause the robber to do any more harm. 

The best tip for a person to survive an armed robbery is to cooperate as much as possible with the robber.  There are cases wherein an individual can be held hostage by a robber for a short period, still the best course of action to take to is to do what the robber tells one to do.  When dealing with a robber, an individual must maintain compassion in their voice and know that most armed robberies end without physical harm. 

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A private investigator, Adam Quirk has had 15 years of experience working for both the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For similar updates, subscribe to this blog.

Incredibly Efficient But Lesser-Known Fighting Systems For Street Defense

No matter the place, no matter the time, every person is vulnerable to attacks. This is why self-defense and martial arts are life skills that increase the chances of a person’s survival in the event of an attack. While the best defense is still to run away, learning how to defend one’s self can work wonders either by putting distance between the person and the attacker or simply evading or blocking a potentially fatal stroke.

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There have been dozens of fighting systems developed over the centuries, ranging from Chinese kung fu to Krav Maga to Muay Thai, and all of them have been tested. However, there are newer fighting methods that incorporate different techniques in self-defense.

Take for instance the Keysi Fighting Method, which focuses on both acting and reacting while fortifying one’s defense. It may look familiar to people since this method has been recognized and used in a number of Hollywood action movies. Main movements involve protecting one’s head with an arm, with the elbow out, and the other arm, attacking. The defensive arm is also cocked for an elbow attack.

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Another new fighting method is called 52 Blocks. The interesting thing about this primarily-defensive fighting style is that it was developed in prison and it helped prisoners develop awareness of his surroundings. This translates very well to the real world, since a single successful block may be all it takes to save your life.

Adam Quirk is a criminal justice professional who has worked for years with the FBI and DEA. More articles like this on this blog.

How Real-World Law Enforcement Influences Your Favorite Shows

The cop show genre of television has always been one of the most popular genres out there. From dramas like “NYPD Blue” and “Hawaii Five-O” to forensic procedurals such as “CSI” and “NCIS” to action-comedies like “Bones” and “Castle,” these shows have often gotten both rave reviews and high ratings.

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But just how realistic are these shows? And how much of these shows are influenced by what happens in the real world?

It’s safe to say that many of the high-profile, real-world cases are what showrunners base their TV cases on. Things seem to diverge beyond that.

The most glaring difference between real-world crime-solving and the ones people see on television is how long it takes to actually solve a crime.Most of the cases on TV shows are closed by the end of an episode. It takes anywhere from a day to a week at the longest (TV show chronology) to find a killer, a missing person, or the answer to all their questions. The reality of it is that cases take months, sometimes, years to resolve.

It’s also peculiar in some cases how cops do the jobs of lab technicians and vice versa. Everything is also so much more dramatic in cop shows, much like courtroom dramas. In a courtroom drama, you’d see lawyers screaming in courtrooms, which never happens. The same with cops. It rarely gets as dramatic as what people see onscreen.

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Adam Quirk is an award-winning criminal justice professional who has worked for years with the FBI and DEA. Learn more about him by checking out this LinkedIn page.

More Practical Tips For a Safer Secure Home

According to the FBI, over 2 million burglaries happen in the U.S. annually, with over $4.5 billion of property stolen. In addition to that, the FBI also reported that almost 3 out of every 4 burglaries happen in residential areas. But even with these facts in mind, a lot of homeowners are still complacent, and take the security of their home for granted.

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It’s a good thing a number of home security experts have come together with a number of extremely helpful tips on making the home a safer place.

The first thing people should consider getting is a home security system. Over the years, these systems have become more and more efficient, with apps and features that can now be tailored to the homeowner’s specific needs. CCTVs can now be viewed remotely, from anywhere.

Once a security system is installed, the next thing homeowners should check is the exterior of the home. Windows should always be stable and secure. Garage doors should always be locked. Ladders and steps of any kind that would aid burglars should be kept inside the house at all times.

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Finally, homeowners should always be mindful about the locks on their doors. Once a homeowner loses his keys, he should have the locks changed immediately – on the same day if possible.

Adam Quirk is a private investigator with more than 15 years of professional experience in law enforcement. He has handled various security, loss prevention, and enforcement projects for both the FBI and the DEA. Learn more about him and his work by visiting this blog.

What Makes White Collar Crimes Different From Others?

White collar crimes are synonymous with acts of fraud committed against businesses and government agencies.  These crimes involve deceit, concealment, as well as a violation of trust.  Least to say, these are financially motivated crimes not involving physical injury or violence.

Depending on the scam, white collar crimes may affect a singular entity or multiple parties.  One scam can destroy a business or a family by clearing out their savings or investments.  And with today’s available technology, white collar crimes are getting more and more sophisticated.

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Corporate fraud is one of the FBI’s top priorities.  This is due to possible effects of the scam causing a ripple effect that can potentially damage the U.S. economy and lower investor confidence.

Some white collar crimes include accounting schemes, the self-dealing of corporate entities, money laundering, commodities fraud, bank fraud and embezzlement, election law violations, mass marketing fraud, fraud against the government, mortgage fraud, and healthcare fraud.

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Corporate fraud pursued by the FBI vary from schemes designed to deceive investors, auditors, and analysts of the financial condition of a business or a corporation.  Specific crimes involve falsification of financial information, corporate insider information, and frauds in connection with otherwise legitimately operated mutual hedge funds.

With the scale of white collar crimes in the U.S., the FBI has formed partnerships with agencies spanning multiple areas of expertise such as security, taxes, utilities, pension, and commodities. 

Adam Quirk is a criminal justice professional who has worked for years with the FBI and DEA. He now works as a private investigator in his company Stealth Advise. For similar reads, click here.