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REMEMBERING HIS ROOTS Before making a big-league roster, Jake Goebbert was at the pumpkin patch / C1 NWHerald.com
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Woman shot by deputies
MEDICINAL MARIJUANA
FDA TO REVIEW SAFETY
Pointed rifle at police; in critical condition
Drug’s current status could be downgraded
By CHELSEA McDOUGALL
“It is my opinion that our deputies acted appropriately considering the circumstances they faced at that moment. Use of force was justified in my opinion.”
cmcdougall@shawmedia.com
Story by CHELSEA McDOUGALL • cmcdougall@shawmedia.com Illustration by R. SCOTT HELMCHEN • shelmchen@shawmedia.com
T
he federal government is considering easing its position on marijuana, reclassifying it as a less dangerous drug in what marijuana advocates say reflects the changing attitudes nationwide.
But drug specialists fear the watershed moment for marijuana research could be a slippery slope for addicts. The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing marijuana’s classification to consider changing it from a Schedule I drug. The feds classify drugs in five stages, with Schedule I reserved for the most dangerous drugs with the highest potential for abuse and dependence, and those with no currently accepted medical use. Other Schedule I heavy hitters include heroin, ecstasy and LSD. Cocaine and methamphetamine fall into Schedule II drugs. Paul Armentano specializes in issues regarding the science and research of marijuana at NORML, or National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. He argues that marijuana doesn’t even hold a candle to the other drugs it’s classified with. “Marijuana is not a harmless substance,” he said. “But, it’s potential risks to the individual and to society do not warrant its present Schedule I illicit status under federal law.” Health concerns, he said, would best be addressed by regulation, age restrictions and public education. Although a reclassification wouldn’t make marijuana legal, it could open doors for more medical marijuana research, advocates say. “The biggest reason that we’re not able to do more with medical cannabis is because of its Schedule I classification,” said Julie Dohm, chairperson of the Illinois chapter of Americans for Safe Access, or ASA, an organization promoting medical marijuana research and therapeutic uses. “The FDA and DEA keeping saying that [marijuana] has no medical purpose or that it’s dangerous – that’s just false,” Dohm continued. “There are
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Marijuana in America
There are plenty of studies from other countries that can do the types of trial that we can’t here. ... Studies saying it has a medical benefit and it’s a lot safer than a lot of the other drugs we allow people to take.”
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states, including Illinois, have approved marijuana for medical use states, Colorado and Washington, allow recreational use of marijuana plenty of studies from other countries that can do the types of trials that we can’t here. ... Studies saying it has a medical benefit and it’s a lot safer than a lot of the other drugs we allow people to take.” At the request of the DEA in 2001 and again in 2006, the FDA conducted a review of the available data for marijuana, and both times recommended that marijuana remain a Schedule I, because of its high potential for abuse, and the fact that it has no accepted medical uses. However, the determination
Julie Dohm Chairperson of the Illinois chapter of Americans for Safe Access
See MARIJUANA, page A4
WONDER LAKE – A woman remains in intensive care recovering from a gunshot wound to the neck and two deputies were placed on paid leave as part of normal department procedure following the officer-involved shooting Sunday night. Authorities said 53-year-old Elizabeth N. Kloss advanced on members of the McHenry County sheriff’s office, pointing an AK-47 style rifle at deputies. The weapon, belonging to the woman’s boyfriend, was not loaded. Deputies fired four or five rounds from their service weapons, striking Kloss once in the neck. She was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where she remained in critical condition, a hospital spokeswoman said. The matter will be investigated by the Illinois State Police. “It is my opinion that our deputies acted appropriately considering the circumstances they faced at that moment,” Undersheriff Andrew Zinke said Monday. “Use of force was justified in my opinion.” An outside review by the State Police could take two to three weeks. No charges have been filed at this time. Three sheriff’s deputies and a sergeant responded after 5 p.m. to the 7400 block of Boston Avenue in unincorporated Wonder Lake after being dispatched for a suicidal subject. No one else was home at the time. Kloss, authorities said, made statements that she was suicidal and that she had a gun. Upon arrival, dep-
Andrew Zinke McHenry County undersheriff on officers shooting woman pointing a gun in their direction
Last shooting
2012 The last year sheriff’s deputies were forced to shoot a suspect. In that incident, Edward P. Bolen pointed a gun at deputies and was shot at, though he avoided injury. uties saw Kloss with a handgun, and attempted to get her to be taken for a mental health evaluation. Within 10 minutes, Kloss exited the home, with a different weapon that she raised and pointed at deputies, Zinke said. Two of the responding deputies have been placed on paid leave. Their names are being withheld pending the investigation. Paid leave is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings. Incidents like this are relatively rare, Zinke said. The last was in 2012 in Marengo. In that case, Edward P. Bolen pointed a gun at deputies and was shot at, though he avoided injury. Bolen later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor resisting arrest and was sentenced to a year of probation.
Woodstock chef makes it to ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ season finale By ALLISON GOODRICH agoodrich@shawmedia.com WOODSTOCK – Chef Scott Commings didn’t enter the Fox reality show “Hell’s Kitchen” expecting to win. “I didn’t go in for that,” said Commings, executive chef at Loyola University Chicago Retreat and Ecology Campus in Woodstock. “I went in to do the best I could ... I was thankful every week that I was still there.” And he’s made it almost all the
way. The competition, which began airing in March, has boiled down to season 12’s final episode, where the Woodstock chef will stand off against Chicago chef Jason Zepaltas for the title. The season finale airs at 7 p.m. Thursday on Fox. Starring celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay as a quick-tempered critic, the show began with 20 contestants. With an elimination at the end of every episode, the season will end with one final chef, who will receive
“You’re pushed to the limit every day [on the show]. There’s a lot I took on, just about myself, what I can do, and how far I can be pushed.” Scott Commings, on handling his time on “Hell’s Kitchen” a $250,000-salaried position at one of Ramsay’s well-known restaurants. Without disclosing specifics about the outcome, Commings said viewers should expect an intense-as-usual show Thursday.
While entertaining to audiences, the intensity of the culinary competition was oftentimes a lot to handle, he said. “There were definitely some moments of tension,” Commings
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Algonquin officials are preparing attractions for the annual festival / A3
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said. “It’s stressful. ... Everything is stressful.” The high-stress atmosphere and competitive spirit wasn’t all bad, though, he added, saying the overall experience has helped him develop both personally and professionally. “You’re pushed to the limit every day [on the show],” he said. “There’s a lot I took on, just about myself, what I can do, and how far I can be pushed.” He also got to see how he held up
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