POT'S DANGER TO KIDS

WASHINGTON - The nation's drug policy director warned parents Tuesday
against trivializing the dangers of marijuana to their kids, warning them
that more teens are addicted to pot than to alcohol or to all other illegal
drugs combined.

Many parents and children have outdated perceptions about marijuana, said
John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. They
believe marijuana is not addictive, that it's less dangerous than
cigarettes or that it has few long-term health consequences.

Suit Against Winfrey Dropped

HOUSTON - A federal judge has dismissed a lingering lawsuit that accused
Oprah Winfrey of violating Texas' "veggie libel" law by maligning the beef
industry.

U.S. District Judge Mary Robinson threw out "all claims and causes of
action asserted or that could have been asserted" by Cactus Feeding Club
Inc. against Winfrey, her production company and vegetarian activist Howard
Lyman.

Hershey Trust Won't Sell

PHILADELPHIA - Board members of the charitable trust that controls Hershey
Foods Corp. said late Tuesday they would not sell the nation's largest
candy maker after rejecting all offers.

"The trust board has rejected all the bids that it received. It is asking
the company to end the process of exploring the sale," Hershey Trust Co.
spokesman Rick Kelly said, reading a statement from the trustees.

Norton May Appeal

WASHINGTON - Interior Secretary Gale Norton said she may appeal a judge's
decision holding her in contempt of court for failing to fix her
department's mismanagement of hundreds of millions of dollars of royalties
from Indian land.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled Tuesday that Norton not only
failed to comply with his order to account for the money in the Indian
accounts but committed fraud by misrepresenting the department's efforts to
repair the trust and protect Indian money.

City Leaders Pass Out Pot

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Calling Santa Cruz a sanctuary from federal
authorities, medical marijuana advocates - joined by city leaders - passed
out pot to about a dozen sick people at City Hall.

"Santa Cruz is a special place, and today we're letting the world know how
compassionate we can be," Mayor Christopher Krohn said. "We're taking a stand."

More than 1,000 community members jammed into the garden-like courtyard for
a supportive demonstration during the giveaway. Some held signs reading,
"DEA Go Away" and "U.S. Out Of Santa Cruz."

Compiled from wire reports.