cannabisnews.com: Proposal for Medical Pot Sanctuary





Proposal for Medical Pot Sanctuary
Posted by FoM on November 06, 2001 at 07:36:44 PT
By Rachel Gordon, Chronicle Staff Writer
Source: San Francisco Chronicle 
San Francisco would become an official -- but symbolic -- "sanctuary" for the use, cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana under a plan proposed yesterday. The proposal by Supervisor Mark Leno came after the federal Drug Enforcement Administration recently busted two medical marijuana clubs in California. Leno's legislation would declare San Francisco a medical marijuana sanctuary and urge local, state and federal law enforcement officials to refrain from enforcing and prosecuting anti-drug laws against those using, growing or selling pot for medical reasons. 
Leno said his plan merely reflects the will of the people. Since 1972, San Franciscans have voted on numerous measures in support of medical marijuana, most recently in 1996 when Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, was approved by voters statewide. The Board of Supervisors has enacted several other measures, including the creation of a special Health Department identification card for medical pot users that they can show local police officers if they're caught with the substance. San Francisco officers look the other way if someone can substantiate that their possession of marijuana is for legitimate medical use, said Police Chief Fred Lau. "We're very compassionate," he said. District Attorney Terence Hallinan, San Francisco's chief prosecutor, said the sanctuary idea was a good one. "Everyone here is totally in fear," Hallinan said of the renewed interest in the pot clubs by federal authorities. "If nothing else, we want to give people reassurance that we're not just going to stand by." During a rally on the steps of the Hall of Justice yesterday, Hallinan had a message for the federal drug cops: "Lay off our marijuana clubs." The response from local DEA officials: Don't count on it. "Possession, cultivation and distribution of marijuana is illegal under federal law -- regardless of any state or local law," said Richard Meyer, spokesman for the DEA's San Francisco field division. "Our job is to enforce federal law, and we will." In recent weeks, the DEA raided the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center in West Hollywood and the California Medical Research Center in the town of Cool in the Sierra foothills. Agents seized pot plants and patient records. Meyer wouldn't discuss if or when federal authorities plan to move against clubs in the Bay Area, which number about 20. There are 13 clubs and cooperatives operating in the city alone, Hallinan said. Three years ago, Oakland tried a novel approach by declaring a medical marijuana club a city agency that could officially distribute pot for medicinal use. After the city approved the ordinance, federal authorities shut down the club. The closure was upheld by the federal courts, but the case is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. Leno acknowledged his measure is little more than symbolic. However, he said, he wants to once again put San Francisco's position on the record. Neither he nor Meyer knew of any other city that had declared itself a medicinal marijuana sanctuary. The Board of Supervisors must still vote on Leno's only-in-San Francisco legislation before it goes to Mayor Willie Brown for consideration. "My concern is for the health and well being of the many San Franciscans who depend on safe access to medical cannabis," Leno said. One of those people is Wayne Justmann, a medical marijuana activist and user who runs the San Francisco Patients Resource Center. The club in the Western Addition sells pot to about 325 physician-certified patients a day. Justmann has HIV and uses marijuana to help spur his appetite. "A lot of us are worried about what's happening in other counties, so I'm glad San Francisco is looking at creating a sanctuary," he said. San Francisco's proposed law will offer people some comfort, he said, as much "as any citizen in violation of federal law can have." Complete Title: Proposal for Medical Pot Sanctuary: Leno Wants S.F. To Make Declaration, Even If Only SymbolicSource: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Author: Rachel Gordon, Chronicle Staff WriterPublished: Tuesday, November 6, 2001 Copyright: 2001 San Francisco Chronicle  Page A - 16 Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/Related Articles & Web Sites:Los Angeles County Research Centerhttp://www.lacbc.org/Medicinal Cannabis Research Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/research.htmDebate Still Smoking http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11265.shtmlTime for The U.S. To Honor Prop. 215 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11255.shtmlCannabis a Medical Miracle - It's Official http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11253.shtml
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Comment #3 posted by dddd on November 07, 2001 at 02:00:34 PT
on the brite side...
...California is going to be a tough cookie to crack for the dea monster....Many Californians,and especially San Fransiscans,are not too pleased with federal interventions....I think California was kinda pissed off about being reamed by Texas "energy crisis" profiteering,,,and the absurd,heavy handed tactics of the dea,against the wishes of the voters here in "The Golden State",are going to be met with a bitter outcry,that,,hopefully,will be loud enough to exceed the suppressive muffling that is already being utilized by the federally controlled media..
I really like this "sanctuary" idea..What would be wrong with a certain area,or perhaps an entire state ,that allowed Marijuana use?...This trend of federal oppression is becoming quite disturbing...dddd
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Comment #2 posted by Elfman_420 on November 06, 2001 at 13:42:33 PT
I know!
Yes, things are looking pretty bleak, but I am going to recommend something, and if somebody who has some sort of power or connections that could organize such an event, please keep reading.There are plenty of people behind medicinal marijuana, and there are state laws backing up the people. The problem is obviously the federal government. Though, it would be difficult for a lot of the sick people here in California who can't get their medicine because the pharmacy was shut down by the DEA, I think we could still get plenty of people.What I am recommending is a "Million Marijuana March" in Washington D.C. to protest the federal government for going after the sick. I dunno, I just sorta thought of that off the top of my head, but I feel like something needs to be done..
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Comment #1 posted by p4me on November 06, 2001 at 10:18:57 PT:
Enforce the law
"Possession, cultivation and distribution of marijuana is illegal under federal law -- regardless of any state or  local law," said Richard Meyer, spokesman for the DEA's San Francisco field division. "Our job is to enforce federal law, and we will." Quit running your mouth and bust those suffering people. I hold Congress and the Puppet for not passing legislation to correct these senseless laws. If it is your job to eliminate marijuana wherever you find it, go ahead. Do not think that it is not being recorded by history. The more stupid things you do. the faster we can get these stupid laws changed. I am an independent voter. That means that I can vote in any party's primary. I will be voting in the Republican Primary in May and will be voting against all Republican incumbents. I am applying my conspiracy conviction to all elected officials. It is not just current members of Congress or Bushy Wushy that I will be voting against in May or all further elections. There are two parties in on continuing "The Lost War." and all these elected officials are supposed to look after the interest of their constituents. There are 280 million people in this country so there is plenty of talent to go around if we would make the effort just to get rid of the dead wood. So do your job DEA and the voters will be doing theirs.If it is a requirement that a Schedule 1 Narcotic not have any medicinal use then how is it still classified that way? I wish someone could explain this to me and the others that are concerned about this core issue. A class C drug in the UK but our MJ is considered a Schedule 1 here. I do not know if I will be taking a vacation because I do not plan to make enough to pay taxes. But if I did I would fly British Airways to London and spend my money there. Switzerland started out with some kind of idealism, but it didn't take them long to get to liking that German money coming in. The war is lost and no one in Washington has enough sense or courage or leadership to admit it. You are making fools of yourself even if you can not see it or admit it. I feel sorry for all those businesses I used to support. Right now I am going to call my newspaper and tell them that I no longer need their product. The real news is on the internet. I have spent 88 cents on five pounds of potatoes and have spent $25 on food total in the last ten days with enough to go a couple weeks before spending any more money. Chicken quarters are 39 cents a pound. If I can get a ride I might buy about 20 pounds. I have only driven twice in the last two weeks and one was to help a friend. I do not forsee buying any clothes, computer equipment, or any gifts. I will be sending postcards I guess explaning my position. Of course I am not a Christian that believes that all the animals are here because a few thousand years ago some man built a wooden boat to save them for us. Cancel the cards as not necessary.So DEA do what you gotta do, because that is what I am doing. Bastards.Vote against all incumbents down to dog catcher. Out with the old and in with the new.
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