cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Law Almost Funny Medical Marijuana Law Almost Funny Posted by CN Staff on June 03, 2002 at 07:59:46 PT The Union Staff Source: The Union A fair number of us are amused at this seemingly amazing coincidence: Every time law enforcement agencies in Nevada County discover a marijuana-growing operation, defense attorneys are quick to point out that the pot is being grown for medicinal purposes.Is no pot grown for recreational purposes in these parts any more? Or are police just so unlucky that they can't find any marijuana that isn't needed for medical purposes? For all the joking, the mess surrounding medical marijuana points up the need for a temporary fix with some local rules and longer-term fix with a more clearly written state law.The problem is this: The medical marijuana initiative approved by California voters in 1996 is more loophole than law.The law doesn't limit the amount of marijuana a person can have for medical purposes. Is it five joints? Two ounces? A quarter-ton? A field of plants extending to the horizon? There's not a word of guidance in the law.Medical marijuana advocates say the law means what it says - there are no limits - and any attempt to limit the amount of medical marijuana a person can possess is a back-door attempt at repealing the law.It's difficult to read the minds of the voters in 1996, but we suspect that they had something more limited in mind than wide-open cultivation and ownership of marijuana under the thin blanket of "medicinal use."Nevada County prosecutors decided - arbitrarily, to be sure - that patients can have two pounds of marijuana and 10 plants without fear of prosecution.Now growers cooperatives, which say they serve several patients, have sprung up. They have far greater number of plants than the 10 allowed under the earlier guidelines.The district attorney's office is rethinking its limits on cooperative pot-growing ventures, and that's good. We'd suggest that cooperatives that want to stay on the right side of the law should simply call the DA's office and tell prosecutors what they're doing. If they're not growing pot for illegal recreational use, they shouldn't have any concerns about running their operations openly.The best answer, of course, is to present the question to the state's voters again. If they want limits, they should say so directly. Otherwise, the state's marijuana laws are becoming a joke.How vague words make a bad law.The key part of the text of the Prop 215 reads:"State laws relating to the cultivation of marijuana, shall not apply to a patient, or to a patient's primary caregiver, who possesses or cultivates marijuana for the personal medical purposes of the patient upon the written or oral recommendation or approval of a physician."Source: Union, The (CA)Published: June 3, 2002Copyright: 2002 Nevada County Publishing CompanyContact: letters theunion.comWebsite: http://www.theunion.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmMedical-Marijuana Users Walk Fine Line http://wcannabisnews.com/news/thread12967.shtmlCourt To Decide What You Can Say About Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12894.shtmlAmendment Would Legalize Marijuana in Nevadahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12808.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #16 posted by FoM on June 11, 2002 at 12:19:53 PT Letter To The Editor Medical Marijuana Laws Funny? Source: Union, The (CA) Author: Jay R. Cavanaugh Published: June 11, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Nevada County Publishing Company Contact: letters theunion.com Website: http://www.theunion.com/ To those severely ill patients who need medical cannabis to keep their AIDS medications down or to those with chronic pain trying to avoid narcotics, the medical marijuana laws are not funny. The law should be a life saver, but confusion rules due to the lack of "guidelines." Attorney General Bill Lockyer has told the counties it's up to them to assist implementation of this necessary but vague law. I sat on a panel with District Attorney Mike Ferguson at the Arts Center last year during our "medical marijuana" school. He is working hard to separate the good guys from the bad guys. He is getting expert help in establishing local guidelines, which we hope will be adopted soon. Local patients and caregivers are assisting Mike and the sheriff in establishing these guidelines. Such guidelines should be based on science and reason like the ones in Sonoma, Del Norte, and many other counties. The Board of Supervisors should assist in maintaining an open dialogue on this issue, and the sheriff needs to train and instruct officers appropriately. Many patients are too sick or otherwise unable to grow their own medicine and thus rely on caregivers. Let the DA inspect, permit, and protect such patient cooperatives while directing law enforcement to the serious problems of hard drugs and crime. Jay R. Cavanaugh, Ph.D. National Director American Alliance for Medical Cannabis [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on June 03, 2002 at 22:28:17 PT VitaminT I know this is way off topic but I really wanted to respond. Horse people love to talk about horses and I have owned I bet near 30 horses over the years.That's really nice that your Mom was able to get a farm and learn Dressage. I just told a friend yesterday why Dressage was created. Very interesting history and fun to do. The moves were developed to make the horse an efficent, quick response, war machines. I have an american warmblood with mostly european breeding but no longer is with me but being campaigned in another part of the state. I also have an Appendix QH that is at the same farm teaching young riders now that he is way up in years. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by VitaminT on June 03, 2002 at 22:17:15 PT Yes, the blunt part was my attempt at humor. And it's nice you should mention English riding, it brings on fond memories for me. I had the privledge of watching my mother live a dream of her youth. She bought a farm and some horses and learned to ride Dressage. She got to be pretty good at it too! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 03, 2002 at 16:20:44 PT VitaminT The little they showed was very nice. I think the children are just so handsome and are a great example of the way the UK will go. I'm not up on England but I rode english horses and the tradition of the UK is the foundation of what we were taught as proper etiquette. We used many english terms and that tradition is still carried on in the english riding circles in the states.I don't believe the blunt part though! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by VitaminT on June 03, 2002 at 16:14:10 PT FOM The Queen led the world in a rousing round of "love is all you need" today on Good Morning America. Or so I'm told.She was also seen firin' up a blunt w/ Paul McCartney and Ladysmith Black Mambazo back stage. Though I'd be unable to confirm that part of the story! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on June 03, 2002 at 16:03:47 PT Look Who Played for The Queen If people can't see that the best talent in music has been inspired by Cannabis soon I will be shocked. Cannabis is an herb that produces artsy type things. I'm not good at the right words but you get my point I hope. I wish it had been televised but couldn't find it on the BBC Channel I have on the satellite. Maybe they will have the concert on real video? Now I could listen and watch. I forgot! LOL! Tonight's golden jubilee spectacular was being kicked off with Queen guitarist Brian May performing the national anthem from the roof of the palace. Large crowds were expected in the Mall following the concert to watch the Queen light the jubilee beacon and the following fireworks display. Sir Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard and Dame Shirley Bassey were topping the bill at the first pop concert to take place at the palace. http://www.guardian.co.uk/jubilee/story/0,11550,726994,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by qqqq on June 03, 2002 at 15:14:25 PT .....I agree Letsgetfree..... ....It seems like alot of people think that Canada is some sort of safe haven from the empire,,some sort of refuge from being molested by the fat,,balding,,,evil shithead,,who we once lovingly referred to as Uncle Sam...... ....well,,I'm afraid ol' uncle sams horrorshow dont end at the border!./..nope It's getting to the point where if ol' sam cant molest you at home,,then he'll bomb you if you run away,,,and due to security reasons,,no one will hear about what happened to your withered red white 'n blue ass! ...regardless of all this.....Canada is a really nice place,,with alot of nice people,,,and it very well could be a good place to go in an attempt to escape the tyranical police state Constitutional ,corporate empire mayhem here in the states.......I like the idea of taking everything west of Colorado,or Utah,,and calling it :The Western United States. I'm sorry,,no offense,,but the easterners can have Texas...I'm not suggesting that Texas or anywhere else doesn't have alot of excellent,good people,,I just had to decide where to draw the line,and since alot of political assholes come from Texas lately,,and Enron,and other Texas based criminals raped California recently,,,oh well,, you know what I mean,,,Texas is full of really good people,,,,I mean heck,,,you cant blame a state for the few assholes who are from them!....Nixon and the gipper were both from California [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Nuevo Mexican on June 03, 2002 at 14:34:05 PT The truth comes out about the CYA..... and lots more to follow. You are right FOM, big things are about to happen, so watch out for more fake terror alerts!We here at C-news call it First! (All you reporter/lurkers out there, THIS is where you next story will be sourced, inspired, and documented). Sure, there are plenty of bush defenders here like E.J. (it is blatant, you sound like a FOXNews Spinner, and I don't even like Al Gore, funny we both voted for Ralph, but GORE did win, and that should piss you off more than his predictable hypocrisy (hint: he is a career, groomed politician, what makes you think any politician has principles?)The Hijackers We Let Escape The CIA tracked two suspected terrorists to a Qaeda summit in Malaysia in January 2000, then looked on as they re-entered America and began preparations for September 11. Inside what may be the worst intelligence failure of all. http://msnbc.com/news/760647.aspMarkets take a tumble http://msnbc.com/news/534548.aspDow drops 215 points, Nasdaq slumps 3.3 percent http://msnbc.com/news/760647.aspCIA Failed To Share Intelligence On Hijacker Data Could Have Been Used to Deny Visa http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49366-2002Jun2.htmlEl Paso Corp. Treasurer Rice Dies in Apparent Suicide.Due to retire in three weeks. http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=184089&group=webcastI don't like linking to corporate media, but that is because they don't usually cover the real news, but here it is, the cover up is cracking up! (Just confirming FOM's suspicions, Cannabis issues are now on the front burner, and will come up! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by LetsgetFree on June 03, 2002 at 10:18:52 PT FoM don't pack your bags yet... While Canada is MUCH better then the USoA in many respects, we arn't perfect either. We have a 1 party state that is so corrupt it's now falling apart. We basically have 1 person running the whole country, and that person is a spineless power hungry politician (i use the word politician like a swear word:) who is basically King. NAFTA was the first step in turning us into America's bitch, who can suply you guys with cheap energy and other resources (like water) without a say, and then get slapped in the face on softwood lumber. Yes Canada has been purposlly steered into the path of the American elephant who will consume us whole in the next 50 years. Watch. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by dddd on June 03, 2002 at 09:53:55 PT ......spooky feelings... ...I kind of have that same feeling FoM...Things are becoming so absurd and strange,,that it seems like somethings got to happen,,a 'turning point'........but dont worry about "negative news",,..freaks like 4q thrive on negative news..positive news storys are boring. ....I agree with Paul Peterson,,it was a wonderful article!..it was not "almost funny",,it was absurdly jocular.. ....(P.S......Paul..please accept my respectful correction concerning the typo on the word "buffoonery",,the term "baffoon",only applies to elected officials,,and has now been changed to "bushfoon".) ...........................................dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by paul peterson on June 03, 2002 at 09:23:15 PT: I THINK ITS A GREAT ARTICLE! Sure, they (whoever wrote the piece) did take a certain sarcastic slant-but anything printed which has some tongue in cheek stuff tends to make a greater baffoonery of the drug war than our medical rights. Kudos, whoever did this article. Sorry we live in such a repressive zoo that individuals don't want to be the first one shot at. (I guess I am so used to dodging bullets here in the land of oz (ILLINOIS-A/K/A THE LAND OF LINCOLN) That I sometimes forget that others still need to maintain this "fiction" since they still are cowards. OH well, the war goes on. http://ILLINOIS-MMI.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on June 03, 2002 at 09:23:11 PT very simple "Is no pot grown for recreational purposes in these parts any more? Or are police just so unlucky that they can't find any marijuana that isn't needed for medical purposes?"No, it just that the medical growers are easy to bust - they're out in the open, and in many cases freely give detailed info on their operations to LEO. In the case of the LA buyers club, the feds were given the VIP treatment. They simply asked who was growing the herb, and then immediately went to their house & busted 'em.Just more government welfare for LEO & prosecutors. That's all MJ prohibition ever was, and sick people are even easy to bust then regular ones. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 03, 2002 at 09:22:42 PT Wonder What This Week Will Bring While I'm looking for news I'm thinking about how the negative articles are surfacing but no real inspiring articles. It's like there is a turning point coming. I don't know if anyone else feels that way. I believe we have seen enough injustice and we are not terrorists and it's time for them to wake up and see that they were wrong and to change the laws. It could happen just like that. People have died from marijuana only by being shot and killed by swat teams. Let the people who have loved American live and let live like they are trying to do and honor in Canada. Canada is something else. What a land it must be. I love where I live but this insanity makes it very hard to live in peace here. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by greenfox on June 03, 2002 at 09:20:55 PT 10 plants? Having grown before, I can state with firmness in my tone that 10 plants ain't shit.It's about 5 ounces, (as you are LUCKY to pull a half ounce off one plant...) oh well. Let's break it down: even if someone only smokes 2 joints a day, let's figure a gram a joint, so in seven days, (one week,) a plant is already used. So basically, 10 plants' worth is about 10 weeks, or two and a half months of medical marijuana. Sadly, someone who needs marijuana 365 days out of the year, (and not just 75 days,) these limits don't work. Mix that with the fact that MOST of these people don't know how to grow the stuff, well, that cuts the yield in half. So what's REALLY funny about this whole thing is the DA here is allowing TWO POUNDS of dried marijuana but only 10 plants? Ok so basically those 10 plants are going to have to be monsters, and to achieve a pound a plant, they would need to be grown outdoors. This is something that, simply put, many people cannot do. Rip-offs, lack of land to grow, and other fears are the reasons here. And let me state, also, it is IMPOSSIBLE to get even 1/4 of a lb on an INDOOR plant.So to get 2 pounds, (well do the math, a 1/2 OUNCE per plant,) that means you need 8 plants to get a QUARTER pound, so to get two full pounds, you'd have to have AT LEAST 64 plants. And, once again, that's assuming you actually know what the f*ck you are doing. So, in short, I have just used math to show that these limits are just like the DA trying to enforce them- a JOKE.sly in green, foxy in kind,-gf Improving your yields [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by qqqq on June 03, 2002 at 08:57:39 PT ...Faceless Spineless Bigmouth F*#k%ng #%$*.. ...I love it when an article such as this is published,yet no one has the balls to take credit for writing it!... Are we to believe that "The Union Staff",all got together and came up with this chunk of journalistic rubble? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by VitaminT on June 03, 2002 at 08:46:00 PT an alternate explaination . . . . "Is no pot grown for recreational purposes in these parts any more? Or are police just so unlucky that they can't find any marijuana that isn't needed for medical purposes?"Maybe we just have a lot more cops than we need. I mean if they're down to ferreting out herb gardeners it must follow that all the REAL CRIME has been handled [ Post Comment ] Post Comment