cannabisnews.com: Activists Launch Hunger Strike Activists Launch Hunger Strike Posted by CN Staff on June 06, 2002 at 08:28:26 PT By Kenneth Reich, Times Staff Writer Source: Los Angeles Times Five supporters of the sale of marijuana for medical purposes at a West Hollywood building launched an "open-ended hunger strike and encampment" Wednesday against federal authorities who last week filed a forfeiture action against the property.They will be joined each day by a number of sympathizers who will fast for 24 hours, said Scott Imler, executive director of the Los Angeles Cannabis Resources Center. The center, at 7494 Santa Monica Blvd., was shut down in October when federal agents seized files, plants and other assets. Under the forfeiture action filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, the federal government said the 1996 state ballot proposition that allows the sale of marijuana for medical purposes is invalidated by federal prohibitions on the use of controlled substances. A federal jury will decide whether the government can seize the $780,000 property where marijuana was grown and distributed. The strike and encampment will take place in a parking lot across the street from the main property, which is also owned by the Cannabis Resources Center.The city of West Hollywood authorized a loan of $350,000 in redevelopment funds to the center, which would not be repaid in the event of government forfeiture.Mary Lucey, one of those on hunger strike, said she and the others will consume only water, juice and perhaps a little milk so they can take their regular AIDS medication. She said the strike will last until the federal action is dropped.Protesters said they may file a civil action against the government for allegedly violating their civil rights, as well as for wrongful death should any of those on hunger strike die.Note: Fast: Protesters oppose federal seizure of West Hollywood facility that supplied medical marijuana.Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-000039794jun06.story?nullSource: Los Angeles Times (CA)Author: Kenneth Reich, Times Staff WriterPublished: June 6 2002Copyright: 2002 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:LACRC http://www.lacbc.org/Americans for Safe Accesshttp://safeaccessnow.org Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmCalif, US Medical Marijuana Laws Clash http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13058.shtmlMarijuana Praised Despite Legal Issues http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13056.shtmlStop the War on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13053.shtmlFed Records Show Focus on Pot Clubs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13046.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 07, 2002 at 18:08:52 PT eco Thanks eco for all the good information and links. Great job as usual! Keep on Keepin' On The BuMpY Road We Travel [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by paul peterson on June 06, 2002 at 22:20:25 PT: FORFEITURE WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE TRAVESTY What a travesty- a mere 2 months after a local jury "nullified" the forfeiture of hundreds of pounds of pot from an activist that dstributed from her own home, the feds come in and try to take away local governmental dollars which were used to rehabilitate a building to give people hope of a safer access for their medicine! The federal drug company profit prop up heinous lockemup lobby will even go to the bank with their competitor's building to keep a vicious monopoly swimming in profits, at the detriment of people that merely want to live just a little more normal than without this wonder drug!Here in Illinois, of course, we're about 6 years behind you people, and the local DEA doesn't have to be so heinous, because they just get to keep locking up anybody that sells this stuff, since the populous doesn't really know anything about medical marijuana. We here have a MM law also, you see, 720 ILCS 550, section 11, and its 30 YEARS OLD AND NEVER TESTED (AT LEAST NOT IN RECENT MEMORY, SINCE 1984, WHEN THE REAGAN BLACKOUT RIDERS SWEPT IN AND SHUT DOWN THE "DANGEROUS DRUG COMMISSION", that actually had a program to help people to use this stuff!).I'm trying to get the state to try this law on for size again, and in court (class action is dormant until I try to get my law license back). I will try to take some of the DEA heat off you guys out west. I am awaiting that 9th Circuit case about the DEA doctor threats. If all goes well there, I may get some local doctors to help me, help some local people, to help you guys by givng a 10th front!Best wishes in your own travails for now. Please visit my site to learn more about our local law and my efforts. God Bless PAUL 312-558-9999 http://ILLINOIS-MMI.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by eco-man on June 06, 2002 at 22:03:00 PT Complete LA Times article is at safeaccessnow.org The LA Times article seems to be getting around: http://safeaccessnow.org/newswire_detail.php?id=23June 6! Some reports and photos are at the Cannabis Action MMM email list and public archive: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cannabisaction [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on June 06, 2002 at 11:49:54 PT Nineteen patients have died since Oct. 25 This reporter heard it, he was there when it was said, but he chose not to report it.Since the DEA raid closed the club, nineteen members of the club have died. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment