cannabisnews.com: Protestors Decry Medical Marijuana Raids





Protestors Decry Medical Marijuana Raids
Posted by CN Staff on June 06, 2002 at 22:00:27 PT
By Jen Christensen
Source: Gay.com 
Ten protesters wanting national legalization for the medical use of marijuana, which counters some side effects of anti-AIDS drugs, were arrested on Thursday for chaining themselves to the Justice Department's front door. "It was incredible," said Krissy Oechslin, who was at the department protesting. "People were chanting 'cease and desist' and 'stop arresting patients.' Police kept moving us back and then eventually they carried away or dragged the people who wouldn't move back into the paddy wagons." 
Many AIDS and cancer patients use medical marijuana to deal with nausea associated with some of the treatments they must take. The protest was a part of a nationwide pre-emptive strike against a possible negative ruling on medical use of marijuana in the U.S. District Court in northern California. The court could decide as early as Friday that it's illegal under federal law to distribute medical marijuana. Similar protests in other U.S. cities were also scheduled for Thursday. "We've done a search of the legal records and so far, the feds haven't been arresting small-time distributors and patients," said Robert Kampia, the director of the Marijuana Policy Project who planned the protests. "But if they rule against us, this may give the DEA (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) the go-ahead to raid more clinics." Bruce Mirken, director of communications with Marijuana Policy Project, was one of the protesters arrested. He wasn't available for an interview from jail, but Kampia said Mirken was protesting on behalf of a friend who has AIDS. "Marijuana has really helped her deal with the more painful symptoms of the anti-virals she must take to survive," said Kampia. "But she can't get it anymore. The clinic she used in West Hollywood was shut down in one of these raids." Michael Cover, director of the Whitman-Walker Clinic, a health organization serving the gay and lesbian community in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, said it was important to keep the medical use of marijuana available as one option for AIDS patients. "We support the valid use of physician-supervised medical marijuana, particularly with problems associated with nausea and now, to a lesser extent, with AIDS wasting syndrome; for some people that's what really works," Cover told the Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network. Medical marijuana is currently legal in eight states. It is not legal in the District of Columbia, where Congress stopped a referendum voters had overwhelmingly supported for legalization. Organizations involved in Thursday's protests said they will work on both the state and federal level to make medical marijuana available to more people, and they will continue protesting. "With protests like these, we are trying to highlight the injustice of the Justice Department," said Kampia. "The DEA is wasting taxpayers' money busting these clinics. The Justice Department should use our limited taxpayer dollars to fight terrorism. Don't waste our money arresting cancer patients; this just doesn't make sense." Source: Gay.com (CA)Author: Jen ChristensenPublished: June 6, 2002Copyright: 2002 PlanetOut Partners, Inc.  Website: http://www.gay.com/Contact: http://www.planetoutpartners.com/contact.htmlRelated Articles & Web Sites:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Americans for Safe Accesshttp://safeaccessnow.org MPP Protest Pictureshttp://www.mpp.org/june6.htmlWhy I Put Myself At Risk for Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13064.shtmlMarijuana Backers Stage Protests Across UShttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13063.shtmlPatients Challenge Feds' Crackdown On Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13062.shtmlMany PHOTOS. 10 Arrests at Washington D.C. DEA. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13062.shtml#8 Video. 10 D.C. DEA arrests at Medical MJ Protest. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13063.shtml#1
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #18 posted by idbsne1 on June 07, 2002 at 17:42:34 PT
We have them....
Although, hearing the numbers for the protests, along with the low numbers that turned out for the Million Marijuana March has had me discouraged, I realized that we are out there... just not together. GCW....Howard Wooldridge now works for the Drug Policy Forum of Texas. Why didn't I know this? Why didn't everyone know this?Somehow, we ALL need to work together. We see anti-drug groups working with NIDA.... we need all our groups working together. Unified. ALL the time. NORML. Drug Policy Alliance. MAPP. MPP. and many more. A Coordinated, unified effort. Although each group has a slightly different message, WE ALL know the evidence supports each cause. There isn't a flaw in any of those groups' reasoning, we all know that there is sound proof for each established view. Why can't this be more coordinated? Again, even though some are for medical, and some are for just MJ laws, and some are for all drugs.... there is truth to ALL of them. This is discouraging... this is the only way we can fight the US Government's lies.People don't know or believe the Government is LYING. In EVERY article from a major news source or just a lazy, apathetic writer, we get them stating the Government's view WITHOUT criticism. As if the Government is wholly telling the truth?!?!? Or is RIGHT. These supporters of ours are out there... we just need to communicate together. Hopefully, the internet will help this....idbsne1
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by The GCW on June 07, 2002 at 13:34:49 PT
Retired Police Officer / testimony
I am neither for nor against marijuana. I do know that pot smoking causes law enforcement zero problems. The prohibition of pot causes police officers and others to die every day. And for what? 
Howard J. Wooldridge Retired Police Officer GCWGCWGCWGCWCanada: PUB LTE: Smoke Screen Pubdate: Fri, 07 Jun 2002 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1055/a03.html?397 If this were pursued more, we would see more of these! We know these people are out there! 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by FoM on June 07, 2002 at 11:51:24 PT
Richard and Everyone
I've been really busy today and just now am getting to read all this great information. Thanks! We all are the NEWS!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by BGreen on June 07, 2002 at 01:54:53 PT
Amsterdam
The mood in Amsterdam is pretty upbeat, in spite of the recent elections, and I didn't talk to anybody who thought they would, let alone could, regress to an Amerikan style prohibition.I spoke to several MMJ refugees from the US and they were excited about the move by the Dutch to allow cannabis to be dispensed in the Pharmacy, because they will be able to legally travel to any UN country, even Amerika, with their medicine.I saw a lot of fighting, blood, and broken bones this time, which was a direct result of alcohol consumption. A drunk lady broke her arm at the Willie Nelson concert, but only after she told us four times that she just drinks and doesn't smoke cannabis. The soccer hooligans were the most hateful, bigoted assholes I've ever met. "I hate those ..." was the common phrase spewing from their mouths, barely intelligible due to the alcohol and missing teeth. The same violence associated with alcohol in Amerika is apparent in Amsterdam, including the very few coffeeshops that serve alcohol, but the cannabis only coffeeshops didn't have bouncers and were indistinguishable from the surrounding cafe's and restaurants, except for that sweet, sweet smell!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by p4me on June 06, 2002 at 23:53:09 PT
What enjoyable news
I watched the video from Washington and read commentary about the value and power of camcorders. I must say that those policemen in Washington look like they need to cut back on the doughnuts. Hey after they finally give up the war on marijuana, they can declare a war on fat people which is now 61% of the population. Wait a minute, those doughnut eaters would have to arrest themselves. I digress.I just wanted to comment on the release of QuickTime6 by Apple and the advent of MPEG-4 technology that magnifies the ability to deliver video at low bandwiths even. I think its compression is up to 3 times better than the old MPEG-2. Anyway advances in technology helps us with the War on people that use marijuana. Even past that we know we have a real problem with the major media outlets in this country and the internet is the people's power to compensate for the failure of the Fourth Estate, what they used to say was the Guardian of Democracy. Here is link to Steve Jobs on the Apple release of QuickTime6 on Tuesday. http://news.com.com/2100-1040-932419.html?tag=fd_otsOn the subject of video I must say that the documentary narrated by Woody Harrelson, "Grass" is a must see type of thing:http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1110.html The reason I mention it is because of the size of the protest in California during the 70's. I mean they had thousands of protesters which lead to Oregon decriminalizing in 1972 followed by 9 states over the next 6 or 7 years until the religious right pushed back all the advances. I checked the Washington Post and saw nothing. I did a searh using "marijuana" at the New York Times and they had two articles about a trial in San Diego, but nothing of todays protest. I checked the BBC and darn if Woody Harrelson didn't get arrested for breaking an ashtray in a taxi and get in another taxi only to be chased down and arrested.I think the media realize we realize what goes is going on and that we have the power to live without them. My hometown newspaper called with their special offer and I did not let her get past the first sentence until I laid it on her that I would never be interested in there paper again.I know you think the Extremist did not do their part for today. We are more interested in advancing the spread of high quality seeds and we left packets at rest stops and such for the travelers going to the DEA offices. I know you don't see us but there are right many Extremist.Maybe I should imitate Paul Harvey and close with a "Good Day."ICBS,VAAI,POWI
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by paul peterson on June 06, 2002 at 23:51:47 PT:
FROM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS-FEDERAL PLAZA
Illinois Norml & the Windy City Hemp Development Board organized a rally and press conference across from the Federal Building in the Post Office Plaza today (6/6). Some 2 5 dedicated people attended, of course, Bryan Brickner, Illinois Norml & Karen from the WCHDB. The police had a few token officers there (as always), but the men in blue in this town seem to have mellowed of late, at least since the beatings that were typical here in 1968 at the Democratic Convention (at least from what it seemed like on TV). Why, lately these guys almost seem like they are at a Republican Convention (those guys have BORING conventions, don't they?). Since I have become an open advocate on behalf of medical marijuana in the past year or so, in fact, I have spoken with perhaps 400 police and other law enforcement people in this city and area, and every man in blue I have spoken with has been eerily cooperative and pleasant, and in fact inquisitive, almost like they really want to see something happen about these very things. They almost always state that these things need to be kept away from kids (agreed), and researched further (agreed), and the violent criminal element has to be taken out of the distribution (agreed) so as to keep young people from being exposed to the harsher drugs (agreed), and if there is a valid medical use for this thing (pot), they, you guessed it (agreed) with me that we should do something about these things.Well, today, the police sergent who agreed to take my flyer seemed almost willing to go on line and check out my site and learn something about these things! I told him that Illinois has a valid medical marijuana law, some 30 years old, never used in court, that I had a class action filed, now dormant since I lost my law license over these things (on false pretenses by the lawyer police), and these police guys seemed almost sorry to hear these things! Of course, the nearest DEA office was a good 200 feet away, tucked away in an older building, across the street (nondescript) right on top of a Baskin Robbins building, the kind that needs a little urban renewal, where you might expect to see Maxwell Smart go into some nondescript phone booth and disappear into thin air or something.The DEA in this town acts more like the ghost of some bygone era, and they seem much more ruthless than the local blue shirts, believe me. Brenda Kratovil, a glaucoma patient from the northern fringes of suburbia was at the meeting, she has lost most of her eyesight over the last 25 years or so, she was told about this wonder drug and even was told my the "Lighthouse for the Blind" about the Illinois law allowing these things. She grew a few plants and was busted by the local task force, and they even CONFISCATED HER COPY OF THE STATUTE THAT HUNG ON HER WALL, crassly stating that "this don't mean nothin". After Norml intervened and she spoke with me about the medical use statute here, I gave her an AUTHORIZATION FORM I cooked up (from my brain cells that still think I am a lawyer, that is), and the DEA EVEN CONFISCATED THAT AUTHORIZATION FORM when they came back to find the 30 or so pounds of pot and coke they were told she would have (by their trusty informant, I am told). So here we have a few good guys (not) that at least act like we should expect them to act, not like those cooperative men in blue that still want to feel like they are like real people any more, those Chicago Police, that is. The bigger question is, what will the judge do on this one, eh? The next court date is in late July. Will the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rule by then on that DEA threatening to take the doctors' licenses thing in SF by then? Will doctors be more afraid or less afraid by then? If less afraid we might just find a doctor willing to help us help a few patients and then the DEA will come out of their building and behave just like they behave in California, methinks. But at least then, Illinois will be able to say that WE ARE THE 10TH STATE, THE TIE THAT BINDS THE WEST WITH OUR FRIEND OUT EAST, IN THE MARITIME PROVENCES (MAINE), and more states to come. Please come to my web site and learn more about Illinois' law. Please continue your protests and fights and please talk to your congress men & women. This election will be telling in deed! Politicians are even starting to talk about pot like they are not afraid of the voters. The voters now should not be afraid of Bush & Friends. Bush & Friends may someday soon be afraid of us. PAUL PETERSON  
http://ILLINOIS-MMI.ORG
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 23:23:02 PT
Note
Note: The official archive for protest reports is at Americans for Safe Access http://www.safeaccessnow.org/newswire_detail.php?id=22 which has archived reports and/or pictures from D.C.; Sacramento, Austin; Cleveland; Springfield, Massachusets; Santa Ana; St Louis; San Antonio; Oakland and Detroit posted as I post this.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 23:21:13 PT
More from D.C.
D.C.Kevin reports I just got out of jail after many hours of "processing" and paying a $50 fine. We were charged with a minimal offense -- equivalent to loitering or disturbing the peace. All ten of the civilly disobedient are well -- all of our wrists hurt a bit from the plastic handcuffs -- but otherwise okay.KevinYou can view 147 photos of today's DC medical marijuana demonstration at http://bigwood.biz/MPP-060602/index.htmRealvideo at http://flow.mediavac.com/ramgen/sinkers/2002/dojJun0602.rmKevin Zeese will talk about the protest Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern, 12 noon Central, 10 a.m. Pacific on the Cultural Baggage radio show on 90.1 FM in Houston or over the 'net from http://www.kpft.org
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 23:18:46 PT
Houston
Houston - from the Drug Policy Forum of Texas http://www.dpft.org email listLooks like the guys in Austin did better than we did, but we did not badly here in Houston. Dean and Steve and Cheryl did a great job of planning the event, and Cheryl did an especially good job of contacting the media. Perfect, actually. But despite having done everything right, it looked for awhile like no one was going to show up from either the print media or TV. But along about 12:05, just as we were getting started, Mike Snyder showed up from the Houston Chronicle -- he's the one who covered the Rosenbaum luncheon and the Baker Institute conference for the Chronicle -- together with a camera crew from KHOU Channel 11 (the CBS outlet in Houston).Later Channel 26 (the Fox outlet) sent a crew over to our office. Cheryl tried to get hold of me or Jerry but we weren't home yet, so she and Steve held the fort for us. So if you're in Houston, take a look at both Channel 11 and 26 and there might be something on about us. The guy from Channel 26 explained to Cheryl that the big problem in getting TV crews out today was that everyone was over at the courthouse in case the jury came back with a verdict in the Andersen case. Tami and Will Ellsworth and I got there pretty early, circa 11:30 or thereabouts, and already the cops were out in force, looking like they were expecting the worst. Fortunately for us, good old Officer Robertson (Charles Robertson) -- the same guy who looked after us the last time we had a press conference in front of the DEA bldg -- was there to take us under his wing. He's with the Criminal Intelligence Division of the HPD and has been serving as their liaison with the DEA for a long time. He is the kind of good cop who has the respect of everyone, since he sees his job as being to maintain law and order and to make sure everyone's rights get respected. He gave us a bunch of good advice and agreed to serve as a buffer between us and the DEA.Dean had wanted to push a wheelbarrow full of books and pamphlets and things into the building in hopes they'd accept the contents for their library, but the DEA wouldn't go for that. They did, however, agree to accept the cease and desist order plus a smaller packet of information which Dean had put together for them, so that was done as soon as the press conference was over. The other restriction was that they wouldn't do it in front of the media, and also they ordered us not to take any pictures of the DEA bldg. For this reason we had to stand with our backs to the street and face the DEA bldg when we were making our remarks, so that the TV camera (and the camera Dean's son was using) could get us but not the building. Their aversion to having pictures taken of their building seems almost as nutty as their determination to keep arresting med mj patients out in California, but then not much these guys do nowadays makes much sense to us.We got a pretty good crowd out with a lot of good signs, and lots of positive responses from cars driving by, sort of like the big vigil we had in front of the Governor's mansion a couple of years ago in Austin. I guess they were mainly Houston NORML members, although Frank Smith and also David Hawes from over in Liberty County were both there too, as was Jerry, who gave a good talk about his new booklet.We may or may not get a story out of this in the Chronicle, but Mike Snyder wants to do a feature article about the drug policy reform movement in Houston as soon as he gets a bit more time, so that will serve the same purpose that we had in mind for this event. All in all, i would say it was worth doing.Gotta go now and see if we got on TV. Hope someone in Dallas or Fort Worth will let us know how thing went up there. Also we have to hear from San Antonio.Cheers / Al
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 23:16:11 PT
Sacramento
SacramentoA page with some pictures of the DEA Protest in Sacramento today: http://www.hempusflag.com/News/June6Protest/june6protest.htmlJune 6, 2002 - The Sacramento Chapter of Americans for Safe Access was among those gathered in front of the Sacramento DEA Office to deliver a "Cease & Desist" Order and to protest recent actions against California Cannabis clubs.Amanda W. talks to the press. Steve K. is holding the prototype Global Peace Zone Flag.Easily 90% of the passing cars were honking their horns in support of Medical MarijuanaIn a remarkable show of solidarity, several Sacramento County Sheriff's drove by in force, with lights off, in the farthest lane from the crowd, and made a left turn AWAY from the protest. This was clearly a show of support for local & states rights.Meanwhile, the DEA office at 1860 Howe Avenue, Sacramento, California - WAS CLOSED TODAY!These armed guards were on hand to keep us safe from ourselves. Nevertheless, one affected was patient was seen running with scissors anyway!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 23:15:13 PT
Northern California
Northern California - from the Drug Policy Forum of California email list http://www.drugsense.org/dpfcaJun 6th - Northern Cal. saw spirited rallies against the DEA today. In SF, scores of patients picketed the federal building. Sup. Mark Leno came to voice his support. A group of protesters were arrested sitting in front of the entrance but released without charges.Rep. Nancy Pelosi sent a letter of support through her office in the building: "I join today in opposing the recent actions of the DEA which have made access to medicinal marijuana unavailable to people suffering from serious illness... The findings of scientific research, the will of the voters of the state of California and compassion for people with serious illnesses all argue against the actions the DEA is taking."In Oakland, a crowd of one hundred protesters shut down the entire federal building to the public (employees were forced to use side entrances). Cease & desist orders were prominently taped over the entrance windows of the building. Don Duncan called the DEA office, which refused to parley. Passing motorists, including an ambulance and fire truck, honked their horns in support.Santa Rosa, where the DEA recently raided the Aiko patients' co-operative, was the scene of the largest protest. Some 300 demonstrators turned out, and the federal building was closed to the public. Media showed up in force. KSRO talk show host Pat Thurston joined five or six others to block the doorway in civil disobedience. Police were highly cooperative, and no one was arrested. The federal building was shut down to the public. Assemblywoman Strom-Martin sent a representative in support.In Sacramento, the DEA office was closed for the day. Passing motorists honked their horns in support, while Sacramento County Sheriffs turned out in force, but kept a respectful distance from the protesters. A page with some pictures of the DEA Protest in Sacramento today: http://www.hempusflag.com/News/June6Protest/june6protest.htmlDale Gieringer 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 23:08:41 PT
More Tampa
More Tampa - From the Drug Policy Forum of Florida email list http://www.drugsense.org/dpfflHi guys. We had an excellent event in Tampa this afternoon.About 25-30 folks total, with UCF NORML out of Orlando chipping in.The DEA office is almost right on the corner of a major freeway intersection here. Traffic going eastbound comes whipping in off the freeway at high speed to stop at a red light directly in front of us. Traffic going west is getting ready to jump on same freeway, but also has to respect the same controlled intersection.This gave us time to give signage on both sides. Several thousand cars in two hours. Directly across the street is one of Tampa's most high toned shopping malls. That's where I stood as cars queued up to exit the mall.We got great overall response from passing cars. We gave out a LOT of brochures and cards to autos on both sides of street as they waited at red lights and gave us thumbs up.TWO POLICE encounters.The first was general uniform patrol-dude, who slid up to on the eastbound side and using his PA, told us we had to get off the medians and off the grass(between sidewalk and street...about ten feet wide).He then made the right turn off busy street and parked his patrol car so he could get out and 'splain it to us. JODI JAMES and ANTHONY LORENZO dealt with that. Jodi of course knows the ins and outs of this stuff, and patiently listened to him misrepresent the laws about where we could stand. Anthony was videotaping, which as usually happens, pissed the cop off. He 'warned' Anthony three times to stop filming, to which Anthony replied, "I'm not filming you, I'm filming Jodi and you're standing next to her."hehSo he left. And a few minutes later, plainclothes detective-dude rolled
into the parking lot and talked to Jodi telling her that having people
go back and forth across the street was dangerous. He stressed using
the crosswalks and also insisted that we desist with the bullhorn,
though he could not provide a cite.In fact, we had a copy of the Tampa city noise ordinance and there was
nothing specific to impede us during daylight hours. This encounter was
also videotaped and in the background while he asks repeatedly for us
to not use the bullhorn, you can hear one of our guys on the
bullhorn.....heh againSo he left also, but not before telling us that hey, no problem, the
grass between sidewalk and street is public right of way, so go for it,
just don't impede auto traffic.Group of four, two with videocams, go upstairs to DEA office.Jodi asks for the AOC. The women behind the glass partition sees the
camera and turns her back, "Goddamnit, they have cameras!"Two dudes in Miami Vice looking sports shirts and jeans come out from
the inner office to the little waiting room we are in and tell us no
one will speak with us. Further we have to leave.Jodi asks to leave the Cease and Desist order, and dude is like, "We
don't want that."Jodi goes to slide it under the glass into the inner office and dude
steps forward hastily, "Don't leave your paraphenalia here".Jodi reminds him that we are simply addressing grievances with the
government and dude says, "This is a private business".J: No it's not.D: Yes it is.J: No, you are a government agency.D: Yes we are.J: So you work for us. We are your --D: I don't work for you.J: Sure you do.D: No I don't.J: I know you don't like that, but you do.D: Well you have to leave.And escorts them out the door.Best part was when dude first came out, he for a moment went back
inside and left his buddy there.Anthony tells him, "We're thru being afraid of you."Dude does not reply.Jodi says, "I think HE'S afraid of US. Which is understandable because
we are frightening."This from a 5'4" woman in a plain light tan hemp dress, and three guys
all in business shirts and pants.I think it was that BIGG CAMERA that melts their Justice Dept issue
little wienies to teeny tiny size.Final Heh.Cheers,Steve in Clearwater
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 23:02:55 PT
Tampa
Tampa - From the Florida Cannabis Action Network email list http://www.jug-or-not.com/can/Cannabis Action Network, November Coalition, Drug Policy Forum of Florida, and UCF NORML stood strong in front of the DEA office. I saw a few new faces who were excited to do what they could to stop this insane War. Michael Palmieri, former director of F.O.R.M.L. and now local producer on Hillsborough Public Access television, was there filming the event. We spoke to the employees when they came out to stop arreasting Americans. We stood out front of the DEA office and distributed literature, collected information from people who stopped to talk, and collected petition signatures. We stood on the corner of a very busy intersection. Cathy Jordan, who has Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), was there sitting strong with us bearing the afternoon sun. Eventually, Alvin, Jodi, Mike P., and I went up to the DEA office to deliver our cease and desist order to the head of this DEA branch. We videotaped police stopping to talk to us and the conversation with the agent who would come out to speak with us. We will provide a link to www.pot-tv.net when we get the video footage edited and uploaded. The sound quality sucks, so i will need some assistance from some new friends in Fort Lauderdale who specialize in sound. I failed to mention i went to Fort Lauderdale Sunday and returned last night. It was a "fact-finding mission." I met Kat, Brian, Anti-Barby (wow), Don, and a few others (forgive me i am horrible with names). I think Fort Lauderdale has potential to be a focal point in our movement. I think they will be fun to get excited about this silly War. People that showed up today bought t-shirts, raffle tickets, and nice signs. We got their contact information and they will be receiving this email as well. Welcome to CAN. Please let us know how we can more effectively get the message out there.anthony
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 23:01:56 PT
Gainesville
Gainesville, FL. - Report from http://www.ssdp.org/ email listA small group of SSDP members and myself got to the unmarked office at about 11:45 today. One member had already been inside the office about 10 years ago and gave us the layout of where to go. We made it up the stairs to find a hall with cameras in either wall and the ceiling for about 70' to the marked office door. One member inconspicously carried a camera in a shoulder bag to prevent planting of anything on us in a worst case scenario. We made it past the first cryptolock door, which wasn't locked, into the reception area. The reception area was about 8'x5' with pictures 8.5x11" glossy prints of 3 men: GW Bush, Asa Hutchinson and John Ashcroft. I held down my vomit long enough to ring the bell, in front of the bulletproof glass, for the receptionist. I asked to talk to the superior agent on duty, and minute later he showed up in a Miami vice style floral print. I delivered the letter and explained that it was a cease and desist order to halt arrest of medical marijuana patients. He looked puzzled, and said that his boss, Dick Mackenetti, was at lunch. (Iroically, he was one of 3 gentlemen who held the outside door for us as we came in just moments earlier.) He offered to take my number and get back in touch with me, but I opted to try back later. We exited the building then, being tailed by someone hurrying down the stairs after us, and made it out the front door before he reached the building lobby and eyeballed us out. I've tried to phone the Agent in charge from payphones twice since then, and he's been in meetings both times. I'll continue to follow up tomorrow. Hope things went smoothly elsewhere, but I'm looking forward to hearing how other offices reacted. Heath Wintz, UF SSDP
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 23:00:59 PT
Austin
Austin - From http://www.dpft.org/ email listHey Everybody,We had a successful time at the DEA's outpost here in Austin. In solidarity with approximately 60 cities, (at last count), we held a press conference calling for the DEA to back off raiding the medical cannabis clubs that service the sick and vulnerable in those states that have legalized the medicine for pts.The TV and radio press were very interested and all local channels came out. Tracey Hayes, who is the co-ordinator for Austin's Safe Access chapter in Austin, did a great job and also did two live radio interviews, one from Dallas, and KLBJ AM in Austin. KTRH news radio from Houston was at the press conference.KVUE TV said with us and we all tried to go up and see the DEA to talk to them and explain our concerns as well as to hand them our Truce Statement. Though the DEA men were there, they wouldn't answer the buzzer placed in the lobby, and there was no way to even get to their front door.Our tax money apparently pays for them to have an office that is totally inaccessible to the public. The property manager, who was there told us he hasn't even been to the third floor, where the DEA office is. The elevator only goes to the 2nd and the same for the stairs. The same property manager kindly said he would see that the DEA got our Truce paper.On the way out of the building we could see someone from the DEA standing on the framed clouded glass that is the 3rd floor. We couldn't really see in, but they were looking down at us and I'm sure could see out.As part of this action, a billboard was made on N. 183 just off Highway 71 by the airport, which says - Arrest Pain, Not Pts. and their Caregivers and Safe Access to Medical Marijuana.Also another group, who hasn't claimed responsibility, put up a banner on the Zilker Park moontower, which says MEDICINE with cannabis leafs on it.Watch your local TV news tonight and I'd appreciate hearing some feed back from anybody you sees something. Thanks. Best, Karen www.dpft.org/austin 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 22:59:28 PT
Detroit
Detroit - from the email list of the Drug Policy Forum of Michigan http://www.drugsense.org/dpfmiWe protested the Detroit DEA Office & Federal Building (they're next to each other) during lunchtime. There were agents/officers outside waiting for us when we arrived. We held signs and distributed 3 of the ASA fliers with a quote from Francis L. Young, DEA Judge, on the back, as well as the flier with John Ashcroft's face, distributed at the NORML 2002 Conference. The G-men told us they were expecting a crowd of 70-80 people, which is cool as there were only going to be a few of us in the beginning. There were around 15 of us in attendance. The day was peaceful with stimulating conversation and fun.My friend, Donna, and I went for the old adage "skin to win." We wore white vinyl naughty nurse dresses with a marijuana leaf drawn on the back. We received all kinds of positive feedback and confirmation;) When we were going to leave we said our farewells to the DEA agents, who in turn asked us to stay. The outfits also made it very easy to get on a popular local radio talk show before the protest to plug it on the air. They were on location at a busy restaurant, Hockeytown Cafe (prepping for the Red Wings game tonight). In effect, the issue was raised to the patrons of the Cafe, too. We received good press there:) As far as other media, one local TV station drove by twice and honked once, but that's it.We had interesting conversations with some of the DEA men. Donna asked one what he thought of medical marijuana. He replied, "Well, I've never really given it much thought." I thought that was disturbing since the issue is linked to his job and especially the DEA. I wonder how many people never give much thought to their job or life, never consider the impact of their actions or nonactions. The agent wasn't a puppet or an ego with an attitude. He seemed to be a man, who likely has a family, going through the motions of life in America. We even philosophized a bit on life and the way we live as a society. He listened to what we had to say and seemed to give it some consideration. What could he or any of them say anyway? We have truth on our side. History is on our side. In the end, I determined he was a good man, just doing his job. Blinded by all the noise and smokescreen. When I thanked him for speaking with me he said, "Likewise. I enjoyed it." I truly believe if we can get the information out there, there are enough free thinkers to change the world. As we walked back to my car, I noticed a man (not a construction worker) staring down at us from a lift of sorts, between the Federal Building and the DEA Office. Our presence was definitely noticed. I'm sure we were the talk of the water cooler and smoke breaks.Peace:)Amanda Brazel 	& Donna Paridee
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 22:58:31 PT
Columbus
ColumbusFrom the email list of the Ohio Patient Network http://www.ohiopatient.net/Friends,Tonight, Channel 6 (WSYX-TV ABC)/Fox 28 in Columbus ran segments on medical marijuana both during its early evening and 11:00 news shows, which were, well..... superb!! Ken Schweickart, Democratic Party candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives District 22 seat and Director of Development for the Ohio Patient Network, called a news conference at 1:30 at the Columbus Public Library on North High Street. Present to represent medical marijuana were Ken, a Tourette Syndrome patient who utilizes cannabis as medicine, and I as the author of "The People Have Spoken: Medical Marijuana Polling 1996-2002." http://www.ohiopatient.net/Poll_Analysis.htmBefore I go any further, let me set the stage. General Norman Schwartzkoff spoke tonight at a very patriotic affair in downtown Columbus, which naturally was getting a great deal of press, both in news segments and advertising. With this picture in mind, around 5:45 on Fox 28, after one of the advertising breaks for this event came our segment on medical marijuana. They first mentioned the National Day of Direct Action, then moved to an interview with Ken. Next thing I know, the camera is featuring me saying that is "good for Ohio and good for America." Naturally, I'm wearing a white shirt with a blue blazer with reddish buttons! The segment goes on to interview the patient who swears he owes his life to medicinal pot. Finally, the Communication Director for the Ohio Department of Drug and Alcohol Addiction Services, Stacy Fronaple, is interviewed equating marijuana with aspirin and fearing that, if legalized, marijuana will wind up in the medicine cabinet of every teenager in America. The segment ended almost hoping that the Tourette Syndrome patient would have legal access to marijuana. It was fantastic. We taped the program in all time slots and hope to make copies.I think the 6:00 segment on Channel 6 was similar to the 5:30 one on Fox. However, the segment at 11:00 had Fronaple going first followed by Ken. Fox, I believe, also carried the segment at 10:45, although I don't know which version it featured. Will view the tape tomorrow. Nonetheless, four segments on the news tonight about medical marijuana with positive, if not superb, spin and of course, the commensurate dollars in advertising value for both Ken and reform.I'm so proud of everyone.mj
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by Richard Lake on June 06, 2002 at 22:57:25 PT
Los Angeles photos
2 photos from the Los Angeles protest are at http://www.mapinc.org/temp/6-6-02atDEA-221).jpg & http://www.mapinc.org/temp/6-6-02atDEA-9.JPG
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment