cannabisnews.com: City Leaders Help Pot Giveaway at City Hall City Leaders Help Pot Giveaway at City Hall Posted by CN Staff on September 17, 2002 at 06:53:09 PT By Martha Mendoza, AP National Writer Source: Associated Press Cutting ribbons, making declarations, passing out marijuana to sick people, it's all in a days work if you're the mayor of Santa Cruz. Mayor Christopher Krohn and his colleagues on the City Council plan to help hand out pot to medical marijuana users at City Hall on Tuesday. Their goal: let federal authorities know that in this town, marijuana is considered medicine for those who are ill. Marijuana is illegal -- as a medicine or as a recreational drug -- under federal law. But state law, and county and city ordinances, say it's legal if recommended by a doctor. In Santa Cruz, and many California communities, local law enforcement work closely with growers and distributors who help sick people obtain marijuana. The City Hall pot distribution comes less than two weeks after agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration arrested the owners of a local pot farm and confiscated 130 plants that had been grown for use as medicine at the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana. DEA spokesman Richard Meyer said he was "appalled" by city leaders joining the giveaway, and would not discuss whether his agents would show up to make any arrests. "Marijuana is an illegal drug in this country," he said. "Our job is to enforce the law." Santa Cruz Police Chief Steve Belcher said his officers work closely with WAMM, and that they would not arrest registered, legitimate members picking up their medicine. However, he said, "this is not going to be a smoke-out at City Hall." People who show up to smoke pot for fun, without a doctor's recommendation, could face arrest, he said. There is no official city sponsorship of the event -- council members and medical marijuana advocates are simply acting on their own in a public space, said City Attorney John Barisone. Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington also allow marijuana to be grown and distributed to people with a doctor's prescription. But the DEA has focused its raids on medical marijuana growers and distributors in California. Complete Title: City Leaders Help Pot Giveaway at City Hall in Santa CruzSource: Associated Press Author: Martha Mendoza, AP National WriterPublished: Tuesday, September 17, 2002Copyright: 2002 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Sites:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/Cannabis Action Network http://www.cannabisaction.netAmericans for Safe Access http://www.safeaccessnow.orgNews Articles on WAMM Raidhttp://freedomtoexhale.com/valc.htmMedical Pot Rallies Held Across State http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14134.shtmlMarijuana for Aids Patients http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14133.shtmlMarijuana Showdown Looms in Santa Cruz http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14091.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by p4me on September 17, 2002 at 09:58:39 PT p4me "Marijuana is an illegal drug in this country," he said. "Our job is to enforce the law."As a concerned citizen concerned about the corruption of government it is my duty to change these laws and if you were any kind of citizen you would see your duty too. You would resign and take up the cause of restoring the interest of the people and change the unjust laws with their excessive penalties meant to preserve the power of the rich and increase their wealth.Do your duty officer and resign.1,2 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment