cannabisnews.com: Students Pipe Up on Medical Pot Legalization Students Pipe Up on Medical Pot Legalization Posted by CN Staff on September 24, 2002 at 16:39:57 PT By Angel Brewer, Contributing Writer Source: Daily Californian Five UC Berkeley students were arrested yesterday during a protest of the federal government's ban on medical marijuana use at a courthouse in Sacramento. Participants blocked the Federal Courthouse's doors "as a sign of solidarity" with those who have been jailed for possessing marijuana for medical use, said UC Berkeley junior Scarlett Swerdlow, a rally organizer who was one of 29 people arrested. The demonstration followed a rally at the state Capitol attended by hundreds from around the country, including participants from Berkeley and the university. "We want our state representatives to do more to protect patients and allow them to enjoy the many different benefits of medicinal marijuana," Swerdlow said. Although Prop. 215, passed in 1996, allows certain California patients and caregivers to use and cultivate marijuana for physician-recommended medical treatment, the federal government prohibits all uses of marijuana and thereby overrules the state proposition. "Today we need to legalize, empower and inform," said medical marijuana patient Carlos Lambert. "The federal government is just too lazy to put the foot on the brake of this war on drugs." Lambert, an Illinois resident, said he has smoked marijuana since he was 11 but began medical usage in San Francisco earlier this year to alleviate shoulder pain and stress. The Berkeley City Council unanimously passed a resolution in April supporting medical use of marijuana. The resolution also instructed the Berkeley Police Department not to cooperate with Drug Enforcement Administration investigations. But other lawmakers said they do not support allowing citizens to legally use marijuana. Assemblymember Dave Cox, R-Sacramento, "has been long opposed to the use of marijuana," said Peter DeMarco, Cox's spokesperson. "Certainly we've compassion for our ill, but the laws of the land are pretty clear," DeMarco said. Protesters said they knew they would likely be arrested before they held the demonstration. Those arrested at the demonstration were taken to a holding pen in the courthouse before being released in the afternoon, Swerdlow said. "We've demonstrated a presence in the state and the escalation of concern about this issue," said Berkeley resident Stef Sharer, executive director of Americans for Safe Access and a participant who was also arrested. "We've demonstrated that students and patients and mothers and wives are ready to sit in front of (federal) courthouse doors and ask for the release of (medicinal marijuana users) in jail." National advocacy groups organized the rally and demonstration, including Berkeley-based Americans for Safe Access, the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis and Students for a Sensible Drug Policy. "It was a really big success," said UC Berkeley senior Ian Ackerman, who is set to be sworn in as an ASUC senator for the FREE WEED! party Wednesday. "Hopefully we've sent a message to policy makers that we're serious about what we've voted for and won't be taken for granted." Note: Five UC Berkeley Students Arrested in Sacramento Protest.David Krantz of The Daily Californian staff contributed to this report.Complete Title: : Students Pipe Up on Medical Pot Legalization to Federal GovernmentSource: Daily Californian, The (CA Edu)Author: Angel Brewer, Contributing WriterPublished: Tuesday, September 24, 2002 Copyright: 2002 The Daily CalifornianContact: opinion dailycal.orgWebsite: http://www.dailycal.org/Related Articles & Web Sites:SSDPhttp://www.ssdp.org/Americans For Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccessnow.org/American Alliance for Medical Cannabis http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/Federal Stance on Medical Marijuana Law Protestedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14226.shtmlMedical Marijuana Activists are Arrestedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14224.shtmlProtesters Rally For Medical Marijuana Usehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14218.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by FoM on September 24, 2002 at 17:25:18 PT Thanks Dave I like google news. It isn't as up to date as a few others but I love google. It's in beta testing so I'm sure they will get quicker. That's about the only general search tool I use and I can always find what I'm looking for. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by dave in florida on September 24, 2002 at 17:06:11 PT FOM.. just a note for you to check out google news. I just saw it today and it is nice.. use the search engine there.. http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=cannabis [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 24, 2002 at 16:59:35 PT Just a Note The date on the next meeting must be this friday not the 20th since it's already over. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 24, 2002 at 16:55:42 PT ASA Emergency Response Information ASA has launched the emergency response with noon protests at the DEA office nearest you tomorrow, 9/25!The Shelter from the Storm garden in San Diego was raided today. DEA agents cut down the 20 plants that served 6 patients. McWilliams sits on the SD Medical marijuana taskforce which has been creating guidelines. In solidairty with the WAMM action dispensing from city hall, McWilliams did a solidarity action and dispensed to his patients from City Hall steps. He was sent a cease and desist order shortly afterwards, although his garden was well under to the 100 plant threshold that the feds ordinarily observe.This is another case of federal harrassment towards those who speak out, and this must stop!!Please contact your local ASA contact to find out and help plan a local vigil/action. In San Diego, activists will be at the federal bldg - at 3:30 pm. Wednesday. BTW, the next San Diego City Council Medical Marijuana Task Force Meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 20 , from 12:00 to 1:30 in the Executive Complex, 1010 Second Ave, 5th Floor. PS. Please send reports/pics on 9/22 vigils. 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