cannabisnews.com: Medicinal Marijuana Feds' Big Target










  Medicinal Marijuana Feds' Big Target

Posted by CN Staff on January 14, 2003 at 07:07:54 PT
By Paula Sheil, Record Staff Writer 
Source: Stockton Record 

In California, Prop. 215 was passed in 1996, making it legal for people suffering from AIDS, cancer and other serious diseases to use marijuana if they have a doctor's prescription. But since 9/11, the war on drugs has been subsumed by the war on terrorism. In the last year, with the rationale that the drug trade may fund terrorism, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency has taken action against more than 35 medicinal marijuana patients, cooperatives and providers in California. 
The most recent incident in September pitted Santa Cruz pot growers Michael and Valerie Corral, who run the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana, against federal agents with assault rifles and ended up with City Council members handing out joints on the steps of City Hall in defiance. "I think this whole panic over terrorism is creating a smoke screen under which the DEA sees an opportunity to do what it wants, especially in California with medical marijuana. There have been some pretty outrageous actions while the public focused on Iraq and on 9/11," said Dale Gieringer, director of the California chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Cannibus sativa and the hemp industry didn't come under fire until after the repeal of alcohol prohibition. Pot became outlawed in 1937. "A lot of people don't understand that this plant has been used for thousands of years for food, fiber, medicine, fuel and also as a sacrament," said David Jack, a resident of Angels Camp and a staunch supporter of decriminalizing cannabis. A 60-year-old retired social worker who spent his career in juvenile probation in Santa Clara and with a 18-bed private nonprofit rehab facility in Calaveras County, Jack also suffers an inoperable brain tumor. "Since 1990, I have gone through 39 different medications to control seizures with multiple side effects. Some have done damage to my liver," Jack said. Now he eats pot in baked goods and uses a vaporizer to control severe nausea and vertigo. Three years ago, he co-founded Northern Lights Church in Wallace and created a "congregational caregiver program" to provide marijuana others with similar needs. In 2000, the church was raided by the DEA, plants were seized, but no charges were brought against Jack. "While I can still breathe and speak I will speak my mind," Jack said. "I don't want to see our drugs laws as far more harmful than the drugs themselves." Dan Bava, the director of the San Joaquin County Office of Substance Abuse, believes that the current laws do reflect the problem. California has decriminalized marijuana to a degree. Possession is a misdemeanor, but the cultivation (except for caregivers) or sale of pot is a felony. Conviction could mean 16 months to five years in state prison. "I think the drugs laws are in line with the problem," Bava said. "Medical marijuana really needs to be in a controlled environment. Just to say, 'Oh yes, it's a good drug and you can use it' -- no, I do think it does impair judgment. It does do harm to a person." Other developed countries have determined that prosecuting users is overkill, considering the relative harm of the drug, compared to even alcohol and tobacco, and are choosing to redirect the resources of their police and courts. Twelve U.S. states have enacted similar policies, but the Bush Administration has made it clear, less states forget, that the federal government has the upper hand. Every year, U.S. taxpayers fork over $10 billion to fund the arrests of more than 734,000 individuals -- more folks than are arrested for all violent crimes, including murder, rape and assault, according NORML. A recent poll by CNN and Time magazine published in the Nov. 4 issue of the national weekly, says that 80 percent of Americans think adults should be able to use marijuana as medicine, and 72 percent believe that recreational users should be fined rather than jailed. In California possession of 28.5 grams or less is a misdemeanor with a $100 fine. Source: Record, The (CA)Author: Paula Sheil, Record Staff WriterPublished: Tuesday, January 14, 2003Copyright: 2003 The RecordContact: editor recordnet.comWebsite: http://www.recordnet.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/California NORMLhttp://www.canorml.org/Pictures from WAMM Raidhttp://freedomtoexhale.com/eventpics.htmWhat U.S. Papers Say About Medical Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14630.shtmlIs Pot Good For You? - Time Magazinehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14575.shtml

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help






 


Comment #6 posted by Toad on January 14, 2003 at 13:54:35 PT

Why Fear the Weed?/ Good one Sam
The Fed's continued irrational position on Cannabis must stem from the effect marijuana and psychedelics played on the culture of the Vietnam era. Those who smoked marijuana, and further tuned in with psychedelics had a better perspective on the issues of the time(war,environment,civil rights,etc) and were less effected by the propaganda.
Today, the Government still wants to keep the lid on everything that could pose a threat to our giant military and corporate run consumer system. 
Those who practice witchcraft(earthcraft), have always held a botanical knowledge that strikes fear in the Christian power structure. Use of Cannabis and mushrooms will make individuals question their faith, making these drugs a big no-no in Jesusland USA.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 14, 2003 at 13:53:16 PT

Two Articles
I thought there would be more news today and archived these instead of putting them on the front page. They're good articles but I thought there would be more about the trial but so far nothing but I'll keep looking.The Coming Canadian Drug Revolution: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15192.shtml Testimony Opposes Pot Fine Increase: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15191.shtml

[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #4 posted by Nuevo Mexican on January 14, 2003 at 12:23:10 PT

America the Terrorist Nation, take the poll!
Say no to bushes imperial presi-duncey!At this point, 79 percent of respondents say the U.S. is the biggest threat to world peace. The Biggest Threat To Peace
Which country really poses the greatest danger to world peace in 2003? TIME asks for readers' views
http://www.time.com/time/europe/gdml/peace2003.htmlSome would say, how does this relate to Cannabis? If we are the Terrorist Nation most say our current government is, then how could we treat medical and recreational users of Cannabis humanely, as it isn't in our best jack-botting interest to show compassion and common sense, as these qualities would make us appear weak.(sarcasm) Unable to even stop our children from using a substance that causes rape, murder, incest, pedophelia, devil worship and all the rest of Ashcrofts 'best case' scenarios. Seems nobody's buying the lies that our unelected representatives are shoving down Americans throats! 
Don't forget to attend one of the local Anti-war protests' this weekend, Jan. 18th,
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/
as stopping bush will contribute to the fall of Cannabis prohibition, and the continued onslaught against the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. If anyone here can't see that, they haven't been visiting C-news very long have they! 
Between stopping the Super Wal Mart from being built here against the wishes of most, and the huge momemtum thats building to stop the beginning of WW3, I only have time to check in with C-news. January has been an incredible month for Cannabis re-legalization, and 2003 will see the wall of prohibition collapsing faster than you can say, 'smoke a bowl, and chill out dude!' As I'm known for saying, the Planets deem it so!

[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on January 14, 2003 at 12:22:24 PT

More trouble ahead
Great comments you guys. I feel strongly that the problem with US government originates directly with the American people. We have been growing fatter and more apathetic every year since the draft and Viet Nam ended. The Bush cabal are merely the first ones to be opportunistic enough to take advantage.They are realizing that they can do practically anything they want, inside the US or out. We have the world's biggest military by far. We have enough police and jails to arrest and jail 10 TIMES as many people per capita as the other First World countries. Propaganda has never been easier or more effective; all media is owned by a few corporate buddies. Americans have been separated from all sense of intrinsic culture, religion, or roots; we are brainwashed from birth for one thing and one thing only: to be CONSUMERS. We'll work like fiends, only seeing our spouses and children for minutes per day, to maintain The System.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #2 posted by Duzt on January 14, 2003 at 11:31:03 PT

Bava and harm
"I think the drugs laws are in line with the problem," Bava said. "Medical marijuana really needs to be in a controlled environment. Just to say, 'Oh yes, it's a good drug and you can use it' -- no, I do think it does impair judgment. It does do harm to a person." 
                                                            If he feels that impairment is harm, I encourage him to go to a prison and get gang raped and to let me know which is doing more harm to the person.

[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #1 posted by Truth on January 14, 2003 at 09:23:38 PT

Sick sick sick
Taking away medicine from folks that need it is one of the lowest forms of human behavior. I wonder if it really makes those people that behave in such an inhumane way feel like big men. Don't they wonder about how they will explain themselves come rekoning time. Lies don't work at that point. Shame on Bush for his lies.
[ Post Comment ]





  Post Comment