cannabisnews.com: Care Giver Brings Debate To Alameda Care Giver Brings Debate To Alameda Posted by CN Staff on May 01, 2003 at 09:43:35 PT By Susan McDonough, Staff Writer Source: Oakland Tribune Alameda -- Ed Rosenthal, whose controversial conviction for growing and distributing marijuana to medical patients has sparked new debate on the issue, will speak about his case next week at Temple Israel in Alameda. Rosenthal, a longtime marijuana advocate faces up to 85 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 4. When he visits the synagogue on Wednesday, May 7, he will address issues surrounding his recent trial. The case drew national attention when several outraged jurors said they would have voted differently had the court not withheld vital information about the case. Jurors knew Rosenthal, 58, grew the pot for medical purposes, but U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer omitted from evidence the fact that Rosenthal was an agent of Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative, an organization authorized by the City of Oakland to grow it. The judge withheld the evidence because federal law, which bans any and all marijuana growth, preempts California law, which allows the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Juror Marnie Craig said, at the time of the trial, that convicting Rosenthal was "the most horrible mistake I've ever made." Rosenthal, an Oakland father and author, said facing a prison sentence "is not a pleasant prospect." But the case is helping to pave the way toward legalizing marijuana, particularly for medical use, he said. It is a cause he's advocated for nearly 35 years. Rosenthal's 1996 book "Why Marijuana Should be Legal," was reissued this month with added notes about his arrest and subsequent trial. As a result of the case, California legislators are urging Congress to approve pending legislation that would allow patients and providers to use medical defenses in federal court trials in states where medical marijuana use is permitted, Rosenthal said. And people are taking the issue of legalizing pot -- once a "wink, wink" issue, Rosenthal said -- more seriously. "I'm satisfied that we've made a major change in the way people view this issue," he said. Rosenthal will speak as part of an ongoing adult education series at Temple Israel, a Bay Farm Island synagogue. The temple has hosted speakers on such issues as the death penalty and anti-Semitism on college campuses. Rosenthal will speak at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 7 at the synagogue, located at 3183 Mecartney Road. The event is free and open to the public. Note: Longtime pot advocate Ed Rosenthal who faces up to 85 years in federal prison will speak at Temple Israel on Wednesday.Newshawk: DruidSource: Oakland Tribune (CA)Author: Susan McDonough, Staff WriterPublished: Thursday, May 01, 2003Copyright: 2003 MediaNews Group, Inc. Contact: triblet angnewspapers.com Website: http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Ed Rosenthal's Trial Pictures & Articleshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/trialpics.htmJudge Delays Ruling On Medical Pot Mistrialhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15927.shtmlJuror Silent as Judge Weighs Datahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15917.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by lag on May 01, 2003 at 21:49:59 PT sweet, my old hometown I went to a Bar Mitzvah there. Alright, that's it. Go Ed! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 01, 2003 at 14:06:26 PT druid Here's Kentucky NORML information. They might be able to help.http://hometown.aol.com/kynorml/member.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by druid on May 01, 2003 at 13:50:06 PT Activist in KY needs your help ASAP! Forwarded Alert. Please Read and help if you can.***************************I just received a call from Peggy Kidwell concerning her husband Joe "Hemp" Kidwell. Joe was an outspoken medical marijuana activist in Southern California who moved to Kentucky. In Kentucky, he was arrested for possession. He was not allowed to ring up his medical conditions or medical use. His wife is very distraught because he is being refused medical assistance in Federal Prison. The last time she saw him (last week), she said he was in terrible condition and the guards were refusing to get him medical help.Please take a few moments to make some phone calls to Demand he get medical attention!Sample Call: "It has come to my attention that Joe Kidwell #08559033 in Federal Prison Lexington, KY is being refused medical attention. I am very concerned about his well being and would appreciate it if you would in inquire why he is being denied this right. Please call me back to let me know he is being helped."Prison Warden: George Synder 859-255-6812US Senator Mitch McConnell 202-224-2544KY Governor Paul Frankfort 502-564-2611News Articles about Joe: http://cannabisnews.com/news/1/thread1316.shtml http://cannabisnews.com/news/1/thread1679.shtml http://cannabisnews.com/news/2/thread2296.shtml http://cannabisnews.com/news/1/thread1781.shtml http://cannabisnews.com/news/1/thread1855.shtml http://cannabisnews.com/news/1/thread1989.shtml http://cannabisnews.com/news/2/thread2296.shtml http://cannabisnews.com/news/2/thread2296.shtml http://cannabisnews.com/news/5/thread5729.shtmlSteph Sherer******************************** [ Post Comment ] Post Comment