cannabisnews.com: Bush Escalates Marijuana War Bush Escalates Marijuana War Posted by CN Staff on July 10, 2003 at 20:00:57 PT By Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer Source: San Francisco Chronicle The Bush administration, pressing its campaign against state medical marijuana laws, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let federal authorities punish California doctors who recommend pot to their patients. The administration would revoke the federal prescription licenses of doctors who tell their patients marijuana would help them, a prerequisite for obtaining the drug under the state's voter-approved medical marijuana law. Justice Department lawyers this week asked the high court to take up the issue in its next term, which begins in October. The department is appealing a ruling by an appellate court in San Francisco that said the proposed penalties would violate the freedom of speech of both doctors and patients. If the justices agree to review the case, it would be their first look at medical marijuana since May 2001, when the court upheld the federal government's authority to close down a pot dispensary in Oakland and others in the state. The October decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco "effectively licensed physicians to treat patients with prohibited substances" and interfered with the government's authority "to enforce the law in an area vital to the public health and safety," Justice Department lawyers Mark Stern and Colette Matzzie wrote in court papers. The appeal "is a sign that this administration will do everything they can to defeat the will of the voters of California and many other states," said Graham Boyd, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer for doctors, patients and AIDS support groups who sued the federal government in 1997 over the policy, which the Clinton administration originally introduced. State laws would be moot If the Supreme Court takes the case and ultimately rules in the government's favor, Boyd said, "it would make all of the states' marijuana laws a dead letter. . . . If a physician can't recommend marijuana, then no patient can qualify" to use it under state law. The federal action was in response to California voters' 1996 approval of Proposition 215. The initiative, a trailblazer for laws in eight other states, allows seriously ill patients to use marijuana with their doctors' approval. Prop. 215 specified that the approval would take the form of a recommendation rather than a formal prescription. The case is Walters vs. Conant, No. 03-40. Note: Supreme Court asked to sanction doctors who recommend pot.Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/07/11/POT.TMP Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer Published: Friday, July 11, 2003 Copyright: 2003 San Francisco Chronicle - Page A - 1 Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/Related Articles & Web Site:Conant vs. Walters & Judge Kozinskihttp://freedomtoexhale.com//cw.htmThe Sense Of Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15429.shtmlProposal Would Let Doctors Recommend Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15407.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #22 posted by FoM on July 11, 2003 at 10:31:09 PT Hi Hope Thank you for your comment. I agree with you and I don't know what to do to make them see. We are good people. We care. We care so much that we don't want jails to be the solution to what is a problem for those who don't understand. Those that makes the laws should be required to tour prisons and talk to some of the inmates before they speak about drug issues. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Hope on July 11, 2003 at 10:20:58 PT FoM Re: "What shocks me is the amount of hate that goes against all of us."Just my thoughts, but I have come to conclude that it is their religion, their fears, and their conditioning have enabled them to dehumanize us. To them we are nothing more than demons...that when we speak and our reason begins to sound reasonable to them...they shut us off. They believe they are being subjected to the magical powers of, or charmed by, a demon, instead of giving in to reason coming from another, equal, human being. The question is, who really has the "demon" controlling them. It's sad. But I don't know what we can do about it. It truly is a demonic thing in that their fear, unreasonable fear, I might add, makes them deaf to understanding. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by westnyc on July 11, 2003 at 08:04:11 PT Repups reign Supreme in court! If I am correct - of the nine Supreme Court Judges - 5 are Republican. If these "appointed for life" justices made the loser the president two hours before the final votes were counted - Does anyone really think they will rule in the favor of the people or the states? Whatever Ashcroft and the Brat want - they will get! PS - Let's end the "One-Party" system in 2004 and vote Nader!!!!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Richard Paul Zuckerm on July 11, 2003 at 07:26:08 PT: THE WEB SITE OF COMMENT NUMBER 11 BELOW NOW WORKS! About a half hour ago, I was successful in getting into the Web site of comment number 11 below. Initially, it would not recognize my zip code. Apparently, it now does! It apparently got through to New Jersey Senators Corzine and Lautenberg.One problem is that Congressman Pallone's e-mail address, Frank.Pallone mail.house.gov, has been discontinued! Congressman Pallone is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health, directly involved in the medical pot Bills! I received e-mail responses from Congressman Pallone, beginning about two weeks ago, after sending e-mail through a different Web site and from my own composed e-mails. Congressman Pallone now requires e-mails to be directed to his e-mail address located in the United States House of Representatives web site. I telephoned his office, about an hour ago, spoke to "Robert"(?), asked him to vote for medical pot and vote against the UNESCO membership House Bill and Resolution. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Doobinie on July 11, 2003 at 07:01:10 PT And interesting poll... Good morning all,The poll in today's Globe and Mail (probably one of the world's best newspapers, in my opinion- www.globeandmail.ca) is on the following topic: "Do you believe President George W. Bush lied to the American people about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?"At this time, the results are:Yes: 9071 votes (82 %) No: 1949 votes (18 %) For the record, I voted yes.Love and Peace from Soviet Canuckistan,Doobinie [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by goneposthole on July 11, 2003 at 07:01:00 PT escalate peace "The nation can't afford two Bushes."-Alan GreenspanBe prepared for the meltdown. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by paulpeterson on July 11, 2003 at 07:00:41 PT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY These justice department lawyers just put their feet in their mouth: "public health and safety" are, of course, vital issues, but wait-those are areas traditionally relegated to the STATES for control!We knew, of course, that Ashcroft would appeal the 9th Circuit's ruling, so this should come as no suprise. The interesting thing is: with the assisted suicide law from Oregon up on appeal (after Ashcroft was told to GET OUT OF THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE) we now have the interesting confluence of two opposing ideas: 1) if the government won't allow full treatment of pain (out of fears of "opium" addiction, etc.), why won't we allow a merciful death? or put opposedly, 2) if the governent refuses to allow people to die with dignity to stop pain, then why won't they allow full research of a controversial drug to encourage pain/anxiety/depression treatment (that would be cannabis, of course).Quite frankly, two years ago when I started my own advocacy to use the 32 YEAR OLD MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW IN ILLINOIS (720 ILCS 550, sections 11 & 15), I was aghast to see those buildings fall down in Gotham City because I saw what a horrible bully pulpit this "terrorism" thing would give Bush. True to form, he has used this fear mongering to erode personal freedoms and reign in the checks and balances that limited his power.Now, of course, this "Iraqigate" seems to be working quite nicely to get even SENATORS to start talking about states' rights and even medical marijuana! Little did I know that the drugs=terrorism linkage Bush has long sought would work inversely as well: blatant abuse of Bush's mandate for "security" has caused the lumbering beast that is the moribund congress to start questioning Bush's entire agenda.Thank you, Bush, for screwing up so well. Those nuclear lies might just get you knocked off your block for good.Now, thanks to GW & Pharmos, working on brain trauma, more studies and products are coming down the pike to prove the efficacy of this medicine after all.By the time this case gets heard by the US Supreme Court, we should have some great PROOF as to the neuroprotective properties of pot from patients in our own nation! Those supremes will have some important new headlines to chew prior to ruling on this case, the cat's out of the bag, conclusion is for-ordained, and already, we have seen Ed get one day (for a felony, of course), Brenda Kratovil (Illinois glaucoma sufferer grew 25 plants, took a felony conviction so she could appeal the issues) she got conditional discharge without urine drops, Alaska decided they have a constitution after all (which allows for personal use, etc. in the home, just like Hawaii), judges are dropping minor possession charges all over the nation, just like when alcohol prohibition became moot!Canada is moving ahead quite nicely on these issues, which puts Bush in a tough spot ie: his "handlers" want the economy to continue working so they won't let him road-block Canada.And remember, some 50 nations have refused to exempt the US goon soldiers from human rights liability, quite gutsy, really, when you consider just how important Big Daddy War-Bucks' warbucks are to many struggling banana boat republics.I'm done now, and thanks for listening. Paul [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Treeanna on July 11, 2003 at 06:55:09 PT Pity I too tried to go there and got the same error message about the zipcode.I hope whoever is running it fixes that error! [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by afterburner on July 11, 2003 at 06:40:26 PT: Grist for the Mill US: The Drug War's Fun And Games 10 Jul 2003 New Times (CA) http://www.mapinc.org/ccnews/v03/n1035/a02.html"The political risks of debating and criticizing the war on drugs have been overstated." - Kurt Schmoke, Mayor of Baltimore - [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Richard Paul Zuckerm on July 11, 2003 at 05:44:31 PT: THE CIA LAUNDERS DRUG MONEY WHILE WE GET ARRESTED! A moment ago, I tried to log on to the Web site of comment number 11, below, but the Web site would not recognize my zip code!There is an awful hypocrisy that the Bush Administration wants to prosecute Americans for Cannabis use while his Central Intelligence Agency launders over $200 billion per year of drug money thru Wall Street, www.fromthewilderness.com [Selling the video of the lecture on the subject]; www.expertwitnessradio.org [You can download his past radio shows, any time!!]. Most people will refuse to believe what I just said because major media is manipulated so that they do not tell us the whole truth and the curriculum of government schools is so bad that the kids are not taught the dark side of government. See, e.g.: www.johntaylorgatto.com.Yesterday's The New York Times newspaper reports that Ralph Nader plans to run for President again. I will vote for Mr. Nader, again, too!!! I voted for George Herbert Walker Bush for U.S. President, in 1980, because I was so dumbed down by government schools. See, e.g.: www.johntaylorgatto.com. Since then, however, I have learned about the history of the Bush family, thru underground publications and the Web. See, e.g.: www.tarpley.net [An internet book about George Herbert Walker Bush, NOT written by the Bush Administration!!!]. I will NOT vote for Republican Party again!!! Similarly, I will NOT vote for Democrat Party, either, because they are too much into giving money to teachers' unions and gun grabbing. See, e.g., www.johntaylorgatto.com. Instead, I will ONLY vote for Ralph Nader, Green Party candidates, and Libertarian Party candidates, vote on my own conscience, like a fully informed jury should, not "the lesser of two evils" coerced vote!President Bush should be held accountable for lack of proper intelligence data, based on the collective knowledge doctrine. The collective knowledge doctrine is a legal presumption that all of the officers of the investigation are imputed with the knowledge of one of the officers of the investigation. The collective knowledge doctrine was created by the United States Supreme Court, in a footnote of a published case by The Court, and has been followed rather widely, though it is a rather unknown doctrine. I am bringing it out to inculpate the Bush family, who are partially responsible for suppression of Hemp. See, e.g.: the Web article entitled Shadow Of The Swastika, www.sumeria.net/politics/shadv3.html.We need to file lawsuits against these fascists when they infringe upon our constitutional rights; Not only for violation of the federal Bill of Rights, but also State Constitutional Rights. I have a pending lawsuit asserting violation of State Constitutional Rights, against the Highland Park Police and Highland Park Public Library, (732) 572-2750, for their policy of a 3 minute time limit on the public pay telephone, even if nobody is waiting to use the public pay telephone, arrest by 3 Highland Park policemen for verbal refusal to produce identification ["obstruction of justice"], and a COMPLETELY POLICE-FABRICATED "disorderly conduct" charge. They found an 8 inch dagger in my backpack. The Grand Jury refused to indict me for the dagger. The "obstruction of justice" conviction was thrown out on appeal in the Superior Court, Law Division, Middlesex County. I have been convicted of "disorderly conduct", though, which was affirmed by the Appellate Division. Today, Friday, July 11, 2003, the New Jersey Supreme Court, (609) 292-4837, is due to decide whether to take the case, on petition for certification, in State of New Jersey v. Richard Paul Zuckerman. 9 times out of 10 they deny the request. Municipal court convictions are not admissible in the connecting civil action, anyway, according to Trisuzzi v. Tabatchnik, 285 N.J.Super. 15, 25, 666 A.2d (App. Div. 1995). Only an indictable conviction is admissible in the civil action! This means I can present the civil JURY all of the discrepancies and contradictions of the police, in the hope that a huge PUNITIVE damages verdict will deter the police from police perjury, in my lawsuit, Richard Paul Zuckerman, Plaintiff, v. Borough of Highland Park, et als, Defendants, Docket Number MID-L-3743-00, Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Middlesex County. My primary concern is that they might stick me with a trial judge who will throw the case by refusing to permit evidence or to properly instruct the jury, biased judges, local prejudice, undue influence of the defendant municipality, which is located right next door to the City where the County Courthouse sits, which will be the subject of a motion for change of venue, after the New Jersey Supreme Court makes their final decision on the pending petiton for certification. All of this because of a public library policy of a 3 minute time limit on the public pay telephone, even if nobody is waiting to use the phone!! You can only use the public pay telephone for 3 minutes!!Richard Paul Zuckerman, Box 159, Metuchen, New Jersey, 08840-0159, (Cell telephone)(908) 403-6990, richardzuckerman2002 yahoo.com;Diploma in Paralegal, New York University, 2003;B.A. in Political Science, Kean College of New Jersey [renamed Kean University], 1987.Richard Paul Zuckerman, Box 159, Metuchen, N.J., 08840-0159, (Cell telephone number)(908) 403-6990, richardzuckerman2002 yahoo.com; Member of: www.norml.org; www.normlnj.org; www.cannabisculture.com; www.hightimes.com;Diploma in Paralegal, New York University, 2003;Diploma in Truck Driving, Smith & Solomon School of Truck Driving, Edison, N.J., 1995;B.A. in Political Science, Kean College of New Jersey [subsequently renamed Kean University], Union, N.J., 1987. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Sam Adams on July 11, 2003 at 05:29:26 PT Marijuana bigots I keep wondering, when will they die off? The World War II generation of marijuana-hating bigots. Bush and Clinton are from the Baby Boomer generation, but it's clear that their strings are being pulled by the Elders, whose accumulated cash apparently overrides all other input.I agree with those who are saying "Bring it on". If they want to pull out all the stops and focus the full brunt of the Drug War on medical marijuana, they are probably making a fatal mistake. This latest action could even alienate the fascist AMA and other physician groups who have been staunchly prohibitionist all along. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on July 11, 2003 at 04:45:11 PT Let Your Voice Be Heard From the good folks at DontConfirm.org:President Bush's nominee for DEA administrator, Karen Tandy, has promised to continue the raids on state-approved medical marijuana patients and providers if she is confirmed. Please write to your U.S. senators to tell them, "Don't confirm the raids! Don't confirm Karen Tandy!" Visit http://DontConfirm.org/take_action.html to fax a pre-written letter now.The Marijuana Policy Project's "Don't Confirm the Raids" campaign is gaining momentum. Today, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's ranking member, Patrick Leahy (D-VT), all spoke out against Tandy's refusal to stop the DEA raids on state-approved medical marijuana patients and providers. Senator Durbin even said he would vote against Tandy! (Please visit http://DontConfirm.org/durbin.html to see Tandy's answers to Sen. Durbin's questions on medical marijuana, then visit http://DontConfirm.org/senators.html to see a summary of the senators' statements from today's committee hearing.)The full Senate will vote on Tandy's confirmation as early as next week. Visit http://DontConfirm.org/take_action.html now. The entire process only takes two minutes. After you enter your address, you will see links to a selection of sample letters; choose one, edit it if you like, and then fax it to your senators with one final click.Thank you for helping us show the Senate how strong the movement for marijuana policy reform is. The Senate cannot ignore the will of the 80 percent of Americans who oppose the DEA's raids on medical marijuana patients. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by billos on July 11, 2003 at 04:44:10 PT: Bush..the American Fascist Don’t fret folks. There may be hope yet. You see, Bush is probably trying to make himself look important again to all the goody two-shoes that control the money in this country. Why? He has his mitts full with his own issues as does his administration. And, if they are not full yet, believe me they will be. I was watching C-span last night and a session of State Representatives was addressing the Senate. Representative Ron Paul, R-Texas was slashing out at the administration and read out all the issues publicly and officially that I was beginning to think would be sequestered by Bush and his cohorts slowly but surely. Mr. Paul was saying how Bush led the people into war by deceit. He talked about how some forged documents were used to dupe the sheople into supporting war. He talked about how the federal government was tramping on the will of the States concerning medical cannabis. I couldn’t believe my ears! It was the sweetest speech I ever heard and it really lifted my spirits about the future of this Bush-man. Oh yeah, I think I remember Mr. Paul using such adjectives as; fascists, power-hungry, liars. It was so Sweet. Has anyone else seen this speech? He mentioned the fact that Bush and his cohorts were trampling on the Constitution, and how the Forefathers would cringe should they realize the state of affairs going on today. It was very inspiring. So…..folks, hang on to your hats. There may be hope after all. Watch and listen. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by lag on July 11, 2003 at 00:05:33 PT Here is the deal They are just so pissed that their favorite state law (sodomy) got abolished by a supreme court that seems to recall the original purpose of this nation (barely). This administration should be dragged out into the street and spanked. They are acting like children. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Nuevo Mexican on July 10, 2003 at 23:32:27 PT CBS: Bush Knew!!!!!! Kucinich was right!!!! and 16 to 30 million people who marched Feb. 15th against his insanity were right. Now for the big picture, This article is an example of a collapsing empire. Remember Ghandi, born Oct. 8, almost single-handedly destroyed the last empire, the British one, remember that. Kucinich is born Oct. 8th, as well, and is the only candidate calling for an end to the war on cannabis, (oh yes, and all those other nasty drugs, can't think on what there called, Marijuana is the only one they care about eradicating, and even that is just to keep prices high and the illegal market going). Anyway, guess who will take down the bush (almost sounds like british) Empire? Very good, you got it! Dennis Kucinich, it ryhmes with spinach! This is good, what bush is doing will backfire on him, as has everything. Just watch! http://mediawhoresonline.com/more: http://commondreams.org/headlines03/0710-12.htmFor the Democrats, the energy is on the left: http://commondreams.org/headlines03/0710-02.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on July 10, 2003 at 20:52:57 PT What About What He Said About States Rights? Bush: Marijuana Laws Up to States: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread3373.shtmlGeorge W. Bush Backs States' Rights On Marijuana: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread3355.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by firedog on July 10, 2003 at 20:45:41 PT What a difference an election makes I seem to remember Mr. Bush had a different tone before the Presidency was handed to him on a supreme platter:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/bush102299.htmWhen you vote for Bush, you vote for Ashcroft. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by afterburner on July 10, 2003 at 20:43:19 PT: War Escalation Did In Another Republican President The arrogance of power: US President George W. Bush, like his predecessor, former President Richard Milhous Nixon, seems to think that the solution to all his perceived problems is punitive and/or military action. Such thinking lead to escalated bombing in Viet Nam which lead to Watergate which lead to impeachment which led to resignation in disgrace. President Bush has lost any support he might have gained in the cannabis community after 9/11 by his consistent persecution of medical cannabis patients and their providers in California and elsewhere. It is too late to get that support back. With the increasing furor over falsified documents to justify the War on Iraq, this heightened Medical Cannabis War could be President Bush's Waterloo.ego transcendence follows ego destruction, with liberty and justice for all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Virgil on July 10, 2003 at 20:34:54 PT The beast has grown a second head It is ashame so many people are missing all of this struggle come to a head. It looks like the prohibitionist beast will be seen in a new dimension of uglyness now that its second head is sprouting horns.It is a story about to catch fire. Load up on info and fire at that ignorance. Let's get that use up there where it belongs. I think that when the warning labels on GWPharma's devices are compared to the page that comes with any pain pill at the pharmacy as the pill companies disclose the dangers of their profitable pain pills, we will have a match. A match as in fire. Here we have a powerful piece that would awaken many. Come Christmas, expect the story to be on fire. CANNABIS PROHIBITION is a wicked two-headed but brainless beast following the cent of money. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 10, 2003 at 20:23:00 PT Rainbow You make good sense. What shocks me is the amount of hate that goes against all of us. I don't understand that at all. We believe one way. We aren't mean spirited. We are trying to educate. We are doing our best to help bring an end to this disaster called the drug war. It's a war on all of us and it is so wrong. I can't find the right words to express how I feel. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Rainbow on July 10, 2003 at 20:11:46 PT I can believe it FoMA couple things come to mind, but where is Kapt to give us a great analysis?First this is a close to last ditch effort to get the laws revoked. Is it an all the eggs in one basket because if they loose they really loose.What do we have in our favor? Several great scientific studies since 2001, the ANA, Canada is selling med pot, the original med pot 7 or 8, Britian laws are changing and GW is coming out with a prescription, it is legal in Alaska!.Hopefully this and more evidence will be presented and maybe the AMA might have to take a position. That would be telling.A lot is on our side. The antis are in real deep dodo.The wall is tumbling.This might be good with the right people making our case.TomPS send a message to bushette and tell him how you feel. The black heliocopters have not surrounded my house YET. brown house [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 10, 2003 at 20:02:21 PT Can Anyone Believe This? I'm shocked by this article. I really am. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment