cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Giving Cops a Headache Medical Marijuana Giving Cops a Headache Posted by CN Staff on August 02, 2003 at 12:13:44 PT By David Courtland, Pilot Staff Writer Source: Curry Coastal Pilot The number of medical marijuana plants being grown in Curry County has become a dilemma for law enforcement, say Brookings police officers. "This medical marijuana is out of control," Brookings Police Detective Ron Plaster said Thursday. Plaster said there are nearly 300 grow sites — addresses where someone is authorized to grow medical marijuana — in Brookings alone. "What that's supposed to mean is one person per site with a card for seven plants," said Plaster. "That's not the way it's happening." Oregon's medical marijuana law lets a person with a prescription for the plant — which can only be written for patients with debilitating or terminal illnesses — grow up to seven plants. Plaster said the problem is that the law doesn't limit the number of cardholders another person, or caregiver, can grow the plant for. "We have one house that has nine cards," said Plaster. "He's caregiver for eight people, that's 63 plants — there's no way for us to interpret whether they're being grown for sale or not." In Curry County there are 372 grow sites authorized to grow marijuana, 292 in Brookings, 50 in Harbor and 30 in the rest of Curry County. "And you can't tell me all those people have legitimate medical reasons for growing," said Lt. John Bishop of the Brookings Police Department. By comparison, Coos County, which is more populated than Curry, has 430 grow sites, said Plaster. "No one seems to be monitoring that, and it's set up to where the police can't monitor it," said Curry County Sheriff Kent Owens. "You'd think that just as we have health inspectors monitoring restaurants, we'd have monitoring for people who are growing marijuana," said Owens. "Once you've got got that medical marijuana card, you're authorized to grow marijuana, how do we know you grew it here or bought it in the valley?" The problem for law enforcement is complicated, said Bishop, by the fact that once someone has even applied for a medical marijuana card, it provides them with a defense against prosecution for growing marijuana for sale. "Most prosecutors don't want to go after that," said Plaster. "It's difficult to show they're growing for sale." If plants are seized from someone who has applied to be a cardholder, the plants have to be taken care of in case they are returned. "It could take 30 to 60 days for that paperwork to get processed, and in the meantime, we have to maintain those plants," said Bishop. "And if we return them, we've just broken federal law," continued Bishop. "We're put in the position of breaking federal law to honor state law — so we generally just don't seize it."Source: Curry Coastal Pilot (OR)Author: David Courtland, Pilot Staff Writer Published: August 2, 2003Copyright: 2003 Western Communications, Inc.Contact: mail currypilot.comWebsite: http://www.currypilot.com/Related Articles & Web Site:SOMM-NEThttp://www.somm-net.org/Police Skeptical About Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14820.shtmlMedical Marijuana Connection Growing http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14706.shtmlMedical Marijuana Users On The Rise http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14627.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #27 posted by afterburner on August 03, 2003 at 22:24:39 PT: Hands across the Border The US MM Struggle:"If you oppose using your tax dollars to persecute doctors who, because of the bizarre fixations of our drug warriors, can legally prescribe morphine for minor surgical pain but cannot prescribe a much safer drug to relieve the agony of terminal cancer patients, let your elected representatives know. Of all the excesses and absurdities of the drug war, the federal government's persecution of medical marijuana is perhaps the most barbaric and indefensible." --US TX: OPED: Misdirection In The War On Drugs 01 Aug 2003 Abilene Reporter-News http://www.mapinc.org/newscc/v03/n1162/a02.html?397The Canadian MM Struggle:CN AB: Police Urge Residents To Take Stand Against Drugs by Tina Kennedy, (30 Jul 2003) South Peace News Alberta http://www.mapinc.org/newscc/v03/n1167/a10.html?397ego transcendence follows ego destruction, will we let the police/military dictate medical practice? [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on August 03, 2003 at 21:30:14 PT Cannabis Safer Than Methadone August 4, 2003In "Death stalks increased methadone use in state" (July 29), the writer states that because of accidental overdose leading to death, methadone can be risky to use for treating chronic pain. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a pain medicine that never caused death from overdose? Actually, we do, and it is called cannabis or marijuana. Thousands of Oregonians participating in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program know that cannabis is effective for some people in chronic pain. There are now several placebo-controlled trials showing effectiveness of cannabis and cannabis-based products including an under-the-tongue spray that will probably be released in England this year. At the very least, the states that have passed medical cannabis legislation should not be harassed by our federal government simply because voters believe that suffering patients should have the option of either cannabis-based pain medicine or opium-based pain medicine. RICHARD BAYER, M.D. Southwest Portland http://www.oregonlive.com/letters/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1059826013284050.xml [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on August 02, 2003 at 19:46:28 PT A Request There's an article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette but it's a subscription site. If anyone sees the article please post the link and I'll get it posted then. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on August 02, 2003 at 19:32:19 PT Virgil Thanks! I read it and even though I didn't understand some of what was said it sounds positive. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Virgil on August 02, 2003 at 19:20:31 PT If only it is true John Turmel at medpot in the yahoo groups posted another message about the 4 court cases before the Ontario Supreme Court concerned MJ last week- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MedPot/message/953Turmel has 12 hours of historic footage of these cases heard by the Ontario Supreme Court. Someone needs to edit it to a DVD. Anyway JCT closes with these words-Game is over. Abolition of prohibition of laughing grass is engineered. Back to bigger issues. Report when I can.If only it is true. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on August 02, 2003 at 17:48:24 PT mayan You're welcome. I see what happened. The url and the sentence connected. So it should wrap fine. I know web X doesn't work but I wasn't sure about this one until now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by mayan on August 02, 2003 at 17:10:10 PT FoM... Thanks! [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by mayan on August 02, 2003 at 17:07:28 PT I just noticed... this article on the Mirror news page(link posted in previous comment). Hope this link works. POT STORM HITS SEX AND THE CITY: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/content_objectid=13247153_method=full_siteid=50143_headline=-POT-STORM-HITS-SEX-AND-THE-CITY-name_page.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on August 02, 2003 at 17:05:25 PT mayan The only thing I can think of is I didn't put any words in front of the url. Maybe it was too long and didn't wrap right. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on August 02, 2003 at 17:03:18 PT Test http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/content_objectid=13247150_method=full_siteid=50143_headline=-BLAIR%2DDRUG%2DVOW%2DFIASCO-name_page.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by mayan on August 02, 2003 at 17:00:37 PT hmmm... that link isn't working for some reason. To read the article go to http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/ or http://whatreallyhappened.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by mayan on August 02, 2003 at 16:51:23 PT Unrelated... It seems that Britain has abandoned plans to wipe out what promises to be Afghanistan's biggest poppy crop ever!!! Go figure...BLAIR DRUG VOW FIASCO: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/content_objectid=13247150_method=full_siteid=50143_headline=-BLAIR-DRUG-VOW-FIASCO--We-promised-to-wipe-out-the-Afghan-poppy-fields--Instead-more-heroin-than-ever-is%2-name_page.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on August 02, 2003 at 16:33:11 PT Jose Much better picture! Strange caption though! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by i420 on August 02, 2003 at 15:07:01 PT Big deal... So what is the big deal people are growin pot....they could be out commiting real crime like robbery murder rape...the list could go on but these people are just growin pot...SO WHAT????? I would hate to live in this town where a cop is worried about a freakin pot plant than catching a real criminal who is creating heartache if not worse for taxpaying citizens. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Jose Melendez on August 02, 2003 at 15:04:46 PT grin to win OK, how's this one...http://thepatmurphyband.com/kieth%20richards.jpg It's the Hypocrisy, Stupid. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on August 02, 2003 at 14:27:26 PT Jose Oh my what a terrible picture of Keith Richards. I know he isn't very handsome to begin with but that's bad! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by billos on August 02, 2003 at 14:26:45 PT: this quote... "And you can't tell me all those people have legitimate medical reasons for growing," said Lt. John Bishop of the Brookings Police Department. Another med school drop-out becomes a cop. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Jose Melendez on August 02, 2003 at 14:14:31 PT testing... http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_805149.html Throwing to Stones [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Treeanna on August 02, 2003 at 14:10:57 PT I used to live there This tiny, inbred community of pricks is corrupt and does everything from farming minor offenses to generate incarcerations and probationers (to get extra $$$ from the state), to routinely lying to the public through their pet newspaper "The Pilot", to murdering outspoken citizens who try and go against the machine (known locally as "Good ol Boys").Imagine the "Dukes of Hazard", but stocked with truly evil and fairly clever bad guys :(By all means, write to the Pilot and attack this silliness. They may even print a few of your letters. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Jose Melendez on August 02, 2003 at 14:08:58 PT OK, two more titles... Member Dis?http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1163/a03.html?397The West Texas district attorney who prosecuted those arrested in the controversial Tulia drug sting is under investigation by the State Bar of Texas for possible misconduct in his handling of the cases. Bar disciplinary officials, who ordinarily do not discuss ongoing cases, would not acknowledge whether they are investigating Swisher County District Attorney Terry McEachern. (snip)how about:Smoke Dat!http://www.statesman.com/asection/content/auto/epaper/editions/saturday/news_f3b216fcc30d31a500d1.htmlKeith gets smoke signals So, what's a rocker to do when fans throw drugs at him on stage? Check out the quality, says Rolling Stone Keith Richards, according to a report on ananova.com. "Yeah, some of it's pretty good," he told Q magazine. "We toss away the (less than great stuff), you know? The guys'll pick it up, and it gets sent back to my room. Sometimes I won't open them for days now. It's usually weed." (uh, snipped :) Law Enforcement Against Prohibition [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by afterburner on August 02, 2003 at 13:57:49 PT: If They Have a Headache Maybe They Should Take Pot Compare aspirin usage rates to cannabis usage rates:"Uses· In 1969, aspirin tablets were included in the self-medication kits taken to the moon by the Apollo astronauts. Aspirin proved very effective in combating the headaches and muscle pains that frequently resulted from long periods of immobility. (2)· According to some estimates, as many as one trillion aspirin tablets have been consumed in the past 100 years. (3) Each year, 50 billion tablets are taken worldwide, with Americans consuming 29 billion, or 58 percent. (4)· Aspirin is consumed in a variety of ways. The French prefer suppositories to pills. The Italians take fizzy forms of aspirin (comparable to Alka-Seltzer) and the British like aspirin powders that can be dissolved in water. (5)· In 1997, the most popular uses of aspirin are for: prevention of heart disease (37.6 percent), arthritis (23.3 percent), headache (13.8 percent), body ache (12.2 percent) and other pain uses (14.1 percent). (6)" --FACTS ABOUT ASPIRIN http://www.bayeraspirin.com/press/factsheets/aspirin_fact_sheet.pdf29 billion aspirin tablets used by approximately 300 million people in the USA: 29,000,000,000/291,674671 = 99 tablets per person. How much white willow bark would have to be grown to get a similar benefit if aspirin tablets were not available at the pharmacy, or "drug" store? Just say, "No!" Estimated 3.5 million population of Oregon would mean 99 x 3.5 million = 348 million tablets for the state of Oregon for one year. "You can't tell me all those tablets are being used for medicine," says Joe Flatfoot.Since cannabis is also effective for pain control and many other medical uses, are the plant estimates really so far out of line?ego transcendence follows ego destruction, we are not beyond rational comparisons. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by freedom fighter on August 02, 2003 at 13:48:33 PT LTE Dear Editor;This is a response to an article "Medical Marijuana Giving Cops a Headache".The law enforcement actually took the time to figure out how many grow sites? Whoa!, there's something wrong with the picture. A law officer with the power to arrest took the time and of course, the money that the state of Oregon could have put into education or even maybe actually arresting a real terrorist, spying on your fellow neigbors because they grew.So what if some of them are selling, at least I know the product is made in U.S.A. The fund will not support any terrorist organization. So where is the victim? What a waste of resources!Cordially Yours(me)pazff [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on August 02, 2003 at 13:14:57 PT Jose Sounds about right! I think they have an addiction problem! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Jose Melendez on August 02, 2003 at 13:11:44 PT how's this title... Drug Warriors Can't Quit Easy Work! Great Pay! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Virgil on August 02, 2003 at 13:02:48 PT News to me-Cultivation sends UK politician to jail From last Thurday's posting at 4:15PM at http://politics.guardian.co.uk/green/story/0,9061,1009997,00.htmlThe Green party's spokesman on drugs has been jailed for six weeks for cultivating cannabis, it was announced today. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by jvthc on August 02, 2003 at 12:54:15 PT: Be still my bleeding heart..... Ain't that just a shame. Imagine being required to prove a crime beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Virgil on August 02, 2003 at 12:43:46 PT The article needs a new title Plant prohibition problems police [ Post Comment ] Post Comment