cannabisnews.com: Let Fed Quit Fighting Oregon Over Marijuana Let Fed Quit Fighting Oregon Over Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on October 19, 2003 at 21:05:54 PT By Theresa Novak Source: Albany Democrat-Herald The federal Drug Enforcement Agency, at the behest of Attorney General John Ashcroft, seems bent on starting a Second Civil War against Oregonians who are trying to comply with the state's regulations regarding production of medical marijuana.For the second time this year, the feds have swooped down on a medical marijuana operation. The most recent was Oct. 2 in Travis Paulson's Lebanon back yard. Paulson, 54, was careful (or so he thought) to comply with state law. He has a permit to cultivate 49 medical marijuana plants for his clients who have chronic health problems, terminal diseases or other ailments that qualify them to receive marijuana as medicine. Paulson had 48 mature plants for his annual harvest, but he also had 56 rootless cuttings that Paulson had taken to prep next years' crop. However, the DEA agents who raided his house said basically that pot plants are pot plants, rooted or not, and that he was in violation. They confiscated his plants, the computer he uses in his reflexology business, $3,300 in cash and his home security system.Brian Blake, a spokesman for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in Washington, D.C., said federal drug control agents were not targeting Oregonians who grow medical marijuana, but simply going after what he called "the marijuana threat."Medical marijuana "is part of the marijuana threat," he said.That little bit of double-speak is little comfort to Paulson, but what may be is that both Oregon leaders and the judicial system are girding for a battle to enforce the will of Oregon voters who have decided that it is reasonable to allow marijuana use in some limited cases.However, the situation has put state and local law enforcement officers in the middle of a battle with Ashcroft, whose determination to meddle in state matters is, at the very least, a waste of federal tax dollars.It's a situation summed up well by state Rep. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, who said, "The Bush administration is very quick to say they believe in states' rights, except for (those issues) and anything else they don't agree with."Linn County Sheriff Dave Burright, whose office is among those across Oregon trying to make the most of limited budgets and resources, said the situation puts him and his officers in a "ridiculous quandary.""Our problem is that we are in conflict with federal law versus our state law. Our state law, which we are sworn to uphold, is that a person is allowed a certain number of plants. Federal law, which we are sworn to uphold, says they can't."The issue of whether federal or states' rights should prevail was pretty well settled in a tiny courthouse in Appomattox, Va., on April 9, 1865, so technically the administration doesn't need to care about what Oregon - with its seven electoral votes - thinks. However, Californians also passed a medical marijuana bill, and California has 54 electoral votes that the Bush administration would dearly like to reap in the 2004 election.Maybe what's needed here is a little closer alliance in this matter with our neighbors to the south about how to deal with the folks far to the east. They don't seem to understand that Oregon and California both have bigger problems than trying to stomp out marijuana use by the sick and dying.Theresa Novak is the opinion page editor of the Corvallis Gazette-Times.Source: Albany Democrat-Herald (OR)Author: Theresa Novak Published: Sunday, October 19, 2003Copyright: 2003 Lee EnterprisesWebsite: http://www.democratherald.com/Contact: http://www.mvonline.com/support/contact/DHedletters.phpRelated Articles & Web Sites:SOMM-NEThttp://www.somm-net.org/Hemp & Cannabis Foundationhttp://www.thc-foundation.org/Court's Marijuana Ruling May Impact Oregonhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17582.shtmlMedical Pot Gardens On Rise in Southern Oregonhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17302.shtmlMedical Marijuana Giving Cops a Headache http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16993.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by Patrick on October 20, 2003 at 07:18:14 PT The marijuana threat ooooh that's why the feds spend tax dollars handcuffing sick old ladies to the bed. It's all cause medical marijuana is part of "the marijuana threat." Now I am really scared. Mommie Mommie there is giant sativa monster hiding in the closet waiting to eat me or turn me into a bat or something. We have to get these idiot thumb sucking morons out of positions of power in this country. Vote to stop "the idiot threat." [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 20, 2003 at 06:34:23 PT gloovins I've seen people I love die horrible deaths. That's enough death for me to see. Death happens all the time and it just isn't fit to post here. That's all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by jose melendez on October 20, 2003 at 05:38:04 PT Think pot and guns are linked? Think again. You won't hear this statistic from ONDCP. An RCMP study examining the last 12,000 grow-op busts in B.C. revealed that guns were found at 6% of these residences. Ironically, police reports indicate that about 24% of homes in the province contain a firearm. In other words, cops are far more likely to find a weapon in the average domestic disturbance call, then they are at a "grow op." Ontario is likely to have similar statistics. http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1618/a06.html?397 Police Time Wasted On Plant Eradication [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by jose melendez on October 20, 2003 at 05:29:02 PT link truncated Hopefully, there will be a Drug War Claims Commission someday. Is this the correct link, gloovins?http://www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org/learn/snapshots/civil_war_history.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by AlvinCool on October 20, 2003 at 04:29:10 PT HUH? Since when do state officials swear to uphold federal law? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on October 20, 2003 at 04:27:37 PT Meanwhile in the funny pages The Rush Limbaugh situation has made it to the comics: The Boondocks [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by gloovins on October 20, 2003 at 00:16:53 PT reference to Va Courthouse in 1865 Appomattox The surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865 effectively ended the Civil War. After the surrender, for the sake of economy it was decided that the majority of the defensive works around Washington should be dismantled. However, neither the Chief of Engineers nor the War Department felt that the City of Washington should be returned to the defenseless state it was in 1861. General Order 89 dated June 23, 1865 directed that 25 out of a much larger total should be maintained. The rest of the forts should be abandoned and the land restored to the rightful owners. The Southern Claims Commission was set up after the war to help settle claims for damages incurred by citizens. Its records give many details about losses of property by residents of Alexandria County. The rest of the article is below, question how did this effect the mmj movement in 2003. I am prob missing something obvious but,...oh yes sorry FoM for posting that link earlier to the drug war death, its just thats what the Drug War spawns and if you cant deal, well, maybe you just have a hard time with reality or something. It is yr site but times are the harshest right before prohibition walls crumble and the cruel, harsh realities, if covered up, are brushed under the rug, then the problem only worsens. I'll never post anything similar again but you must admit its at an insane point now btwn ashcroft and rumsfield bush and cheny, the compassionate conservitism in this country, imho, only goes for Ken Lay and the VP's private meeting rights with our tax dollars and his yeah or nay as president of a very partisan Senate.And to think they could just reschedule it in a day with a voice vote. Congress wake up, the war Nixon, that corrupt anti-semite, decalred on U.S. citizens who choose a plant for life sustainment, the pusuit of happiness, is wrong to the core. Hard drugs are differnt and more complicated but at least reconsider the multiple bills Ron Paul and Barney Frank have proposed over the last few yrs and finally just re-schedule it. 80%+ public support is more than a mandate, its a loud and clear shout.Peace all and may your god bless you http://www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org/learn/snapshots/civil_war_histo [ Post Comment ] Post Comment