cannabisnews.com: Phone Campaign Targets Lawmakers Who Oppose MMJ Phone Campaign Targets Lawmakers Who Oppose MMJ Posted by CN Staff on November 23, 2003 at 08:58:12 PT By Allison Hoffman, Times Staff Writer Source: Los Angeles Times The four represent districts in California and Oregon where officials have arrested people for violating federal drug laws.Voters in four congressional districts — three in California, one in Oregon — answered their phones last week to hear a recorded message from Angel McClary Raich, an Oakland mother with an inoperable brain tumor, boldly announcing: "I'm a medical marijuana patient, and your congressman is threatening my life." More than 600,000 registered voters in San Bernardino, Simi Valley, Chico and Portland, Ore., will get similar messages from Raich or from another activist, Marney Craig, by next Monday, said Steph Sherer, the director of Americans for Safe Access, a San Francisco group sponsoring the telephone campaign. The four targeted congressmen — Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino), Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley), Wally Herger (R-Marysville) and David Wu (D-Ore.) — voted in July against an unsuccessful budget amendment that would have cut funding to federal drug enforcement authorities for raiding facilities where marijuana is grown or distributed for purported medical use. They also represent districts where federal officials have arrested people for violating federal marijuana laws, despite their compliance with more lenient state laws. "We're going to hit them where they live," said Sherer, who emphasized that the campaign is not partisan. "Our hope is that we educate the congressmen that there is support for medical marijuana use."Sherer said California's passage of Prop. 215 in 1996, which legalized the use of cannabis for medical purposes and was approved by 56% of the state's voters, was evidence of that support.Herger, who represents a swath of small rural counties in Northern California, dismissed the budget amendment and the phone message campaign. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/targets.htmSource: Los Angeles Times (CA)Author: Allison Hoffman, Times Staff WriterPublished: November 23, 2003Copyright: 2003 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/Related Article & Web Site:Americans For Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccessnow.org/Medical Marijuana Campaign Targets Congress http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17844.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #29 posted by FoM on November 24, 2003 at 20:11:47 PT DPFCA: One Year Probation for LACRC Directors This is about as close to victory as was possible in this scenario. Congrats to Jeff, Scott, & Jeffrey! HM.NEWS ADVISORY – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Diana Buckhantz (323) 934-0443 or dcbmedia aol.com Probation for Directors of West Hollywood Medical Marijuana CenterFederal Judge Rules in Favor of Three Men Who Provided Pot to PatientsLos Angeles (Monday, November 24, 2003) – Despite attempts by federal prosecutors to portray three former directors of a West Hollywood medical marijuana dispensary as common drug dealers, a federal judge showed leniency today and sentenced them to one year of probation, and between 100 and 250 hours of community service.Ruling that the case of the three men fell “outside the heartland” of normal narcotics cases, U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz departed downward from sentencing guidelines that called for up to 30 months in federal prison for Scott Imler, Jeff Yablan and Jeffrey Farrington. Each had pled guilty to charges of “maintaining a place” where marijuana was “manufactured” and distributed. Attorneys for the three men had argued that standard sentencing should not apply, because their work caring for patients was strictly controlled, exclusively humanitarian and done with the full knowledge and cooperation of local law enforcement and elected officials. West Hollywood’s mayor and city council were among those who asked the federal judge for leniency. The LACRC worked so closely with local officials that a West Hollywood city councilman served as their attorney, and the city had helped buy the building in which the center operated. The center had even applied for a federal license to “manufacture marijuana for medical research” and taken investigators on a tour of the facility. That application was cited by the DEA as the basis for its raid on October 25, 2001, which closed the LACRC.At that time, the LACRC was serving 960 seriously ill patients, 80% of whom were HIV/AIDS sufferers. More than 450 physicians had referred patients to the LACRC for medical marijuana. “Judge Matz has shown that common sense can prevail against the federal government’s mean-spirited attacks,” said Steph Sherer, Executive Director of Americans for Safe Access, who was present outside the sentencing. “But the drug warriors are trying to stop him. John Ashcroft is reviewing decisions like this, and Congressman Mark Souder is introducing the “Drug Sentencing Reform Act,” which requires longer prison sentences for medical marijuana than child molestation.”West Hollywood officials will hold a press conference in the lobby of City Hall tomorrow at 10:30am with the three men; Imler’s attorney, Ron Kaye; members of the LACRC, local clergy and activists. WHAT: Press Conference with West Hollywood City officials, medical marijuana defendants.WHO: West Hollywood City Councilmembers; LACRC officers Scott Imler, Jeff Yablan, Jeff Farrington; attorney Ron Kaye; local clergy.WHEN: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 10:30 a.m.WHERE: West Hollywood City Hall, 8300 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 848-6400. # # #A national coalition of 5,500 patients, doctors and advocates, Americans for Safe Access is the leading organization devoted to medical marijuana.Hilary McQuiePolitical DirectorAmericans for Safe Access1678 Shattuck Ave. #317Berkeley, CA 94709Phone: 510-486-8083Fax: 510-486-8090http://www.safeaccessnow.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by FoM on November 24, 2003 at 08:50:17 PT News Brief from NBC 4 Cannibis Club Leaders To Be SentencedMarijuana Sold To 900 Patients With AIDSNovember 24, 2003LOS ANGELES -- Three leaders of a now-shuttered West Hollywood, Calif., cannabis club are scheduled to be sentenced Monday for selling marijuana to people with AIDS and other diseases. Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center President Scott Imler, 45, and the club's vice president, Jeffrey Farrington, 34, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one federal count of maintaining a drug establishment. Another leader, 48-year-old Jeff Yablan, also pleaded guilty. The charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000, though the men are expected to receive much less under federal sentencing guidelines. Federal agents raided the buyers' club in October 2001. Operators said marijuana plants, records and computers were seized in the raid, which occurred because the U.S. government does not recognize California's voter- approved medical marijuana initiative. In his plea deal, Imler admitted the club had about 559 pot plants on its premises when it was raided. He also acknowledged he was paid a salary from the proceeds of the marijuana sales. He said after his guilty plea that he feels the Bush administration is set on eviscerating Proposition 215. The club was open about its activities. At the time it was shut down, it was serving about 900 patients, Imler said. After the raid, the club effectively ceased to exist, Imler said. "We just weren't willing to go sneak around in the shadows doing what we've always done in an up-front way," said Imler, himself a cancer patient.Copyright 2003 by NBC4.TVhttp://www.nbc4.tv/health/2660155/detail.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by Sam Adams on November 24, 2003 at 06:57:20 PT polling Virgil, those donors have already taken your suggestion. Or at least Peter Lewis has - through MPP, they entered a partnership with Zogby to do polling, I think the first one found 68% of Americans wanted to stop arresting MJ smokers after 9/11.Your point about the media black-balling medical MJ by refusing to say "Compassionate Use Act" is well taken. When government comes up with catchy names for fascist proposals, those names are use exclusively by the media. For instance, have you EVER seen the PATRIOT Act and RAVE acts referred to by their numbers? I don't think so. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on November 23, 2003 at 21:08:18 PT Virgil I don't think polls are ever fair. The reason why is the way they word them. Many times they don't give a person a choice that they want. Polls on web sites questions of the day, announced on tv and then posting the results of the poll probably are the fairest polls we've seen. They need to ask the right questions in polls to get honest answers. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by Virgil on November 23, 2003 at 20:56:42 PT retropoll.org Retropoll.org says it cost $1500 to run a national poll because they use volunteer labor. They basically say you cannot trust the major polling companies because they have political motives.There recent poll found that 40% of the people polled were for the impeachment of Bu$h. Now doesn't that make you wonder about all the other polls. http://www.retropoll.org/press_release_poll03.htmI wonder what poll is really reliable. The question that needs to be asked is quite clear-"Should marijuana be regulated like alcohol and tobacco?" You would think someone like Soros or Peter Lewis would have a poll done as serious as the situation is. We are being manipulated. We are presented with a warped view of reality. We need some numbers that are reliable to show the recognition of the wrongness of CP and also the intensity of belief that it is a priority to change. The average American says marijuana more in a month than the New York Times and Washington Post put together. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on November 23, 2003 at 20:45:50 PT John Tyler Keep us posted! Good Luck to you! [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by FoM on November 23, 2003 at 20:38:32 PT AlvinCool The link you posted didn't work. Is this the article?http://miva.jacksonsun.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?NEWS/news_story.mv+link=200311235593773 [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by John Tyler on November 23, 2003 at 19:58:43 PT Congress The Republician Congressman in my district keeps sending me stuff about all of the great things he is doing for and with Bush. He recently sent me an invitation to be on his advisory committe. So, I will be on it just to give hime an alternative point of view. I will keep you posted on how it goes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by AlvinCool on November 23, 2003 at 19:47:41 PT Local This is local to me. This is how people are treated where I live http://miva.jacksonsun.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?NEWS/news_story.mv+link=20031123559 [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Virgil on November 23, 2003 at 18:28:39 PT Afganistan Opium calls the drug warriors http://www.news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1294902003 This is about the situation with opium. I just want to include one fact for the purpose of showing how one fact can change a person's view. This is mainly about demonstrating the power of knowledge although it does a lot to show the ruthlessness of the USG and would be relevant to CP by tyranny.From - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00020.htm - “According to the official view of history”, Zbigniew Brzezinski, US President Jimmy Carter's national security adviser, admitted in an interview in 1998: “CIA aid to the mujaheddin began during 1980, that is, after the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan... But the reality, secretly guarded until now, is completely otherwise.” At Brzezinski's urging, in July 1979, Carter authorised $500 million to help set up what was basically a terrorist organisation. The goal was to lure Moscow, then deeply troubled by the spread of Islamic fundamentalism in the Soviet central Asian republics, into the “trap” of Afghanistan, a source of the contagion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Virgil on November 23, 2003 at 16:14:53 PT The Pill Bill for Poor People- I cannot hardly stand to watch C-span on the Senate debate when the Nazi mouthpieces defend this piece of crap. Edwards spoke out against it and made sense.The whole thing is incredulous anyway. There is the issue of hurrying a vote on a huge document that was only created Thursday for a vote on Monday. Who has had a chance to read it and what else have the Nazis put in it?It is incredulous because why did prices get so high to start with. Why did they not focus on getting prices down yesterday and when we can't at least negotiate to match the smaller customer represented by the Canadian government, they have no credibility to start with.Presently they are on the wrong issue and they are voting on something in a hurry that they know is for the pill companies and HMOs that noone has even read that can wait until next year. The guys are high on glue- they want to stick in office and duty to the general welfare has nothing to do with it. $400 billion when there is zero in the bank is a lot to talk about. It is a matter of life and debt. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Virgil on November 23, 2003 at 14:29:09 PT Failure to compose My idea on people going to the county on purpose is actually to get arrested and pay the fine to support the town. The Mormons in Nevada will be important in any MJ iniative. One thing about BS is you do not explain it. Bumpersticker- The Mormons started this, they should now end it. Put that in your book and may it be published on hemp paper. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Treeanna on November 23, 2003 at 13:48:11 PT Wally Herger Sucks I live in his district, and he is one of those in CA. Every week I get reply mail from him about my action alert messages, etc.He basically says that he knows better than I what policy should be, and while he appreciates my input, he isn't going to change his mind, etc.Thing is, his district is filled with conservatives who's IQ about matches the cows they herd, so not likely to change :( [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 23, 2003 at 13:44:03 PT Virgil, Here Are a Few Numbers These articles are currently for this month but only this month the most accessed articles. I hope this is what you wanted to know.1968 /news/thread17748.shtmlhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17748.shtml 1099 /news/thread17732.shtmlhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17732.shtml 1098 /news/thread17800.shtmlhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17800.shtml 1083 /news/thread17751.shtmlhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17751.shtml 1072 /news/thread17772.shtmlhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17772.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Virgil on November 23, 2003 at 13:30:07 PT Knowledge and perspective v formal education What formal education do people who post on here have?It is all live and learn. What difference does formal have over informal knowledge? Is it like synthetic THC is great but natural is worthy of arrest? Knowledge is knowledge. Dr. Russo has knowledge of medicine that he acquired formally, but he may well admit that he did not let that get in the way of his education on cannabis and plants worthy of study.What people bring is mostly perspective as we all see the same articles and acquire the same knowledge base. My degree is in accounting but I have read more words at Cnews alone than I ever did 4 years in college from all sources. Maybe FoM can put up for the number of people that read different articles. It would have been rare for more than a thousand people to read an article, that is why I do not worry about spelling or grammar, or broken thoughts. I guess it is like greeting a friend in pajamas or houserobe. When something needs said, just answer the door.I would think the big thing here over the last two years that things have changed from thinking the government was mistaken in their position. Today, I would think most people would acknowledge that the government knows full well what their intentions and facts are and that we have policy that represents the agenda of the plutocracy while ignoring the general welfare and the ideals of a just society in search of a more perfect union. The injustice is clear to anyone that smokes a joint and thinks "Why would they want to arrest me for this." The more you read and see how pervasive the public is for change and the way people are shielded from facts and perspective, the more it gets to you. The federal position on cannabis is just part of the WOD that is part of controlling the people instead of protecting their freedoms. It is all upside down as we do not need protection from cannabis, we need protection from the government. I think after a while you reach a point of diminishing returns on reading as once you see it is all screwed up what more enlightenment are you expecting? You probably have seen observer post when something comes up concerning driving while enhanced. It is a fear that is promoted by the prohibitionists over and over and he puts up information that refutes it. Driving While Enhanced will probably appear in a search of this site twice. I mentioned it once to add a perspective to the fact that people on cannabis are safer drivers than the population as a whole. I put it up when I introduced Turmel's thoughts that the police would just stop people driving slightly under the speed limit and test them for cannabis. I wanted to raise the issue if driving a little under the speed limit might be probable cause. Then that splinters into it is a police state and what do you mean anything cannot be searched.Everybody is putting together a puzzle and if you see something fits in your picture, you just put it in. Keep what you want and throw away what you want. One thing to keep in mind is that you are singing before the choir. If it is worthy of the choir it is by default worthy of a browser.I would think reporters and the DEA and even writers read this website. Now for me, when I started commenting at Cnews all I wanted to do is recruit two people to becoming students of the cannabis perspective through all means possible make two converts of prohibitionist to a policy of Free Cannabis For Everyone.I have an idea for a book or short story. It would be a variation of a save the farm story that centers on the cannabis situation today. Instead of saving the farm it is save the county. I would center it in a county in Nevada, that borders California. I would raise the issue of the Sheriff as the highest elected law enforcement official and maybe even ask the federal government to get out similar to Bighorn County in Colorado. That is fringe. The County would have a problem which is probably money and pass a law making MJ the lowest priority of the county. The formula for a western was always a lone man comes riding into town and maybe this man happens to get a ticket for say $20 because he was puffing in public. Here is the punchline. The town is in trouble and people actually go to the town to support its contribution to freedom and politeness and good governance. Prudent Pot Policy Protects Prudence. The law stands. The town is saved. The reformer that started it all gets the girl and is elected Mayor. I am watching the Charlotte Panthers on television and typing so I do not know exactly what I said. It does not matter. I just wanted to plant a seed and hope it hits some fertile ground. Game over. eom- end of message [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by The GCW on November 23, 2003 at 12:54:45 PT Cannabis Enthusiast "Right now in India you can pick cannabis buds from the side of the road and then throw them in your food to eat."Along the roads they will feed,... -Isaiah 49:9 [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by ekim on November 23, 2003 at 12:47:21 PT Hi C_A this is where the rubber meets the road Sunday, November 23, 200310:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. www.kucinich.us/events Irvine, California Rally and Reception Turtle Rock Community Park Center, 1 Sunnyhill, Irvine Contact Greg Gilbert, 949-646-304012:30 – 2:15 p.m. East L.A., California Rally and Office Opening Griffith Middle School, 4765 E. 4th Street, then 3617 Cesar Chavez, East Los Angeles. Contact David Sanchez at 323-691-0543 or Mary Jacobs at 323-260-48953:00 - 5:00 p.m. Culver City, California Peace Sunday with Dennis Kucinich Presented by Unity-and-Diversity World Council in cooperation with Agape International Spiritual Center and KPFK 90.7 FM Presentation of "Heart of Humanity" Award to Rep. Kucinich Main Speakers Program 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Music, Seminars, Food, Workshops, and more 2:00- 9:00!! $20 in advance, $25 at the door Agape Spiritual Center - 5700 Buckingham Parkway - Culver City, California Reservations: 323-655-6612 Info: Tahdi Blackstone, 818-888-6004 Monday, November 24, 20033:00 – 5:00 pm - CST Des Moines, Iowa MSNBC and DNC Debate Polk County Convention Center Hosted by Tom Brokaw, portions will be aired on NBC Nightly News Will be broadcast live on MSNBC and Des Moines NBC Affiliate WHO-TV 13 It will also re-air in its entirety on MSNBC in primetime, 9-11 p.m. (EST) and re-air on CNBC. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on November 23, 2003 at 12:22:56 PT Cannabis Enthusiast Nothing fancy here. I don't have a formal education. What I believe comes from how I've thought about issues through my life. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Cannabis Enthusiast on November 23, 2003 at 12:19:04 PT The Indian Subcontinent: Best example of paradise I think if you study the history of India you will see how a culture exists with pot growing everywhere.Right now in India you can pick cannabis buds from the side of the road and then throw them in your food to eat. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Cannabis Enthusiast on November 23, 2003 at 12:13:21 PT "Industrialization and Commercialization"? If marijuana was truly legal/accepted/promoted, etc., then cannabis plants would be growing EVERYWHERE. There would be no need to smoke cannabis as you could simply go in your front yard and pick a few buds and cook up a batch of CannaButter.You're always going to have a choice. Don't like Marlboros? Then smoke American Spirits. Same idea with commercial joints if they ever existed.Pot would be as much of a commodity as _grass_ (the kind your lawn has).If I am incorrect on this one, please correct me. I still have a college education to aquire... :-/p.s. - What formal education do people who post on here have? E_J? FoM? Just curious.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by ekim on November 23, 2003 at 11:51:42 PT C-span This Sunday on TV November 23 Booknotes Tom Coburn, Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders • Preview the Program • Discuss | Review the Book • Watch Sunday on C-SPAN at 8pm/11pm ET Thanksgiving Day --Mayor Curt Smoke and Bill Bennett debate war on drugs. C-span [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on November 23, 2003 at 11:44:13 PT Very Good Question EJ, I understand what you mean. Losing control to big corporations is the worrisome part of full legalization. Here are a few possible scenerios that I can think up.Hemp will need to be grown in large volumes for fuel, food, fiber and pharmaceuticals. There will be new jobs created just because they will be needed. Look what happened in Canada with the Flin Flon growing experiment.Now those who know and care for the Cannabis plant will grow and help others because they have the knowledge. Living plants respond to those who care for them. No corporation can give that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by E_Johnson on November 23, 2003 at 11:21:02 PT Some day cannabis family farming will be an issue I think that one thing people worry about regarding the legalization of marijuana is the industrialization and commercialization of marijuana.How can we "keep it real" after legalization? I don't want it to end up like cigarettes.I wouldn't want big industrial pot farms doing to pot what corporate farms do to potatoes theses days.BTW I can't have soy, it's bad for me, it's why I had to take prednisone. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on November 23, 2003 at 10:42:29 PT Off Topic: Thanksgiving Day Concert Farm Aid 2003 - A Soundstage Special Event Presented by Silk SoymilkAfter Americans have enjoyed their Thanksgiving dinner, they will have a chance to enjoy great music and learn why family farming is essential to keeping quality food on their tables. For the first time, a Farm Aid concert will be telecast as a 2-hour special on Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 27, on PBS stations. The program will air in prime time, giving TV viewers across America a chance to enjoy great music and learn about family farmers and Farm Aid. "What more appropriate time than Thanksgiving, America's own holiday, to express our gratitude for those who produce our food," said Carolyn Mugar, Farm Aid Executive Director.http://www.farmaid.org/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Virgil on November 23, 2003 at 10:05:28 PT Compassionate Use Act Sherer said California's passage of Prop. 215 in 1996They avoid saying Compassionate Use Act in almost every article. It is like the media has a blacklist of terms on the cannabis coverage with suggestions for alternative use. That first sentence was an endnote but is a sentence with the word "represent" being questionable in its application when applied to the people of their district. IThe issue of the media just gets more inflamed by the day. If you want to know what is happening in America using online news outlets, the best places are in the UK. People need to watch the top 30 stories at Scoop to see what the media are ignoring. "Marijuana- it is more dangerous than you think." No. It is the media that is much more dangerous than I thought. This week was a new lesson in how the media sucks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 23, 2003 at 09:37:30 PT pokesmotter I see what you mean. That is a subtitle and I should have put it down at the bottom of the article but I didn't. I don't think I can fix it. It's almost impossible to correct an error where that one is located. I fixed it in the link though.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/targets.htmhttp://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pot23nov23,1,5878596.story [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by pokesmotter on November 23, 2003 at 09:21:30 PT: bad grammar the first sentence is a fragment. come on now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 23, 2003 at 09:21:20 PT: Love This Campaign I think this is a wonderful initiative to get anti-marijuana representatives voted out of office. Many of us would be willing to go door-to-door handing out flyers and answering questions concerning marijuana legalization and regulation. If drives to get those districts, where the representatives are prohibitionists, voted out of office is even marginally successful, we would see some dramatic changes in opinions in Congress. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment