cannabisnews.com: There's a Word for People Who Try to Assist Sick There's a Word for People Who Try to Assist Sick Posted by CN Staff on November 25, 2003 at 08:05:34 PT By Patt Morrison Source: Los Angeles Times There were moments yesterday when I had to keep looking around me — at the desk with the federal judge sitting way up there, at the Great Seal of the United States etched into the green marble, at the blue-blazered federal marshals — to remind myself where I was, and what I was doing there: This wasn't an awards ceremony, it was a criminal sentencing for a felon.Through Judge A. Howard Matz's courtroom have come cases of prostitution, bribery, Rampart lies, stolen dope, crooked lawmen and a lawsuit over Britney Spears and roller skates. Many words have been used to describe the felons who have stood where defendant Scott Imler stood yesterday, but the words I heard yesterday weren't words I'm used to hearing about a criminal — and especially not from the judge who was about to sentence him."There's a word called 'mensch' that applies to who you are," Matz told him. "A truly admirable personality." As I said, I had to keep telling myself — this is a sentencing, not a Scott Imler Day ceremony.Imler is the father, the co-author, of Proposition 215, the measure that legalized the medical use of marijuana. Eight other states have such laws, and all of them are in conflict with federal law, which absurdly puts marijuana right up there with heroin and crack as a Schedule I drug — as dangerous as they come. If you want some comparison, try this: morphine, methamphetamine — speed — and OxyContin, said to be Rush Limbaugh's narcotic siren, are only rated Schedule II.With the blessing of the city of West Hollywood and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, Imler ran the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center. It was a tight ship — none of this scribbling of doctors' recommendations on cocktail napkins. Patients had to have legit letters from real doctors, and renew them regularly. There was a 24-hour hotline for cops who wanted to check whether they'd nabbed a recreational toker or a cancer patient. There were photo IDs of the CRC's patients, who numbered nearly a thousand. Some of them were in court yesterday, cramming the benches along with clergymen in notched collars.The CRC was a textbook how-to case for Proposition 215, and yet in October 2001, a month after the Sept. 11 attacks, the Drug Enforcement Administration busted the club, and arrested Imler and two colleagues for violating federal law.With the threat of being charged as a racketeer and a dope dealer and maybe worse, Imler and the center's vice president and treasurer, Jeffrey Farrington and Jeffrey Yablan, pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug establishment, and hoped that the judge would be more thoughtful than the DEA.He was. Matz paged through letter after letter that heaped praise upon praise for the guilty man and his two colleagues. A mayor wrote one. Two state senators. A Methodist leader. Imler's attorney, Ronald Kaye, spoke with a quaver in his voice about the "honor" of representing such a man. "I'm not going to say I've never gotten letters as important as these," Matz said, "but I've never gotten letters more important than these." The words the judge had for the DEA, albeit carefully parsed within the iron palings of federal law, were stinging. "I think this entire prosecution was badly misguided. Given the huge scope of federal jurisdiction and the great prevalence of crime in our community," this case "baffles me, disturbs me, but that's [the DEA's] prerogative…."Complete Title: There's a Word for Some People Who Try to Assist the Sick: Felon Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/word.htmSource: Los Angeles Times (CA)Author: Patt MorrisonPublished: November 25, 2003Copyright: 2003 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:LACRC http://www.lacbc.org/Americans for Safe Access http://www.safeaccessnow.org Probation Granted to 3 Who Grew Pot as Medicine http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17860.shtmlJudge Rules No Prison for Three MMJ Workershttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17858.shtmlMedical Marijuana Clinic President Pleads Guiltyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16874.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #24 posted by ekim on November 26, 2003 at 20:11:47 PT Thax FoM Virg I sent story to Diane Rehm ---Drshow wamu.org Leap.cc to Mike who books the speakers ---smithson twcny.rr.comand to Molly mollyivins star-telegram.comjose i wonder if Paddick is a member and speaker for Leap. Law Enforcement against Prohibition. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by jose melendez on November 26, 2003 at 05:03:50 PT Cop who exposed drug war as fraud promoted. Paddick Promoted!http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3239046.stm [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on November 25, 2003 at 18:52:03 PT That's Sad Virgil It has become all to common to read a story like this. I wonder how many people are going through almost an identical situation right now. I bet the numbers are higher then we would think. As far as legal advice I have no idea. I just don't know. I wish I did. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Virgil on November 25, 2003 at 18:41:00 PT The injustice of it all There is a man trying to get out the story of his injustice and is recorded at http://www.marijuana.com/article.php?sid=7969&mode=nested&order=0 What will it take to change it all? This is one man's story.I am 51 year old med user living in Iowa, my wife, who does not even smoke, was busted last August for cultivation of 20 babies one inch tall and 2 ounces or so of dried meds. I say or so because I have never weighed my meds no scales in the house, as they never left the house or were ever sold or shared. The reason I am posting this is because I am prepared to make my final stand right here in Iowa and need some press coverage to expose this unjust system to the country.My wife and I have no prior arrest record; wife has not even had a traffic ticket. The law lied to us repeatedly and ended up taking both our vehicles, imagines taking a wheel chair bound man only form of transportation, and took us both to jail as a result wife lost her job. Now I am supposed to be able to spend a grand a month for meds and doctor visits when all I wanted to do was dying with some dignity not addicted to narcotics and doctors and hospitals hounding my wife for money. Now it is about evection time and we have to choose between eating or getting my meds. I am writing this to perhaps see if anyone knows of a way to get the presses attention on a national level as I am prepared to go to prison for the medical help they offer but want the country to be aware of how the war on drugs affects the very sick and the very poor.I have been in contact with NORML but it would appear to me they are more interested in being chiefs and not helping the indians, and am at a total loss on how to draw attention to this issue. While living in Oregon I was involved with the medical marijuana program there but had to move so wife could find work. I even have a prescription form my doctor there for marijuana, but Iowa does not recognize medical value of marijuana.Please if any press members or someone with the knowledge on who to contact, other than NORML, email me please.I weigh only 108 pounds down from 160 a year ago and fear if I do not get this done I will be gone and nobody will know who killed me. I feel since state of Iowa will not let me tend to myself let them spend thousands a year to tend to me. thus going to prison is an option just to live longer but to die with no dignity plus cost the state of Iowa the thousands and thousands it will take to keep me alive in prison. This is not a case of crime it is a case of the county, Mahaska county, using me as a revenue source.We have retained an attorney but I fear he is deep into the "good ole boy circle" and have lost any trust I had in him. Now we are destitute and being robbed of our civil rights and steam rolled to accept a plea , but I want to go to 2 jury trials and let the record show how we were treated and to cost this county as much money as possible, let our 4 grand worth of old vehicles cost them plenty. The prosecutor handling our case is talking freely about the case while drunk playing golf and our rights are being trampled on more and more and the ACLU is not responding to my emails so have no idea where to run next.While living in Oregon I had my medical card and have a prescription from my doctor there for marijuana which is useless here but does show I am legit med user. We left Oregon so wife could get a job since was no work there at all, I draw a small disability check a month but it doesn't not even start to pay the bills and take care of my medical needsAny help would be greatly appreciated Thanks [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on November 25, 2003 at 18:27:10 PT ekim I listened to the debate last night and I really like Kucinich. He's a good guy. He's lucky to have you standing with him too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by ekim on November 25, 2003 at 18:24:03 PT write that book ---------- maybe it will be about what happen, most only hear this and that. hey you know we are all family, put the pages together lay it all out tell the story of how LARC became a living thing--then come and let us read it, we all all here trying to gain a little more understanding of just what a man make mess we are dealing with. see you mike:) [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by mayan on November 25, 2003 at 18:17:35 PT Governor Schwarzenegger I hope Scott's surgery is a success. God be with him. From the snipped portion of the article...Behind me in court yesterday, a couple of men were whispering. They were hoping that Arnold — Gov. Schwarzenegger — will "come down on our side of this. We know he's tried the recreational kind." Schwarzenegger versus the DEA — now that I'd pay Saturday-night movie ticket prices to see.That's the million dollar question...will Arnold walk the walk and back up the talk? Governor Schwarzenegger can help us end this stupid war once and for all. If we take California we take America.Unrelated -Now, get this! Capturing the man the US government maintains was behind the largest mass murder in U.S. history is off the hook and no longer a priority...Osama capture unnecessary, US general says: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/22/1069027373682.html?from=storyrhsThe way out is the way in...Failure and Crime Are Not the Same: 9/11's Limited Hangouts http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/112203_failure_crime.htmlFormer Sen. Max Cleland blasts Bush's "Nixonian" stonewalling of the 9/11 commission: http://truthout.org/docs_03/112303A.shtmlNew job takes Cleland off 9/11 panel: http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20031123-091108-4750r.htmA Historical Whitewash?(Insight Magazine Cover Story!) http://www.insightmag.com/news/565658.html The 9/11 Cover-up: http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17243 [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on November 25, 2003 at 15:32:46 PT Just a Comment I feel really bad that EJ is upset. I know EJ is appreciated by me and others here too. We can be part of the problem or part of the solution. It's up to us as individuals to make that choice. I want to keep my eyes looking forward. I might see a beautiful sun rise that way. Hang in there EJ. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by DeVoHawk on November 25, 2003 at 14:21:31 PT This seems like a great ruling I knew Candian Judges had common sense and were waking up the to BS of prohibition. Now it appears that California judges are waking up and standing up to John Asscraft. Yea!E_J, for what it's worth, you will be missed and I hope you are back soon giving us your quintessential opinion.Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate that is worth voting for. Dean was against the war but now thinks we need to stay the course in Iraq. Every other candidate (who could vote) voted yes to the 87 Billion dollars needed to beat up US citizens in Miami at the WTO. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by phil_debowl on November 25, 2003 at 13:10:01 PT E_Johnson I'm not sure what happened, was a negative post deleted? I do know that i'm more if a reader than a talker, and I really enjoy reading your posts EJ and would very much miss them. There's negativity in every facit of life unfortunatly, but I think there's a huge amount of positivity in the majority of the people here and in the movement. Please don't loose site of the positive, as you're dealing with the negative. I know it's easy to do, but we're fighting a very negative army, very negative policies, a very negative war, but we're fighting for a very positive change. Please don't leave, cause we need all the people we can get. Especially people that are a great with words, and expressing thoughts, as you are. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Nuevo Mexican on November 25, 2003 at 13:01:22 PT On a lighter note: seriously folks! Reminds me of the Dems last night (MSNBC) attacking each other when they should concentrate on bush. Makes me think Gephardt, Leiberman (finally shown the door, thank God!), and Kerry, all work for the Republican Party! Weve got all the proof we needed last night. When you're not reading the best internet site on the web, Cannabis News.com, and want to get the latest breaking non-corporate news and views, here are some of my favorite web-sites for information-gathering, many here are familiar with these, if you're not, you're missing out. Great places to bring up the subject of Cannabis Prohibition and the current state of our facist/bushist government:Radio:http://www.meria.net/subscribers/november2003/If you want the truth, don’t look to the networks or to talk radio; look to Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Al Franken, and Michael Moore. http://www.interventionmag.com/cms/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=558Internet:buzzflash (compilation of the weeks best articles and columns)'The Bubble of American Supremacy' http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2003/12/soros.htmIndymedia.orgNaomi Klein, 'The War is Coming Home': (the attacks on protesters in Miami were funded by bushes 87 billion 'terrorist' taxpayer rip-off (we pay for our brutalization)http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=366204&group=webcastmediawhoresonline.com(on break til NEw Years Day)kucinich.us and http://kucinich.us/news.htmOn the drug war: (no Dem has the cajones of Kucinich!) 'With the enactment of the Volstead Act in 1919, America embarked on a social experiment known as Prohibition. Prohibitionists rejected the idea that people could be trusted to drink in moderation, arguing that alcohol use inevitably led to moral corruption and undesirable behavior. Accepting these premises led Congress to conclude that a federal ban on the production and sale of alcohol would go a long way toward reducing crime and addressing a variety of other social problems. Within a decade, however, Americans discovered that the criminally enforced prohibition of alcohol produced harmful side effects. The rise of black markets empowered organized crime to an unprecedented degree. In some of America's largest cities, local governments were heavily corrupted by mafia influence. The black market provided minors with easy access to bootlegged alcohol, which was frequently of poor quality and unsafe to drink. Faced with the disastrous consequences of Prohibition, Congress decided in 1933 to repeal the Volstead Act. Since that time, the government has implemented the much more successful policy of focusing law-enforcement efforts on irresponsible alcohol users who endanger the rights of others. the rest of the story: http://www.kucinich.us/issues/marijuana_decrim.phpCome on Cannabists, let's get behind Dennis now, as I won't put up with your complaining after this election, if you don't vote for Dennis, it's YOUR fault that prohibition continues, and no ones elses!commondreams.org'Many Turks Blame U.S. Policy for Bombings'http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1124-02.htmsmirkingchimp.comsample article:Paul Krugman, 'the Uncivil War'http://smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=13913&mode=nested&order=0&thold=0parallel-youniversity.coconspiracy theories, rave culture, new world orderStay hip folks, its our legacy, cluelessness will never be 'IN', no matter how dumbed-down 'muricans' are from their beloved pharmacueticals! Or be like George Duh-bya, and don't read anything at all, (unless its a childrens book, and even that gets read upside down). [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by BigDawg on November 25, 2003 at 12:25:18 PT E_J Next to FOM and her efforts here, you are my favorite Cnews member.Your posts are prized in my book.PLEASE don't let the hate run you off.Stay and spread the love.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Dankhank on November 25, 2003 at 12:23:01 PT what? Don't know what EJ and Richard are up to, but I am still waiting to find out which of the three pejoratives Richard threw at me he thinks I am ...How about It? [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by E_Johnson on November 25, 2003 at 12:05:21 PT I heard a rumor Richard, I heard a rumor that some of the patients at the LACRC were real human beings with real feelings.That's probably just a lie spread by the narcs though right? [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by goneposthole on November 25, 2003 at 11:52:30 PT forty shades of corruption "I think this entire prosecution was badly misguided. Given the huge scope of federal jurisdiction and the great prevalence of crime in our community," this case "baffles me, disturbs me, but that's [the DEA's] prerogative…."The prosecution suggested that his condition could be dealt with in federal prison, but Matz swatted that down: "For someone to say this is not an extraordinary impairment suggests to me that person has had no experience with cancer — not as patient, a friend, a caregiver, or in any human way."http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/word.htmprohibition is inhumane [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by E_Johnson on November 25, 2003 at 11:20:05 PT By the way Richard Grand jury testimony is not voluntary, it is legally compelled. When you are subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury, you have no right to decline, you have to right to refuse to testify. It is not in any way the same as turning someone in. I think it's really ugly that this hate-filled vendetta against Scott is predicated on a deliberate ignorance of the law.When the LACRC was founded, it was agreed that it could stay open as long as the directors obeyed all the laws. And that included the laws on grand juries.But I'm out of here now, goodbye.I've had enough of this to last me ten lifetimes.I don't even know how much life I have left but I won't waste a minute of it wallowing in the bottomless pit of anger and thirst for vengeance that seems to dominate this movement. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 25, 2003 at 11:04:03 PT EJ Please Listen To Me This is our board. This web site is my site. Please think before you go. You are appreciated. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by E_Johnson on November 25, 2003 at 10:58:29 PT Richard I woukld appreciate it If you never ever in your entire life ever say anything to me again.You can have this board for your own.I am leaving so that you can be free to spread your anger and I am leaving so that you don't hurt me.Because I know you people only care about your own.You will hurt anyone to have your angry revenge.Goodbye. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 25, 2003 at 10:48:53 PT Thank EJ My prayers go with him. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by E_Johnson on November 25, 2003 at 10:46:42 PT FoM he has great doctors Scott has had some very rough spots, he looked good yesterday.They are treating his cancer very aggressively with many techniques.It's not actually lung cancer. They keep saying it is but the tumor is just outside the lung next to his heart and is not believed to be smoking related. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Richard Lake on November 25, 2003 at 10:27:16 PT: No word yet from the Kubby's When I recieve word, you all will be the first to know.Thank you for your support. Know that Steve has heard about the support here at CNEWS.Richard [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 25, 2003 at 10:17:06 PT About Kubbys I am anxious to to know what the decision is for the Kubbys. I have my fingers crossed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 25, 2003 at 10:14:35 PT EJ a Question In the snipped portion of the article it says that Scott is going to have surgery on Monday. Is he doing ok? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on November 25, 2003 at 10:09:00 PT Now we need Kubby news Hopefully it will be as good. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment