cannabisnews.com: Helping The Sick Should Not Be a Crime





Helping The Sick Should Not Be a Crime
Posted by CN Staff on December 01, 2003 at 08:48:34 PT
By Bruce Mirken, MPP
Source: Los Angeles Times 
Columnist Patt Morrison is right to rejoice in the justice and mercy shown by Judge A. Howard Matz in refusing to send medical marijuana defendant Scott Imler to jail for the "crime" of helping people battling AIDS and cancer (Nov. 25). But such acts of sanity could soon be illegal if Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) has his way. Souder, chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees drug policy issues, is now seeking co-sponsors for the Drug Sentencing Reform Act, a bill that would take away nearly all of the grounds upon which judges like Matz can show mercy to defendants who deserve it. Indeed, the measure would treat medical marijuana providers like Imler as being worse than child molesters under federal law.
Appallingly, Souder's bill would increase the punishment for those who provide high-quality medical marijuana to patients — who can be harmed by having to use low-potency marijuana that requires inhalation of larger amounts of irritating smoke. Bruce MirkenCommunications DirectorMarijuana Policy ProjectWashington*Thank goodness common sense prevailed at the sentencing of three former directors of the West Hollywood medical marijuana dispensary. The judge who elected to impose probation, instead of the sentence recommended by prosecutors, demonstrated a compassion that has been entirely lacking in the federal government's treatment of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers.Prosecuting providers who operate within state laws is a waste of tax funds and a miscarriage of justice. The federal government may continue to doggedly ignore the vast body of scientific data indicating that marijuana can relieve pain, control nausea and stimulate the appetite. But if it insists on continuing to wage a failed war on some drugs, it should at least have the decency to clear the sick and dying off the battlefield.Julie Ruiz-SierraDavisSource: Los Angeles Times (CA)Published: November 30, 2003 Copyright: 2003 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:LACRC http://www.lacbc.org/Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/There's a Word for People Who Try To Assist Sickhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17862.shtmlProbation 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.shtml
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Comment #18 posted by jose melendez on December 07, 2003 at 14:15:06 PT
Nancy Just Says No - to Souder!
This story is about a man who would nickel and dime college kids out of school loans if they got stoned but not if they rape or kill, Mark Souder, R-Ind.http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/7901799p-8840195c.htmlMr. Souder introduced the "Ronald Reagan Dime Act, which Nancy Reagan is against, since there is no reason to replace Roosevelt on the nation's currency. No word on whether Dan Quale's name is being floated for placement on the five cent piece.
"fear itself"
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on December 01, 2003 at 21:21:20 PT
Americans Remain Opposed to Legalizing Marijuana
I don't have a subscription to get the complete article but if anyone does please post it here. Thank you!***U.S. marijuana laws are currently more stringent than those in many other developed countries. Although U.S. laws are relatively strict, they do reflect most Americans' attitudes.http://www.gallup.com/subscription/?m=f&c_id=14156
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Comment #16 posted by jose melendez on December 01, 2003 at 18:53:50 PT
Speaking of crimes
Check it out, Janklow is using a medical defense for his manslaughter trial:Alpha Male Uses Beta Blocker Defensehttp://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/7349589.htmWe all know that had he been smoking a joint, peer reviewed studies showing marijuana's relatively modest effects behind the wheel (NEVER exceeded .08 impairment levels, generally far less) would be excluded as evidence or dismissed out of hand in favor of statements like 'must be at least as harmful,' or 'any use is abuse' . . .I see he looks scared on TV. Wonder if he that means he knows how it feels like for US now?
Got Hypocrisy?
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on December 01, 2003 at 18:33:50 PT
EJ, I Will
I wish him a full and speedy recovery. 
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Comment #14 posted by E_Johnson on December 01, 2003 at 18:21:45 PT
FoM
He's in recovery and doing well. The surgery went fine but it's a lot to heal from so let's pray.
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Comment #13 posted by goneposthole on December 01, 2003 at 16:37:45 PT
Apocalypse is here
The US Congress, Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch need help. Lots of it. Good luck to them. The war on drugs is a gimmick. Prohibition is a sickening crime and inhumane.Cannabis caregivers: be a good samaritan and help your fellow man. Forget about the US gov and its insane laws. 
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Comment #12 posted by Sam Adams on December 01, 2003 at 15:53:15 PT
Thanks Drfist
I did not know that! It does make awfully good sense, doesn't it?Whenever medical MJ is mentioned on the floor of Congress, little Mark goes running up the stairs to report to his Big Pharm masters, just like the corrupt Senator when Jimmy Stewart's boy's camp is mentioned in "Mr. Smith goes to Washington".
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on December 01, 2003 at 14:47:24 PT
Have You Heard 
EJ have you heard how the surgery went? 
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Comment #10 posted by E_Johnson on December 01, 2003 at 14:42:39 PT
Scott is a Christian too
The courtroom was packed with Methodists supporting the LACRC. Many of them were ministers in white collars.Before the LACRC moved into its building in West Hollywood, for a few weeks patients were getting their medicine disbursed from the Methodist Church.Within Christianity there has been a tradition of offering sanctuary within the church to those persecuted by wordly authority. Marijuana was being distributed from a United Methodist church for that reason.Guess what -- George W. Bush is also a United Methodist. Even within one Christian denomination, people can have widely different politics. Scott Imler is a Green, George W. Bush is a Republican, and they disagree on everything except their religion. I don't know what it is that keeps the United Methodists so united! The United Methodists in this region have been putting quite a bit of pressure on the Bush administration regarding medical marijuana, although this has occurred in quiet religious fashion rather than in angry public outbursts.I think the chances of getting mainstream Christian leaders to oppose Souder's bill are quite good right now.
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Comment #9 posted by drfistusa on December 01, 2003 at 14:36:49 PT
Indiana Home to Ely Lilly drug company
Get it? biggest pharm companies in Indiana, also agricultural chem companies, guess where Souder gets him money for running?
Ely Lilly and others!! just follow the money and control.
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Comment #8 posted by john wayne on December 01, 2003 at 12:57:18 PT
mark souder is christian
the only kind.repressive, profiteering, "holier-than-thou", "passing laws specifying a million-years in prison", "rush and bennet are special", "anybody who disagrees with me is a commie" TRUE CHRISTIAN
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Comment #7 posted by ekim on December 01, 2003 at 12:42:51 PT
even probation is sickokneeing- change the law
Dec 14:30 to 5:00 p.m.
http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm
Cleveland, Ohio
Reception: Case for Peace
At Case Western Reserve University, Lobby of Strosacker Auditorium
Off Adelbert Road. Park next to Amasa Stone Church on Euclid Avenue (5 min. walk to venue).
Contact Norman Robbins, 216-767-1525.5:00 to 6:15 p.m.Cleveland, Ohio
Presentation: "Terror, Peace and Foreign Policy"
At Case Western Reserve University, Strosacker Auditorium
Off Adelbert Road. Park next to Amasa Stone Church on Euclid Avenue (5 min. walk to venue).
Contact Norman Robbins, 216-767-1525.6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Cleveland, Ohio
Meet Dennis Kucinich at Massimo da Milano's Restaurant
1400 West 25th St. (West 25th & Detroit) 216-696-2323.
$50 suggested donation. Contact Dale Miller at 216-849-3665 for reservations.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 01, 2003 at 11:48:13 PT
DeVoHawk
I sure hope you are right. I sent Steve and e-mail last week but he hasn't got back to me on that one yet. I think he will when he knows for sure. I too think he won!
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Comment #5 posted by DeVoHawk on December 01, 2003 at 11:46:13 PT
Kubbys
I believe the Kubbys have won the court case. The repercussions of granting asylum of the USA means the world officially recognizes that the USA is full of shi* and the war on drugs will come to a quick end in many other countries.Bad news in prohibition never seems to run into speed bumps. Good news has to fight for a breath of air.
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Comment #4 posted by paulpeterson on December 01, 2003 at 09:49:07 PT
We're all waiting for the Kubby result
This vicious uptake in the vehemence with which the "anties" are victimizing the victims of the drug war has just got to make the Kubby factor more important (what with a sure tide of federal indictments for harsh sentencing thereafter-except in California, thank you, of course).Methinks that this sentencing bill might just be playing into the hands of those that wish not to be handed back to the anties here, if you get my drift.Also, of course, we are all hoping that Mr. Kubby's surgery goes well. Best wishes. PAUL PETERSON
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on December 01, 2003 at 09:40:11 PT
The GCW 
I really would like to now how the ruling went for the Kubbys. It should have been released last week I thought. I hope they won.
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on December 01, 2003 at 09:34:57 PT
In fighting Souder's ill bill,
It would be timely, to receive a positive court ruling from Canada, concerning the Kubby’s. A positive ruling on this issue may become a global affair. It may help in exposing Soulder as the harmful brother that He is and put a stop to his harmful hand.When I read this about the Indiana politician, I think of the Kubby's right now.What is keeping Souder from just making law, putting the good bud guys to the firing line, and shoot them? Why doesn't Souder just go in and stick a knife into the heart of the cancer patient? Throw the MS types to the ground and snatch their stash. Souder... kick them and grab their stash; cage them and look for more. Is that Indiana?Green blood.That makes Me wonder if Souder supports killing.It's Christmas time. Does supporting killing, help Souder afford His Christmas?Does Souder say He is a Christian...Which kind? 
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 01, 2003 at 08:58:59 PT
A Wish
I hope that Scott Imler's cancer surgery that he is having today is successful. 
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