cannabisnews.com: Arrest Test Issue of Medicinal Pot!





Arrest Test Issue of Medicinal Pot!
Posted by FoM on January 06, 1999 at 05:55:08 PT

TACOMA A 61-year-old woman and her blind son who has AIDS were arrested earlier this week after Tacoma police found three marijuana plants in their home.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington is investigating whether the arrests thwarted the intent of a recently passed initiative that lets patients with certain illnesses grow and keep a 60-day supply of marijuana."At this point, we don’t know what end is up. We are still wanting to know the details," said Gerard Sheehan, ACLU legislative director. "But we’re real interested in this, and we are very concerned if the facts turn up to be as we have been told."Police contend they acted properly because Kelly Grubbs, 35, and Tracie Morgan had no medical documents showing they were exempt under the law, which also provides protection for caregivers. Morgan is Grubbs’ designated caregiver.In addition, it requires people claiming the right to possess small amounts of marijuana have documented evidence they are exempt from prosecution. That would usually include medical records proving the existance of terminal or debilitating disease and a document showing that a physician had discussed potential medical benefits with the patient.Dr. Rob Killian, Grubbs’ personal physician, acknowledged Thursday that although he had talked to Grubbs about the medical benefits of marijuana in November, he never gave the Tacoma man any document confirming the discussion.But, Killian said, it should have been obvious to police that Grubbs’ use of the controlled substance was covered by the initiative."This is not a borderline case," he said. "This was a clearcut, obvious mistake."Grubbs spent Wednesday night in jail and was released Thursday."He spent two days in jail getting his head screwed up and his body, too," Morgan said. "I’m really worried about him. I’m very upset."Her son was diagnosed with an advanced stage of AIDS in 1996, she said. Since then, he has had a stroke, lost his eyesight and is semiparalyzed on one side of his. body.But medications have caused a recent rebound, she said, and marijuana is playing a role in improving Grubbs’ eyesight.Federal law classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, meaning it is dangerous and has no medical benefit. Drugs such as cocaine and morphine are Schedule II drugs, which can be prescribed legally but are controlled because of the potential for abuse.Marijuana proponents say the drug has significant medical benefits, including reduction of nausea for cancer patients going through chemotherapy.There is still no legal way to obtain marijuana, despite the new law, which took effect Dec. 3. While it provides a legal defense to some seriously ill people and their caregivers if they are charged with illegal possession of marijuana, it doesn’t prohibit police from investigating patients’ use in the first place.Morgan was bailed out of jail quickly but Grubbs remained because of unresolved charges involving a 1987 case of possesion of less than a gram of marjuana and a 1991 trespassing case.Copyright: 1999 The Daily Herald Co.
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Comment #1 posted by rick on January 22, 1999 at 16:42:43 PT:
Need Dr. to prescribe Medical M for my migraines
I suffer from occasion migraines. I was having such an attack when at a friends house. I took my migraine medication imitrex tablets which I promptly vomited. I usually get severe nausea with my migraines. They seem to be exasperated by the fact I cannot eat for hours.My friend suggested I take a small "toke" off his pipe. Being against illegal drug use I refused. When he explained it helped several migraine suffers, I tried it. To my amazement, not only did the migraine go away, the nausea went away. I was able to eat. It seemed to have a milder impact on my body than imitrex.I would like to get a Dr. to prescribe MM so I can grow my own without fear. I don't want to be forced to visit my neighbor everytime I get a migraine. I also don't know how pure his source it. It may contain herbicides.Seattle Washingtonthx--rick
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