cannabisnews.com: Pot Club Hosts Open House for Politicians





Pot Club Hosts Open House for Politicians
Posted by CN Staff on January 20, 2004 at 11:26:35 PT
By Tad Whitaker
Source: Marin Independent Journal 
With several important elections coming up, Lynnette Shaw opened the doors of the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana in Fairfax yesterday so politicians running for local and national offices could get a first-hand look at her operation.Jack Gibson, candidate for Superior Court judge, Louis Nuyens, running for the Board of Supervisors in District Four, and Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Jim Gray met with patients, saw the distribution of medication and got a rundown on how the clinic has continued to operate with the town's permission since 1996.
"It was satisfying to see that they want to keep it within the law," Gibson said afterward. Shaw, who led an unsuccessful recall drive against District Attorney Paula Kamena in 2000 and ran for Marin Healthcare District Director in 2002, said she invited a few other candidates - including Marin Superior Court Judge Michael Dufficy - who didn't show up. But Shaw said yesterday's turnout was a success because the candidates walked away with positive things to say about the clinic and a new perspective on medical marijuana."It's clean and well-organized," said Nuyens, who helped draft the original medical marijuana identification card and other forms used at Marin Alliance. "It's amazing she's still open."Shaw said Gray - an Orange County Superior Court judge on a one-year leave of absence who advocates full legalization of marijuana for adults - initiated the walkthrough back in November because his only experience with marijuana was evidence in court. She said he asked patients how long marijuana lasts, what they have to do to buy it and even got to hold a bag of it."He was fascinated by it," she said.During a public question and answer session afterward, Gray said he plans to use Shaw and Marin Alliance on the campaign trail as proof that marijuana can be managed effectively to provide comfort to people."I view her as the Mother Theresa of Marin," he said.Shaw said she wasn't worried about inviting the candidates because the clinic sticks to the rules - including regular audits required by the town and strict enforcement about who can and can't buy.In fact, she said she was excited to show off the clinic's expanded offerings, including 15 different types of smokeable marijuana, an express line and an extended selection of foods such as peanut butter and jelly."It's called Smoker's instead of Smucker's," she said of the jelly. "It's definitely got a punch to it."Shaw said the patients and staff are extremely concerned about their privacy so, after consulting with them, she decided to do a private tour for the candidates rather than invite the public. Everyone understood the importance of showing the clinic in a positive light, but not everyone wanted to participate, she said."This is the first time we opened the door and said 'C'mon in,'" she said. "Most patients don't like to talk about their problems."As for big-name politicians, Shaw said she has invited Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer of Greenbrae and U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, but neither has come for a visit. Woolsey never fails to send a handwritten note saying why she can't make it, but Boxer always sends a form letter, she said."I'm sure it's due to her (Woolsey's) insane schedule," Shaw said. "But I wish Boxer would pay attention to us."Shaw said she would consider tours for nearly any politician because she wants them to understand that Marin Alliance is a legitimate operation that provides a legitimate function. So who is her most sought-after guest?"Arnold Schwarzenegger," Shaw said. "I really want the governor to come by and see our system."Source: Marin Independent Journal (CA)Author: Tad WhitakerPublished: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Marin Independent JournalContact: opinion marinij.comWebsite: http://www.marinij.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuanahttp://www.cbcmarin.com/Medical Marijuana Clinic in Fairfax Battles Fedshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16068.shtmlCounty To Charge $25 for Medical Marijuana Cardhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15674.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 20, 2004 at 16:48:19 PT
ASA Alert -- On the Verge of Victory 
On the Verge of Victory- Help Push it Over the Edge 
   
 National Medical Marijuana Awareness Week, from February 15th-23rd, is our chance to tip the balance in the battle for patients' rights.Thanks to your help, National Medical Marijuana Awareness Week was a tremendous success in 2003. The actions of advocates raised awareness of the issues facing patients and the injustice of prosecutions. Great events across the country produced news stories in leading newspapers, network programs on patients and providers, and the launching of major national legislation. The momentum from last year's National Medical Marijuana Awareness Week has propelled dramatic advances in protecting patients' rights, with increasingly lenient federal sentences, major Constitutional victories in federal courts and more favorable laws proposed and enacted.The movement for safe and legal access to medical marijuana is gaining ground with a growing coalition. But we are at a critical moment. The achievements of the last year will come to nothing without further action. Medical Marijuana Awareness Week is our chance to be heard, to shine a light on the truth about a safe, effective medicine. The vast majority of Americans understand that the sick and suffering deserve legal access to marijuana if it helps them. Accelerating medical research holds enormous promise for patients suffering from many afflictions, and the medical community shows signs of a growing acceptance of cannabis therapy.But not everyone knows about the advances in science or the ongoing injustice of federal prosecutions. We've won some battles but not the war. This is our chance to raise awareness even further.Right in the middle of Medical Marijuana Awareness Week two caregivers in Los Angeles, Lynn and Judy Osburn, will be sentenced for helping provide medicine to the 1,000 patients who were served by the Los Angeles Cannabis 
Resource Center in West Hollywood, before a federal raid shut its doors in 2001. Other patients and caregivers are facing prison in courts around the country. Our actions during Medical Marijuana Awareness Week can ensure 
that more good people will not go to prison.On Wednesday, February 18, we ask everyone nationwide to send a "Thank You" or "Spank You" message to their congressional representative. Last summer we had a chance to see where each of our members stood when they voted on the Hinchey amendment to defund DEA attacks on patients. Those that did the right thing and voted Yes on the amendment deserve our praise. They also may need reminding that there are 2 bills they should co-sponsor that protect patients' rights. To see how your member voted, visit: 
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=676 
Those that voted No on the Hinchey amendment need to be held accountable to their constituents. If your member of Congress is one of these, we need YOU to help organize a press event outside their local offices on February 18! Please call or write Hilary at 510-486-8083 or hilary safeaccessnow.org if you can help. We'll provide all the materials and press support you need to make your event a success!
 Other events planned in this time will ignite the movement. In the Bay Area, we already have a Medical Marijuana Filmfest planned, a kickoff 215 party, and a "Festival of Lighting Up" evening procession to shine the light on the gov't war on patients, and remember our POW's with a festive vigil of lighting up with fiery and lighted costumes and creations.We want to haev a Medical Marijuana School at UC Berkeley, and are planning actions at both VA Hospitals and non-supportive medical societies. You could do any of these in your own community, or whatever would move your local priorities forward!Our best chance for real change is now. With your help 2004 will be the year that ends the persecution of patients and their caregivers.America needs safe access now!Hilary McQuie Campaign DirectorAmericans for Safe Access1678 Shattuck Ave. #317Berkeley, CA 94709510-486-8083http://www.safeaccessnow.org/ 
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment