cannabisnews.com: Use of Rare Rule in Pot Case Helps County Pair Use of Rare Rule in Pot Case Helps County Pair Posted by CN Staff on April 14, 2004 at 08:54:23 PT By David Rosenzweig, Times Staff Writer Source: Los Angeles Times Invoking a rarely used doctrine that says a defendant may commit a crime to avoid a perceived greater harm, a federal judge granted reduced sentences Tuesday to a Ventura County couple who grew marijuana for a now defunct West Hollywood cannabis club.U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz sentenced Judy Osburn, 50, to one year of probation for maintaining a place for the manufacture of marijuana. She could have received as much as 37 months in prison. "You are a principled person," Matz told the defendant. "I don't consider you to be a threat or menace to society. But however salutary your purpose," he added, "the ends do not justify the means."Osburn's husband, Lynn, 54, received a one-year prison sentence because it was found that he had kept weapons at their ranch, despite a previous conviction that barred him from possessing guns.The couple pleaded guilty in October after the judge ruled that they could not tell a jury why they were growing marijuana or that they were doing so with the understanding and support of West Hollywood city officials and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.Judy Osburn was a director of the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center, which was established after California legalized marijuana for medical use in 1996. The center dispensed marijuana to about 960 patients, mostly victims of HIV-AIDS or cancer who presented physician prescriptions.Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/osburn.htmSource: Los Angeles Times (CA)Author: David Rosenzweig, Times Staff WriterPublished: April 14, 2004Copyright: 2004 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:LACRChttp://www.lacbc.org/Pot Advocates Face Up to 40 Years http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14175.shtmlLockwood Valley Couple Arrested for Growing Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13758.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on April 14, 2004 at 11:26:55 PT Reporter made an error Judy got six months home detention plus one year probation.Sheesh! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on April 14, 2004 at 09:51:18 PT Press Release from Amigula Inc. Amigula Intends to Support and Sponsor Clinical Trials for Medical MarijuanaNEW YORK, April 14, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Amigula Incorporated (the "Company," "Amigula" or "AMJL") -- The Worlds First Publicly Traded Marijuana Company: "Preliminary reports indicate that some of the molecular structure (cannabides) in marijuana may be effective for a number of conditions including treatment for glaucoma and certain eye conditions," stated Warren B. Eugene President of Amigula. Amigula understands and recognizes that approximately 28 million Americans over age 40 have eye ailments which put them at risk for the loss of vision and perhaps blindness. There are researchers which have commented and warned that the numbers may surge as the population ages. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and affect an estimated 20.5 million American adults. That number is expected to climb to 30.1 million over the next 20 years, according to researchers. Macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are all strongly linked with the aging process. "Amigula intends to support and sponsor clinical trials in these areas," states Hilton Peter Mijovick, Amigula's treasurer. "These statistics may be supported in findings from the Archives of Ophthalmology -- the National Eye Institute. More than $3 billion (US) yearly is spent on cataract treatment alone, which usually involves surgery; we would like to see medical marijuana drops prescribed more often," comments Mijovick. Treatments include lasers or laser-activated drugs, and recent studies have shown that high doses of antioxidant vitamins can help slow or even prevent vision loss in macular degeneration. We intend to support research in this area specifically. Glaucoma affects about 2.2 million US adults. It usually involves a buildup of fluid that normally bathes the eye, causing pressure that damages the optic nerve. Treatment may include medical marijuana therapies eye drops and or surgery. Diabetic retinopathy, which involves eye damage resulting from blood vessels weakened by diabetes, affects about four million American adults. Laser therapy, surgery and better control of diabetes are among the treatments. About Amigula Inc. Amigula Inc. (www.Amigula.com) has recently completed the purchase of 51% of Medical Cannabis Inc. and has announced their plans to file as a reporting issuer. The company plans to list on a major exchange beginning with an application for a listing on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) or Nasdaq as well as several European exchanges. The company views the current prohibition of marijuana as similar to that of alcohol, beer and tobacco. Canada's marijuana crop alone is estimated at $4 billion to $7 billion. If a single company controlled it, it would be larger than Canada's oil and gas business and agricultural industries. On October 7, 2003 the Ontario Superior Court ruled that business and individuals be allowed to grow and supply medical marijuana, effectively relieving the Canadian government of its often criticized and fairly unsuccessful attempts. Health Canada "permitted persons" (exemptees) can now pay Amigula to grow marijuana for them. The ruling makes it easier for sick people to get marijuana by allowing them easier access -- more choice and fair prices. The company has a mandate to develop and improve the medical marijuana business worldwide and is on the acquisition and consolidation trail of other legal licensed marijuana operations with notable international brands. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Such statements reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially from the above forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain additional financing and access funds from our existing financing arrangements that will allow us to continue our current and future operations. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 14, 2004 at 09:39:19 PT News Brief from The ChamplainChannel.com Hearings Set On Medical Marijuana UseApril 14, 2004MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Hearings get under way Wednesday at the state Capitol on allowing seriously ill patients to smoke marijuana to ease their pain and suffering.The Vermont House Health and Welfare Committee will hear two days of testimony from patients and medical experts. Last year, the Senate passed a bill legalizing medical marijuana for patients who get a doctor's approval.A recent Zogby poll showed that 71 percent of Vermonters approve of the idea. Copyright 2004 by TheChamplainChannel.com Transcript: Hearing On Medical Marijuana [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 14, 2004 at 09:09:07 PT Press Release: ONDCP White House Drug Czar and Florida First Lady Columba Bush Unveil New Anti-Drug Advertising EffortWednesday, April 14, 2004 Initiative Addresses Marijuana Use Among Hispanic Youth MIAMI, April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to educate and engage Hispanic parents in youth drug prevention, the nation's Drug Czar, John P. Walters, First Lady Columba Bush, and Director of the Florida Office of Drug Control Policy, Jim McDonough, today unveiled a new national Spanish-language advertising campaign. The ads are part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign Hispanic outreach initiative, which includes news media outreach, community partnerships, and online and print resources aimed at parents and youth. "Marijuana use is a serious problem for all young people, but we are particularly concerned about the high usage rates among Hispanic eighth graders, who are using this harmful drug at a crucial time in their lives," said Director Walters. "We know that parents are the most important influence in preventing youth drug use. These new ads demonstrate effective strategies for raising drug-free teens and our program gives Hispanic parents the resources they need to take an active role in drug prevention."Among eighth graders, Hispanics tend to have the highest rates of past-year drug use for most illegal drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. One in 10 Hispanic youth ages 12-17 reports using illicit drugs in the past month. Despite these figures, many Hispanic parents do not realize that their child may be at risk and aren't sure what they can do to make a difference.The television, radio and print ads released today were created by Conill Advertising, an advertising unit of Saatchi & Saatchi focused on the Hispanic market, in coordination with the Partnership for a Drug- Free America. The ads, which begin airing nationwide this month, show teens asking their parents 'do you know who I am with?', 'do you know my friends?', 'do you know their parents?' The ads encourage parents to "involucrarse," or "get involved", and highlight their important role in drug prevention. The ads can be viewed online at www.MediaCampaign.org or www.LaAntiDroga.com."This important effort reminds Hispanic parents that all kids are at risk for using marijuana or other drugs," said Florida First Lady Columba Bush, who serves as the National Madrina for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). "Familia can be a strong force in protecting teens. By staying involved, asking tough questions and talking to teens about the dangers of marijuana, parents can help keep them drug-free.""Marijuana is not a benign drug," said Director McDonough. "Research shows that marijuana can be addictive and lead to a host of health, social, learning and behavioral problems at a critical time in young lives."As part of the Media Campaign's Hispanic outreach efforts, a bilingual booklet, Proteja a sus hijos de las drogas: Una guia para los padres/Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free: A How-To Guide for Parents and Caregivers, was released in October. The booklet, which incorporates culturally-appropriate information and resources, includes facts about marijuana and other illicit drugs and specific ideas, communication tips, conversation starters, and examples of the skills busy parents can use to prevent teen drug use. Free copies are available by calling the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, (800) 788- 2800, (877) SIN-DROGAS (for Spanish) or through www.LaAntiDroga.com.To reach a growing online Hispanic population, the Media Campaign also has an in-language Web site, LaAntiDroga.com, for Hispanic parents and adult caregivers. LaAntiDroga.com provides drug information, prevention strategies, and tips on raising healthy, drug-free children, along with advice from parenting and substance abuse prevention experts and other parents. Visitors to LaAntiDroga.com can sign up for a regular Spanish-language parenting tips e-mail.In 1998, with bipartisan support, Congress created the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign with the goal of educating and enabling young people to reject illicit drugs. The Campaign is an integrated communications effort that combines advertising with public communications outreach to deliver anti- drug messages and skills to America's youth, their parents, and other influential adults.For more information on the ONDCP National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, visit www.mediacampaign.org. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040414/lnw002_1.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment