cannabisnews.com: Santa Cruz Group Wins Court OK To Grow Pot Santa Cruz Group Wins Court OK To Grow Pot Posted by CN Staff on April 22, 2004 at 08:06:50 PT By Maria Alicia Gaura, Chronicle Staff Writer Source: San Francisco Chronicle A Santa Cruz medical marijuana collective shut down by federal agents two years ago can grow and distribute marijuana for its patients while its civil lawsuit against the federal government is decided by the courts, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel in San Jose marks the first time a court has granted a medical marijuana organization the right to grow the federally outlawed herb without interference from federal drug agents. The ruling clears the way for the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana in Santa Cruz to challenge the federal government's authority to raid medical marijuana gardens operating within the boundaries of California law. "This is an incredible victory for us, though we do realize that everything is temporary," said Valerie Corral, the founder and director of the collective. "We are so pleased to be able to begin our garden again." Federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided the collective's marijuana farm on Sept. 5, 2002, seizing 167 plants and detaining several of the group's members. At the time of the raid, the collective had been operating openly for several years with the explicit support of Santa Cruz city and county officials, including local law enforcement. The group's approximately 250 members, suffering from a variety of serious illnesses, collectively grew marijuana and distributed it to members free of charge. The federal raid was denounced by Santa Cruz officials, who responded by allowing the group to distribute marijuana from the steps of City Hall -- as an unmarked helicopter repeatedly circled overhead. Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/group.htm Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Maria Alicia Gaura, Chronicle Staff WriterPublished: Thursday, April 22, 2004Copyright: 2004 San Francisco Chronicle Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/Related Articles & Web Sites:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/Pictures From WAMM Protesthttp://freedomtoexhale.com/eventpics.htmJudge Tells Feds To Back Off from Med Pot Grouphttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18705.shtmlMedical-Marijuana Fight Returns To Courthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18572.shtmlJudge Refuses To Block Raids of Marijuana Farm http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17175.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by kaptinemo on April 22, 2004 at 11:47:21 PT: Virgil, how many actually do? It's a sad fact, as recent developments in places as far away as Ontario demonstrate, the temptation of corruption and dipping from the evidence locker is only too common. How many cops could pass surprise pee-tests? I'd wager about 70%...and that's being conservative.As for me, I am quite content for them to drink themselves into a foul-tempered stupor. The only problem is the effect it has on those around them...particularly their spouses and children. Many of whom suffer from departmentally-ignored abuse as a result of alcohol-fueled violence.But, hey, it's legal, so drink up, boyos! Your early grave awaits! You'll be savin' the taxpayers a pile of money from croaking sooner than I will with my weed. Here, let me buy the next round... [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on April 22, 2004 at 10:11:31 PT Raich appeal to Supremes In case you guys missed it, this article mentions that the US DOJ appealed the 9th Circuit Raich decision earlier this week.So, with any luck President Bush will receive a very public spanking from the Supreme Court just in time for election day! This will be a states' right approach, it's hard to see them reversing it, given their past votes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Virgil on April 22, 2004 at 08:20:11 PT Growing the acceptance in France France has a tough line on cannabis, but the people seem to have problems with the policy. This is the entire posting in the thread starter by Nol/cannabinol at http://www.hempcity.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=400&highlight=France: Wire: French Teenagers Smoke Joints As Often As They Drink Alcohol (14 Apr 2004) Agence France-Presse France PARIS, April 14 ( AFP ) - French teenagers are among the biggest consumers of cannabis in Europe, smoking joints as often as they drink alcohol, an official study of thousands of students from 450 high schools released Wednesday showed. By the age of 18, two boys in three and one of every two girls have tried the narcotic - illegal in France - the survey by the French Observatory of Drugs and Drug Use ( OFDT ) revealed. "By the age of 16, regular consumption of cannabis reaches the level of regular consumption of alcohol," the authors said. Their questioning of 16,833 students last year showed that, by age 18, 21 percent of boys, and seven percent of girls, were smoking more than 10 joints a month. The number of 16- and 17-year-olds using cannabis at least 10 times a year has tripled over the past decade, according to the study, which is to be incorporated into a Europe-wide report set for publication at the end of the year. _________________In Cannabis Fidelis [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Virgil on April 22, 2004 at 08:12:57 PT Stress kills As the stress mounts on the defenders of prohibition will they resort to the best natural remedy by virtue of efficacy and safety and cost? Why should a DEA agent not be allowed to grow some stress reliever? [ Post Comment ] Post Comment