cannabisnews.com: Pot Group Basks in Victory, Eyes New Harvest





Pot Group Basks in Victory, Eyes New Harvest
Posted by CN Staff on April 25, 2004 at 07:53:35 PT
By Brian Seals, Sentinel Staff Writer
Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel 
Valerie Corral had just finished a conversation with an ill friend Wednesday when the phone rang. This time there was good news, unlike much of what had come over the past two years.In September 2002, her medical marijuana garden was raided by federal agents who confiscated 167 plants. This was followed by months of scrapping together marijuana for the 250-member Wo/men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana.
This week’s news: U.S. District Court Judge Jeremy Fogel issued the injunction that WAMM had sought barring future raids by the federal government like the one that occurred that September morning at her Davenport garden."It was pretty weird," Corral said. "I immediately called (husband) Mike."Last week’s ruling is another chapter in WAMM’s life. The group had seen a rise in its legitimacy, at least locally, only to then face persecution by the federal government.The federal government contends medical marijuana rules in states that have them, like California, are trumped by federal rules, which bar marijuana under almost any circumstance. But the recent case didn’t involve a conflict of states’ rights. The case was decided based on the application of interstate commerce laws in the U.S. Constitution.The stage was set late last year when the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a separate case, ruled that the 1970 Controlled Substances Act may not apply to medical marijuana users if the marijuana isn’t being bought or sold and not being transported across state lines. Should the latter occur, the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution would apply.The decision offered a ray of hope for WAMM, a cooperative in which members grow marijuana for one another and no money changes hands. Attorneys for the group used the ruling in their quest of an injunction against future raids.For now, the Corrals and WAMM colleagues can bask in a tempered victory — one they know could be fleeting and one that frees many of them to concentrate on more pressing matters, like living with chronic illness."One minute you are looking over your shoulder and wondering what next might come that will cause more suffering and loss," Corral said by phone."With this decision comes the greatest gift. For this time, we don’t have to be afraid," she added.However, WAMM members and their attorneys know that the victory is tenuous, a fight expected to go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.The government admittedly continues to examine Fogel’s decision and plot its next move."We’re reviewing the court’s opinion and we’ve made no determination," Justice Department spokesman Charles Miller told the Sentinel Friday.Mike Corral said the group would now plant its medicinal herb garden and operate as it used to."We’re going to go ahead and plant a garden," Mike Corral said. "The need is there, it’s real."Santa Cruz attorney Ben Rice, a member of WAMM’s legal team, said the ruling should give the cooperative enough time to make it through a harvest this fall."We’re at least a year and a half, maybe two years, from anything happening," Rice said. "I think they are good through the summer of 2005."While Tuesday’s decision breaks new ground, so do the origins of the suit. The city and county of Santa Cruz took the unusual step of joining the cooperative as plaintiffs."There was no hesitation on the Board of Supervisors in supporting this suit," Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt said. "I think we all saw it as a question of patient rights. I am proud the county signed on because it was a strong suit."Valerie Corral said that support from the community is humbling."It takes a lot of trust," she said. "Mike and I both hope we can live up to that. It’s so important for us to be clean and clear and transparent and truthful. WAMM can only do this because of our community."Complete Title: Medical Pot Group Basks in Victory, Eyes New HarvestSource: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA)Author: Brian Seals, Sentinel Staff WriterPublished: April 25, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Santa Cruz SentinelContact: editorial santa-cruz.comWebsite: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/Pictures From WAMM Protesthttp://freedomtoexhale.com/eventpics.htmPot Growers Win Key Victoryhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18721.shtmlJudge Prohibits Raids on Pot Clubhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18712.shtmlSanta Cruz Group Wins Court OK To Grow Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18707.shtml 
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Comment #14 posted by Rev Jonathan Adler on April 26, 2004 at 13:03:41 PT:
Meth Abuse treatment with Marijuana?
See High Times Magazine, May issue Page 27 and 28 to read about our initiative in Hawaii's legislature to authorize distribution and treat "ice" addiction with cannabis!(HCR152) *Still active in the Senate.
It all boils down to "non-commercial"! Religious use is just that. Legitimate, sincere, mandated cannabis church's with proof recognized by 9th Circuit Court precedent can legally assist members of that church legally to obtain the "sacramedicine"(TM). See our site: www.sacramedicine.com
Peace and planting forever!
Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institute
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Comment #13 posted by Max Flowers on April 26, 2004 at 09:09:50 PT
Turmeric is used in dry curries not wet (SE Asian)
Just wanted to clear something up: turmeric is used in Indian curries and no doubt Pakistani, Afghani, Sri Lankan, and some others, but the SE Asian way of doing curry (Thai et al) is based around using fresh herbs, not dried spices as the Indians do. Thais also use a particular variety of turmeric in their cooking, but I think they use it wet.
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Comment #12 posted by afterburner on April 26, 2004 at 08:33:16 PT
"Curry ingredient may fight cystic fibrosis" 
Re Commment #10"Curry ingredient may fight cystic fibrosis" link
http://tinyurl.com/3453m
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on April 26, 2004 at 08:32:33 PT
afterburner
I saw that about Curry helping Cystic Fibrosis patients on TV. Plants are so much better then man made drugs for many ailments in my opinion.
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Comment #10 posted by afterburner on April 26, 2004 at 08:28:18 PT
Coincidence? 
[Globe and Mail] UPDATED AT 3:48 PM EDT Thursday, Apr. 22, 2004 "Curry ingredient may fight cystic fibrosis"
 
Associated Press "Enter curcumin. Derived from turmeric, the East Indian yellow spice used to flavour curries and colour mustard, it has long been used in Asian folk remedies as an antiseptic, a digestive aid or a cold treatment."Many of the traditional cannabis-using countries also use curry. Coincidence?
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on April 25, 2004 at 21:50:17 PT
Update On Fires in BC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAPRIL 25, 2004POT BLOCK DOWN, BUT NOT OUT AFTER THREE ALARM BLAZEVANCOUVER -- A fire swept through the Vansterdam block of historic Gastown this morning, destroying two businesses -- Blunt Bros. and Cabbage and Kinx – and causing substantial smoke, heat and water damage to the British Columbia Marijuana Party Bookstore, which also contains POT-TV, The Urban Shaman and B.C. Marijuana Party offices.Over 40 firefighters were called to respond to the three alarm fire which is believed to have been started by a fire in a dumpster behind the buildings at the block of W Hastings and Cambie. The Vancouver Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the blaze.“We estimate the damage is in the tens of thousands of dollars -- perhaps about $25,000," said Marc Emery, president of the BCMP. "Since we are not insured, we will have to fix this damage on our own. We should be in the store about midweek, once the VFD declares the area safe."While the prominent political activist lamented the damage, he remained determined to re-open and continue to function as one of Vancouver’s biggest tourist draws and a beacon for Canadian cannabis culture. "It wasn't the most pleasant thing to come home to," said Emery referring to his return from recent speaking and court engagements in Saskatchewan, "but there is no question, of course, that we'll continue and recover from this setback!" The B.C. Marijuana Party Bookstore expects it will re-open later in the week and is asking for donations to help restore the shop to its original form as the store did not have insurance.Donations can be sent to the POT-TV or the BC Marijuana Party at 307 W Hastings, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 1H6 as well as via PayPal to marc cannabisculture.comDonations to the B.C. Marijuana Party are tax deductible.Updates and further information will be posted at http://www.cannabisculture.com/Steven http://www.geocities.com/sonnyboysb/
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Comment #8 posted by RasAric on April 25, 2004 at 20:48:22 PT
Fire in a dumpster...what a crock
I bet those pigs aren't lifting a finger to investigate. They're probably exausted after running from the scene and hiding any evidence.Many in the KKK(officially and unofficially) were and are involved in politics and law enforcement. Burning the churches of those who had a different color of skin was common practice. Since they can't officially tear it down, they would be happy to "accidentally" burn it down.
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Comment #7 posted by E_Johnson on April 25, 2004 at 13:32:52 PT
Fire started in a dumpster?
I hope things aren't going so far that we're going to be attacked with arson. I hope it was just some dumb accident.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on April 25, 2004 at 13:15:06 PT
AP: Fire Rips Through Historic Vancouver Building
Sunday, April 25, 2004 VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- More than 50 firefighters worked Sunday to douse a three-alarm blaze that ripped through a building in the city's historic Gastown district.The fire broke out early Sunday morning in the three-story building, which housed a consignment clothing store, a bookstore and a marijuana cafe. All three businesses were destroyed.Black smoke filled the sky over the downtown core.No injuries were reported. Police said the fire is believed to have started in a Dumpster behind the building.The blaze on East Hastings Street caused some road closures and transit detours in the area.Copyright: 2004 The Associated Press
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on April 25, 2004 at 12:09:10 PT
Important News from Pot-TV!
The BC Marijuana Party Bookstore , Urban Shaman, Pot TV, Burnt! Hopefully, there will be video to come....A major Fire has wiped out vancouver's famous Pot Block, Blunt bros., Burnt, BC Marijuana Party, Pot TV, the Urban Shaman suffer major Smoke and Water damage.
Due to the nature of Marc's business, he is basically uninsurable, if you have enjoyed Pot TV over the years and suport the incredible work the BC marijuana Party has been doing, nowmore than ever before we need your support, the PayPal button is there, give as much as you can if you want to see the battle for freedom continue here in Canada at this pivotal time! http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2648.html***Fire Rages in GastownCanadian PressSunday, April 25, 2004A three-alarm blaze in historic Gastown has the city of Vancouver under a blanket of smoke.Over 40 firefighters are on the scene as the fire rages at a three-story heritage building on West Hastings Street at Hamilton that houses Blunt Brothers Bar on the main floor.Witnesses on the scene have told media that the fire appears to be coming from a book store.There was no one inside the building and no injuries have been reported.There's no word yet on a cause of the blaze.The fire has caused some road closures and transit detours in the area.A thick cloud of smoke is blanketing downtown and debris is falling around the fire area.http://www.canada.com/vancouver/globaltv/story.html?id=bf8b4739-9c0e-4956-b1ed-2855ed4c3789
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Comment #4 posted by goneposthole on April 25, 2004 at 10:27:52 PT
Intestinal fortitude
That is what Mike and Valerie Corral have. You have to admire, respect and acknowledge that what they are doing is the right thing to do.They have persevered against all odds. The wretched, foolish US blubbermint can't daunt them with their so-called trump card of 'federal laws'."Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it."- Henry David Thoreau
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on April 25, 2004 at 09:19:25 PT
A Movie!
I couldn't agree with you more Virgil!
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Comment #2 posted by Virgil on April 25, 2004 at 09:03:51 PT
The movie of Valerie Corral and WAMM
Charlie Rose loves to talk to the Hollywood type and his favorite word about movies is "compelling." I cannot think of a more compelling story of cannabis reform than the story of WAMM, mainly because the court ruling adds the exclamation point that so many people love. The link to the pictures of the WAMM raid where people could only take to a modest stand at the gate as the DEA arrived with their chainsaws to deprive the sick and dying of the only thing that stood in the way of death is truly moving. The convoy of law enforcement would chainsaw the crop that the cooperative grew and then there would be deaths. There are a lot of film schools around and independent producers. There are not that many compelling stories that have a built in community waiting to buy tickets. Some big time actresses would love to play the part of Valerie Corral and money would not be as important as having such a prized part.Then there is the possibility of a documentary. Maybe they could tell us the date of death of those that stood at the gate as grim reapers waited for instruction when they were surprised by people wanting to stay alive.
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Comment #1 posted by Marc Paquette on April 25, 2004 at 08:16:04 PT:
LOOK LIKE THE FEDS BURNED IT DOWN
Hy my Friends;Following this article, there was another article reporting that this same crop burned down. I wouldn't be suprized if you Feds would be behind that..as for vengence over the court victory maybe?Your can read about this story at:CA: Warehouse fire turns up pot plantation , More than 1,000 marijuana plantshttp://www.medpot.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=3409What a shame!Peace,Marc
http://www.medpot.net
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