cannabisnews.com: Man Fights Marijuana Arrest





Man Fights Marijuana Arrest
Posted by CN Staff on June 20, 2004 at 22:14:06 PT
By Robin Mero 
Source: Morning News
Avoca -- A car climbed the long gravel driveway to James Yale's home and art studio. Through the screen door, Yale thought one of the four men resembled a guy from the pool hall.They said they were cops. The Drug Task Force got a tip and they needed to know, was he growing pot? Yale's morning had already been taxing.
His multiple sclerosis symptoms were flaring; he woke early but hadn't yet taken his medicines. He'd tried to paint and reconcile the checkbook but had a bad case of the shakes.Yale led them inside to a room where fluorescent lights warmed a half-dozen plants, growing up to 5 feet tall."Well, there they are."Police found 19 plants that day, and some dried, processed pot by the bed. They seized cash and guns but didn't find any scales, plastic bags or evidence that Yale was selling his crop, said Sam Blankenship, a detective with the Benton County Sheriff's Office.They found Yale's attitude to be "a breath of fresh air" -- he was respectful and cooperative, inviting them to sit at his picnic table to hear why he grew and smoked that pot, Blankenship said."We felt sorry for the guy, but he'd crossed the line," Blankenship said.When they arrested Yale, they had to call for a second car to carry his wheelchair. He was released on a citation later that day for possessing and manufacturing marijuana.One year later, prosecutors tell Yale that, if he'll admit guilt, they'll reduce his Class C felony to misdemeanor possession. A small fine, a probationary period and he's on his way. He'll keep his right to vote and could have much of his property returned.Tempting, Yale told a reporter, but the issue runs much deeper. He's not a crazy, old, pot-smoking fool -- but a man who believes deeply in health, freedom and his Constitutional rights, he said."I may be crucified to the max," Yale conceded this week at his home studio. "But with my failing health, I don't have anything to lose but my beliefs."He wonders: How can you manufacture a plant? The morphine and other medications he's been prescribed are expensive and have side effects. Why should he forego a treatment that -- for $5 a month -- eases his tremors, rids the blinding migraines and holds mounting symptoms of MS at bay?"Without it I can't work, see, hold a paintbrush or eat," Yale said. "I'm against the abuse of drugs for recreational purposes -- they ruin a lot of lives. But I'm fighting this for the simple reason that we should be able to take care of our own health."On his better days, Yale gets around on crutches. A strong man, despite being diagnosed with MS two decades ago, he depends on herbs, exercise and massage.He worries about body tremors affecting his life's work -- and the arrest tarnishing his career.In his portfolio are portraits and sculptures of powerhouses such as John Tyson, Sam and Helen Walton, Bill Clinton, Dan Moody, Dr. Benjamin Spock and E. Fay Jones. He also loves to paint fantasy images of fairies, angels and mythological creatures.Yale said his arrest and publicity cost him "tens of thousands of dollars in lost business," but he dismissed his court-appointed attorney and plans to fight the felony charge alone. It's not for himself, but for many others suffering from epilepsy, glaucoma, cancer and other ailments, he said.Several states allow sick patients to smoke marijuana -- Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington -- and Arkansas needs to be one, Yale insisted."Given time, if you live long enough, each and every one of us will be where I am or have a loved one where I'm at," he said.In the state, an effort is under way to put an initiated act on the Nov. 2 ballot by collecting 65,000 signatures from registered voters. The "Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act" movement was born five years ago, said Denele Campbell of West Fork, one of the founders."We're optimistic," she said this week. Campbell doesn't know Yale, but "he's exactly the type we're running this campaign for. People with a legitimate need should not have to worry about getting arrested."The proposed act would allow terminally and seriously ill patients to use marijuana with their doctors' approval -- under the supervision of the Arkansas Department of Health.However, the U.S. Supreme Court continues to wrestle with the issue of whether the federal government will recognize a medical necessity exception to the Controlled Substances Act, which prohibits the manufacture and distribution of various drugs, including marijuana.Greg Hoggatt, director of the Rogers/Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce's Drug Free program, said science has shown a positive effect from using marijuana's active ingredient, THC, to alleviate some symptoms. But, when marijuana is heated to a burning temperature, the side effects can be more harmful. Most alarmingly, the drug "decreases the immune system, and the body's ability to heal itself," Hoggatt said. Marijuana is Northwest Arkansas' "most often used illegal drug, but it doesn't get the attention now because methamphetamine is so devastating," he said.Yale awaits his next court appearance July 14, before Benton County Circuit Judge David Clinger. He's run out of money, and even a trip to Bentonville "totally exhausts me," he said Friday. "They say I won't win, but I'm not giving up. It's about people's rights to privacy and choice of medical care and religion. They can put me in jail, take my home, but I will not give them my soul."Note: Plant Relieves Pain from Multiple Sclerosis, Yale Claims.Source: Morning News, The (AR)Author: Robin Mero Published: Monday, June 21, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Stephens Media GroupContact: news nwaonline.netWebsite: http://www.nwaonline.net/Related Articles & Web Site:ARDPArkhttp://www.ardpark.org/Medical Pot Act in Works for November Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18961.shtmlGroup Awaits Pot Opinion http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17632.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by potpal on June 22, 2004 at 06:56:05 PT
May the...
...force be with this man. The real demon weed...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3826127.stm 
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on June 21, 2004 at 14:09:18 PT
DPFCA: Important Press Release
DPFCA: Oakland Cannabis Initiative Submits Sigs to Qualify for Nov Ballot-- Tax and Regulate Cannabis for Adults  
For Immediate ReleaseJune 21, 2004Oakland Cannabis Initiative Submits 32,000 Signatures to Qualify for the November BallotIf Passed, Oakland Will Be on Record as Approving the Taxation and Regulation of Cannabis for AdultsBy Shifting Police Priority, Initiative Would Free Tax Dollars for Vital ServicesThe Oakland Civil Liberties Alliance ('OCLA") submitted over 30,000 signatures this morning to the City of Oakland elections official to qualify the Oakland Cannabis Initiative for the November presidential election. If passed by voters, this initiative would instruct the city to tax and regulate the private adult use of Cannabis as soon as possible under state law, which in turn would generate much needed revenue for vital city services. Until the state allows such a system, the initiative requires city police to treat the private adult use of cannabis as their lowest law enforcement priority."This law will keep cannabis off the streets, away from children, and out of the hands of dangerous drug dealers, by making it available in licensed businesses, not on neighborhood street corners," said Dale Geringer, a member of OCLA, and the president of the California Chapter of NORML (The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws).Election law allows local initiatives six months to gather the requisite number of signatures, however the Oakland based campaign was able to gather them in just over half that time, showing broad support citywide. "We collected signatures in every commercial area from Foothill Square to Rockridge, and even went door to door in some neighborhoods," said Kim Swinford, the campaign Field Director, "We found that Oaklanders are tired of police resources being wasted on adult cannabis use, while programs are being cut in our parks and libraries."OCLA expects the signatures to be verified and the initiative to be placed on the ballot within the next few weeks after which they will kick off a citywide grassroots campaign. The Campaign has received dozens of contributions from local supporters, including business owners and private individuals. Also, several elected officials have already endorsed the measure, including: City Council members Nancy Nadel and Desley Brooks, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, and Oakland School Board Member Dan Siegel. The Washington D.C. Based Marijuana Policy Project and the Drug Policy Alliance, both of which helped in the funding of the poll and the drafting of the language of the initiative, matched this local support. Contacts: Joe DeVries (510) 504-7021Judy Appel (510) 295-5636
 
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Comment #4 posted by Agog on June 21, 2004 at 13:17:07 PT
Don't they see the disconnect?
How can someone supposedly interested in science, scientific discovery, and the application of logic not question this?Most alarmingly, the drug "decreases the immune system, and the body's ability to heal itself," Hoggatt saidPeople with extraordinarily compromised immune systems regularly use cannabis (ie: cancer, HIV, AIDS) and many others. They get relief through use, and often improve significantly, or at least they don't decline as rapidly as they would otherwise.If the immune system gets damaged so severely why don't these already very ill people show acclerated symptoms and complications as a result of cannabis use? HHHHHMMMMMMMMMM.All the BestAgog
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on June 21, 2004 at 08:29:24 PT
Clinton Could Not Exhale Truth In Sixty Minutes 
By Steve Sabludowsky June 21, 2004 
Bill Clinton, with baited breath, and with all due respect, I tried to watch your confessions during the Sixty Minutes without interruption. Unfortunately, midway during the hour television program, I realized, I could not inhale. I am not sure whether my malfunctioning was due to laughter, disbelief or utter contempt for what I believe was your academy award winning performance. So, instead of just choking out of disbelief, I’ve decided to include some of what I consider the real stompers: (Hopefully, by the time I am finished, my breathing returns to normal).Pertaining to Paula Jones case:Clinton: "The judge ruled that the Jones case had absolutely no merit. There was nothing left but my personal failing".Referring to his regrets about the marijuana inhalation statement he made when he was campaigning for president--that he had smoked marijuana but hadn’t inhaled? "You bet. Even though it was absolutely true. I tried it, and I really tried to inhale. I was incapable of inhaling."Regarding the impeachment matter:"The whole battle was a badge of honor. I don´t see it as a stain, because it was illegitimate."Oh, really? Come on, Bill.I twice voted for you for President twice. I am not a member of a right-wing conspiracy nor am I even right-wing. Instead, I am a moderate Democrat from Louisiana, your neighbor. But, somehow, I really have problems with his use of the word "illegitimate". Can you possibly be suggesting that the impeachment proceeding was unlawful or against the law? You were impeached by Congress. You were sanctioned by the Arkansas Bar Association for your actions in the Paula Jones case. Where and when did any court say the case had no merit in fact or law?And this bit about your inhaling inability is just too much! Why and how could millions of young people your age inhale and get high on grass and you say you were incapable of even inhaling?Before I get bombarded with angry messages pointing out that I am being too partisan, let me state that the possible lies, transgressions and errors of the current Bush administration are also becoming rather transparent. That deserves a separate column.But, for now, it is clear to me that you are not just "Slick Willie" which you disdain. You are sick when it comes to inhaling our good will and exhaling the truth. Your apologizies are filled with distortions. You want us to believe the “Devil Made You Do It”--as if your personnem had become possessed. As a result, your book, "My Life" should be more publically perceived as "You Bet Your Life–full of comedy and shtick" 
 http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=1796
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Comment #2 posted by Ganda on June 21, 2004 at 05:31:44 PT
Sativex back in the news.....
LONDON (Reuters) - GW Pharmaceuticals says its pioneering cannabis-based medicine has shown positive preliminary results in a final-stage clinical trial to treat spasms and stiffness in multiple sclerosis sufferers.The biotechnology firm also said on Monday it had made a net first-half loss of 6.9 million pounds in the six months to end-March, compared with 6.7 million the year before."The financial results are absolutely bang in line with expectation and exactly within our budget," Executive Chairman Geoffrey Guy told Reuters."We have adequate funding for our purposes at present. The bulk of the research programme is now behind us."In a study of MS sufferers, cannabis-based Sativex achieved statistically significant improvement compared with a placebo based on the main numerical measure of spasms and stiffness -- not on another scale based on patients' subjective response.Shares in GW GWP.L , which grows over 40,000 marijuana plants a year at a secret location in the English countryside, were up 2.3 percent at 133-1/2 pence by 9:26 a.m., valuing the company around 150 million pounds.GW had initially hoped the Medicines Control Agency would approve Sativex, which is administered as an oral spray, last year. At the end of April its shares fell to a 16-month low after GW said it did not expect approval before the end of June."We are not giving a timetable at present," Guy said, but added: "We are very confident that approval will follow. One rarely gets this far into regulatory programmes without there being any light at the end of the tunnel."FRONTIER IN PAIN TREATMENTThe average time for British approval is 16 months from validation, Guy said, and the Sativex dossier had only had 13 months."This drug is a plant extract rather than a single chemical entity, and a drug of that nature has not been put before regulators in modern times."Guy said analysts have predicted a market of 200-250 million pounds in Europe and Canada for Sativex and have also estimated that GW would get 35-40 percent of the revenue from its marketing partnership with Germany's Bayer.GW is not making its own forecasts, but Guy pointed out the scarcity of drugs for symptoms of multiple sclerosis, particularly neuropathic pain, which is from damaged or dysfunctional nerves -- for which Sativex has had positive final-stage trials."Neuropathic pain is one of the last big frontiers in terms of pain control -- the doctors have very little to use. And about one percent of the Western population has it," he said.Guy said GW would seek European approval when Sativex is cleared in the UK. Across the Atlantic, GW has filed with Canadian regulators, but Guy was less optimistic about the United States."We first had visits from the Canadian regulators in 1999. They came at their own instigation to see our programme," he said. "But the U.S. is a much greater mountain to climb. There is a polarised debate relating to cannabis over there."http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=stocksAndSharesNews&storyID=532900§ion=finance
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Comment #1 posted by ekim on June 21, 2004 at 04:51:54 PT
Wash Journal live call in from 9-10 am
Comming up at 9:00 am on C-Span a discussion on ballot issues in Ohio and NV . Dir. TV ch 350 live call in show 202-585-3880 Gop.
202-585-3881 Dem all others call 202-585-3882
http://www.mmdetroit.org
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