cannabisnews.com: Pot Shots: The Civics Teacher Pot Shots: The Civics Teacher Posted by CN Staff on September 28, 2004 at 10:15:57 PT By Fred Gardner Source: Counter Punch Bill Britt of Long Beach is the walking, talking soul of Prop 215 - him and a few hundred other people, up and down the state, who circulated petitions back in '96 and have fought tirelessly ever since, without much material reward, and risking retribution, to see that the law gets implemented. Britt and his allies have convinced the Long Beach officials to adopt a policy whereby the police, upon finding marijuana plants, don't confiscate them until the status of the grower has been clarified. Few jurisdictions in Southern California are so enlightened. Britt is also organizing an Association of Patient Advocates to educate and encourage disabled people to become advocates for themselves and others, and to lobby for improved health care. Cannabis helps Britt, 45, cope with post-polio syndrome, epilepsy, and several other conditions. He uses a cane, crutches, or a motorized chair to get around, depending on how much mobility he needs and/or pain he's in. Fortunately, he can drive. And his mother had the good sense years ago to buy a ranch house on a working-class street in Long Beach, so Britt has a secure base from which to operate.He has a prescription for Marinol but doesn't like the heavy-downer effect that comes on suddenly. Nor can he afford $1,100 for a month's supply, or $800 with the discount to which his disabilities entitle him. Eight hundred a month is all he gets to live on. Britt medicates the old-fashioned way, lighting up a joint every hour or two. Since his political work takes him to city halls and courthouses from San Diego to Ventura, there have been numerous occasions -"at least 37," he says-on which he's had to convince sheriffs, police officers, bailiffs, and other government agents that the law's on his side. Recently Britt had to employ his knowledge of the law on behalf of a friend in Bell, a small city between Compton and Commerce in L.A. County. Here's how he tells it:"Last Tuesday (Aug. 17) I went to my friend Marie's house with a couple of friends to pick her up to go see the band Cubensis that plays in Sunset Beach. When we arrived, I saw a City of Bell police car parked in front of her house with her adult son sitting on the hood. She lives in a trailer park, so to be safe I drove out of the park and parked on the street and rode my scooter in, leaving my friends and my medicine (just in case) in the car. "I first encountered a Bell police officer and a rookie he was training and I told them I was a friend of Marie's and asked if they knew about SB 420 and that it went into effect last January."The officer told me that they were probably not going to arrest her, but they were going to take her plants. 'Are you going to rip them up?' I asked. 'Yes,' he replied. I told him that if he took her plants he was not only violating the law, but would force her into the streets to try to buy something from criminals and she wouldn't know what chemicals might be in it (if she could afford it). He said he was not breaking the law and that 'all he knew' was he was enforcing Health and Safety Code 11359 (the ban on cultivation). '"Ignorance of the law is no excuse,' I told him. 'Prop. 215 became law eight years ago and SB 420 eight months ago. If you had read the law, you would know that cultivation is exempt from the law for patients and their caregivers who qualify.' "I had a copy of SB 420. I always carry one with me and I recommend that all patients and caregivers do, also. I gave it to him to read, but he just threw it on the hood of the patrol car. By that time a supervising officer showed up and he was also completely clueless about the law and what to do. When I suggested he read the copy of the law that I provided, he said 'They have all kinds of crazy stuff on the web,' and refused to read it."I continued to educate them about the Mower decision (treat it like a prescription), and when they mentioned federal law, I spoke about the Raich decision (commerce clause doesn't apply, feds have no jurisdiction in cases that do not involve money transactions or cross state lines). I also mentioned article 3 Section 3.5 of the California Constitution which says that officials of the state must enforce state law regardless of federal law."The conversation became heated at times and at one point I told the very arrogant officer he had a 'god complex' (probably not a good idea) and that he was not above the law, and I again reminded them that ignorance of the law is no excuse. I used my anger to keep me assertive and focused, and my fear to keep me from becoming antagonistic or going too far."After I had impressed on them that they were in violation of the law, they began looking at my copy of SB 420. I pointed out 11362.765, which exempts possession, cultivation, transportation and other violations by qualified patients and caregivers. (11357,58,59,60,66,66.5 or 70)"At one point the officer said that his main concern was that there were children in the trailer park and that they could find the plants and 'Pull the leaves off'. " 'Just because it can happen doesn't mean it will happen,' I replied. 'We can't eliminate every danger in the world just because it MAY harm children.' (Besides the fact that ingesting cannabis has never caused a single death)"Eventually the watch commander showed up and we had a short conversation and he left. When he returned he told me he had spoke with a very knowledgeable district attorney who told him the patient had to have a current letter to be qualified. Marie was unable to find her current letter and had only supplied them with a letter that was two years old. They had tried to call the doctor but only got an answering machine and had no luck with the club cards she also had. I assured him that she had a current letter, because I had taken her to the doctor to get it. "He told me that all that mattered was that he had the right to take her plants and arrest her. 'That's right, I said, 'but the law also gives you the right NOT to. Just because you can doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. Also, if you do, it's just going to waste a lot of everyone's time because she's going to file a complaint or a lawsuit and any charges will eventually be dropped.'"I stressed the waste of time, mentioning they could be spending that time going after real criminals -'murderers robbers, and rapists.' I reminded them that they were public servants and that we were their bosses, at which point one officer asked me for a raise and I said 'Sure, if you stop wasting time and money on medical marijuana patients.'"Just as it appeared that they were going to take her plants (just because they could), the original officer approached the watch commander saying, 'How about if she agrees to move her plants inside, we will not take them?' I was shocked. I had assumed that there was no way of negotiating with the police. But not only had they listened to what I said, I actually had an influence in their final decision not to rip up Marie's plants.Before and after I arrived, the officers asked to see inside the mobile home. Marie refused. I told them she would rather they not, and I mentioned she was probably reluctant to give up her right to privacy. After deciding not to take her plants, the watch commander asked again, saying they wanted to make sure she wasn't selling or had scales. I asked to let me talk with her and we decided that because she had nothing to hide, and because they were making a concession for us, we could reciprocate and let the supervisor walk through the house without searching."I'm afraid to think what would have happened if I had not just happened to show up early that evening. One of Marie's disabilities makes it difficult to communicate when she is under great stress (especially around police or authority figures). It's a shame that in order to have everyday constitutional rights today you must either be a lawyer or rich enough to hire one."It is essential that we educate ourselves about the law and our rights, and speak out when the law is being violated. Status quo only happens because we let it. If you want change you have to MAKE it happen, it won't happen on it's own."While many Northern California police, politicians and medical professionals embrace the law making medicinal cannabis available to people who are sick, disabled and dying, Southern California still lives in fear and ignorance. Even though we have many times the number of people who are suffering."Unfortunately, it has been left up to these suffering people to fight the front lines of this battle. The fight for truth and the right to be free from pain has been left up to our most vulnerable citizens."Bill Britt can be contacted at: wbritt420 aol.comFred Gardner can be contacted at: journal ccrmg.orgSource: Counter Punch (DC)Author: Fred GardnerPublished: September 28, 2004Website: http://www.counterpunch.org/Contact: counterpunch counterpunch.orgURL: http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner09282004.htmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmPolice Officially Alter Medical Marijuana Policyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19535.shtmlNo More Medical Pot Arrestshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19126.shtmlMedical Pot Smokers Sway City Councilhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19014.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by ekim on September 29, 2004 at 18:16:30 PT seems that this relates to Cannabis Australian Broadcasting CommissionWednesday, September 29, 2004. 3:35pm (AEST)US scientists, including 10 Nobel laureates, have launched a campaign in key US states to denounce the policies of President George W Bush.Spokeswoman Joy Howell says the group, Scientists and Engineers for Change, was created at the beginning of the week.She says 25 members of the organisation have scheduled a series of conferences, during which they will try to convince their audiences that the Bush administration has abused science.The scientists will speak in states including Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Wisconsin, where Mr Bush could be beaten by Democratic rival John Kerry."This administration's politicisation and misuse of science have made it increasingly difficult for science to play its rightful role in public policy-making," the group said.They say this attitude is "not surprising from a President who said during his campaign that 'the jury is still out on evolution'."According to the scientists: "This situation will not change until the American people elect a leader who respects the value and integrity of science more than the self-interest of his political allies and special-interest backers.""President George W. Bush's economic policies have severely harmed prospects for utilizing the federal (research and development) portfolio as a tool for enhancing American economic competitiveness."The founding members of the new group include Nobel Prize winners Peter Agre (Chemistry, 2003), Sidney Altman (Chemistry, 1989), Dudley Hershbach (Chemistry, 1986), Douglas Osheroff (Physics, 1996) and Arno Penzias (Physics, 1978).They also include former National Science Foundation director and head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Neal Lane. http://www.aammi.org. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on September 29, 2004 at 16:28:40 PT A Question about The Presidential Debate Tomorrow night is a very important debate. How can we talk about the debate here on CNews and keep it to the debate and not bring in voting issues for minor party people? If we can keep it on this important topic I would love the opportunity to talk about it with those who care. Let me know if anyone gets any ideas. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on September 29, 2004 at 09:42:27 PT A Wish I wish tomorrow night we could talk about the debates but I don't know how to keep it on topic. I have a message board and we could use it if anyone wants to vent or sing praises about the debate. I registered with Rock The Vote and they still haven't gotten it. I sent it in July. I have to go register tomorrow so I don't get lost in the shuffle. Please let me know if anyone wants to talk about the debate tomorrow and maybe we can work it out somehow. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on September 29, 2004 at 08:56:00 PT Just a Comment It is best if we don't talk about Bush or Kerry because people get mad and want to bring in other people from minor parties. I watch the news closely and have accepted the strong possibility that we will have Bush for 4 more years. The republicans have run a vicious campaign and the public is leaning towards Bush. We need to look beyond elections and try to figure out how we can win this war against Cannabis even with Bush as president. Politics cause fighting and maybe when I was young and told never talk about politics or religion or it will backfire is very true. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Max Flowers on September 29, 2004 at 08:52:06 PT OverwhelmSam We need to pray that the input which causes that reversed polarity happens during the debate tomorrow night. But that's a lot to hope for. I feel like 90% of Kerry's chance is in this first debate.I had a vivid illustration of just how polarized our society is yesterday... I was parking my car in tranquil Sonoma, CA and a man and his wife were leaving a real estate office right in front of where I was parking. I hear/see the man yell at someone inside as they're walking out, "Why don't you take your liberal views elsewhere, bitch? Like San Francisco... bitch"As far as I could tell, this was a real estate business inquiry that somehow degraded into the prospect hurling the quoted insult at the real estate agent. *That's* how polarized we now are. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by goneposthole on September 29, 2004 at 08:44:27 PT polarized election Move the Bush supporters to the North Pole. Send the Kerry supporters to the South Pole. That should cool them down some. I have read where the citizens of India actually want Bush to win the election. It will all come crashing down sooner than later.The war in Iraq must end. I was listening to a radio show the other night and the interviewee stated that 'Order 39' privatized the 200 nationalized businesses of the Iraqi government. She went on to say that the profits from those now privatized businesses would all go to the corporations who now control them and that is why the insurgents are fighting the coalition 'tooth and nail'.If only we could find some sanity in this world, then a little peace and quiet would find its way into the hearts and minds of us all.Ignorance of the will of the people of Iraq and America is the problem.If only we could vote for peace, that's what everybody really wants.I know I do. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Overwhelmsam on September 29, 2004 at 06:51:20 PT Highly Polarized This election appears to be highly polarized between Bush and Kerry. There is a concept in electronics whereby a highly charged polarized inductor can change polarity instantly with a change in electrical input. Perhaps there will be some input prior to the election that will swing polarization of the voting population instantly to the Kerry camp. We just need to find out what input the public at large needs to hear to cause them to reverse their magnetic alliance toward Bush. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Truth on September 29, 2004 at 06:09:34 PT this... i Hopefully we will see a time where right and left will be able to shake hands and agree to disagree and find a way to solve those differences. In time we will all know. is absolutly true [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Truth on September 29, 2004 at 06:08:07 PT Good morning.... I'm trying to get the folks I know and love to jump ship if they are on the bushit bus. I think I can get some to come to the side of RIGHT>A vote for bush is more of the same'a vote for JOHN KERRY is a vote for change. I won't change. My tax money isn't meant to blow up babies so w can kiss his friends assholes. (sorry bout the passion)If my cuz agrees with what i said, & tells a few friends, it might tip fl to right. We might win.... WE WILL WIN as right is stronger then wrong. deception always crumbles as time goes on, the truth will always remain.Rev. Mark Mortensun [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 28, 2004 at 20:03:27 PT Truth There is one thing I know beyond a shadow of a doubt. People have chosen their side and will defend it until the end of time. Hopefully we will see a time where right and left will be able to shake hands and agree to disagree and find a way to solve those differences. In time we will all know. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Truth on September 28, 2004 at 19:55:39 PT: Martha, Here is an exchange that I had with my cousin in Florida. She is a big bush supporter.> > Hey Cuz, > > > > I have one question for you please.... > > > > Do you think it's alright for our government to use our hard earned tax > > dollars to blow up babies in Iraq? > > > > Love, > > > > Mark > >>From: "Crystal Hageman" >To: "Mark Mortensun" >Subject: Re: Hi you.... >Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:18:52 -0400 > >Hi Mark, > >No, I don't think we should be spending any money in foreign countries. Our >own country could use the money to take care of our people. I also feel >that if a foreigner comes to our country they need to learn our ways and >language and we shouldn't carter to them - they need to become a part of us >(U.S.). Providing special ATM's with other languages, etc is spending money >we shouldn't have to. Our hard earned tax dollars should stay at home.hi Crystal,Thanks for writing back. I'm very glad to see the no, my mom said the same. Forcing a language on another is not allowing them to be free, though. They like their home culture, it worked, it's them, and it's better for them then ours. It takes but a few strokes of the keys to program in spanish too, it's cheap and easy. It's a lot easier for them being in a new home and all. Let freedom happen. The opposite is bushit. bush is blowing up babies with YOUR tax dollars. Books are better the bombs. Bushie and his ilk own the companies that make the bombs (the carlyle group), the companies that supply the war, (kellogg, brown and root) and they own the companies that get paid when they rebuild what they blow up, Haliburton. cheeeney gets a FAT dividend cuz he gets paid at every corner with YOUR tax money. He is shreading the children and their parents with depleted uranium. That shit will still poison the country side over there for thousands of years. He, with plan columbia is defoliating the rainforest (for oil and control) but they are dumping a cousin of agent orange on the inhabitants of the region. Killing and maming the inhabitants so he, his dad and their immoral ilk are pumping the end of the oil as we have now reached peak oil. There is a better way. If you vote for bush you vote for this, if you vote John Kerry you are voting for a change. We need a change. Our Mother Earth sure as hell needs a change. If you vote for him you support his immoral and illegal behavior. If you vote for him you have the blood of babies on your hands too. Your will be guilty by complicity. Don't go there. Vote the fucker out!!!Please, I beg you.With lots of love, you've always been my favorite cuz.Markp.s. thank YOU 4 listenin [ Post Comment ] Post Comment