cannabisnews.com: Pot of Gold: Backers Hail Decision





Pot of Gold: Backers Hail Decision
Posted by CN Staff on December 21, 2005 at 16:03:51 PT
By Gretchen Wenner, Californian Staff Writer
Source: Bakersfield Californian
California -- For a brief spell Tuesday morning, after Supervisor Don Maben suggested the board OK medical marijuana ID cards in Kern County, time seemed to slow. Later, Maben joked that an acquaintance called the stark silence a "pregnant pause." "It was more like a full term," Maben said. "Tick, tick, tick... ." His motion -- which passed unanimously minutes later -- surprised many in the audience.
Pot advocates, after all, had expected the board to postpone a decision on the state-mandated program until sometime next year.Even then, some observers expected the board to join San Diego County in its plan to sue the state rather than implement the program.Maben's move also appeared to stun his colleagues, if you can measure such things by time elapsed before a motion gets a so-called "second." Another supervisor must second any motion before a vote can take place.As silence blanketed board chambers, Chairman Ray Watson broke in with a reminder: "We have a motion."But the three other board members -- Jon McQuiston, Barbara Patrick, Michael Rubio -- stayed quiet.Tick, tick.Eventually, Patrick offered a second, and supervisors cast votes without comment.It was done.Medical pot users clapped. They'd urged supervisors to comply with the law at each of the past three meetings. They'd shared stories of pot's effectiveness cutting pain, of lives recovered after dumping traditional painkillers."Finally," said a jubilant Victor Love, an outspoken medical marijuana advocate from Kernville."It's going to bring the community closer" and ease tensions with law enforcement, said Robert R. Blackwell of Mojave, one of 17 pro-pot speakers at Tuesday's session.Ecstatic hoots and hollers echoed in the parking garage as advocates headed home.For supporters, the decision was long in coming.California voters approved a ballot measure legalizing medical marijuana use in 1996. That law allows use, transport and cultivation of small amounts of pot.Follow-up legislation created the ID card program, which will allow qualified users to more easily identify themselves to peace officers.Earlier this year, the card program hit a snag when the federal Supreme Court decided pot use is still a federal crime. The court did not, however, abolish California's law.Tuesday's vote came and went quickly, but that wasn't the case when the item first came to supervisors two weeks ago. Then, the board seemed determined to find an escape route.Maben said Tuesday he suggested moving forward because the state will eventually force counties to comply with the law. It wouldn't be logical to squander additional staff time trying to wiggle out of it, he said.McQuiston later said he was compelled to uphold state law even if he doesn't agree with it.He also said Tuesday's decision won't preclude Kern from joining San Diego County's planned lawsuit down the road.No one spoke against the ID card program at the meeting.In a telephone interview after the decision, Bakersfield resident Helen Dickard said she was "really upset" by the vote. Dickard believes the program will "open a can of worms" and increase crime associated with street drugs.The county Public Health Department is poised to have the voluntary program running in early January.So far, a dozen of California's 58 counties have approved the program, public health officials said. That tally includes Kern.Kern's cards will run $100 a year for qualified users and caregivers. The fee is expected to cover program costs. About 3,000 county residents could be eligible, public health officials estimate.The state card program will also come with the warning that the federal government can use information provided by applicants to identify and prosecute federal cases.Note: Marijuana ID cards OK'd, but board could sue state later to stop program.Source: Bakersfield Californian, The (CA)Author: Gretchen Wenner, Californian Staff WriterPublished: Wednesday, December 21, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Bakersfield CalifornianContact: opinion bakersfield.comWebsite: http://www.bakersfield.com/Related Articles:MMJ Users Share Stories with County Supervisorshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21379.shtml Supervisors Wrong on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21377.shtmlMarijuana Brought Relief To My Dying Fatherhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21368.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by Toker00 on December 23, 2005 at 13:03:43 PT
It will be amazing if nothing comes of this.
133,613 Responses. 85% Voted to Impeach. The spell has been lifted. Americans have a chance for worldwide vindication, if we sh*tcan this smirking jerk, and get out of Iraq. Watch out for a new year surprise, though. People, please be careful, and God be with us all! Merry Happy Christmas Holidays! Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! 
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Comment #11 posted by mayan on December 22, 2005 at 15:20:33 PT
AOLBites
PATRIOT Act Update: Congressman James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI) has passed an amendment through the House on unanimous consent, extending the PATRIOT Act and "lone wolf" for one month. The Senate will vote on the matter tonight (12/22).Bill of Rights Defense Committee:
http://www.bordc.org/
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on December 22, 2005 at 08:52:33 PT
Toker00
The poll results makes me smile and have a little hope that people are waking up.
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Comment #9 posted by Toker00 on December 22, 2005 at 04:52:21 PT
Change the Government.
87% - 58,566. Yes, Impeach his ass. And Cheney's. Arrest Rumsfeld, Rove, etc. for War Crimes. It's only right.The Dictatorship must end.Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! 
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Comment #8 posted by AOLBites on December 22, 2005 at 02:36:15 PT
six-month extension of the Patriot Act
Updated: 12:00 a.m. ET Dec. 22, 2005WASHINGTON - The Senate on Wednesday passed a six-month extension of the terror-fighting USA Patriot Act as a last resort after Democrats and a small group of GOP senators blocked President Bush and Republican congressional leaders’ attempt to make most of the anti-terrorism law permanent.Approval of the six-month extension came on a voice vote, and cleared the way for a final vote in the House possibly as early as Thursday. Sixteen provisions in the current law expire Dec. 31 unless the Congress and White House acts.
six-month extension of the Patriot Act
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Comment #7 posted by Slo Mo on December 22, 2005 at 01:12:50 PT:
Thats right...
Are our "leaders" In a box? You can tell they have "our" money and lots of it. Spend nothing on alt. gas, spend over 48 billion on the "War on drugs" and watch the US spend even more on gas. And the schools are doing fine. Even tho there failing. Well what do you expect? If there getting 48 bil. They have to show something. I think the only way for them to notice the US is turning to crap if we break in and Knock it into them! Or Roit?
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 21, 2005 at 19:21:45 PT
ekim
Look how progressive the UK is compared to us. Sir Elton John's relationship is now ok by UK standards. We really are behind the times here in the states.
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Comment #5 posted by ekim on December 21, 2005 at 19:12:13 PT
Peter would love today-Kern County & Rocket Man UK
http://lastonespeaks.blogspot.com/Wednesday, December 21, 2005 
Ain't nobody's business...The language was a little prissy but nonetheless, the Canadian Supreme Court rendered an good decision in a favor of the owner of a private swingers club, ruling that the private acts of consenting adults behind a code-locked door, was not a threat to society. 
The judges said that just because most Canadians might disapprove of swingers’ clubs, this did not necessarily mean the establishments were socially dangerous. Consensual conduct behind code-locked doors can hardly be supposed to jeopardize a society as vigorous and tolerant as Canadian society," said the opinion of the seven-to-two majority, written by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin.
Seems to me they could apply that reasoning to cannabis clubs as well. 
http://www.minorml.org
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 21, 2005 at 18:49:29 PT
Medical Pot Shops Win OK from City
Council gives initial approval to ordinances that end moratorium.By Julie Fernandez, Staff writer December 21, 2005James McLean and anyone else who wants to dispense medical marijuana in Tulare will have to comply with a series of rules and regulations that got preliminary approval from the City Council on Tuesday.The ordinances regulating the dispensing and use of medical marijuana are patterned after those adopted in mid-October by neighboring Visalia. The approval comes after months of talks between attorneys for McLean, owner of Charity Caregivers of Tulare, and the city. 
 
 
"Let us go forth and see what happens," Mayor Richard Ortega said after the 3-0 votes. "Hopefully, we made the right decisions." Vice Mayor Phil Vandegrift and Councilman David Macedo were both sick and did not attend the meeting.California voters approved the Compassionate Use Act, which permits the use of marijuana for medical reasons, in November 1996. The series of ordinances is an attempt to meet the provisions of that measure.McLean, who was refused a business license last summer because the council had imposed a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries, was pleased with the ordinance passed Tuesday except for a provision prohibiting public use and consumption of the drug."Some of our patients have epilepsy," he said. "If they can take a puff or two of their medication, it could prevent them from going into a seizure." He said most of his patients are "very discrete about it."Snipped:Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/azyt3
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on December 21, 2005 at 18:31:45 PT
Mayan and Ekim
Thank you I voted.Happy New Year to you too.
Happy Holidays 
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Comment #2 posted by ekim on December 21, 2005 at 18:23:08 PT
easy like sunday mornen-------i wana be free-----
this is what we are striving for.yes ease tentions ---------happy new year to all -- war is hell.
http://www.leap.cc/events
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Comment #1 posted by mayan on December 21, 2005 at 18:20:13 PT
Impeachment Poll!
Do you believe President Bush's actions justify impeachment?  * 29005 responses  
Yes, between the secret spying, the deceptions leading to war and more, there is plenty to justify putting him on trial. - 88% 
 No, like any president, he has made a few missteps, but nothing approaching "high crimes and misdemeanors." - 3% 
 No, the man has done absolutely nothing wrong. Impeachment would just be a political lynching. - 8% 
 I don't know. - 1% Vote to Impeach!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10562904#surveyTHE WAY OUT...Prof. Steven E. Jones to Speak in Utah! 
http://www.911blogger.com/2005/12/911-revisited-scientific-and-ethical.htmlFBI Lied--the WTC black boxes were found: White House, FBI Lied to 9/11 Commission about 9/11:
http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=765The King's Red Herring - by Kristen Breitweiser:
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20051220135214510
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