cannabisnews.com: Drug Raids Add Up To Federal Intimidation Drug Raids Add Up To Federal Intimidation Posted by CN Staff on August 07, 2007 at 17:00:12 PT Editorial Source: Clovis News Journal USA -- The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has started playing hardball with medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles, but it’s unclear how far it will move beyond symbolic intimidation. The DEA, which has discretion when it comes to setting priorities, would do well to abandon this effort to deprive seriously ill people of medicine to which they are entitled under state law. Such efforts are unworthy of it. On July 6 the Los Angeles office of the DEA sent letters to a number of landlords — estimates in news stories range from 30 to 120 — who rent to medical marijuana, or cannabis, dispensaries notifying them that their tenants are violating federal law, and that as landlords they might be subject to a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and forfeiture (seizure, taking, stealing) of their property. Some dispensaries have already announced they will be closing their doors. In an apparently unrelated action, the DEA also announced the indictments for violating federal marijuana laws of several operators of medical cannabis cooperatives in Central California, as well as one in Bakersfield, Calif., and another in Corona, Calif. All of these operations had been raided or put on notice previously, and none had received letters threatening forfeiture. All had paid sales taxes, an indication they were operating like normal businesses, at least in the eyes of the state. Then the DEA raided 10 medical cannabis clinics in Los Angeles and arrested five people, reportedly none of them patients. That was the same day the L.A. City Council introduced an interim ordinance imposing a moratorium on new clinics until the city finds a better way to regulate them, and calling on the feds to end their crackdown. To be sure, under federal law as currently interpreted — incorrectly in our view — all possession, use, production or sale of marijuana is strictly prohibited. California law permits medicinal use when recommended by a licensed physician. Federal law enforcement agencies are empowered to enforce federal law, while California law enforcement officials are required to enforce state law. So the DEA has authority to do what it did. Whether it was a wise move is another question. It isn’t quite busting grandmothers in wheelchairs using cannabis to alleviate the effects of chemotherapy or multiple sclerosis. But it will make it more difficult for legitimate patients to acquire their medicine through relatively predictable, legitimate channels. As Dale Gieringer, director of California National Association for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) said, “This action will only serve to drive patients to the illegal market and aggravate marijuana crime.” Last Wednesday’s raid also coincided with House of Representatives’ consideration of the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment to the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill. The amendment would have denied funds to the DEA for any enforcement activities against patients or caregivers in the 12 states that have authorized the medicinal use of cannabis. It got more votes than it had in previous years, but still failed, by a 262-165 margin (150 Democrats, 15 Republicans). You would think that with terrorism and hard drugs the DEA would have better things to do than to try to keep useful medicine from sick people and nullify the laws of 12 states. There’s obviously a lot of work to do before that happens. Source: Clovis News Journal (NM)Published: August 7, 2007Copyright: 2007, Freedom Newspapers of NMWebsite: http://www.cnjonline.com/Contact: david_stevens link.freedom.comRelated Articles & Web Site:California NORMLhttp://www.canorml.org/ DEA's Scarlet Letterhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23234.shtml DEA Targets Landlords in Pot Battle http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23203.shtmlDEA Raids Pot Clinics in LA Countyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23202.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #34 posted by FoM on August 12, 2007 at 16:13:36 PT Toker00 & Whig I agree with Hope and appreciate your concern. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by Hope on August 12, 2007 at 14:51:38 PT Thanks, Whig and Toker00 I appreciate the concern. Truly. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Toker00 on August 12, 2007 at 03:57:33 PT This helps Hope, FoM. If you smoke one or two packs a day, you will SAVE $150 - $300 a month when you quit. People won't back away from you when you breath tobacco breath on them. You'll stop losing lighters! You won't have to excuse yourself from good company to go smoke in a hide a-way spot. You'll be able to cough and actually have something come up! You'll stop burning holes in things, people and yourself. You won't have to worry about carrying that oxygen bottle around with you while you find a place to smoke that casket tack.It makes sense to stop. Of course that's easy for me to say. I have my replacement. Some won't take that chance. If you can't stop, Whig's suggestion is the best. Unadulterated tobacco is safer.Just 'cause we care about you guys.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by Dankhank on August 11, 2007 at 15:46:15 PT Dog ... had or has a show, sorta like "Bad Boys" wherein he goes after folks. I never watched it, still don't and still remember one of his targets labeled a "drug addict" never saying what drug/drugs were involved. It was at someones house, and I mocked it and still do.Be interesting if he does talk it up ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by whig on August 09, 2007 at 15:03:40 PT FoM I smoked tobacco, so I know. I just was able to switch to cannabis. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by FoM on August 09, 2007 at 13:12:35 PT whig It was back in the early 90s. I think that cigarettes are more addicting then some drugs. People who quit smoking can walk into a room of people smoking even a couple years after quitting and miss a cigarette. It's really a strange thing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by whig on August 09, 2007 at 12:54:38 PT FoM I misunderstood that you had just started smoking tobacco again recently.I still recommend the organics if you smoke. I found it was actually cheaper to get a package of loose organic tobacco and fill tubes than it would have been to buy cheap garbage cigarettes at the gas station. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by FoM on August 09, 2007 at 05:45:33 PT whig I started smoking when I knew that my son wasn't going to make it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Had Enough on August 09, 2007 at 05:29:26 PT Duane 'Dog' Chapman I saw Dog Chapman on the Donny Deutsch Show right before he got in hot water with that incident in Mexico.At the very end of the show the Dog, mentioned cannabis, (and he used that word). He was talking good about it and his wife was backing him up. He mentioned to the effect that the laws are blown out of proportion and needs to be addressed, and how some people need it and use it for medication. Right about when he was getting deeper into the subject, Donny Deutsch interrupted and said that it was a gateway drug, and leads to hard drugs. The Dog was about to respond, then Donny took back over to promote the next show, and then the show was over. That whole part lasted about 15 seconds.I thought wow look at this, this guy is a stoner, knows the truth about pot and wants to help change the laws concerning it.Then I caught the name of his company. Da Kine.Yes he wants the laws changed.I haven’t heard him say anything since his tiff with the Mexican Government, but every time I see him on the Boob Tube, I watch and wait anxiously for him to speak up again, but he has said nothing about it. I expect we will be hearing more from him…And for informational purposes, I understand he does not carry pistols, or other firearms when he goes after bail jumpers. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by whig on August 09, 2007 at 01:21:08 PT FoM Do me a favor and if you must smoke tobacco get some organic tobacco and not the cheap smokes that are full of chemicals. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by whig on August 09, 2007 at 01:19:53 PT FoM #21 Why did you start smoking again? [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by gloovins on August 08, 2007 at 23:42:03 PT Hoodia? looks intersting...my weight is not really a big thing for me now, but I know as the years go by it's a different story.Smoking cigarettes was something I once did but I guess my body naturally rejected it & the pleasurable aspects of being smoke free just outweighed any cravings. Food tastes SOO much better - everything is so much more intense...smoke of herb included. I can never understand those who mix the 2 - herb & tobacco. These are mainly Europeans. Those mixed joints are, for me, the worst. I'd rather not smoke at all.Must run...night all.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 23:13:18 PT Hoodia I've heard of it, but I haven't tried it. I might look in to it.I'm kind of cranky, too. Didn't have that problem, either, when I used cannabis to help quit that earlier time. Also I'd only smoked a couple of years before quitting that time. This time, it's been after smoking for about fifteen years. So it's to be expected, I guess. I'm not exaggerating at all though, that cannabis was very helpful in quitting tobacco that earlier time. Sweet...compared to this. Cranky and complaining...*sigh*. It'll get easier. It's already getting easier. It's only been less than a month, I think. A long month...but less than a month. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on August 08, 2007 at 20:55:40 PT Hope Food tastes so good after quitting smoking. I gained weight when I quit and it took time to lose it. Now I smoke again. I find it hard to keep my weight where I had it since I got sick this past winter. If I don't eat within a short time after getting up in the morning my stomach starts hurting. I won't take any diet aids because drugs in general scare me but I have seen something on 60 minutes called Hoodia and I wonder if that works. It's a plant.http://www.hoodia.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on August 08, 2007 at 20:43:06 PT gloovins Getting away from it all is good for what ails us. That's why I live so far from a big city. I can get lost in nature and it's wonders. I like Dennis Kucinich. He had a couple good one liners in the debate and cracked everyone up. He's a very good man. He is a very smart man. I know that he can't win but he is a winner in so much that he does and what he says. He will get a good appointment when the Dems get back in the White House. Maybe he could be our new Drug Czar! I'd prefer there was no such thing but since that is wishful thinking Drug Czar would do just fine for me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 20:42:59 PT I'm gaining weight from quitting smoking. I'm not sure how much...but I feel it and see it.Dang.I didn't gain weight when I quit years ago, back in the seventies...and stayed quit for many years. I smoked cannabis instead. It was a lot easier than this. Eventually I gave up the cannabis, too... (that was much, much easier than giving up the tobacco)and eventually gained weight, a lot...a dangerous, unhealthy amount of weight actually...and went back to the cigarettes, eventually, again, because of frustration with the weight gain.Got to get a handle on this weight thing now before it gets away from me. Yeah...I know...it should be easy...but for some of us, it's just not.I'm not wanting a cigarette as often as I did...and chewing less nicotine gum...but sadly... am eating more and have less energy.Just thinking about it makes me want a cigarette.Aaargh.I can do it though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 20:25:07 PT Gloovins Da Kine is sort of an odd name for a bail bond place, isn't it?I can't believe you called them! That's cool, though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by gloovins on August 08, 2007 at 20:05:46 PT Yes FoM - glad you are getting out too... It was so peaceful on the river I went to, seems like getting back to nature & the woods is the only way to escape these days....It's in between Lk Tahoe & Yosemite nr Dardonelle, Calif. if anyone knows it it's called Clarks Fork camground...the best in the Sierra Nevada's imho...I know it sounds messed up as a devout Libertarian but, I am now torn between Ron Paul & Dennis Kucinich...would have never predicted that one in a million too...oh well...sigh...welcome to 2007 [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by gloovins on August 08, 2007 at 19:58:50 PT Thanks to know you're even known on the net ... especially these days when the web is overflowing with everyone just so politically hyped.After I wrote the comment I called Hawaii & found dog's bond co - Da Kine Bail Bonds - & had a little chat with a co-hort/bondsman, it sounded like the yngr one. Anyway, we had a little chat after I asked for Wayne but he immediatly gave me a voice mail & beep - had to call back actually again then, I sounded off on him about how cigs kill 400,000 people a year & if meth was legal would he do it?"No way..." he replied. Then I told him about LEAP & how he could join - being a law e'fcmnt branch member & I was really surprised he didn't hang up. He had me on speaker so I hope others in the bailbonds shack were listening. I ain't holding my breath though....Just another day in the USA....Peace n Love to all... btw, I don't get/want/pay for cable tv, see there is this nutty little thing called youtube I found allows me to get the really bad/good tv - from all era's too! Those crazy internuts! [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 19:29:21 PT Gloovins I'm glad you had a nice respite. Sorry about the news bringing you down from that better state of mind. It can do it.I'd recommend NOT watching Chapman, too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 19:17:06 PT Mayan comment 3 That Common Dreams piece http://www.commondreams.org/headlines01/1006-02.htm US and Britain Accused of Creating Heroin Trail reminds me of something.Our "Watchdog"...the media...is likely, in many cases...very much afraid to speak out against these powers.They'd rather be entertainers than watchdogs. There's some really nasty stuff they should be barking and raising all kinds of noise about and at... but they are afraid, so they choose to ignore it...or relate it to us as something other than what it really is...which leaves us basically, as a people, in rather a predicament. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Richard Zuckerman on August 08, 2007 at 16:28:32 PT: How many illegal immigrants are growing & selling? U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, of Pennsylvania, now wants to give the illegals work visas and permission to bring over some of their family, but not citizenship! There has been suggestion that this is Congressional extortion in that they would not be willing to enforce the federal immigration laws unless we give them work status. However, this fails to address the continuing problem of an open Southern Border and a very overloaded federal immigration bureaucracy!!! www.voiceofthepeopleusa.com. New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has even formed a Commission as a form of welcome wagon for the illegals!! Jon Corzine's campaign promise for New Jersey Governor to reduce the State's fiscal deficit has not been accomplished. I'm not allowed to cuss on this website. So I'll keep my opinion of Governor Jon Corzine to myself.Richard Paul Zuckerman, P.O. Box 159, Metuchen, N.J., 08840-0159, richardzuckerman2002 yahoo.com. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on August 08, 2007 at 15:08:18 PT gloovins It's good to see you. It sounds like you had a really good time. We have been trying to get away more and had a fun day boating this past weekend. The news is so bad it's hard to handle. I don't think we will see any progress until we get Democrats in power and even then it might take time. The road ahead will be very hard on some people but I knew this would happen. This administration doesn't know what compassion means in my opinion. Take care. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by gloovins on August 08, 2007 at 14:56:25 PT some new rules Reading today of the fed's raids makes me so pessimistic. I have been "off the grid" in Northern California for the last cpl days & it was so great to camp out, sit by a fire, cook our fish freshly caught from the river, go cliff diving into the river - all awesome.Then I get back home to LA & get on the net & it's just so depressing all the news of the feds raids.It's off topic but I also saw Wayne "Dog" Chapman the bounty hunter has a new book out & I couldn't help but think of the episode where he hunts down someone, gets him in the back of his car & offers him a cigarette as he transports the suspect to jail, then says later to the camera something to the effect of "Hey, at least when I catch you, I'll give you a smoke, talk to you nicely, etc" It made me want to puke. Then I caught the show again several months later. This time though he was hunting a man near the ocean & boats moored for some charge or another &, after everyone near this guy ratted out his whereabouts, he catches this guy & lo & behold he has a meth pipe & meth on him. So the whole time he is transporting the guy who is sobbing, Chapman, the wholly ignorant puppy, is telling him how is going to now face 10 years for the meth & how it's killing Hawaii & all along this guy is smoking cig after cig (A&E tries to hide it) & has the balls to lecture people about what is "killing" everyone. Yo, little puppy chap, tobacco kills only 400,000 people a year. Duh. What a hypocrite loser.Ahhh, glad I got that off my chest, now if you will excuse me, I have to medicate 'n meditate...:)BTW, hope all here C-News is having a great summer.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by whig on August 08, 2007 at 13:44:27 PT Some more habits I brush my teeth. But I just got my first cavity. The dentist said he usually only saw that kind of cavity in a much younger person. So I think that's a good thing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by whig on August 08, 2007 at 13:30:40 PT What's your habit? Does anyone not have habits? I have a habit of taking a shower every day. I have a habit of eating lunch eventually, and I have a habit of eating dinner when my wife gets home.Some habits are good habits, some are not.Alcohol might be a dangerous habit. Tobacco certainly is.Prescription drugs might be a good habit for some people, and a bad habit for others.Cannabis is not harmful to health. Cannabis is beneficial to health.Figure it out. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by whig on August 08, 2007 at 13:21:51 PT War on sick people? How monstrous these federal police have become. They do not act to protect the civil rights of the people, but to oppress our care givers and seek to deny our medicine. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by goneposthole on August 08, 2007 at 08:57:07 PT china's bucks Once they let them go, they won't have them anymore. The dollar will soar in value.Don't use those filthy dirty rotten drugs, legal or illegal. Smoke cannabis. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on August 08, 2007 at 04:52:47 PT These folks don't look intimidated - http://www.abcnews.go.com/WN/popup?id=3455403Nice photo series!WTG ABC! PHOTOS: FINDING RELIEF: MEDICAL MARIJUANA USERS [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by NikoKun on August 08, 2007 at 01:00:47 PT Priorities? Hunt down meth labs and other such hard drug producers?... Or go after medical marijuana patients?...Tough choice, huh DEA?Proof yet again that we need to end this backwards harmful Prohibition. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by whig on August 07, 2007 at 18:57:47 PT mayan It's like a cornered animal, watch out for the claws. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by mayan on August 07, 2007 at 18:26:00 PT Misc. It was said here long ago that as the fascists lose control they will attempt to crack down even harder.I hope everyone is ready for the collapse...China threatens 'nuclear option' of dollar sales: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/08/07/bcnchina107a.xmlA "war on drugs" my ass...US and Britain Accused of Creating Heroin Trail: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines01/1006-02.htmTHE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...911 Truth - You, Me and the SPP: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=34381Methodist Minister Calls Emergency Meeting to Address Constitutional Crisis: http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20070807132437932Bloomberg Freedom of the Press Subway Ride: http://911blogger.com/node/104649/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB - OUR NATION IS IN PERIL: http://www.911sharethetruth.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Richard Zuckerman on August 07, 2007 at 18:15:15 PT: HOW MANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE THE POT GROWERS? If the federal government and States would concentrate more on weeding out the illegal immigrants, perhaps they would not have as much of a problem! They seem more concerned with arresting "Marijuana" growers, users, and dealers, than arresting the very costly illegal immigrants, "undocumented workers". www.loudobbs.com; www.ccir.net; www.fairus.org; www.thenewamerican.com; www.heritage.org, which might lead to dangerous criminals, including terrorists!!!!! Congress changed the vote on a measure to deny immigrants welfare benefits, the other day, which led to House Republicans walking out and protesting loudly, and an apology from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi!!! There seems to have been a media blackout about this event, though. New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has formed a Commission as a form of welcome wagon for the "undocumented immmigrants." I plan to ask for a Presidential Pardon if a new President comes in and I will make sure to ask to be hired as an Immigration Officer because I would have a field day here in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where the Mayor refuses to enforce the federal immigration laws. Read the criminal justice article entitled "Contesting criminality: Illegal immigration ahd the spatialization of legality", by Susan Bibler Coutin, University of California, Volume 9(1) of Theoretical Crimonology 5-33.Richard Paul Zuckerman, P.O. Box 159, Metuchen, N.J., 08840-0159, www.RonPaul2008.com. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by smoknjoe on August 07, 2007 at 17:15:24 PT: DEA Going after terrorist or hard drugs is dangerous, its much safer to go after sick people. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment