cannabisnews.com: Medical Pot Law Spawns Other Ills





Medical Pot Law Spawns Other Ills
Posted by CN Staff on October 27, 2007 at 07:03:59 PT
By Bryan Denson, Newhouse News Service 
Source: Chicago Tribune
Portland, Ore. -- Oregon's medical marijuana program has grown to colossal proportions in recent years, with autumn harvests so robust it scarcely resembles the modest enterprise approved by voters in 1998.The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act was sold to voters nine years ago with the prediction that about 500 people a year would apply to get relief from debilitating conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV and multiple sclerosis.
Today, the program has swelled to 14,831 patients, with 1,700 filing new or renewal applications each month, including a few diagnosed with common afflictions such as asthma, back pain and menstrual cramps.An additional 7,178 medical marijuana cardholders are caregivers who assist patients. Lawmakers updated the program two years ago, adding a new class of third-party growers who now number more than 4,000.The explosive growth of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, coupled with mass cultivation and the seduction of selling cannabis on the black market for $2,500 a pound and higher, also has provoked extensive abuse.The state Department of Justice polled seven sheriff's departments across the state last year and estimated that 40 percent of medical marijuana growers had violated one or more laws, most often growing too much. Oregon State Police say 15 of the 46 illegal crop seizures they took part in last year involved medical marijuana growers.Two weeks ago, a state trooper stopped a motorist on Interstate Highway 5 near Aurora carting 49 pounds of just-harvested marijuana. The driver, who was a patient and grower for two others, was allowed to drive away with 4.5 pounds of pot because of the 2005 law, which also upped possession limits.Police and prosecutors say the program is out of control."The manner in which this statute is written, in my opinion, is a blueprint for drug trafficking," said Katie Suver, a deputy district attorney in Marion County. "And I believe that the general populace, when they voted it in, thought what they were doing is helping really sick people."Patient advocates concede that a few criminals have tainted the program, using it as cover to sell cannabis illegally. The greater problem, they say, is that legions of sick people can't get the marijuana they need.Voters are likely to decide the program's future next year.The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency does not recognize Oregon's medical marijuana program or similar laws in 11 other states. But federal prosecutors generally don't intrude on growers unless 100 plants or more are seized—the threshold under sentencing guidelines for a 5-year minimum prison term.Sharon Place cultivated medicinal cannabis in the early 1990s, before it was legal, carrying the drug to some of the hospice patients she cared for.She was arrested in 1991 for growing marijuana at home. But the judge recognized her good intentions. He let her go with 2 years' probation and 80 hours of community service, including time gardening at an elementary school.Place, 51, later obtained a medical marijuana card. She spent last summer tending a communal garden on sloping farmland northwest of Eugene.By early fall, 60 plants bulged as big as dome tents, with buds—the most potent part of the plant—hanging like ornaments on fat Christmas trees. Place and her fellow growers harvested 21 pounds of usable cannabis.After dividing the pot among 10 patients, the growers were left with about 6 pounds more than the law allows. Place plans to deliver it to patients who have no medicine.Note: Oregon deals with criminal misuse of 9-year-old statute.Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)Author: Bryan Denson, Newhouse News Service Published: October 28, 2007 Copyright: 2007 Chicago Tribune CompanyContact: ctc-TribLetter Tribune.comWebsite: http://www.chicagotribune.com/Related Articles:Pot Ideas Will Test Acceptance http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23427.shtmlMedical Marijuana Is On The Oregonian Hit Listhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23426.shtmlA Few People Get Uncle Sam's Weed http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23425.shtml
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Comment #34 posted by FoM on October 31, 2007 at 16:03:40 PT
Are we Oregon's Renegade Journalists?
By Tim King, Salem-News.com October 31, 2007http://www.salem-news.com/articles/october312007/renegards_snc_103107.php
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Comment #33 posted by whig on October 30, 2007 at 16:26:28 PT
runruff
It's such a mixed blessing right now, because I think we're all really happy to see you and sorry to be missing MBC. Almost like it was a trade, but hardly fair, and still I'm glad you're back.
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on October 30, 2007 at 15:55:05 PT
runruff
You sound happy and that makes me happy. 
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Comment #31 posted by runruff on October 30, 2007 at 15:39:32 PT:
Hugged my dogs.
Got down on the ground and rolled with my scoobs. We have a new addition to the crew, a beautiful fawn colored pug named Miss Dixie. She is a little love loaf. A spark plug.
They hadn't forgot me. Linda said we were a mass of whirling dervishes. Happy halloween eveyone. Autumn is a beautiful time of year.       
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on October 30, 2007 at 06:56:38 PT
Runruff and Had Enough
I love this song. I liked what one person said when his house burnt down in California. He said at least the termites are gone now. It's good to be able to laugh in the middle of the storm. It's is called This Old House - Neil Younghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nsgp6_d22w
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Comment #29 posted by Had Enough on October 30, 2007 at 06:50:59 PT
And I’d like to add…
There is no place like Home…I’m sure you know what I mean.Rest up, view the sunsets & sunrises, and don’t forget to look up at the stars in between.
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Comment #28 posted by Had Enough on October 30, 2007 at 06:32:17 PT
runruff
Good to hear from you again.Chores around the house??? Me too, been super busy with that stuff. But at any rate I’d rather be trying to keep up with “This Old House” than sit in the federal crossbar hotel, without question. I’d ask if you’ve hugged your dogs yet, but I’m sure that was done 15 seconds in the door…Welcome home runruff………………..
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Comment #27 posted by Hope on October 29, 2007 at 22:17:17 PT
Breathing deeply... (Just air, though.)
Runruff's finally home.I'm so glad, and grateful.
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Comment #26 posted by runruff on October 29, 2007 at 21:51:11 PT:
Thanks for the greetings.
Yes I'm home. Whew! I have so much I want to share with you all. My life has been like a movie since 2-6-06. I think you will be interested in the people I've met, the attitudes I've encountered the experiences I've had. I'm on home confinement till 11-1-07. I have been so busy patching and fixing since the moment I walked in the door. I am taking the burdens off of Linda that she has been laboring under. This has been so unfair to her. I doubt that I will ever find a good thing to say about our government again, if I ever could. The closer you look the uglier it gets. It is wonderful that you all are still here. we'll be talking soon. Peace and love.
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Comment #25 posted by Hope on October 29, 2007 at 19:50:11 PT
Runruff
Been wondering when we would hear from you again. Hope you are home and all is well.
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on October 29, 2007 at 15:41:28 PT
runruff
It's really good to see you.
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Comment #23 posted by whig on October 29, 2007 at 15:37:02 PT
IMO
Giving water to a plant is not a crime.
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Comment #22 posted by whig on October 29, 2007 at 15:35:32 PT
runruff
Welcome home! (yes?)
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Comment #21 posted by runruff on October 29, 2007 at 14:14:11 PT:
Those poor dumb Orgonians.
I would just like to point out here that the people of the state of Oregon twice voted to legalize cannabis and it is decriminalised for one ounce even today. This article makes it sound like we here in Oregon were ,oh gosh, fooled again. What is it they say, "dumb like a fox"? The only problem we here in Oregon have with current pot laws is the meddling feds. 
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on October 29, 2007 at 11:28:42 PT
fight_4_freedom 
Did you activate something on the page? I can't remember what it was called but I did and the audio and ability to vote in the poll becomes active. I hope this helps.
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on October 29, 2007 at 11:26:16 PT
fight_4_freedom 
I am listening to it now. I am voting in the polls. I don't see a video but I am getting excellent audio.
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Comment #18 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 29, 2007 at 11:11:58 PT:
obama on mtv
(future) President Obama, I have a question for you. Marijuana is one of the safest, most benign substances known to mankind. We are locking up over 700,000 Americans annually for using this virtually harmless plant. If your are elected, what steps will you take to end the prosecution of non-violent marijuana users? That was my question I sent through the myspace instant message. I doubt it will be aired or answered. They are having the live chat right now but I can only see the polls and the questions asked, not his answers. I've been trying like hell to figure it out but now I'm officially giving up.Hopefully someone gets a marijuana question through to him.
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Comment #17 posted by observer on October 29, 2007 at 10:56:40 PT
helping really sick people
"The manner in which this statute is written, in my opinion, is a blueprint for drug trafficking," said Katie Suver, a deputy district attorney in Marion County. "And I believe that the general populace, when they voted it in, thought what they were doing is helping really sick people."translation:"As a a deputy district attorney, I was planning on a smooth-sailing career of railroading pot smokers and growers into prison, with nary a trial. Jury, schmury. Heck, all the other prosecutors get to make their careers on the backs of pot smokers, so it is just no fair that I have to prosecute real criminals (you know, ones that have real identifiable individuals as victims, like rapists, theives, murderers and robbers) here in Marion County. Maybe (if I dress nicely enough, and have my hair done 'just so'), I can come off as sincere. I'll sincerely pump up the fear. Maybe I can confuse the gullible into thinking that I'm doing all this for the children. Yeah, that's the ticket. Call some press conferences, make big, concerned eyes for the friendly reporters. (And make note of the reporters whio don't pitch me total soft-balls. Ban those suckers from future press conferences.) Heh. Yeah, it's all for the children. 
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Comment #16 posted by The GCW on October 28, 2007 at 20:03:32 PT
fight 4 freedom - Thanks for the POLL
fight 4 freedom - Thanks for the POLL
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Comment #15 posted by potpal on October 28, 2007 at 13:07:52 PT
cannabis link
Think I'll start calling a 'link' to a cannabis related article a 'joint' instead. Like 'Do you have the joint to the YouTube video?' Why not? It's a brave new world.Thumbs up to cannabis.Cannabis prohibition is the crime.Toke.
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Comment #14 posted by whig on October 28, 2007 at 10:27:54 PT
fight 4 freedom
It might be helpful if someone has a transcript of her question so that people who cannot watch YouTube can follow what is being asked.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on October 28, 2007 at 08:44:58 PT
fight_4_freedom 
I figured it out and voted. That was a very well done video question.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on October 28, 2007 at 08:39:19 PT
fight_4_freedom 
I watched the video but how do I vote?
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 28, 2007 at 08:36:42 PT
fight_4_freedom 
Thank you! I will try to do it!
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Comment #10 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 28, 2007 at 08:10:10 PT:
Barack Obama + Medical Marijuana + MTV = Your Help
I just got this bulletin from MPP on myspace.comHey everyone, here's the deal:MPP has posted a video question on medical marijuana for the presidential candidates at 10Questions.com. If we're the top question as of Monday morning at 10am EST our question will be asked of Barack Oboma live on MTV that afternoon at 1:30pm!!!!In order to get to the top, we need YOUR vote and the best part is, it's only a click away. Use the link below to watch our question and then click on the green thumbs-up icon to vote for us.Remember, this is our chance to change the face of an election and make our issues heard!http://www.10questions.com/?search=HGnUs_X0nQAThanks,MPP
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Comment #9 posted by John Tyler on October 28, 2007 at 08:00:45 PT
twisting words
“Police and prosecutors say the program is out of control.” Funny how you word stuff isn’t it? This way it sounds so scary and threatening and bad. Say it this way; “The program is expanding rapidly to meet the medical needs of the citizens of Oregon”, and it sound so non threatening and good. Same message, said two different ways.    
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Comment #8 posted by The GCW on October 28, 2007 at 07:08:38 PT
I like cannabis more than I like police.
"...swelled to 14,831 patients..."???How many patients use class A narcotics? Or even aspirin?Is that a swelling from when class A narc's or aspirin started?-0-Police also don't care for My Frank Zappa...does that mean I also may not listen to Frank?-0-There has been some talk of Ill-inois re-legalizing medical use of the God-given plant cannabis (kaneh bosm / marijuana) for ill folks.Is this windy city article being used to help Ill. voters make a decission?
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Comment #7 posted by Had Enough on October 28, 2007 at 06:38:45 PT
9 Years After
“Two weeks ago, a state trooper stopped a motorist on Interstate Highway 5 near Aurora carting 49 pounds of just-harvested marijuana. The driver, who was a patient and grower for two others, was allowed to drive away with 4.5 pounds of pot because of the 2005 law, which also upped possession limits.”What happened to the other 44.5 lbs? Hhmmm.“Police and prosecutors say the program is out of control.”That’s all we need to know here.“ Voters are likely to decide the program's future next year.”“ said Katie Suver, a deputy district attorney in Marion County. "And I believe that the general populace, when they voted it in, thought what they were doing is helping really sick people."”The voters already decided 9 years ago. Now police and prosecutors don’t like losing drug war money and not being able to harass pot smokers so they throw it back on the voters (who are not smart enough to think for themselves, as prosecutors and police try to convince the masses)Well at least they didn’t try to play Dr. Sheriffs, MD and Dr. DA, MD this time and mention Marinol.
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Comment #6 posted by ekim on October 27, 2007 at 19:04:31 PT
yes mayan-- like if you grow it hurts the big guys
can't have just plain fokes helpen themselves and others----where will all those huge profits come from-- see this story -- these two are so bad - oh ya and lost there JOBS -- and state wants there house -- but for first time offenders six months probation will do just fine.like Kapt says -- if cases like this would go to trial and the da would have to defend all the lies that have been used to create this drug war on a plant -- the govermint will have some splainen to do-- underoath http://www.mlive.com/news/KALAMAZOO GAZETTE 
• Former Gull Lake teachers sentenced for growing pot 
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Comment #5 posted by whig on October 27, 2007 at 19:00:52 PT
The problem
The police can be brought to do what the politicians want them to do, but the politicians don't work for the people, they work for the people who finance their campaigns and personal advantages.
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Comment #4 posted by mayan on October 27, 2007 at 15:06:02 PT
Hit Pieces
What's with all of the hit pieces against Oregon's medical cannabis program? There's obviously an orchestrated attempt to discredit and destroy it. As far as I know, the sky hasn't fallen in Oregon and the only people whining are the police and a few politicians. 
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Comment #3 posted by ekim on October 27, 2007 at 12:09:01 PT
ck out # 3 --if you say something long enought ect
http://www.druglibrary.org/mags/bherald37.htmhttp://www.druglibrary.org/mags/assassinofyouth.htmhttp://www.druglibrary.org/mags/chicagotribune27.htmhttp://www.druglibrary.org/mags/amjnurs2.htmhttp://www.druglibrary.org/mags/amjnurs1.htm
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on October 27, 2007 at 10:59:57 PT
Prohibitionists....
Busy bodies and trouble makers is what they are.That's all they are!
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Comment #1 posted by potpal on October 27, 2007 at 08:51:32 PT
Chicago
So why spew this prohibitionist propaganda, and man does this pile stink, in Chicago? The writer obviously has a hang up...hmmm...hanging like ornaments on fat Christmas trees? Maybe we can start a trend.Police and prosecutors say the program is out of control.
'Nuff said. 
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