cannabisnews.com: Peoples Class Action for Therapeutic Cannabis Peoples Class Action for Therapeutic Cannabis Posted by FoM on November 29, 1999 at 16:42:32 PT Class Action Update Source: Fairlaw.org Dear Class Action Plaintiff, This correspondence is to update you on how the Peoples Class Action for Freedom from Government Prohibition of Therapeutic Cannabis has progressed since we went to court March 3, 1999. After this hearing, Judge Katz ordered that our case will proceed to trial on the grounds of equal protection. The United States Government has been stonewalling our efforts to obtain their records on the Investigative New Drug compassionate-use program in which they are currently providing medical marijuana to eight surviving patients. They have also provided very minimal information to the interrogatories we presented to them. This information will help to determine their rationale behind providing a life-saving medicine to only a select few Americans while prohibiting its use by all others. Chief Counsel, Larry Hirsch, has just filed several documents in response to the governments formal request that our case be dismissed. On October 28th, he submitted an affidavit written by lead plaintiff, Kiyoshi Kuromiya, on behalf of all plaintiffs. On November 3rd, Attorney Hirsch filed Plaintiffs Opposition Memorandum, Points of Opposition, and Authorities, in which he states: "Defendant, without the submision of any evidence on the record has filed a bad faith motion for summary judgment in order to deprive plaintiffs from going to trial on the issues in this case. This court will be asked in a separate motion to grant all appropriate relief to the plaintiffs under Rule 56(g), including reasonable expenses, attorney's fees and to impose sanctions and contempt orders against the government and its attorneys." In response to Kiyoshis affidavit, the government asked for a time extension to respond. On November 4th, Judge Katz granted the Defendant an additional 11 days. The governments reply brief is due no later than November 15, 1999. Mr. Hirsch will be filing several motions in the next week, all of which will push for justice for all. New Plaintiffs: The class action is STILL accepting NEW plaintiffs. Since Attorney Hirsch will be notifying Judge Katz that we are nearly 500 strong, we dont really know if there will be a time constraint on how much longer we can accept new members - hopefully we will grow to so many and become so strong that we will no longer be ignored. Interested persons are encouraged to contact: Joan Bello at 561-750-0554 or tiffywiff2 aol.com OR SIGN UP ON THE INTERNET: http://www.gnv.fdt.net/~jrdawson/signup.htm There is a one-time $36 Application Fee (which can be paid over time if necessary). Interrogatories and Application Fee:It is very important that we have your Interrogatories so that when it comes time to produce them, we can. If you have not sent in this information, please mail to: LifeServices PO Box 4314 Boca Raton, FL 33429 For those concerned, we have NOT produced your information to the government. We will not submit your answers until we are guaranteed that this information will not jeopordize either you or your physician. Larry Hirsch has planned to request of Judge Katz a protection from prosecution due to Answers to Interrogatories. If you need a copy of the Interrogatories, contact Lori Martz KAYLEIGH LL.NET or (507) 333-2536 or Karen Baker OCANVAS OLYPEN.COM and we will get the information to you. For those yet to pay the $36 application fee for joining the lawsuit, please mail this to LifeServices as soon as possible. Health Care Professionals:We are looking for health care professionals such as: medical doctors, psychologists, nutritionists, orthopedists, nurses, chiropractors, etc. who are supportive of our mission and would be interested in signing an affidavit that he/she approves of cannabis as medicine and would recommend it if legally authorized to do so. Maybe your health care professional would be willing to sign this affidavit. If you know of any health care professionals interested in further information, you may direct your inquiries to Lori Martz. Fundraising:In an effort to keep this lawsuit moving forward, we are putting together a fundraising packet to assist in getting funds. In the past, through generous donations, approximately 70 plaintiffs from around the country were able to attend the first Federal Court hearing in Philadelphia, March 3, 1999. This was certainly a major achievement and demonstrated how determination and the generosity of others can result in great success! We may well have another Hearing soon. Once again, member of the Action Class may need immediate mobilization and funding. And of course, as part of the upcoming trial, it is anticipated that ALL plaintiffs who are able to travel will come to the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania to testify about their medical history and need for therapeutic cannabis. To cover our mailings/filings/depositions/investigations, all our records and data-basing, our networking, as well as to meet our financial obligations for contracted work, we will be initiating a major fund raising effort through the Lifeservices Headquarters in Florida. If we are to continue to move against this giant machine of corruption, we need your help. All of our activities require the support of donations. In an attempt to locate financial backing, I am asking EACH one of you to find at least ONE potential donor (person or agency) in your local community and provide this information to me. Any person who is in sympathy with this movement for justice and compassion or any agency that you know is in our corner, we will be pleased to contact. Public support for medical marijuana demonstrates that health care professionals, patients, their friends and family want this medicine available to ALL persons who could benefit from the healing properties of cannabis. Over 65 national organizations support access to this medicine. With this national public support, there are many potential donors who would be enthusiastic in supporting our lawsuit. Together - we must find them! We are heartened by everybodys hard work and dedication to the Peoples Class Action. Our lawsuit will have major implications that hopefully can help America become what it is supposed to be. To succeed in such an enormous task, everyones talents and participation are vital. We have some exciting events coming up - lets all be ready to speak in strength and unity. In friendship, Joan Bello Director of the Peoples Class Action for Therapeutic Cannabis Lori Martz Assistant to the Director http://www.fairlaw.org/class_action_updates11_99.htm Related Article:New Marijuana Research Policy Criticized - 11/29/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3818.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by Jeaneous on November 29, 1999 at 22:22:07 PT: RE: Doctor's Permit I think you would be best to inquire with your chapter of NORMAL.. they will gladly lead you to a doctor that is familiar with medicinal marijuana. Dr. Grinspoon may have some leads too... I see a doctor that was refered to me and have his written recommendation it has been seconded by rheumotologist (unwritten). Hope you can join in the suit. There are over 500 now and the more we can show our support for this the better.Good luck and hope to see your names added.. :} [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by kaptinemo on November 29, 1999 at 18:08:38 PT Rainbow, find yourself another doc! Look, Marinol is now prescribable drug. Under the guidelines for which it is prescribed, you probably would qualify (chronic pain, for example)... you just have to find yourself a sympathetic physician. But, as Shakespeare put it, that's the rub. Finding one as open-minded as you are is hard. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 29, 1999 at 17:35:27 PT No Doctor I can't sign up for it because I don't have a Doctor! Mine moved to the other end of the state in 94 and I haven't been to one since. I just use different herbs and vitamins and haven't needed one and couldn't afford one because of being self employed which means unaffordable insurance premiums. We checked and it is unreal. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by rainbow on November 29, 1999 at 17:27:15 PT doctors consent I went to my psychiatrist last week and asked about THC and depression. She indicated the following;THC just saps the energy out of you.It says in the body a long time and who knows what harm it does (I suggestted that it only stays in the lipids)I asked about the harmful effects of what I am taking and she had no response because studies have not been done.Wow what a mixed up world.I mentioned that I had seen information on the web but she was not really interested.So in order to get on the case one needs a doctors statement. I could not get one from her but at least I tried.What a bummer as THC can help and I know it.cheersRainbow [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: