cannabisnews.com: Drug Policy Conference Picketed Drug Policy Conference Picketed Posted by FoM on March 04, 2000 at 06:10:37 PT By Milo Peinemann, Special to The Times Source: Los Angeles Times Two dozen protesters who support the medicinal use of marijuana picketed a Friday event featuring White House drug chief Barry R. McCaffrey. McCaffrey appeared at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum during a drug policy conference called "Substance Abuse in the 21st Century: Positioning the Nation for Progress." On Friday morning, protesters from the Ventura County Alliance for Marijuana Patients waved signs at passersby at the base of the hill below the library. The group timed its protest to take place during the keynote speeches, including one by McCaffrey, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The nation's war on drugs places far too much emphasis on jail and not enough on education, said Andrea Nagy, organizer of the protest and a Ventura County marijuana activist. "It causes more harm to arrest people and incarcerate them than the drugs themselves," said Nagy, a Thousand Oaks resident. Simi Valley resident Rex Dean Jones, 64, said he uses marijuana to ease the pain of his neuropathy. It helps with his migraines and lowers his blood pressure, he said. Jones, who attended the three-day conference, is suing the Simi Valley Police Department after officers arrested him in May 1998 and seized marijuana plants Jones was growing for medicinal use. Charges against him later were dropped. "I think I have a God-given right to any alternative herbs if it will benefit me," Jones said. Local law enforcement agencies and proponents of medicinal marijuana use have butted heads since 1996, when California voters approved the medicinal use of marijuana with Proposition 215. Ventura County prosecutors have said the issue may not be resolved until action is taken at the state level but that they will look over a proposal from marijuana advocates that would establish guidelines for Ventura County. Jones said he was glad to pay to attend the event to hear what McCaffrey and a slew of other drug experts had to say. But the issue of medicinal marijuana use was barely addressed, he said. McCaffrey told reporters after his keynote speech that research into substances in the cannabis family makes sense, but using marijuana can be dangerous. "It makes you stoned," McCaffrey said. "Most people with prostate cancer don't want to be stoned. They want pain relieved." The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Center for Public Affairs sponsored the conference. Other speakers included William Safire, William Bennett and James Burke, chairman of Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Simi Valley:Published: Saturday, March 4, 2000 Copyright 2000 Los Angeles Times Related Articles on Medical Cannabis & Marijuana:http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtmlhttp://www.alltheweb.com/cgi-bin/asearch?type=all&query=cannabisnews+medicalhttp://www.alltheweb.com/cgi-bin/asearch?type=all&query=cannabisnews+cannabis END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by Elliot on March 05, 2000 at 23:25:05 PT: satirical realities Doc_HawkI appreciate your insight concerning the satirical Fleener postings.The reverse/serious concept is an excellent way to describe my intentions. My irreverant jocularity has offended many,and I now realize that this was not an appropriate place for my wreckless antics. None the less,my careless mischief did inspire many reactions. Anyway,the Fleeners' IBM 486,was destroyed by lightning last night,in the storm that hit their home in Corona del mar...........E [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Doc-Hawk on March 05, 2000 at 07:41:20 PT: Satire/Reality It is unfortunate when satire looks so much like real life. If I post here, you WILL see my name and email....no question about the intent. While the subject is serious, sometimes a reverse method makes the point better than ramming it down someone's throat. If you accidentally make a brainwashed fool think, maybe they will question. If they question, maybe they will learn. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Doc_Hawk on March 05, 2000 at 07:27:57 PT: Elaine Fleener for President! Or at least co-Czar.Elaine, your voice-of-the-people was SOOOO refreshing. Nothing like a little reality check in the middle of all this madness. If everyone thought like you, why this little war of ours would be over in moments.I just don't understand folks who would rebel against our authorities and promote the use of EVIL drugs.Time to go take my Prozac now.Gee, that's better ;-> [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Elijah Fleener on March 05, 2000 at 01:31:43 PT I dont understand Elaine either I agree with Dankhank.No one in our family understands Elaines rhetoric. It is absurd to have someone known as a "Czar",in the first place.This becomes even more strange,when he is a "retired general",who could be described as a "warpig". Welcome to the new millenium.Barry has paid millions to make sure broadcast,and printed media,will create as many Elaines as possible. It's going to become even stranger I'll betchya.Next thing you know,they will appoint a Drug Ayatollah........Elijah Fleener [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Dankhank on March 04, 2000 at 21:55:52 PT: Confusion Don't really understand WHAT really is intended by the previous post.McCaffrey is an evil, hateful and vindictive man who will try to belittle his opposition since he can offer NO reputable scientific proof that what he says is truthful.McCaffrey has called Gov. Johnson of NM "puff daddy" publicly, and now wants to know if a doctor wants to see a "blunt" in a patients face. The lengths of his stupidity know no bounds.I was offered an opportunity to go to West Point many years ago and declined ... seems that there was this dustup in SE Asia going on at the time and I was not going too volunteer to lead troops in to the jungle to kill little brown or yellow men and women who only wanted to be free as we are.I am glad that I refused the generous offer, especially if it would have made me as stupid, venal and vituperative as the Czar.So, make all the "tongue in cheek," or real comments you care to about the poor Czar ... he presides over the modern day version of the Gestapo.Oops ... it's late ... I must sleep ...I'll be happy to discuss the Czar more, later ...Peace and Love ...PS If you care to tell the evil drug czar what you really think go to my links page and send him a love/hate letter ... Lots o Links [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Elaine Fleener on March 04, 2000 at 18:31:22 PT Give me a break too! All of you people are so mean spirited towards Barry McCaffrey. This nice,cleancut man,is honestly trying to save people from themselves. Why should the rest of us who live in this free country,have to tolerate marijuana and other illegal drugs?The reason drugs are illegal,is so people will know that legal drugs,,safe and approved drugs,are the accepted ones that are from reputable pharmaceutical companies,that have tested all of their products to make sure they are safe and effective. There is no reason for people to use illegal drugs.If you want drugs,do what I do,go to your doctor,and tell him what drugs you think will help,and have him write you a perscription.Then go to the pharmacy,and purchase the necessary drugs.Then go home,and enjoy! Now,I must agree,it's rather expensive to do it this way,but it's so much more safe,and honest to cop a legal buzz. I think we would all do well to listen to Mr McCaffrey,and his message of hope and progress. Why would anyone want to question the wisdom and authority of such an honorable hero?Dont forget,you dont get to even be considered for the Czar position,unless you know all about what you need to do.I mean,give me a break,we're talking West Point. Lighten up you guys.If you were in Barrys' shoes,you wouldnt be so critical of this great man. It's obvious that the Czar,is only concerned with things that are continuing to help people.There are many children,whose parents are employed thru the many jobs the war on drugs has created......Oops,,I have to fix dinner,I'll continue this discussion soon.,,,,,,,,,love.....Elaine Fleener [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Wabo on March 04, 2000 at 17:08:31 PT Give me a break McCaffrey appeared at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum during a drug policy conferencecalled "Substance Abuse in the 21st Century: Positioning the Nation for Progress." Why don't he just take his pension and retire to Oklahoma--(where MJ will never be legalized-for any reason-even if it made your johnson longer)--and pull the wings off flies for a while. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Wabo on March 04, 2000 at 17:05:24 PT Amazing "It makes you stoned," McCaffrey said. "Most people with prostate cancer don't want to be stoned. They want pain relieved."Sounds like something Sgt Stedinko would say. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Rainbow on March 04, 2000 at 11:15:50 PT West Point Kapremember that that wonderful example of a person General Custer was also a West Point grad.I wonder if barry was the top of his class. Could be a reason we lost Vietnam.Seems the West Point does not have a good track record????CheersRainbow [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on March 04, 2000 at 10:17:23 PT It's 'pro*state*', Barry, not 'prostrate', Prostrate is what MISTER McCaffrey wants everyone to do to themselves, a la The Burning Bush, when he begins to pontificate on your assinine drug war. And this is a West Point grad?As to what those suffering from prostate cancer want, Barry, why don't you ask my Dad? That old Marine would be happy to tell you where to go with your opinion, and what to do when you arrive. It's bound to be anatomically impossible. But it's the only kind of comment your observations deserve. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Puritan on March 04, 2000 at 08:39:43 PT Stoned.... "Most people with prostrate cancer don't want to be stoned. They want pain relieved." Well, duh....how does he know what people with cancer want??? Mostly they want the freedom to use whatever medicine works. Anyway, it is great to see our own little CZAR being challenged when speaking. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: