cannabisnews.com: Doctor Testifies He Approved Patient's Use of Pot Doctor Testifies He Approved Patient's Use of Pot Posted by FoM on January 19, 2001 at 10:59:01 PT By Clark Mason, The Press Democrat Source: Press Democrat Contradicting the arresting deputy's testimony, a physician said Thursday that he approved a Santa Rosa man's medical use of marijuana.Dr. Wayne Keiser said he gave a green light to Alan MacFarlane to use marijuana but didn't tell him what amount to use or how many plants to grow.Keiser said he trusted his patient to use the amount needed, and it seemed to be alleviating painful nerve paralysis in his neck and shoulder. "I decided, based on a discussion with him, it was beneficial," Keiser testified at MacFarlane's trial. "I took him at his word. He used marijuana and said it gave him relief."Keiser contradicted sheriff's detective Rob Gordon, who testified the doctor denied giving approval for MacFarlane to use medical marijuana.Gordon headed a narcotics task force that went to MacFarlane's west Santa Rosa home twice during a three-month period in 1999, confiscating 109 marijuana plants.The Sonoma County district attorney contends MacFarlane was growing more than he needed for his medical needs. He is charged with two counts of marijuana cultivation.Prosecutor Carla Claeys questioned the doctor in detail about the specifics of MacFarlane's medical problems. She asked if the physician's approval was contingent on moderate use of marijuana."No," Keiser replied.Gordon on Thursday repeated his testimony that the first time he called, the doctor stated "in no way, shape or form did I approve the use of medical marijuana" for MacFarlane.Keiser denied saying that to the detective."I told him I wrote letters and I had given him approval to use medical marijuana. He asked me if I approved the number of plants. I told him emphatically I hadn't approved the number."The detective testified he would have left at least a few plants for MacFarlane if he truly thought it was a medical case, but the doctor gave him the impression he had been misled by his patient after being informed of the amount he was growing.Defense attorney Sandy Feinland maintains that deputies exaggerated the amount of marijuana that could have been obtained from MacFarlane's plants and that it was a reasonable amount for his medical needs.Although California voters in 1996 approved the use of marijuana for people with a doctor's approval, the measure didn't say where they can obtain it and how much they can use and grow.Most counties, including Sonoma County, have no guidelines as to how many plants are allowed. In an attempt to resolve conflicts, the Sonoma County Medical Association established a committee to review the medical records of marijuana users who want to avoid hassles with law enforcement.Medical marijuana advocates encourage patients to have their doctors recommend in writing how many grams of pot they can use per day. MacFarlane did not have approval from the committee at the time of his arrest, but he has since gained it.Complete Title: Doctor Testifies He Approved Patient's Medicinal Use of Pot You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 568-5312 or e-mail: cmason pressdemocrat.com Source: Press Democrat, The (CA) Author: Clark Mason, The Press Democrat Published: January 19, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Press Democrat Address: Letters Editor, P. O. Box 569, Santa Rosa CA 95402 Fax: (707) 521-5305 Contact: letters pressdemo.com Website: http://www.pressdemo.com/ Forum: http://www.pressdemo.com/opinion/talk/ Feedback: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/opinion/letform.htmlRelated Articles:Medical Marijuana Goes on Trial http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8364.shtmlCourt Case to Test How Much is Too Much Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8312.shtmlCase Tests Limits of Medical Marijuana Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8309.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by Dan Hillman on January 20, 2001 at 11:47:08 PT Actually Chronica... ...drug warriors have been downplaying the fact that the drug war is indeed a war. They now push the idea that the drug war is a noble act of "surgery" against the "cancer" of drugs. The obvious questions which that dissembling (i.e. lying) brings up are: then why was a military general (McHalfFree) with no medical experience in charge of this "surgery"? Why are no doctors being considered for the job of new ONDCP chief now?I feel that calling them "drug warriors" helps remind us of their true colors... [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Frank on January 20, 2001 at 04:15:00 PT Narcotics Officers are Many Times Criminals The narcotics officer needs a hearing test and then indictment on a perjury charge. Many police officers are sick puppies. There are some good policemen but they are few and far between. What this policeman did is spoliation of evidence. He misquoted the doctor in order to bring charges against this person, This is a classic example of why the “Drug War” must be stopped it is destroying the police and turning them is to serious criminals. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Chronica on January 20, 2001 at 00:16:49 PT: Drug warriors? is that what they want to be called Man, I swear society is so blind and bass ackwards. I cant believe that this poor man has to be going throught his stress. Monica Chronica's Home Page [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by observer on January 19, 2001 at 20:29:15 PT All Just A Simple Misunderstanding, You See -- What the doctor was heard to say, "I told him I wrote letters and I had given him approval to use medical marijuana. He asked me if I approved the number of plants. I told him emphatically I hadn't approved the number." What the narc said he heard, "blah-blah blah medical marijuana blah-blah blah emphatically I hadn't approved blah-blah blah " [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Dan Hillman on January 19, 2001 at 19:02:19 PT I'll bet drug warriors just hate it.... ...when a doctor stands up to them in court. Dr. Wayne Keiser, you walk the walk! 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