cannabisnews.com: Pot Not Excessive Amount, Witness Says 





Pot Not Excessive Amount, Witness Says 
Posted by FoM on January 24, 2001 at 10:19:15 PT
By Clark Mason, The Press Democrat 
Source: Press Democrat
A psychiatrist who works with medical marijuana users testified Tuesday that a Santa Rosa man on trial for pot cultivation had a reasonable amount for his medical needs.Dr. Francis Podrebarac said the 21/2 ounces of marijuana per week used by the defendant was within the range used by other patients, and that the estimated yield from the number of plants Alan MacFarlane had was not too much for one person with his symptoms.
Podrebarac based his opinion on the amount a defense expert estimated MacFarlane's plants would produce, which was much less than a sheriff's detective's estimate.Citing government studies of marijuana cultivation, a defense expert estimated the 73 plants seized at MacFarlane's residence would have yielded about 3 pounds of usable pot. He estimated that a second crop of 36 more mature plants seized by officers three months later would have yielded a little more than 4 pounds.Podrebarac said a federal government program that supplies marijuana to a handful of people with medical problems furnishes between 6 and 12 pounds of pot to each patient per year.The trial is anticipated to wind up today with testimony from a prosecution rebuttal witness -- a sheriff's investigator who is expected to testify that MacFarlane's plants would have produced much more than the defense contends.Judge Robert Boyd said he expects the jury will hear final arguments this afternoon and begin deliberations.Podrebarac, who recently moved to Guerneville from Washington state, worked with a cooperative in Seattle that dispensed medical marijuana. He said he reviewed the records of hundreds of people, primarily AIDS patients, to ensure they were legitimate users.Although the Washington law allowing medical marijuana is different from California's, the psychiatrist testified that he worked with patients with symptoms similar to MacFarlane's, which include chronic pain, nausea, muscle spasticity and fatigue.In cross-examination, prosecutor Carla Claeys established that MacFarlane's medical records never specifically mentioned any of those symptoms.MacFarlane's physician last week testified that he approved the use of marijuana for him to alleviate his symptoms relating to removal of a cancerous thyroid in 1976. Doctors testified that the operation left MacFarlane with nerve and muscle damage that causes pain in his neck and shoulder.Podrebarac described for jurors the way marijuana acts to alleviate pain, but he said the amount patients use varies widely, from 1/2 ounce per month, to 3 or 4 ounces per week.MacFarlane was told by his doctor to use "as much as necessary" to alleviate his pain."Shouldn't there be limits?" asked defense attorney Sandy Feinland."There are no limits," Podrebarac replied, explaining that the lethal dose is incredibly high. He cited figures in the New England Journal of Medicine that show the lethal dose for the average person is 1,500 pounds of marijuana consumed in 15 minutes.Note: At medical marijuana trial, psychiatrist testifies patients use 6 to 12 pounds per year. You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 568-5312 or e-mail: cmason pressdemocrat.comSource: Press Democrat, The (CA) Author: Clark Mason, The Press Democrat Published: January 24, 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:Pot Expert Disputes Estimate of Yield http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8421.shtmlSonoma County Medical Pot Trial Focus on Quantityhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8415.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #2 posted by Dr. Ganj on January 24, 2001 at 22:53:56 PT
"There are no limits," 
'He cited figures in the New England Journal of Medicine that show the lethal dose for the average person is 1,500 pounds of marijuana consumed in 15 minutes.'Compare that to any other drug out there folks-alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, aspirin, or even Tums for that matter.Marijuana should be LEGAL because it is so SAFE! It's just that simple. It's so simple in fact, it makes want to scream because we've all been had. We've been duped, and played as major lame-ass suckers. Have we had enough? You betcha.Want things to change? Join NORML, VOTE, grow and smoke cannabis, and be proud! It's about freedom-yours and mine.Mr. MacFarlane is going to be acquitted. He should be really proud of himself to go against those monsters in Sonoma county. This trial is going to cost the taxpayers-you and me-THOUSANDS of dollars, but that's the whole point here!If you are ever busted-for a drug related crime, take them to trial! If we all did this, there would be no more illegal drugs. The Drug War would be finally over. Think about that! Dr. Ganj 
http://www.norml.org
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 24, 2001 at 22:35:29 PT:
Related Article
Sonoma County Pot Trial Winding Downhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8446.shtml
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: