cannabisnews.com: Protester To Give Away Pot on Courthouse Steps Protester To Give Away Pot on Courthouse Steps Posted by FoM on April 18, 2001 at 22:42:24 PT By James Tressler, The Times-Standard Source: Times-Standard The ongoing legal battle between a Garberville man and Humboldt County Sheriff Dennis Lewis over an ounce of confiscated marijuana will take another turn on Friday. At 4:20 p.m., Chris Robert Giauque is scheduled to give away a half-pound of marijuana to anyone carrying a medical marijuana card. The time and date of the rally (April 20) are meant to coincide with "420," a popular catchphrase associated with pot smoking, preferably at 4:20 p.m. Giauque, 34, is a medical marijuana patient whose approximately 1-ounce stash was seized during a traffic stop in April 1999. Sheriff Lewis has refused to return the marijuana to him, saying he risks violating federal law. However, Lewis also risks being in contempt of court with Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Bruce Watson, who ordered Lewis to return the pot. Then earlier this month, the Sheriff's Department and the county filed a complaint against the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and Giauque. Giauque, 34, said he smokes marijuana to alleviate pain from a back injury he suffered seven years ago and he's tired of butting heads with police and wants to prove a point about the legality of medical marijuana. So on Friday he's giving away a half-pound of Sensi seedback big buds to anyone who has legal prescription. "(Law enforcement) wants to deny that it's legal, but when you put it up in their face, there's nothing they can really do about it," Giauque said. He is a member of the Salmon Creek Cannabis Cooperative, which distributes medical marijuana to about 70 people. Two free ounces of marijuana are given each month to cancer patients and people in wheelchairs. For those with less serious disabilities, two ounces cost about $280. Giauque said he's been raided four times in four years at his Garberville residence, where he grows the plants. "I'm fed up. We changed the law," he said. "We need to teach these guys what time it is and they can't mess with medical marijuana."Giauque said he doesn't expect to be arrested on Friday.Lewis was not available for comment. He has previously said a state judge cannot make him violate federal law, and noted that the issue of state versus federal marijuana law is in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. Newshawk: Christian CSource: Times-Standard (CA)Author: James Tressler, The Times-Standard Published: Wednesday, April 18, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Times-StandardContact: letters times-standard.comWebsite: http://www.times-standard.com/Related Articles:MMJ Dispute Puts Sheriff and County in Positionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9389.shtmlSheriff Rejects Judge's Order To Return Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9221.shtmlJudge Orders Return of Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8029.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by Cuzn Buzz on April 19, 2001 at 15:41:41 PT: BRAVO! How refreshing to see someone stand with the courage of their convictions.Sort of restores my faith in humanity.Thank you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on April 19, 2001 at 04:19:11 PT Have the sick and dying liberated us yet? What an incredibly brave gesture. Bravo!! And good luck!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Imprint on April 19, 2001 at 01:01:51 PT: Wow! What a brave man. I don’t’ know if I would have the balls to stand up like Mr. Giauque. I wish him the best. If Sheriff Lewis is stupid enough to arrest Mr. GiauqueI would guess the sheriff is looking a loss in the next election if not a petition drive to recall. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: