cannabisnews.com: Owens Warns Doctors Against Pot Prescriptions Owens Warns Doctors Against Pot Prescriptions Posted by FoM on May 31, 2001 at 16:34:14 PT By Steven K. Paulson, Associated Press Source: Rocky Mountain News The governor and attorney general put a damper on a state medical-marijuana program the day before it was set to go into effect, saying users still would be breaking the law. Gov. Bill Owens and Attorney General Ken Salazar urged federal authorities to prosecute anybody who sells, distributes or grows marijuana, even if they qualify for medical use of the drug under the state program. The program, which will issue licenses for physician-approved use of marijuana to people suffering from certain conditions, was set to go into effect Friday under a ballot initiative approved by voters in November. Owens and Attorney General Ken Salazar, both of whom opposed the initiative, cautioned residents that anybody who possesses, manufactures, distributes or dispenses marijuana still could be convicted of a federal crime. They contacted the Colorado Medical Association to remind physicians of the law and asked acting U.S. Attorney Richard Spriggs to encourage the prosecution of anybody who tries to use the program to get around federal anti-drug laws. Program supporters said the warning probably will scare some people away from the program. Julie Roche, who campaigned for the initiative, said the amendment always conflicted with federal law, but she said the small amounts of marijuana involved probably would be prosecuted under state law. "The fact remains that in all the states that have passed these laws, no patients have been prosecuted by federal agents," Roche said. The Health Department, which expects about 800 people to buy licenses this year, was ready to begin accepting applications for the licenses, said spokeswoman Cindy Parmenter. She said as of Thursday afternoon, six people had filled out applications and about 100 had requested information. Applicants have to provide a written statement from a physician saying they suffer from one of several specific conditions including AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis. If they qualify, they can pay $140 for one-year license allowing them to possess a maximum of 2 ounces of marijuana, or grow up to six plants at one time, only three of which can be flowering. Owens and Salazar said the program would not be affected by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that federal anti-drug laws don't exempt ill patients. "On balance, the court's ruling appears to leave at least some room for Colorado to implement its marijuana program, as absurd and wasteful as that result may be," Owens and Salazar wrote. They said the ruling struck down the ability of marijuana "buyers' cooperatives" that have been established in California under that state's medical marijuana law. Some legal questions still remained. "The concern is what would happen if federal agents wanted the names of everyone who applied," Parmenter said. "The law says we will keep the names confidential and it's our plan to do that." Roche said she expects the state to keep the names secret in what she said was an unlikely chance of a federal challenge. "I don't see the feds going after patients. These are sick people who are going through a difficult time. Federal agents are not doing this in other states with medical marijuana laws," she said. Colorado and eight other states that legalized marijuana for medical uses are sorting out the decision's impact on their laws.Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)Author: Steven K. Paulson, Associated PressPublished: May 31, 2001Copyright: 2001 Denver Publishing Co. Contact: letters denver-rmn.comWebsite: http://www.denver-rmn.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Coloradans For Medical Rights http://www.medicalmarijuana.com/Medical Pot Law Set To Kick In http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9914.shtmlState Reviewing High-Court Ruling on Medicinal Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9747.shtmlHouse Gives Initial Approval To Implementing Planhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9252.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #10 posted by Monvor on June 01, 2001 at 18:04:39 PT Get Rid of You in 2002 New mantra [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by R.Earing on June 01, 2001 at 07:45:31 PT: arrogant politicians How dare they warn voters that are breaking the law when the voters have voted for change.And to "urge" the feds to prosecute.They are not representing anyone but themselves.Get rid of these pretentious fools in your next election,please! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by dddd on May 31, 2001 at 20:27:40 PT this is good I love seeing the folly of this idiotic Gov. and AG as they shoot themselvesin the foot.Their bread will not make it to the oven again,,,rather they willfind themselves in the frying pan....dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by QuietCrusader on May 31, 2001 at 20:04:47 PT: Libertarian John Buttrick named to Arizona... Superior Court! Read the story on the link below! THE LINK [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by The GCW on May 31, 2001 at 20:02:36 PT "not on my watch" Owens, 2000 It seems as though Owens is looking for a Bush /Federal handout. That may be his reasoning in blatently dis-acknowledging the voted will of the people. That disregard is alarming and is consistant with his past quote before the election "not on my watch", pertaining to the issue.Election time is coming up. It would be nice if this situation was settled by then. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by QuietCrusader on May 31, 2001 at 19:30:56 PT: Bend Over Colorado... I wish the good voters GODSPEED in ridding themselves of these couple of lilly-livered back-stabbers of the sick and dying! What it really comes down to are the juries of Colorado citizens growing weary (along with more sensible minds in the rest of the world) of the eerie, creeping metamorphosis of the Federal government. The only way to win the war is to subjugate 10,000,000 regular users of cannabis(over OUR DEAD BODIES!) which cannot be achieved in a free society. One vision of freedom that I have is the freedom to do what I wish with my own flesh, as long as I do not harm another. I served 5+ years active duty in the U.S. Navy in the vet and part native Choctaw American. I am a patriot of my country. I KNOW I have the right to do what I will with this body, and I have a deeply felt sense that I am backed up on this by the Contitution, and an even firmer belief that the CSA is UNCONSTITUTIONAL in every respect and will not stand the test of time, no matter how many William Renquists you place on the Supreme Court. A Libertarian Supreme Court is a constitutional court! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Pontifex on May 31, 2001 at 17:29:52 PT: I share your trembling fury Oh yes, Mayan, Owens and Salazar know who bakes their bread. And it sure as hell isn't the voters. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by nl5x on May 31, 2001 at 17:06:11 PT please forgive me but i can't refrain from saying fuck Owens and Salazar. recall recall recall. Gov. Bill Owens and Attorney General Ken Salazar urged federal authorities to prosecute anybody who sells, distributes or grows marijuana, even if they qualify for medical use of the drug under the state program. "On balance, the court's ruling appears to leave at least some room for Colorado to implement its marijuana program, as absurd and wasteful as that result may be," Owens and Salazar wrote. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by mayan on May 31, 2001 at 16:56:21 PT Kiss the Feds' Ass Owens and Salazar were elected by the people of Colorado. The people of Colorado voted for medical marijuana. Don't those dumb*sses remember who baked their bread? Their arrogance really p*sses me off! # *&$# %*&*% # [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Cuzn Buzz on May 31, 2001 at 16:51:01 PT IMPEACH! These Ba$tard$ should be impeached and then publicly horsewhipped then hanged.The PEOPLE of their state have spoken.Who in the H*LL do they think they are? [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: