cannabisnews.com: The RAVE Act Has Landed





The RAVE Act Has Landed
Posted by CN Staff on June 10, 2003 at 22:41:46 PT
By Phillip S. Smith, DRCNet
Source: Utne Reader 
The DEA used the new RAVE Act to shut down a May 30 benefit concert for two Montana groups advocating marijuana legalization, proving critics’ fears that the law would not only be used to keep kids off ecstasy, but as a tool to silence drug war opponents. The concert, a joint benefit for the Montana chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and Students for Sensible Drug Policy, was called off by the manager of the venue after she received threats from a local DEA agent of a $250,000 fine if someone at the event smoked a joint, according to a report by Phillip S. Smith of DRCNet.
The RAVE Act, authored by Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE), was intended to target the electronic music shows, called raves, which are known for open use of the drug ecstasy, by making it a crime for the owner of a venue to knowingly host an event where illegal drugs are used. Opponents of the law, fearing that it would be used to infringe on the free speech of groups advocating drug law reform, were able to block it in Congress last year. But Biden attached it as an amendment to the popular Amber Alert bill passed in May.“[The DEA agent] didn't tell us we couldn’t have the event,” said the manager of the Eagle Lodge, “but he showed me the law and told us what could happen if we did. I talked to our trustees, they talked to our lawyers, and our lawyers said not to risk it, so we canceled.”Drug war critics are outraged by the incident, the first apparent use of the RAVE Act by the federal government. “This confirms all our fears,” said Bill Piper of the Drug Policy Alliance. “This isn’t about drug parties or raves, it’s about having a club to hold over people’s heads, whether it’s hemp festivals, circuit parties, dances, whatever. The RAVE Act is being used to suppress political speech. This is exactly what Sen. Biden said would not happen, and now it’s happening.”—Leif UtneSource: Utne Reader (US)Author: Phillip S. Smith, DRCNetPublished: June 11, 2003 IssueCopyright: 2003 Utne ReaderContact: uncle utne.comWebsite: http://www.utne.comRelated Articles & Web Sites:SSDP: http://www.ssdp.org/NORML: http://www.norml.org/DRCNet: http://www.drcnet.org/Montana NORML: http://www.montananorml.org/When Holding a Party Is a Crime http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16458.shtmlParty Patrol: Law Could Spoil Your Summer Funhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16032.shtmlMusic Promoters Fear Anti-Drug Clausehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15994.shtml 
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Comment #15 posted by SWAMPIE on June 12, 2003 at 18:48:55 PT
The Butler Did It.....
I think that to seed the DNC is a great test,but who do you get to do it? Kucinichs'helpers? Maybe have a janitor to help...Anyone nearby that can make a contact?That would make my day!
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Comment #14 posted by kaptinemo on June 12, 2003 at 09:57:27 PT:
I second Sr. Lehder's suggestion
The powerful are rarely inconvenienced by the laws they craft for the 'little people'. Dropping joints in the bathroom, the convention floor, all over the place and daring the police to arrest the entire cohort and shut the convention down would prove a point that even the densest 'True Believer' could tumble to. 
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Comment #13 posted by Lehder on June 11, 2003 at 17:41:25 PT
shut it down
Someone at the Democratic National Convention, in a restroom or in a car in the parking garage, will be smoking a joint. John Walters will have to shut the convention down and send the candidates home.
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Comment #12 posted by The GCW on June 11, 2003 at 17:23:58 PT
Trekkie
On this issue, YOu are at ground zero. You were supposed to arive at the 420th floor, with a 20.Your zeal is coming out. Don't let it stop. Consider it, just starting, let it go toward the eternal Truth. Make a lot of conversation about this issue in Billings...Help make sure YOur congressman knows of this from YOU.Make sure the media knows Your interest in this as news in the paper, send LTE's, and notify other Montana papers.Consider Yourself an authority on this issue as You are directly in the line of fire, and know the Truth.And Your mom.Hopefuly, You already pray.You will be/ may be persecuted for using the superplant... and getting help in coping with hardship, at least I was when My son was sick. I used that persecution to lead Me to Christ God. That is why I mention it, that and because when My son was sick I was persecuted for using cannabis, knew better and took it to the Father to know the actual Truth according to the way He wanted Me to know it.I almost want to say, chemo REQUIRES cannabis.But then, I also want to say, Life, with all its implications, requires cannabis.When You pray, do it right, and You will know all things.You can have a relationship with Christ, that is better than what the 12 apostles had in person. It is like He is in YOu and YOu are in Him. It is like His mind is in Your head, and You know it. A communication system, that allows access to infinite levels of Truth.Through the Holy Spirit of Truth, the word of God, is the sword, that We will use to lovingly stop prohibitionists. 
 
Wont You join Me
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Comment #11 posted by goneposthole on June 11, 2003 at 12:34:37 PT
George Orwell's 'universal deceit'
the truth has become a revolutionary act.George Bush is the greatest president who has ever lived.All hail George Bush.
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Comment #10 posted by Trekkie on June 11, 2003 at 10:10:30 PT:
It happened in my hometown...
 I enjoyed MJ years ago, and had to quit due to job testing. I became interested in the "war on some people and plants" when I first heard about Ed and possible freedoms in Canada. Well, my mom was recently diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, and will have to be treated with chemotherapy - you could imagine my reaction.
 Additionally, I currently live in Billings, MT. I had planned on attending the NORML gathering, but could not due to a scheduled, manditory late work night. I heard (three days later) a caller on a local radio station ask the DJ if he knew what happened at the Eagle's club. The DJ stammered and said the the event was disbanded for fear of incurring a $250,000 fine. I remembered reading about the RAVE act, here on CN, and I almost put my fist through the dashboard. The rotten summumabishes did it, they enacted the RAVE act in precisely the manner that they said it would not be used. AND IN MY HOME FREAKIN" TOWN!!!
 I immediately searched the internet and the local newspaper, which had absolutely nothing on it. The local news programs had not even mentioned it all weekend, neither the event itself, nor the travesty of human rights that cancelled the event. MontanaNORML.org did not even have anything on the story until last friday.
 The Feds created a BS, "if we even think that you're doing what we consider wrong, you're rights are nullified" law, enacted it with no provocation (the threat was aimed at the Fraternal Order of Eagles - a mostly geriatric philanthropist social club), and NO ONE SEEMED TO NOTICE!!
 And this was in Montana, the home of the Uni-Bomber, the Freeman, Posse Commitatus, and a couple dozen other radical groups.
 People, I implore you, this cannot happen again. I hate to say it, but we may have to become militant to restore our freedoms...
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Comment #9 posted by Richard Paul Zuckerm on June 11, 2003 at 07:31:37 PT:
THE REASONS WHY CANNABIS LAWS SHOULD BE REPEALED
The Marijuana laws should be repealed:I.THE HYPOCRISYThe United States Central Intelligence Agency launders over $200 billion per year of TAX FREE drug money thru Wall Street, www.fromthewilderness.com; www.expertwitnessradio.org, www.sumeria.net/politics/shadv3.html, while otherwise law abiding Americans are villified for responsible Marijuana use. The DEA will never stop the drug war because the CIA, Vice President Dick Cheney, Richard Armitage, are [allegedly] involved in this massive drug money laundering. People may not believe it because the public school curruculum is rigged, www.johntaylorgatto.com, major media is manipulated, and people are generally conditioned to be good sheep, to love their masters, the federal government.II.THE FAILURES OF THE COURTSThe courts of law should step in and strike down the marijuana laws. Unfortunately, the great majority of the courts have upheld the constitutionality of the Marijuana laws. There were a few freedom-loving opinions from a few State courts, though. In State v. Mallan, 950 P.2d 178, 208-209, 218-219 (Hawii 1998)(Dissenting opinion by Justice Levinson), Justice Levinson opined that the Marihuana laws are against the freedoms the American people were guaranteed and in violation of the Hawaii State Constitution Right to privacy. In State v. Holland, N.J.Super. (App. Div. 2001?), the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey reversed the conviction because the police did not have the authority to force their way into the apartment without a search warrant after the smell of marijuana smoke emanated from same apartment. In Ravin v. State, P.2d (Alaska 197 ), the Supreme Court of Alaska declared the Marijuana laws unconstitutional as a violation of the Alaska State Constitutional guarantee Right to privacy. We need to litigate for the State courts to enforce the State Constitutions to give greater protection for the individual citizen than the federal constitution, including through the use of expert witnessness such as Dr. Lester Grinspoon, M.D., to inform the jury of the relative safety of Cannabis, for jury nullification purposes.III.LEGISLATIVE MALPRACTICEWe need to get on our elected officials, to let them know we do want decriminalization of Marijuana. Otherwise, they will act in the best interest of the corporations, assuming the votes are not manipulated, www.votescam.com. I must have communicated too much to New York State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan because, today, Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at around 9:45, she told me she received my letters & e-mails, "I will not be harassed", and lied to me that her e-mail address, nolanc assembly.state.ny.us, is on the New York State Assembly Web site!! Prior to our telephone conversation, though, I e-mailed her the upcoming Cannabis Pain Management Lecture from the upcoming events section from www.cannabisculture.com, to show her that Cannabis does have medical uses. I do not plan on contacting Assemblywoman Nolan for a while now, based on her comment, lie, and rushing me off of the phone. There are too many people who are slothful, have the attitude that there is nothing an individual can do. I would rather try, even if it is only me.
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Comment #8 posted by goneposthole on June 11, 2003 at 06:46:47 PT
desperation tactics- harumph
harumph, harumph, harumph"We've got to protect our phoney, baloney jobs."-the Gov played by Mel Brooks in 'Blazing Saddles'they're bluffing with a Bill Bennet poker hand. they're ravin' lunatics on full moonlit night.they've been on their jobs too long.
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Comment #7 posted by kaptinemo on June 11, 2003 at 05:59:28 PT:
Desperation tactics
Hmmm. So, no martial law; they try to do things the 'soft' way...The DEA knows that any major confrontation in public with reformers will lead to questions being asked of them - in front of witnesses and TV cameras - that they don't want to answer. It's PR machine has suffered a serious setback with the Rosenthal trial. Make no mistake, if they thought they could make political capital out of this, they would be screeching their 'victory' to the heights. But their man Meyer out West has been sullenly nursing a black eye. I've been wondering about how they'd counter-attack. Well, here is their game plan. And to use it, they have *really* gone out on a limb - one that has been sawed half-through courtesy of their previous failure with Rosenthal.The recent victory on our side to stop the ONDCP from it's de facto 'candidate vetting' courtesy of political manoeverings via the advertising gambit has focused political attention upon some of the things that have been done with the taxpayers' money. Attention the DrugWarriors don't want.For the longest time, they were able to get away with what they have because the average citizen is simply UNAWARE.They are unaware that if little Johnny or Suzy gets caught with as joint, they won't get a slap on the wrist...no, the whole family winds up in the poorhouse, courtesy of fofeiture. And Johnny and Suzy will never get to Hah-vuhd with a conviction preventing them from getting the student loans nearly every middle class family needs to send their offspring to the diploma factory.I could go on, but you get the drift; THEY JUST DON'T KNOW. And the government does everything it can to keep such knowledge from Daddy Portfolio and Soccer Mommy.But now, with this blatant attempt to circumscribe common freedoms that every one enjoys, the DEA has just stepped over the line. The ramifications of this move are obvious. Some politicians like Henry Waxman, no friend of DrugWarriors, are watching the DrugWarriors now more closely, because of what was tried with the ONDCP funding. Politicians in the minority position generally are scrappier than when they are sitting pretty as the majority. For the longest time, it seemed that Republicans have had things their own way. But now, Waxman and his friends have tasted victory in their efforts against this Republican-designed legislation, and want to have some more, so they'll be more than receptive when the next round of phone calls from voters start coming in to demand his opposition to this latest power grab masked as public service.The DEA has been demoralized from within and without; their agents have been leaving in droves, and judging from what I read on DEAWatch, if those comments can be believed, they have absolutely no faith in their latest political appointee Director, whom they resent for having wasted their time approving the recent taking down of bong salesmen instead of catching 'kingpins'. If DEA receives another black eye in the public arena, they may just be disbanded as an organization...something many of them are terrified of. They'd have to get a real job in an economy where the best they could look forward to with their skill sets is riding the Wells Fargo armored car for 7 bucks an hour. Or maybe, 'animal control'.For all their bluster, they are scared. Very scared...
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Comment #6 posted by The GCW on June 11, 2003 at 05:49:17 PT
Forget the fat elephant and the dumb donkey
(CONT...
FROM PREVIOUS POST.)
and take up the LAMB.And So I’m asking Democrats to give up the donkey and take the lamb. Literally, specifically, and consciously, Take up the Lamb.In fact if the Dems. don’t bail Us out We ARE going to continue, ,,, to what?Well let’s prepare to create Our own party.It will not another 3rd party, but rather will be the 1st party.This was published last Sunday:June 8, 2003
(printed title) Democrats, obedient Christians should unite in new party effort
Stan White, Dillon
I would like to thank The Summit County Democrats for hosting state Sen. Joan Fitzgerald at the June 4 meeting of the county's Democratic Central Committee.While Colorado citizens wonder about the partisan politics and the sequel of redistricting, Fitzgerald brought an eye-opening horror story to tell, for the benefit of Summit County citizens.Since disobedient Christians seem to be the overwhelming majority of the problem, I request that all citizens become obedient Christians and spiritually gather together to create the Obedient Christian Democratic Party within the Democratic Party. While the Republicans carry themselves as war-mongers, Democrats are poised to carry themselves as peace-mongers and should make moves in that direction at every opportunity. Fighting evil with good is the way it works.It is time for us to unite as lambs to end the war - all wars including the war on our freedoms, war on our schools, the air, the water, the plant cannabis, the war on truth and rationality along with all other wars.To dispirited Republicans, I welcome you to my party for a revival.To Joan, Summit County Democrats and Christ, I thank you for allowing me to see the common denominators and the work that we must do. Now let us rock.
http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030608/LETTER/306080402 but then that was the EDITED version.This Was printed in Monday’s (6:9:3) Summit County Independent: UNEDITED. (but LTE’s are not on the web.) http://www.independentdaily.com/ 
(printed title) Thanks, Joan, for the common denominators.
 
I would like to thank The Summit County Democrats for hosting Senator Joan Fitzgerald at Wednesday’s June 4th meeting at the County Community Center. While Colorado citizens wonder about the partisan politics and the sequel of redistricting, Fitzgerald brought an eye opening horror story to tell, for the benefit of Summit County citizens, and We should all be indebted to Her diligence. Since disobedient Christians seem to be the overwhelming majority of the problem, I request that all citizens become obedient Christians, and spiritually gather together to create the Obedient Christian Democratic Party within the Democratic party. While the Republicans carry themselves as war mongers, Democrats are poised to carry themselves as peace mongers, and should make moves in that direction at every opportunity. Fighting evil with good, is the way it works.It is time for Us to unite as Lambs to end the war. All wars including the war on Our freedoms, war on Our schools, the air, the water, the plant cannabis, the war on Truth and rationality along with all other wars.Know it or not, We are all Christians, for We are marked by birth to a clock that’s run according to Christ God Our Father. So it’s better to be obedient Christians rather than disobedient Christians. And while Republicans seem sinful, Democrats offer Our only hope, indeed, once The Democrats become the home of obedient Christians, We will do the works of Christ only better.While republicans seem irretrievable, the Dems. offer the only chance of survival, and through the spiritual input of all people, We can ignite the spirit of Democracy as Christ intended. To dispirited Republicans I welcome You to My party, for a revival.To Joan, Summit County Democrats and Christ, I thank You for allowing Me to see the common denominators and the work that We must do. Now let Us Rock.Truthfully, 
Stan White
The Green Collar WorkerEither way, We are going to bring the Lamb in.
Is it inappropriate to say forget about the fat elephant party, and the dumb donkey party.
Like the way Ben Nighthorse Campbell left the Democratic Party for the Republican Party, may too, Rep. New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson along with the best of the Democrats and Republicans, along with all superior citizens, join the Lamb party.The Obedient Christian Democratic Party.Does anyone have a more appropriate name?
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Comment #5 posted by Jose Melendez on June 11, 2003 at 04:58:06 PT
Dems speak out...
from:http://www.washtimes.com/national/inpolitics.htm
Inside PoliticsBy Greg Pierce  Moyers' accusation 
  PBS mogul Bill Moyers has accused the Bush administration of plotting the "deliberate, intentional destruction of the United States of America," according to a report by John Nichols at the Web site for the leftist magazine the Nation (www.thenation.com).   Mr. Moyers, speaking at the "Take Back America" conference organized in Washington last week by the Campaign for America's Future, "won the hearts and minds of the crowd with a 'Cross of Gold' speech for the 21st century," Mr. Nichols said.   The former aide to President Johnson "delivered a call to arms against 'government of, by and for the ruling corporate class.' "   "Condemning 'the unholy alliance between government and wealth' and the compassionate conservative spin that tries to make 'the rape of America sound like a consensual date,' Moyers charged that 'right-wing wrecking crews' assembled by the Bush administration and its congressional allies were out to bankrupt government. Then, he said, they would privatize public services in order to enrich the corporate interests that fund campaigns and provide golden parachutes to pliable politicians. If unchecked, Moyers warned, the result of these machinations will be the dismantling of 'every last brick of the social contract.'   " 'I think this is a deliberate, intentional destruction of the United States of America,' said Moyers, as he called for the progressives gathered in Washington — and for their allies across the United States — to organize not merely in defense of social and economic justice, but in order to preserve democracy itself.   "Paraphrasing the words of Abraham Lincoln as the 16th president rallied the nation to battle against slavery, Moyers declared, 'Our nation can no more survive as half democracy and half oligarchy than it could survive half slave and half free.' " 
Bill Moyers: Conservatives are Crooks
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Comment #4 posted by The GCW on June 11, 2003 at 04:43:14 PT
Why are prohibitionists such 0's? & Kegan,
6:11:3
 
Kegan, it seems it is worse than a joke and in fact if it is a joke it is a joke in Biblical terms. Read on...Why are prohibitionists such 0's?The other day, I wrote about how We are all Christians, stating that even just by the mark of Your birthday, You are marked by a date that is in accordance to what occurred with Christ, 2003 years ago... that is a couple days ago.It is to say You have been bought and paid for. You are His. There are only people that know the Truth and those who don’t know the Truth, then You can categorize them further. Some who know do not obey, some who know do obey. Some who do not know do not obey, and some who do not know tend to still obey. It is them who do not know that tend to obey and have / contain some of the traits or LINKS, to what is next.But those who know the Truth and obey have access to The Truth with out limit. This kind of all inclusive Truth even exposes that lack of truth, when there is lack of Truth.The Truth is there, weather or not You know it.The Truth is: (and it may well be off a tad...) a couple days ago, since something really big occurred with Jesus Christ, that is 2,003 years, ago, We became His, know it or not.Jude –the last book of the Bible before Revelation... gives some truth.JUDE 1:3-4+, subtitled “The Warnings of History to the Ungodly” (but again read it all) Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=JUDE%2B1&showfn=on&showxref=on&language=english&version=NASB&x=12&y=11 Talk about bulls-eyes! There is a brood of vipers in Washing that fits every description of what is wicked evil.10, But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.11, ... For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error...12, These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;...it continues with an area subtitled: “Keep Yourselves in the Love of God” Jude 18-19,... "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts." 
19  These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 21, (it says:) ...keep Yourselves in the love of God,...6:11:3You know We, through Him can become more than a 10. Through Him We can attain a 20! ...6+11+3=20. did Jesus attain a 20? then so can You.WE ARE ALL FOR-20.That would mean that every day is Father’s Day.Thank God for God’s provisions. (that is: God's Provisions, http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=PHIL%2B4&showfn=on&showxref=on&language=english&version=NASB&x=13&y=7 noticing the bulls-eye in Philippians 4:18)Thank Him, The Ecologician.If You get high, get high with the Most High.Literally.The Green Collar Worker
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Comment #3 posted by Kegan on June 11, 2003 at 03:32:06 PT
Elephants and donkeys
Read "Stupid White Men" by Micheal Moore... THEN tell me that there ANY difference between dems and repubs.A joke. The US goverment is a JOKE!
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Comment #2 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on June 11, 2003 at 02:40:33 PT
Action link
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=10509&ms=normlUse this link to send a letter expressing your outrage at this use of the RAVE act.
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on June 11, 2003 at 01:07:55 PT
This was authored by a Democrat.
So when We organize any style of protest, be absalutely sure to include complaining to Democrats about this.While the Repub's seem more irretrievable, the Dems. do have some trace of goodness and it is worth Our time to approach them.I have had some luck with informing My local congressman about H.R. 2233, and in fact He has joined as cosponsor of ...2233, introduced by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), To Me in many regards, the Dems. seem to have some chance of seeing the light.Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE), must be shown the light, or else We should rub His nose in it.0-0By the way: That (off subject) bill, introduced by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), would transfer marijuana from schedule I to schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act. It also would declare that, in a State with a medical-marijuana law, no provision of the Controlled Substances Act would prohibit or otherwise restrict: (1) the prescription or recommendation of marijuana by a physician for medical use; (2) an individual from obtaining and using marijuana from a physician's prescription or recommendation of marijuana for medical use; or (3) a pharmacy from obtaining and holding marijuana for the prescription or recommendation of marijuana by a physician for medical use(on subject)... The prohibitionist would just assume stop protest against their inhumane need to cage humans for using the superplant, so when We can and do protest, let Us double up and triple up Our protests.Let Us make sure the Democrats (know they) will pay the highest price if they continue this insanity, and they will be paying on election day.It is like this Democrat has allowed himself to be buddy hustled by the devil.The war on cannabis is only profitable for Repub's. so this is a costly move for Dems. Let's in fact help insure this IS TRUE. & MAKE SURE DEMS. KNOW IT IS A SURE LOSS.
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