cannabisnews.com: Santa Cruz Okays City-Run Marijuana Distribution





Santa Cruz Okays City-Run Marijuana Distribution
Posted by CN Staff on November 09, 2005 at 12:12:40 PT
By Brendan Coyne
Source: NewStandard 
Santa Cruz, CA -- The city council of Santa Cruz, California on Tuesday passed for the second time an ordinance paving the way for the nation's first-ever government-run medical marijuana distribution program. A portion of the ordinance would hold off enactment until federal courts resolve current cases dealing with the issue. Under the measure, the Santa Cruz city government will set up an Office of Compassionate Use that will handle procuring and storing marijuana and dispense it to "qualified patients" under California's nearly ten-year-old Compassionate Use Act.
A council-appointed five-person board, made up of at least two approved medical marijuana users or caregivers and two medical professionals, will oversee the office's actions and report back to the council.Applauding the impending passage of the law in a statement yesterday, the American Civil Liberties Union noted that the program could provide patients and medical marijuana providers a shield from federal prosecution. The ACLU actively supports medical marijuana laws across the country.In Raich v Gonzales this summer, the Supreme Court found that the federal government has the power under the Constitution's Commerce Clause to prosecute users and providers of marijuana even in states that have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. No prosecutions have been sought under that ruling, but the ACLU said Santa Cruz's move represents a direct challenge to the law by testing "states' constitutional right to opt out of enforcing the federal government's medical marijuana prohibition scheme." In a recently written legal opinion, California Attorney General Bill Lockyear said: "The federal government cannot enforce federal criminal laws against state officials who merely implement valid state law – or choose not to enforce federal law."Santa Cruz is currently the plaintiff in a lawsuit seeking protection from federal law enforcement actions related to medical marijuana.Complete Title: Santa Cruz Okays City-Run Medical Marijuana DistributionSource: NewStandard (NY)Author: Brendan CoynePublished: November 9, 2005Copyright: 2005 The NewStandardWebsite: http://newstandardnews.net/Contact: ed-letters newstandardnews.net Related Articles & Web Sites:ACLUhttp://www.aclu.org/WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/Santa Cruz Proposes Marijuana Departmenthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21225.shtmlCity OKs Medicinal Marijuana Departmenthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21231.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 10, 2005 at 10:58:34 PT
Shishaldin
Thank you. I have been really wondering where it went. I am looking forward to seeing it. The only thing I can think of is that it must have gotten delivered to a wrong address.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by Shishaldin on November 10, 2005 at 10:50:34 PT
Sorry FoM!
You never got the Jack Herer DVD? Well then, another must come your way! I found the email with your address on it. I'll get it out to you tomorrow :)Oh, and thanks for all the hard work you do on CNEWS. I know we all appreciate it!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by siege on November 10, 2005 at 09:51:43 PT
stop the courts
No prosecutions have been sought under that ruling, but the ACLU said Santa Cruz's move represents a direct challenge to the law by testing "states' constitutional right to opt out of enforcing the federal government's medical marijuana prohibition scheme."this could stop the courts on Eddie Lepp for a while. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by FoM on November 10, 2005 at 09:50:05 PT
Shishaldin 
I haven't heard back from you when I e-mailed you and I hope you know I never received the DVD that you sent me a long time ago. Did it get returned to you or did it just get lost? Thank you for the thought though.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by Shishaldin on November 10, 2005 at 09:44:54 PT
Go Santa Cruz, indeed!
I love the progressive thought in this town. It's why I make it my home!Peace and Strength,Shishaldin
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by siege on November 09, 2005 at 14:31:45 PT
MSNBC: O T
New CORN clothing, in US.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by runruff on November 09, 2005 at 12:54:39 PT:
To be or not to be, serious.
Yes some times I like to play with satire. It's not rage but perhaps a substitute for it. I am so sick and tired of this insane war on God's green gift. But his way in his time. I know this. Mean time I have a question. Does anyone have any info on the budgetary impact of recient events on the federal prison system. Last time I checked there were over 188,000 inmates in federal prisons. 58% are there on drug related charges and 98% of that is cannabis laws violation of one sort or another. I looked at BOP.gov or BOC.gov to get info but it is not updated past August 2005. Have they recieved any cuts in their budgets? Any interesting news at all?
Let me know please.Namaste
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 09, 2005 at 12:42:27 PT
Go Santa Cruz!
This city has always been on the cutting edge.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/eventpics.htm
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment