cannabisnews.com: Medical Pot User Sues DMV To Get License Back Medical Pot User Sues DMV To Get License Back Posted by CN Staff on November 21, 2008 at 05:16:04 PT By Scott Jason Source: Merced Sun-Star California -- A 53-year-old Atwater woman will file a lawsuit against the DMV for revoking her license because she's a medical marijuana user. Her suit seeks to reinstate her license and also affirm that other residents can't lose the right to drive simply because they use medical marijuana, approved by California voters in 1996. Rose Johnson uses marijuana at night to help her sleep because she has back and neck injuries that began after she was rear-ended in 1990, according to the civil complaint. She does not drive while under the influence of the drug, said her Oakland-based attorney, Joseph D. Elford, with Americans for Safe Access."You don't take away (someone's) license because they take Vicodin," he explained Wednesday. "If that's the DMV's position, every prescription drug user's license could be taken away."The DMV declined to comment on the case, which was mailed overnight to the Merced County Superior Court. Elford said he received confirmation that the complaint was received by the court in the morning.However, by the afternoon it hadn't been filed. Elford said court officials were trying to track it down to process it. Americans for Safe Access published a copy online.Johnson's license fight began in April when she went to renew her license. She moved slowly because of her injuries, which caused a clerk to have the department re-examine her eligibility for a license.As requested, she gave the department a list of medications she was regularly using.The department held a hearing June 2 and revoked her license because an officer decided her nighttime use of pot meant that she couldn't safely drive a car.She appealed the decision. When a second hearing was held in late August, officers reaffirmed it, according to the lawsuit.Her attorney noted that she has a "sparkling clean driving record" and has never caused a wreck.Americans for Safe Access, nationwide medical marijuana advocacy group, brought a similar case a few years ago for Matthew Vaughn, whose license was revoked after he was arrested by the California Highway Patrol. The DMV had revoked his license in 2005, but decided to reinstate it in June 2006, which caused the court case to become null and have no legal impact. "In this case," Elford said, "we intend to set precedent."Source: Merced Sun-Star (CA)Author: Scott JasonPublished: November 20, 2008Copyright: 2008 Merced Sun-StarContact: editor mercedsun-star.comWebsite: http://www.mercedsun-star.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/mOXDvOb8Americans For Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccessnow.org/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #96 posted by afterburner on November 24, 2008 at 22:54:55 PT FoM #35 "We are headed in a completely different direction and it can be scary but also exciting and hopeful. We are going to try to become the United States of America. A country that works together to make us good again. If we don't work hard we won't make it. It's in our hands now." The Sprit of America.Barn raisings, quilting bees, Chautauqua, "I may not agree with everything you say, but I'll defend to my death your right to say it", powwows, wagon trains, dust bowls and Ellis Island, civil rights, freedom riders, equal rights, baseball, basketball, jazz, blues, country, rock 'n' roll, American ingenuity, mass production, superhighways.Living in America - James Brown - YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHqUipinDyw [ Post Comment ] Comment #95 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 21:35:18 PT That's a powerful story and I can visualize it pretty well from what you wrote.Dang. I'd say that had to be one of those if it didn't kill you, it made you stronger, experiences, for sure. [ Post Comment ] Comment #94 posted by E_Johnson on November 23, 2008 at 21:14:33 PT It still get excited thinking about it The power of Nature -- hearing a big wind storm rip through the Eastern Sierra.It makes me tingle. [ Post Comment ] Comment #93 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 20:35:11 PT Your "Favorite" day, in comment 91 sounds like a nightmare. Good grief! [ Post Comment ] Comment #92 posted by E_Johnson on November 23, 2008 at 19:39:32 PT Maybe that says something about me Boss: Who wants to go out skiing in 50 mph winds with up to 100 mph gusts to look for the supervisor's lost ski?Me: (raising hand)Now that I think back on that, I think he must have just fell on the floor laughing after we all packed into the snow cat and headed up the mountain. [ Post Comment ] Comment #91 posted by E_Johnson on November 23, 2008 at 19:31:08 PT I can tell you my favorite day It sometimes gets very windy in the Eastern Sierra -- like dry hurricanes, that much wind.We had one of those days but I was a rookie and so I didn't know the mountain was obviously going to be shut down and I showed up for work along with ten other dumb rookies just like myself.I think the boss was touched by our devoted stupidity and came up with some story that a guy on the avalanche crew had lost a ski and he asked for volunteers to go up on a snow cat and ski down and look for it.Oh how innocent we wereThere were 100 mph gusts!! We used the buddy system but when the gusts came by, the snow lifted right off the ground and we had an upside down blizzard and could not see one foot in front of our faces.The wind howled so loudly we couldn't hear our radios. I saw pine trees with two foot diameter trunks held down by twelve feet of snow swaying in the breeze!We never saw any lost skis. But I think when we came down, we had some respect for ourselves and for the Sierra weather. [ Post Comment ] Comment #90 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 19:19:13 PT Oh my gosh, EJ! What a memorable winter! [ Post Comment ] Comment #89 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 19:17:54 PT Green wood makes sorry firewood. And soots and isn't so warm, either, besides sizzling, bubbling, and sparking and being heavier than seasoned wood.I've heard that when you get extraordinarily sparky wood, that it's from a lightening struck tree. I couldn't say if there's any truth in that. I've seem some wood that was a virtual and dangerous fireworks show in a log. You never know about some of those Old Wives' Tales and legends passed on through the ages, though ... some of them have, over the years, turned out to be based a bit more on scientific like fact than they might have appeared to at first glance. The lightening struck tree theory sounds like it might be a bit of an Old Husbands' Tale as easily as it could be an Old Wives' Tale. [ Post Comment ] Comment #88 posted by E_Johnson on November 23, 2008 at 19:17:32 PT Hope it gets even better My job was ski patrol, so when I went to work, I had broken legs, heart attacks, out of control skiers and avalanches to deal with.Plus I worked with 65 men. About half of them talked about surfing all day long, and the other half talked about hunting geese. [ Post Comment ] Comment #87 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 18:58:36 PT Lol! E_Johnson... That sounds like an epic winter. Good grief! I'm glad you survived it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #86 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 17:17:28 PT E_Johnson Spitting and hissing firewood and earthquakes and co-worker issues sounds like it would make a good movie. [ Post Comment ] Comment #85 posted by E_Johnson on November 23, 2008 at 17:07:10 PT My winter with the orange cone apres ski fireplace We bought our wood too late and all they had left was green Aspen.It would spit and spark so much we couldn't get close to the fire.The hot air went up the chimney, the cold air came rushing in the house, and the fire was spitting and hissing and popping.Then we started having little earthquakes, oh about every one or two days.One knocked the snow off the roof, which broke the patio off the house on the way down.Then one of my roommates started cheating on her boyfriend, one of my co-workers, with another one of our co-workers.To make things worse, he was a classic rock guy and the other guy was a punk fan from Newport who listened to the Dead Kennedys all the time.So life became hell whether I went to work or stayed home!Aaah those were the days. [ Post Comment ] Comment #84 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 16:39:28 PT Hope We stack split logs like cigarettes. On very cold nights we have logs we call all nighters. They aren't split just big. They do a good job when we are down near 0. Baffles and dampers and knowing how to work your stove makes all the difference in the world. I'm sure you and your Republican are experts too! [ Post Comment ] Comment #83 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 16:28:48 PT Hot Stove On some very cold nights, I've seen the top of the Fisher glow like tongs in a forge. After things are fired up and rolling well, it can keep the house warm on pretty cold nights, all night long, with the baffles, ash layer, dampers, and stuff all set right, on one decent size stick of wood. I know that because my husband loved to experiment with what it could do in the way of efficiency. Instead of one log, though we usually, load it fully, though damped down, at night to have a nice fire waiting in the morning when we get up.It's very unattractiveness makes it a pretty fearful and intimidating sight, especially to those who don't have a deep appreciation for monstrous slabs of black painted iron protruding into a room, even when it's not burning... which is probably why no children or animals have been burned on it over the years. That of course is the worst scenario with a hot stove of any sort. [ Post Comment ] Comment #82 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 16:07:42 PT E_Johnson I remember that kind of stove. We've had our stove since 1979. It must weigh 500 pounds. It's made with thick boiler plate. I've had the stove cranking so hard when we first got it and I didn't know how to regulate the heat that the doors seared shut until it cooled down a little. It pulsated red hues. That's way too hot. LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #81 posted by E_Johnson on November 23, 2008 at 14:56:56 PT Catch and release Sounds like trout!By the way, when I was a ski bum, I rented this house that must have been built during the summer by rich people who didn't ski.By which I mean -- it had extremely poor insulation and was heated by electric heaters in the walls. Our toilets literally froze.Hah! Just try and heat your house with electric wall heaters in the Eastern Sierra in January. Our electric bill was over $1000 and that was 1985.We did have a wood stove, but it was the apres ski style with the orange metal cone that sends all the hot air straight up the chimney and sucks in the cold air through the cracks in the windows and doors.I checked this personally. We lit the stove and I put my hand by the door and felt the cold air rush in.That stove model makes a better air conditioner than a heater.I still see it being used. Amazing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #80 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 14:44:04 PT Hope That's good news. [ Post Comment ] Comment #79 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 14:11:11 PT Cite and Release Austin, Texashttp://www.myfoxaustin.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7926644&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1 [ Post Comment ] Comment #78 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 13:41:34 PT Hope As long as it warms our bones who cares what it looks like! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #77 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 13:25:30 PT The Fisher sure isn't pretty. It looks kind of like an old locomotive boiler sitting over there... but it is a very good stove. [ Post Comment ] Comment #76 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 13:13:37 PT Hope He got a lot of wood stacked on the porch today. It was 13 this morning but warmed up nicely. Winter is knocking on the door. We bought at least 6 cords of wood. It cost more this year but fuel was up when we got most of it. It still is cheaper then other fuels I think. We only have one little baseboard heater in the bathroom. I remember how nice the Fisher stove was back in the 70s. It was like the cadillac of stoves in it's time I remember. We have a stove called an Old Timer. It will be here long after we are gone. It was and is a good stove. [ Post Comment ] Comment #75 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 12:52:30 PT Stick Rest up.:0)Peace and Love. [ Post Comment ] Comment #74 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 12:51:23 PT Wood I'm pretty much woodless at the moment. I need to call someone and buy some, but I'm procrastinating and so is the Republican. No central heat so it's these dang little electric stoves all over the place.Better than not warm... but I don't like using them.The old Fisher is hulking over there on the cold hearth, pouting because it's not being used. Or maybe that's me that's really doing the pouting about it. It does warm the house nicely. [ Post Comment ] Comment #73 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 12:47:14 PT I'm really fighting the urge to start dragging out Christmas stuff.Maybe I'll give in. [ Post Comment ] Comment #72 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 12:42:56 PT Hope Stick is carrying wood from the big pile we have to our porch so we will get the lights tomorrow or one day this week. There's no sense in doing it today when he's tired. The people who rent from us have the house and porch all decorated. It really looks nice at night. They put a red christmas tree on the porch outside the glass door. I bet it's pretty from the living room. [ Post Comment ] Comment #71 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 12:20:17 PT Comment 68 So cool! [ Post Comment ] Comment #70 posted by museman on November 23, 2008 at 11:09:17 PT vatican "...when even the Vatican gets morally confused."The Author of moral confusion - at least for the last 2000 years IS the Vatican (and its 'church').Of course its easy to accept and 'forgive' soemone when they are long dead and gone. Look what they did with Yashua!There is an important distinction between 'religion' and 'spirituality.' There is a difference between 'knowledge' and 'consciousness.'Religion is but an intellectual repetition of fragments of the observed consciousness of sprituality in action.The confusion between a 'living consciousness' as that of a spiritually honest person who won't swallow anything just because it comes in a sociallly 'acceptable' package, contrasted to an individual who is content to allow any prose or rendition handed to then from the pulpit, is the nature and whole of religion. The root definition of 'religion' is "To constrain, or hold back." Now what do you suppose it is that they are 'constraining and holding back?'How often I get lumped in with 'religiousness' based on the confusion engendered by religion, is just an unacceptable situation that I am constantly having to backtrack, reiterate, and explain because of the assumptions of 'non-religious' people. The fact that I use terminology that is associated to religion, but also spirituality, is a stumbling block for those who lack the distinction. Those of you who can't swallow religion, I actually share the sentiment, however, just because 90% of the people who use 'God' as an excuse for all kinds of ignorance are saying similar words to those few of us who have honestly found Spirit, doesn't automaticly disqualify our perspectives. The fact that we have very little modern terminology to represent these very real aspects of human experience is due to the monopolization, and CONTROL by specificly the Roman Catholic Church -of the truth, and true information- for over a thousand years before the conquested peoples began to throw off its shackles.For example;For most of my life I have been having experiences with a phenomenon that most people refer to as UFOs. After years of research and experiences, I have come to the conclusion that the best available description for most of what I have witnessed over the years, is 'Angels.' 'UFOs' as a term doesn't cut it, because I have more than enough experiential information to place some identity on them, but the only one that comes close is 'angelic' so I use it. That, however does not immediately mean that I am referring to the 'biblical' myths that were invented to explain the unexplainable (how do you explain an interdimensional living vehicle of intelligence and light to someone from thousands of years ago?) Angels. What else?The Vatican should be opened to the public, and all that they have concealed brought into the light of modern observation. That would be a truly revelatory experience for those that got to check out that stuff.FREE THC FOR EVERYONE [ Post Comment ] Comment #69 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 10:45:37 PT Hope I never thought of silly in a bad way. I did a lot of dreaming and I'd go off into my own world so I was a silly girl but it was always said with an endearing smile from my parents. Some of my dreams did come true. [ Post Comment ] Comment #68 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 10:38:58 PT Hope I can relate to what Whig said. I don't have much to say these days. I just want to relax after a long campaign and watch good movies and try to find some joy in the upcoming holiday season. That takes one day at a time for us these days. We have our tree up and hopefully will get around to putting up some outdoor lights later on today. [ Post Comment ] Comment #67 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 10:18:11 PT Whig Just heard from him.He says he's fine and feels as though he's said all he has to say for awhile and is exploring a more meditative lifestyle at the moment.(more paraphrasing on my part)He said that I might find this thread at this website interesting. I did. http://scienceblogs.com/drugmonkey/2008/11/the_marijuana_potency_data.php [ Post Comment ] Comment #66 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 10:05:11 PT Silly It has a negative connotation to me always. My truly, for the ever most part, sweet, dear, adored mother's use of it, has kind of made me find the word hard to bear. [ Post Comment ] Comment #65 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 10:00:23 PT Hope Seriously most of the time I am silly. I love to laugh and make people laugh. I liked playing the part of being a nice airhead. LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #64 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 09:30:52 PT Silly... No doubt we all are sometimes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #63 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 09:28:01 PT Hope It is cool isn't it? I am silly though. LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #62 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 09:22:57 PT Wow "Martha, My Dear".What a gift! That song is about you... except the "Silly" part.http://www.lyricsondemand.com/b/beatleslyrics/thebeatleswhitealbumlyrics.html#09 [ Post Comment ] Comment #61 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 09:17:00 PT White Album Stick had the White Album when I met him and I had never heard it before and this became a fun song for us.Martha My Dearhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTktu8TzB00 [ Post Comment ] Comment #60 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 08:55:56 PT EJ Deadends It is amazing about the Vatican. Connecting dots means asking why to me. I believe in art, music and general creativity above most things that people think are important. When I watch tv and see that really only art is left to tell us about the people and mostly carved in stone it confirms their importance in every society. Someday we will be history too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #59 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 08:50:25 PT I did, too, FoM. I'm still amazed at the vicious freaks, that's what they seemed like to me, that came flying out of the woodwork over it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #58 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 08:47:25 PT Hope I knew that John Lennon meant popularity at that given moment in time when he said that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #57 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 08:35:45 PT Ah... The White Album I had an original LP. I think it went into that bonfire I made that time to purge my life of some of the material things that made me too sad to keep and were somehow too touched by emotion to give away. [ Post Comment ] Comment #56 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 08:30:52 PT A fifty year old man probably wouldn't have said that outside of private conversation. He was so young, exuberant, and colorful. Naturally he would say young, exuberant, and colorful things. I thought it was unbelievably cruel, mean, and stupid the way he was attacked for that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #55 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 08:27:23 PT John Lennon I've watched and listened to that statement he made many times. For the life of me I can't figure out why so many people took it the way they did, apparently as some sort of religious blasphemy.Talk about your outer space jump to conclusions.Perhaps, considering who he was and how far his words could reach, that was probably something he'd best not said publicly, considering the kind of people that would be analyzing his every move and word for fault. But I never saw it as anything other than, "Wow. We're unbelievably popular. More popular than God, Himself." Which was basically his expression of "Unbelievably popular". ( Quotes paraphrased based on my recollections ) [ Post Comment ] Comment #54 posted by E_Johnson on November 23, 2008 at 08:10:09 PT Hold on tight to your socks everyone Vatican Radio is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Beatles' White Album.The Vatican announced that John Lennon has been forgiven for saying the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. He was young and under the influence of unexpected success.They say the Beatles music is better than anything out today.This is very interesting given that the Pope just announced a few months ago that drug abuse is a sin.The White Album has to be the most drug-involved album they did. It's got John singing "Happiness is a Warm Gun" which was really I believe about heroin, was it not?I think it's very strange and aggravating that the supposedly prohibitionists crowd keeps going to music made by potsmokers without thinking about what they're really saying by that.McCain's campaign trying to use the Foo Fighters. Isn't Dave Grohl an official supporter of legalization?We have a huge cultural disconnect there. Dishonesty is not good. It's fundamentally dishonest to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the White Album when you equate marijuana prohibition with godliness.It's fundamentally dishonest for anyone like McCain who supports marijuana prohibition to use music made by marijuana users in their campaign.These people are supposed to be moral role models, but marijuana prohibition has got them all morally confused.That's the ultimate sign of a bad law in action -- when even the Vatican gets morally confused. [ Post Comment ] Comment #53 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 08:07:10 PT Excerpt from Part 1 of the conference Adam Wolf (ACLU staff attorney) talked about what the immediate priorities will be in the new administration for ACLU. Naturally, some of the top items will be things like torture, rendition, Gitmo, etc. Other items that relate to drug policy: 1. Stop denying that there is medical benefit to marijuana and re-schedule it. 2. Allow Lyle Craker to grow marijuana for research purposes (end the government monopoly for research marijuana 3. Stop selective prosecution of marijuana patients in an attempt to disrupt state programs -- call for the AG to issue a directive not to pursue medical marijuana cases in medical marijuana states. 4. Abolishing the crack-powder sentencing disparity 5. Ban racial profiling 6. Judicial appointments (not Supreme Court necessarily, but the Courts of Appeal, where most cases end). Look for privacy as a value (which helps drug policy reform). 7. Other sentencing issues 8. Students' rights (he talked some about the girl who was strip-searched in her school because they thought she might have some ibuprofen). Also drug testing cases (including teacher drug testing cases). [ Post Comment ] Comment #52 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 08:01:23 PT RChandar I don't consider myself "Religious" either. In consideration, I'd have to say I'm not. I'm just me. I read and listened to a lot of stuff about a lot of things. I formed opinions and ideas myself. I am affected, I'm positive, by the things, information, and people I've been exposed to during my walk through this world... this life. Some more than others.I agree with what you just said, too. So much.On a personal note, I've been wondering about your, at times through these many years, certainly, very dire, spousal situation... but have been afraid to ask. [ Post Comment ] Comment #51 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 07:53:59 PT :0) Well that's very honest of you, EJ!It is. Really.People are condescending to others for all sorts of reasons. Blinded by the Boobs types, of course, don't exactly have all their tools in a row, anyway.That's condescending of me towards them. I'm sure they know where they are... most of the time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #50 posted by rchandar on November 23, 2008 at 07:51:53 PT: Hope, FoM Hope, I'm not really "against" most of the things you post, though I admit I myself am not very religious. That was how I was brought up. I do think you took dead aim at the fundamentalist establishment years ago by simply pointing to Genesis; I liked it. And not all my comments may register; I believe many people in the trade are good people who do a lot for disadvantaged or ruined people that deserve a better chance in life.What I've been most adamant about is that we have a good opportunity, with Obama being president. I believe we blew this chance when Clinton was elected in 1992. And I hope that the future will not be as bleak as it has been under GWB.--rchandar [ Post Comment ] Comment #49 posted by E_Johnson on November 23, 2008 at 07:48:01 PT Pamela Anderson is a confounding of expectations I grew up thinking that fluffy bouncy women like her didn't have brains or ethics or ambitions beyond latching on to a good sugar daddy.Oh shame on me to harbor such sexist expectations of a sex nymph. She's got a real backbone. She knows what she believes and she stands up for it. Hooray for her. [ Post Comment ] Comment #48 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 07:43:04 PT Scroll down and start with part 1, please.I haven't read it yet. But it looks very good.Pete's there. [ Post Comment ] Comment #47 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 07:39:43 PT Students for Sensible Drug Policy Students for Sensible Drug Policy, SSDP, is having an amazing, pound the mountain into the ground, conference.http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #46 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 06:56:38 PT Comment 43 OverwhelmSam Yep. Saw that. Good for her!I'm sure it's hard for her to be taken seriously by the prohibs. Physical beauty has a way of distracting dunderheads from what a very physically attractive person has to say, and even if they hear it, they discount her words simply because they imagine themselves to be "better" somehow than everyone else. But whatever... they didn't take Bill Buckley, Walter Cronkite, Secretary Schultz, Eric Sterling or anyone else seriously, either. Every voice counts, and is appreciated. [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 06:46:05 PT Actually... Whig has a link up to C-News at Cannablog and this very article, Medical Pot User Sues DMV To Get License Back, is posted, so unless he set it up to stay current automatically... he's lurking around the place somewhere.Give us a shout, Whig! [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by Hope on November 23, 2008 at 06:41:42 PT Whig It is strange that we haven't heard from him at all lately.Last post at his blog... Cannablog was September 14 and the last comment I can find that he made there was October 14.http://cannablog.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/go-2/I hope he's ok. Just sent him an e-mail. Maybe he'll reply or maybe he'll see these posts and let us know he's still kicking back against injustice, somewhere, somehow. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 23, 2008 at 06:01:18 PT In Case You Missed It Pam Anderson Asks Obama To Legalize Marijuana:"I think we should Legalize Marijuana, tax and monitor -farm Hemp etc-this would make our borders less corrupt and then I think eventually this will be more secure option and save children in the long run – we should be able to farm Hemp in America- it’s just silly— it would create jobs- and be good for environment."http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/1855019-pamela-anderson-writes-an-open-letter-to-barack-obama-recommends-legalizing-marijuana [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by FoM on November 23, 2008 at 05:44:23 PT OverwhelmSam I really don't know. The last time I talked to Whig was in an e-mail many months ago. [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 23, 2008 at 05:25:02 PT Hey Guys! FoM, Whatever happen to Whig? I haven't seen any post from him in a while. Did he go straight? LOL [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by Hope on November 22, 2008 at 22:42:28 PT RChandar We all hear you... even if we don't feel like we have anything to say in response to your comments all the time. And yes, your comments are read and appreciated. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by FoM on November 22, 2008 at 18:32:45 PT rchandar You're welcome. [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by rchandar on November 22, 2008 at 17:55:24 PT: FoM Hey, thanks--I'm glad that someone hears me these days.--rchandar [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by FoM on November 22, 2008 at 09:24:55 PT rchandar I really appreciate your comment and thoughts. [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by FoM on November 22, 2008 at 09:23:37 PT EJ and Hope I believe that while a person is in a coma they are ok but in a different world. I asked my son within hours of coming out of a drug induced coma if he remembered anything and he didn't. He wasn't distressed or fretful either. Maybe LSD back in the 70s helps me to think that way. The mind is a remarkable thing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by FoM on November 22, 2008 at 09:15:54 PT Hope Your comment was very nice. Thank you. We have been on a ten year journey and my have I learned a lot. When I first got on line someone asked me what political party I was involved in and I said none. I said none because I didn't know anything about politics at all. We have made progress in these ten years but we also have seen serious set backs. Some the governments fault and some the reform communities fault. The song it's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine is true for me. We are headed in a completely different direction and it can be scary but also exciting and hopeful. We are going to try to become the United States of America. A country that works together to make us good again. If we don't work hard we won't make it. It's in our hands now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by E_Johnson on November 22, 2008 at 09:10:15 PT Oops sorry I meant Stick's mom. I haven't had my caffeine yet. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by Hope on November 22, 2008 at 08:57:21 PT E_Johnson I've seen that show, too. It's interesting and entertaining. The clothes and stuff... wow... did we really look that bad?Stick, though, thank God, is ok. It's Stick's mother that has passed after ten years in a coma. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by E_Johnson on November 22, 2008 at 08:53:50 PT There's a TV show about a man in a coma There's an interesting TV show about a police officer in a coma. It's called "Life on Mars." He has a very rich dream life in his coma. The whole show takes place in his comatose mind.He goes back to 1973 to unravel his traumatic family history and he works as a 1973 cop with 2008 morals and attitudes.Maybe Stick had a rich inner life too, like the guy in the show. Life on Mars makes being in a coma look not so bad after all. I don't know if that's true, but it's a comforting thought. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by Hope on November 22, 2008 at 08:53:13 PT Comment 26 That's so outrageous. They've tied those guys to a stake in the town square for the big "Witch Burning"... their lives locked in a cage.Persecutions and prosecutions like that are completely insane and so very disgusting. It's got to be stopped. It's got to. It's so egregiously wrong that is has to be stopped, somehow. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by Hope on November 22, 2008 at 08:47:24 PT Ten years in a coma... That's really awful. He lost who she was a long time ago, it seems. I'm really sorry, though. Even though, I realize, her passing completely is still painful, I'm sure it's some comfort knowing she's released from the sad place she was in. That your niece feels even well enough to want to enjoy Thanksgiving is amazing under the circumstances.Yes, Ekim, I often think about the hardships and sorrows that are likely effecting all, or any of us, from time to time... and all the time, even.I guess it's because of my early experience as a waitress and my family being in the restaurant business. Where this place, C-News... used to seem like a visit to FoM's kitchen table, it's grown so, that it feels rather like a friendly, warm cafe where friends gather, bring in and share news, discuss problems, and our mutual concerns and, of course, argue from time to time. Different threads, different conversations at different "tables", that we all mill around in, listen to, and sometime join the conversation with a comment or two seems like that sort of familiar atmosphere to me. A place where friends and like minds can gather socially, check in from time to time during the day, and get to be a part of each others lives, in a small, but real way, if we are frequent visitors. Sometimes we come in just to sit at a table, drink some coffee, greet those we know, and read the newspapers.Since I'm here so much, I kind of feel like one of the waitresses in this great place for similar minds to meet and new "friends" are made. Anybody need more coffee?Sorry, I'm kind of a helpless wait person in this situation... you'll have to get up and get it yourself... but at least I won't spill it on you! :0)Speaking of friends and people checking in or dropping by... I'm concerned that Fight_4_Freedom hasn't posted in a while. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by rchandar on November 22, 2008 at 08:38:57 PT: What I Admire About Mr. Obama I admire Obama. Not just because he's good for the country, or that he's obviously an able statesman with good political horse-sense. Obama still refuses to fire a shot re the Drug War, and doesn't even discuss his policy. Of course, there are too many other things in the mix, but I want you all to understand the following:From the beginning re our issue, Obama is going to be attacked from DAs, cops, and reps from states where punishments are severe. They're going to claim that they have to "protect their children," "destroy dangerous traffickers," whatever card needs to be tried. Make no mistake about it: people would lose their jobs in a decrim world, and that can't happen, can it? Obama has built a platform that means to do right, give people the chance they need to live in this world. It's important that we, too, approach our new President with this demand: that users, small-time pushers, and meds stop going to jail. Listen folks, take it from me. Dealer exploitation is bad, and mafias are bad. They create a cycle of fear, doubt, terror that isn't good for anybody. Violence has never been solved by harsh penalties: in reality, it glamorizes violent crime and gangsterism. These are things that Mr. Obama, from Chicago, is keenly aware of. But we have got to make our case, just as cops and DAs make their emotional case that things must run as they always have.--rchandar [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by FoM on November 22, 2008 at 08:14:35 PT ekim That's very true. Thank you. I hope you have a very nice weekend. It's cold here today. It's a good day for watching TV and keeping the fire going. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by ekim on November 22, 2008 at 07:46:03 PT Gee FoM ten years all the best to Stick -- we have no idea of what each other is going thru [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 17:30:37 PT 22-Year Prison Term for Modesto Marijuana Seller Friday, November 21, 2008http://www.modbee.com/local/story/507965.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 16:37:39 PT Hope I read that Patrick Kennedy had a cocaine addiction and Ramstad is the one he calls if he is having trouble. I don't know if it is for alcohol or coke but I'm sure he is aware of addictive personalities. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 16:33:26 PT EJ and Hope Stick says thank you. She's at peace now after almost 10 years in a coma.EJ I hope we finally get a handle on addiction. People need help but now jail is the only option in most cases. I have seen enough for a lifetime with addiction because it seems to run in my family. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Hope on November 21, 2008 at 16:30:23 PT E_Johnson I think maybe you should hit some blog sites with that opinion. I haven't been seeing it anywhere and it's not a bad idea. Of course I don't think this guy sees the hypocrisy ... but he might be made to. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Hope on November 21, 2008 at 16:26:40 PT I'm sorry to hear you lost your mom, Stick. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by E_Johnson on November 21, 2008 at 15:03:36 PT I think there is a bright side Hope His status as a recovering alcoholic pretty much invites a public debate on the enormous disparity between the ways we treat alcohol and drug addiction.It's time we reconcile this disparity. That should be the official talking point here IMO.The hypocrisy galls me but it's also a so-called "teachable moment" if it's used as such. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 14:42:14 PT The GCW Thank you. It's been hard recently. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by The GCW on November 21, 2008 at 14:37:30 PT FoM, Stick's mother passed away this morning.Please express My sorrow and comfort to Him from Me and Your extended family at this joint where We hang out together, for much of Our time. I don't think I've ever said anything to Stick but I know who He is. I hope You guys receive peace and comfort and get through that difficult time.With Love,Stan [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 14:37:23 PT Hope Thank You. That's what I needed. Fooey on all this drug czar stuff. I don't really care anymore. I have a list of Youtube songs and since we put up Christmas lights today and we have our tree up and it snowed and is very cold but warm in here around the fire I picked Prairie Town.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ewuZS49aE [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Hope on November 21, 2008 at 14:16:04 PT Music to your ears? Music for your heart, too http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081112/hl_nm/us_music_heart;_ylt=AllHqEPYmAHAq.J25E3Gr92CSbYF [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 14:08:34 PT Hope I don't get somethings. Are we suppose to like seeing something killed? What if a small child saw it that is an animal lover? Stick's Mother passed away this morning and my niece called from the nursing home and wants to have Thanksgiving but she is way too sick. Life is way too short to traumatize people like she did with the turkey killing and she made it all seem like it was a happy day for her. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Hope on November 21, 2008 at 14:01:42 PT Palin's turkey episode. I think you'd call that a huge mistake.A hideous reminder of the hideous reality... but why? Off to the other meat plants now for a bloody show of the violence that eating such stuff necessarily involves. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 13:53:22 PT Off Topic I was looking forward to a nice turkey dinner on Thanksgiving but I don't know if we will have one now after Palin showed a turkey being killed. I am a person like many people who can't stand seeing animals hurt let alone killed. Why did they allow that on tv? [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Hope on November 21, 2008 at 12:44:02 PT Pretty sure I read about or linked to the story over at DrugWarRant about the recovering alcoholic part.I thought about your idea that you'd mentioned a while ago, for a drug czar, EJohnson.I kind of think ... Eeek! But there you go! We might not see this guy appointed, of course. Tell us again, please about why it was you thought once that a recovering alcoholic might be more rational and realistic in the job, I think it was. Like maybe he understood that he didn't have to get put in jail for his drug problem ... so he might understand why it's wrong to put these others in jail.If this guy get's appointed and all this is true... I sure hope you're right. But I have a niggling fear that he's one of those "Wipe out the hideous druggies" types of guy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 11:18:32 PT Another Thought I thought that a person that is or was involved in any type of drug policy issues, and that would include alcohol since it is a major drug in my opinion, couldn't be a drug czar. I thought that he or she had to be neutral or at least appear neutral. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by The GCW on November 21, 2008 at 11:13:09 PT Need recovering prohibition addict. Through the whole 12 step program and everything. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 11:11:27 PT Just a Question I am baffled. I can't find anything anywhere that is from Obama or his people about this possible appointment. Where did the information come from? I want to hear what this possible drug czar feels about treatment versus prison. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by dongenero on November 21, 2008 at 09:46:36 PT substance abuse problems Why would anyone appoint someone with substance abuse problems to a position like "drug czar"? The guy is a failure with drugs it would seem.The reason you would appoint a "reformed" alcoholic would be if you planned to wage vicious war against citizens choosing to use drugs, including cannabis. No one would likely be a more rabid prohibitionist than a former or "reformed" boozer. It's like "born agains" and their moral pedestals above everyone else.This appointment sounds like a mistake. Then again, "Drug Czar" sound like a mistake to me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by E_Johnson on November 21, 2008 at 09:44:55 PT If he has any kind of moral conscience at all He will change the name of his agency to ONDACP, with "A" standing for alcohol. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 09:32:40 PT I Found This EJ Excerpt: Ramstad has identified himself as a recovering alcoholic, having been sober since 1981; he is Patrick J. Kennedy's AA sponsor. Ramstad's sister, Sheryl Ramstad-Hvass, is currently a Tax Court judge in Minnesota.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Ramstad#Personal_life [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by E_Johnson on November 21, 2008 at 09:28:54 PT I went to the Minn. Star Tribune story on Ramstad They call him a "recovering person." Does that mean he was addicted to being a person?What's the problem -- was he an alcoholic?Are they censoring out the "alcohol" from his recovery bona fides because a direct reference to alcohol addiction would spoil the news that he's the Drug Czar by reminding people that we're giving the alcoholics a free pass in our nation's drug policy?And why isn't the office called the "Drug and Alcohol Czar"?Why isn't it the Office of National Drug and Alcohol Policy?What exactly is Ramstad recovering from?Inquiring people want to know. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by runruff on November 21, 2008 at 09:11:58 PT Won't be fooled again? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp6-wG5LLqE&feature=relatedThen there is W's version.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ux3DKxxFoM [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by runruff on November 21, 2008 at 09:02:22 PT The Czar's new clothes? Ramstad's spokesman, Dean Peterson, told Politico that it's "gratifying to hear Jim's name being mentioned for drug czar." Peterson noted that Ramstad has worked for 27 years on anti-drug efforts in Congress and the Minnesota Senate.A republican!Babba O'reily is back-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKUBTX9kKEo"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!" [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 07:53:58 PT Amsterdam Moves To Close a Fifth of 'Coffee Shops' http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008419665_apeunetherlandsmarijuana.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by ekim on November 21, 2008 at 07:38:48 PT David speaking about ethanol in Chicago Nov 21 2008 - 12:00am End: Nov 23 2008 - 12:00am Timezone: US/Central Description: David will present several talks and host a special 2/12 hour workshop at FamilyFarmed.org EXPO Taking Place November 21 - 23, 2008 at the Historic Chicago Cultural Center. (http://www.sustainusa.org/familyfarmed/2008-expo.html). http://permaculture.com/events [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 21, 2008 at 05:18:36 PT Group Sues DMV for Taking Pot Patient's License November 21, 2008http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/21/BAKF1490G1.DTL [ Post Comment ] Post Comment