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| Thousands of Pro-Marijuana Protesters March |
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Posted by CN Staff on May 05, 2002 at 08:07:52 PT By Ann Harrison, APF Source: Agence France-Presses 
Several thousand protesters here demonstrated against a US crackdown on the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, after a federal judge supported a US government lawsuit against five San Francisco area cannabis clubs.Organizers said the San Francisco Cannabis Freedom Day rally Saturday was one of some 200 such events which took place in 30 countries to mark the Fourth Annual Million Marijuana March. San Francisco protesters also marched however to show their ire over a US federal district court ruling Friday siding with a US Justice Department lawsuit seeking to close down five of the area's cannabis clubs. Some patients suffering from cancer, AIDS or other ailments say that marijuana can ease their discomfort, and the cannabis clubs -- legalized under a 1996 California initiative -- distribute the otherwise illegal substance. The US Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling last year, determined however that medical necessity was not a defense for those who distribute marijuana -- underscoring the discrepancy between federal and California law. Judge Charles Breyer rejected the defendents' constitutional arguments against allowing the clubs to remain open and upheld a temporary injunction closing the clubs. Breyer is to hear additional arguments in the case at a May 24 court hearing. Many of those attending the San Francisco rally said they feared that federal authorities are poised to raid local cannabis clubs which have become the focal point of the US medical marijuana movement. "We've been told that the raids are imminent," said Michael Barbitta who works for the group Californians Helping Alleviate Medical Problems -- CHAMP -- one of two San Francisco cannabis clubs which shut their doors Friday after the judgment was issued. "The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been waiting for this decision which they will use as ammunition to close the clubs," Barbitta said. DEA spokesman Richard Meyer declined to comment on future operations. "We are are taking into account what happens in court and will adjust our operational decisions accordingly," said Meyer. "Marijuana remains illegal," he said. "We are enforcing the law and the courts are siding with us." California's cannabis clubs serve an estimated 20,000 patients under Proposition 215, the 1996 state law permitting the use of medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. But federal authorities now are prosecuting at least twelve California medical cannabis patients under US narcotics laws. "I'm very afraid. This is a life or death issue for me," said a medical marijuana patient at today's rally who identified himself as Brother Wayne. "I suffer from disabling AIDS neuropathy and medical marijuana is the only thing that helps me keep food down." Robert Raich, a lawyer for the Oakland Cannabis Buyers Cooperative which was named in the US government lawsuit against five San Francisco area cannabis clubs, argued that the federal government exceeded its constitutional authority over interstate commerce by banning cannabis distribution within California. "We will appeal and we feel confident of a much more favorable ruling in the court of appeals," Raich said. Complete Title: Thousands of Pro-Marijuana Protesters March in Favor of Legalization Source: Agence France-Presses (France Wire) Related Articles & Web Sites: Million Marijuana March 2002 Federal Judge Snuffs Out Oakland Pot Club California's Medical Pot Clubs Lose Fight CannabisNews - Cannabis Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 10, 2002 at 09:38:06 PT |
| They called it the Millionaire Marijuana March! http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/mmm.htm [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by Robbie on May 05, 2002 at 09:25:16 PT |
| NO ONE...not one person, was arrested in San Francisco. It was a fun and peaceful day. [ Post Comment ] |
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