Cannabis News DrugSense
  Agents Raid Medical Marijuana Advocacy Office
Posted by CN Staff on January 18, 2007 at 06:49:45 PT
By Casey McNerthney and Claudia Rowe 
Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer 

medical Seattle -- Drug enforcement agents raided the Everett headquarters of an advocacy group for medical marijuana patients, confiscating what police documents say was more than 1,000 plants and computers that the owners say contain personal information of about 200 men and women authorized to use the drug for medicinal purposes.

So far, no one has been arrested or charged with a crime.

Fearful of potential repercussions and unsure of the officers' ultimate aim, patients in the CannaCare network of marijuana users have been "laying low," said one, terrified that they may be prosecuted for using a substance authorized by their physicians.

"Who knows what they're doing with our information?" said Steve Newman, who has multiple sclerosis and has been using marijuana, obtained through CannaCare, for two years. "It makes me concerned -- really, really concerned. But we're pretty helpless. Nobody can say much about it."

A detective assigned to the federally funded West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team, which launched Friday's raid, scoffed at the notion that CannaCare -- run out of the home of medical marijuana advocate Steve Sarich -- was anything other than a drug-dealing enterprise.

Detective Roy Alloway said it was "absurd" to think that the number of plants Sarich was tending would be covered by his medical authorization.

"It's clear that Sarich is a guy that's selling drugs," said Alloway, who noted that state law allows no more than a 60-day supply of marijuana for medical use.

The amount found in Sarich's home, he said, was "not even close."

Long a thorn in the side of law enforcement for his vocal, thumb-in-the-eye advocacy style, Sarich, 56, insists that the government is merely harassing patients -- himself included -- who have a legitimate right to use the drug for managing pain due to multiple sclerosis, cancer and a host of other illnesses.

Washington voters approved the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions through a citizens initiative in 1998.

"Since they don't like medical marijuana, this is an attack on the people that support it," said Sarich, who insists he's no drug dealer. The nominal sums CannaCare collects go into supporting medical marijuana users, he said.

Snipped:

Complete Article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/300191_potbust18.html

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)
Author: Casey McNerthney and Claudia Rowe, P-I Reporters
Published: Thursday, January 18, 2007
Copyright: 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Contact: editpage@seattlepi.com
Website: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/

CannaCare
http://www.cannacare.org/

CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives
http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml


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Comment #6 posted by museman on January 18, 2007 at 12:55:58 PT
sorry -incomplete
I meant to say;

because the real criminals are the ones committing the crimes - the DEA and law enforcement.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #5 posted by museman on January 18, 2007 at 12:53:34 PT
I wonder why
"So far, no one has been arrested or charged with a crime."

Because the real criminals are the ones committing the crimes.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 18, 2007 at 11:07:53 PT
John Markes
Please keep us informed when you know more. Thank you.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #3 posted by John Markes on January 18, 2007 at 11:00:30 PT
Misquotes...
""Who knows what they're doing with our information?" said Steve Newman, who has multiple sclerosis and has been using marijuana, obtained through CannaCare, for two years."

Steve never obtained any marijuana from CannaCare and never said he did. He and others mis-quoted are seeking a retraction and more.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #2 posted by freewillks on January 18, 2007 at 10:30:13 PT
DEA Could hand out blankets to the sick?
Kinda like england did to the Indians. Gave them blankets infected with small pox in an atempt to kill them off or make them to weak to fight. Maybe they should load them all on trains like cattle and ship them of to thier deaths in some US Prison camp. The DEA is useing the same methods the taliban uses. FEAR thy government or they will come and take you away. Do not speakout against your leaders or you will be arrested. Do not become sick and weak or you will be put to death for having a strong will to live.

This just upsets me so much.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #1 posted by freewillks on January 18, 2007 at 10:07:21 PT
HIPAA
Did the members of the network have to comply with HIPAA? this would make the raid an unreasonable search and seizure of private medical records. Medical records can not just be taken without a specific search warrant...ie. Each person's record would require a warant. It is clear the DEA is on a Fishing trip along the west coast. The DEA also interfeared with the right to medical help. I wonder if the state AG will file charges against the DEA for openly breaking such state laws. and if one person die's as a result will they bring murder or manslaughter charges against the officers? If one person stops seeking care from a Dr. for fear of arest and incarciration this is cold blooded murder in my book. It is GENOCIDE on a class of US Citizens to intemidate them not to seek Medical care for an illness that can and will kill them.

[ Post Comment ]

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