cannabisnews.com: Fed Records Show Focus on Pot Clubs
Fed Records Show Focus on Pot Clubs
Posted by CN Staff on June 04, 2002 at 13:29:29 PT
By Lori A. Carter, The Press Democrat
Source: Press Democrat
Despite the DEA's denials that it is targeting marijuana clubs, court records show that last week's federal raid on a Santa Rosa club had been four months in the making.Two Santa Rosa men were arrested Wednesday after Drug Enforcement Administration agents served warrants at the Aiko Compassion Center on College Avenue and at one of the men's homes.
According to a search warrant affidavit filed in federal court supporting the arrests, DEA agents said they watched the movements of managers and customers of the club from January through April.Agents said they bought processed marijuana and plants at the club several times.Last Wednesday, agents seized 176 plants at Ed Bierling's residence and "more than 100" at Aiko.Aiko operators said the club serves about 100 members who have doctors' recommendations to smoke marijuana for various medical conditions.The men, Bierling and Dan Nelson, were released on bail Thursday after appearing in U.S. District Court in San Francisco.The two men are scheduled to be arraigned June 18 on suspicion of marijuana cultivation, a violation of federal law.DEA drug agents in Sonoma County have said they are not targeting medical marijuana clubs.But court records recently unsealed in the case do not indicate the arrests and raid on the club were related to any larger drug trafficking investigation. DEA spokesman Richard Meyer declined to comment on that possibility. Traffickers main focus Meyer insisted the agency does not specifically focus on medical marijuana clubs."What we've been doing is targeting drug traffickers," he said."Our policy has been not to target marijuana clubs, even though that policy may change tomorrow," he said. "Federal laws have not changed, so we will continue our investigations."Bierling and Nelson are among several defendants in similar cases around the state involving federal raids of marijuana clubs over the past several months.In 1996, California voters approved an initiative that allows medicinal marijuana use with a doctor's approval.Sonoma County guidelines for marijuana cultivation and possession were established in May 2001 by the District Attorney's office.But under federal law, marijuana use and cultivation are still illegal.An attorney for Bierling and Nelson said both men have doctors' recommendations to use marijuana for medical purposes and both believed the club was operating within the county's guidelines.Crackdown 'bogus' Medical marijuana activists called the crackdown "bogus.""The federal government has a lot more important things to do than taking away medicine from patients," said Barry Latham-Ponneck. "This is part of their whole war against drugs, which we all know is a dismal failure."We passed a law and they basically said we don't care about your law because we're the federal government. Where are our rights?"Aiko supporters and other medical marijuana activists say they intend to ratchet up the fight over medical marijuana Thursday with a noontime march from Juilliard Park to DEA offices at the federal building on D Street in Santa Rosa.Protests in 54 cities Thursday's planned protest will coincide with those planned in 53 other cities throughout the country under the umbrella of Americans for Safe Access, a medical marijuana advocacy group."These raids are criminal," said Steph Sherer, executive director of the group. "Nine states and 73 percent of the American public believe that medical marijuana should be safe and legal, yet the DEA is now working harder than ever to turn these patients into criminals."The DEA declined to comment specifically on the case against Nelson and Bierling, for which the men face between five and 60 years in prison if convicted.At least one associate of the arrested men said he has been summoned to a grand jury in San Francisco that will hear evidence in the case.Often in federal cases, prosecutors will seek a grand jury indictment of suspects rather than conduct a preliminary hearing in open court, as is routinely done in state court proceedings.Note: Unsealed court documents reveal months of observation at marijuana club. Source: Press Democrat, The (CA)Author: Lori A. Carter, The Press DemocratPublished: June 4, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Press DemocratContact: letters pressdemo.comWebsite: http://www.pressdemo.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Americans for Safe Accesshttp://safeaccessnow.org Medicinal Cannabis Research Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/research.htmArrests Highlight Pot Conflict http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13020.shtmlPatients Push Back After DEA Raids in Santa Rosa http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13016.shtmlMedical Marijuana Wars Heat Up http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12932.shtml
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Comment #26 posted by qqqq on June 05, 2002 at 08:35:36 PT
Simply Stated Part 2;;Simply dreadful
"We will not submit to your bullshit.".........
......but we might pretend to submit after we get busted,,and our old pink hairy asses get locked up for a while in some brutal prison that is owned and operated by Wal-Mart,,and after you,and your sore ass have served the mandatory minimum,,,,you will then be tossed out ,,,,released into a grotesque stone cold life of coerced exsistence,, and it will be reported that your life was ruined by "drugs",,and anyone who hears that you were convicted as a "drug offender",,will immediatly conjur up visions of syringes,methlabs and crackpipes,,,when all you were doing is Marijuana,,which is NOT a drug.....and the sight of a cop will send shivers up your spine ....You will now submit to the bullshit when the first question the cop asks is;"when was the last time you were in jail?"
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Comment #25 posted by goneposthole on June 05, 2002 at 07:41:13 PT
Simply stated
"We will not submit to your bullshit."
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Comment #24 posted by Lehder on June 05, 2002 at 06:31:05 PT
comments mostly on E Europe
Poland - I read on the Internet a few months ago that possession of *all drugs* in small amounts for personal use is legal or at least de facto legal and has been for a long time - but that there's a government effort to institute legal intolerance. I don't know how it's all turning out. I've had little luck in finding Internet info on the level of drug-warring in E European countries. I remember one report though about how mj has been legal ( or at least de facto legal ) in Czechoslovakia ( now called Czech Republic I think) for a long time and that an effort to criminalize it by a government faction was met by huge crowds of jeering protesters whose Nazi and Russian experiences have left a strong distaste for government authority over personal matters. I've read there's a strong cannabis culture in Budapest, but don't know what type of drug war is run there. I'm very interested in the status of drug wars
in E Europe but info is hard to come by. One can begin with the CIA World Fact Book where the last entry for each country lists drugs that are produced, exported or imported there but offers no info on the actual types of drug wars being conducted.By the way, it's far easier to emigrate to Poland than to W European countries. You can obtain an application from the Consulate; it must be filled out in Polish but it's not necessary to have a job prearranged. I met a woman who has emigrated to Poland - she makes quite good money teaching English language and even got married there. Poland will supposedly enter the EU within a year or two along with about nine other E European countries. Don't take my word for it, but it seems to me that once you've become a citizen of a EU country ( or soon-to-be EU country) then you are (or will be) essentially a citizen of Europe.I've read that the Danes are renewing an effort to shut down Christiana, but don't know how it's turning out.p4me has linked a promising story from Switzerland, but it says While the consumption of hashish and marijuana would be legalised,
the cultivation and sale of cannabis would only be allowed under
certain conditions. I don't know what the "conditions" are, but we must be allowed to grow it. Here are Marc Emery's conditions for peace:1. The immediate legalization of cannabis, and then as quickly as possible to all other
herbs and entheogens. 2. That there be no legal or regulatory controls on who may cultivate and use cannabis.
We will accept regulation and taxation only in regards to the commercial sale of cannabis
products. 3. That any person imprisoned for any cannabis-related offense is to receive an
immediate and unconditional pardon. All records of convictions for any cannabis-related
offences are to be expunged and destroyed. 4. That restitution be paid to all victims of cannabis persecution. Compensation for
property seized and a per-diem rate for time in jail should be paid out of tax revenue from
the sale of cannabis products. 5. An official apology from the UN and world governments, that they acknowledge the
war on cannabis and cannabis consumers was a vicious, murderous bigotry with no
legitimate social or health concerns whatsoever. http://www.cannabisculture.com/cgi/article.cgi?num=1568 Personally I don't care if large-scale commercialization is ever legalized, and even see it as undesirable. Buy it in small amounts from your friends and neighbors who legally grow at home. I'd be perfectly willing to go along with antis on this point, and I think that something of 'cannabis culture' would be forever lost if one could buy weed at the convenience stores. I can see it being sold by conglomerates as if it were beer, and all the seeds would be microwaved to sterility. But I think Emery's condition #5 is very important, and, beyond that, I favor criminal prosecutions for drug-war crimes against the Constitution and against humanity.
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Comment #23 posted by dddd on June 05, 2002 at 02:22:27 PT
Concerning June 6th...
..Remember,,,,,even if you cant make it to your local dea office in person,,,you may want to consider doing your part from home...perhaps some emails to your state reps,or to the national bigwigs at...whorehouse empire.guv>br>
......but seriously,,even if it's just a phone call to some government answering machine,,I want to remind,and encourage everyone to do something!...anything to make a blip somewhere somehow...
..Unless more of us will dare to sneak out of our closets,and speak out in some way,,things will remain the same, ,,,,, if too many people keep their Marijuana use,or advocacy of freedom ,a secret, then the next thing you know, the dea will be knockin' on the door of that closet you been hidin' out in,,and you wont be able to say SHIT,,because you were too spineless and chicken to try and join in with the Freedom Fighters....
....You dont need to go prancing about town in tie-dye bellbottoms with a joint hangin' out of your mouth...you can do small,seemingly insignificant things with your computer,or your phone...Every little bit counts!
......Keep on keepin' on!.......dddd
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Comment #22 posted by cltrldmg on June 05, 2002 at 02:10:37 PT
links
forgot to put em in:Western europe:
http://eldd.emcdda.org/databases/eldd_country_profiles.cfm
http://www.emcdda.org/policy_law/national.shtmlShort bit about ex-communist states: (if you find anything better I'd be interested in knowing)
http://www.drcnet.org/rapid/1998/4-10.html#nis
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Comment #21 posted by cltrldmg on June 05, 2002 at 01:56:49 PT
european law overview
In France nothing's changed in the law, but about a year ago the ministry of justice told all judges not to prosecute for first time or small amounts of cannabis, so in practice it's more liberal than it seems and you see more and more people smoking in public.I think the most liberal systems so far (apart from the NL) are Spain and Italy, where you can basically get a small fine if caught in public, but are free to consume in your own home. Belgium is basically non-arrestable for less than 5 grams, you get your stuff confiscated but (in theory) you can be prosecuted if you're a 'nuisance to the public', ie. openly smoking in front of families or outside school. Ireland may have a similar system now, I remember reading about a (proposed?) amendment to the law to exclude small amounts of cannabis.In Germany there are no federal laws so it depends on what region you're in, each state has it's own policies. I'm not sure if cannabis is still decriminalized in Prague in the Czech republic, it used to have a reputation of being very tolerant, but it could well have changed (due to pressure from the UN and EU/NATO). I've heard that Poland has a relaxed attitude but I haven't seen any proof. Don't know about Denmark.In Austria and Portugal all possession of drugs has been decriminalized, but have compulsory treatment (I think in Austria you get three chances before jail), or community work.Sweden, Greece, Finland and the UK still have pretty harsh laws.None of them has completely legalised yet, but as more and more countries decriminalise I can see the pressure building up on the UN. Who knows, if it works without interference from politicians, get another president and we might even see the US going the same way. Is that too optimistic?
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Comment #20 posted by E_Johnson on June 05, 2002 at 01:21:56 PT
If anyone can make it
The LACRC is at Santa Monica Blvd. and Gardener in West Hollywood.The fun begins at 1pm.
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Comment #19 posted by cltrldmg on June 05, 2002 at 01:20:42 PT
p4me
From what I've read cannabis had always been decriminalized in Switzerland, you could buy it in 'hemp shops'. The difference is that they're going to make it all official and regulate the trade more, so it won't really change that much.I wonder what's going to happen, didn't Switzerland finally join the UN sometime last year? Does that mean they're automatically part of the drug cooperation treaty (which bans members from true legalization), or are they going to be able to get around that?
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on June 04, 2002 at 22:44:12 PT
EJ and Everyone
That's not good news at all. Keep us posted. I might be running behind tomorrow because my main computer isn't working but I will catch up.
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Comment #17 posted by E_Johnson on June 04, 2002 at 22:23:16 PT
News flash: Imler indicted, club seized by feds
There will be a press conference and rally tomorrow June 5th at the lot across from the LACRC building at 1pm.
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Comment #16 posted by Richard Lake on June 04, 2002 at 21:16:01 PT:
Final update: National Day of Direct Action June 6
(Please do not contact me with questions about these local protests or local contact information. All questions should be directed to Americans for Safe Access at http://www.SafeAccessNow.org , info safeaccessnow.org, or 510-486-8083.)Americans For Safe Access has just released an updated list of about 60 sites for the protest at DEA offices. It is at:http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=73------------ fwd msg follows ---------Good Afternoon All,We're putting together some signs for the June 6th event here. If you're
interested in copies, they're available as PDFs at:http://www.csdp.org/active/poster1annac.pdf
http://www.csdp.org/active/poster2bruceb.pdf
http://www.csdp.org/active/poster3harrym.pdf
http://www.csdp.org/active/poster4lindam.pdf
http://www.csdp.org/active/poster5gretchen.pdf
http://www.csdp.org/active/poster6paul.pdf
http://www.csdp.org/active/poster7judyd.pdf
http://www.csdp.org/active/poster8henryb.pdf
http://www.csdp.org/active/poster9paulaj.pdf
http://www.csdp.org/active/poster10maryl.pdfThese will be enlarged to 2-3 feet in width, then mounted on foamcor.
The local Kinko's does this with a 12-24 hour turnaround, they also had
the best prices in my area. If you're interested in doing something like
this for your local event, make sure that your local copy shop can make
oversized copies of adequate quality. Many Kinko's have the machines,
but quality of print does vary.Have a great day,
Doug--
Doug McVay
Editor, Drug War Facts
Research Director/Projects Coordinator
Common Sense for Drug Policy
1327 Harvard Street NW (lower level), Washington, DC 20009
202-332-9101 -- fax 202-518-4028
http://www.csdp.org/ -- http://www.drugwarfacts.org/
dmcvay csdp.org--------------Below is information that may be of value to you during the action, to give to reporters, DEA agents or others who are interested. Please note that these webpages and .pdf documents are not scheduled for release until Wednesday, 5 June as part of a national press release timed to support the direct action. Some of the referenced .pdf files may not be available before the press release goes out Wednesday.--Medical Marijuana Polling 1996-2002There can no longer be any doubt. The American public overwhelmingly supports the medical use of marijuana. This exclusive analysis of 66 separate public opinion studies from the Ohio Patient Network clearly illustrates the overwhelming public support for providing patients legal access to this medicine. Check out the report's Key Findings and look into it in more depth by reviewing the links to its narrative and the PDF documents that support it.GO TO: http://www.ohiopatient.net/Poll_Analysis.htmKey Findings:Since the passage of California Proposition 215 in 1996, sixty-six separate, scientific polls and studies have been conducted about medical marijuana both nationwide and in more than thirty states, representing the opinions of more than 50,000 respondents.Of those respondents, more than two-thirds (68%) aggregately support the medical use of cannabis. Those who oppose medicinal cannabis represent only one quarter of the populace.Favorable public opinion toward medical marijuana has increased significantly over the past six years.Polls taken prior to medicinal cannabis ballot initiatives successfully predict their passage every time.When the news covers medical marijuana, the public tracks it more closely than most other health issues.An estimated nine million people in the United States use cannabis medicinally. Over the last ten years, nearly one-quarter of a million people in the United States have been arrested on medical-marijuana-related offenses.The public believes the reports of patients and health professionals regarding the therapeutic value of cannabis; this widespread support should compel lawmakers to shift the policy on the issue.Democrats who "strongly favor" candidates who endorse medical cannabis outnumber those who "strongly oppose" it by seven to one. Republicans who "strongly favor" such candidates outnumber those "strongly opposed" by two to one.As many as two thirds of the voting populace will reward candidates who support medicinal cannabis. Fewer than one in four voters would more likely cast their ballot for a candidate that supports its prohibition. The depth and breadth of support for medical marijuana represents a major opportunity for the political party that chooses to seize it. By supporting this issue, the party can solidify its own base while assuming leadership on an issue that also enjoys substantial cross-party and general public support.-------------
Americans for Safe Access
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Comment #15 posted by The GCW on June 04, 2002 at 21:14:24 PT
60+ reports = perspective...
Medical Marijuana Polling 1996-2002There can no longer be any doubt. The American public overwhelmingly
supports the medical use of marijuana. This exclusive analysis of 66
separate public opinion studies from the Ohio Patient Network clearly
illustrates the overwhelming public support for providing patients legal
access to this medicine. Check out the report's Key Findings and look into
it in more depth by reviewing the links to its narrative and the PDF
documents that support it.GO TO: http://www.ohiopatient.net/Poll_Analysis.htm
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Comment #14 posted by The GCW on June 04, 2002 at 19:54:24 PT
click 'n check out the cover photos.
off subject...The February editions of Esquire and Maxim magazines have us cheering!It wasn't just that hunky Mel Gibson graced Esquire's cover, while sultry swimsuit model Amanda Marcum sizzled on Maxim. We were also excited that Esquire's frontpiece announced an article on "secret suburban pot smokers" while Maxim's cover headline screamed: "Reefer Madness! Why everybody's legalizing pot."The Maxim article was a straightforward attack on the drug war, featuring hilarious illustrations and sobering fact comparisons, such as that the average US prison sentence for a murderer is 6.3 years while the average prison sentence for a marijuana charge is 10 years.Marijuana magazines http://www.hempbc.com/articles/2397.html
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Comment #13 posted by p4me on June 04, 2002 at 19:47:36 PT
All I could find about Switzerland
I did a search for marijuana and got nothing for the last year. A search for cannabis for the last year produced four results with two of them being about a grower that got busted. One was the the original article about the 25 to 0 vote in the Senate and then there was this for February 28,2002: http://www2.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=111&sid=1044850That is just another thing that seems awfully strange.VAAI, POW
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Comment #12 posted by p4me on June 04, 2002 at 19:25:15 PT
Switzerland
You remember an article talking about the Swiss Senate passing a law to legalize marijuana with a 25 to none vote. Why is it that we have not heard about what the house has done or anything else out of Switzerland. http://www2.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=111&sid=949008The same goes for the optomism we had about France. If anyone knows anything could they inform us. I think I will inquire at the DE messageboards also. VAAI, POW
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Comment #11 posted by null on June 04, 2002 at 18:59:47 PT
Prime, Safeway, & Yahoo
Just wanted to say that I like your idea of posting to the Yahoo board. A LOT of investors and people within the companies read the Yahoo boards for various stocks. I have seen companies respond very directly to criticism that gains popular voice on their Yahoo boards. It is a shame the DEA doesn't have a Yahoo board.
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Comment #10 posted by Prime on June 04, 2002 at 18:25:28 PT
Oh... and thanks Dr Zombie!
I'm about a third of the way through Franz Kafka's The Trial. Not ready to use the Kafkaesque adjective yet, but I gotta a feeling im gonna like Herr K. Thanks buddy.
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Comment #9 posted by Prime on June 04, 2002 at 18:19:51 PT
My Safeway/Vons campaign
I dont know if I have pissed them off yet, but their stock hasnt gone up since I started posting on their Yahoo Message board. I'm going to start trouble on the RagingBull site as well. I'm only minorly articulate compared to some of you heros, so any support you can give my little "bash Safeway" campaign would be appreciated. I've even managed a few Soviet references. Thanks EJ!!http://messages.yahoo.com/?action=q&board=SWYI'm echosimplex.
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Comment #8 posted by mayan on June 04, 2002 at 17:57:00 PT
unrelated...
A BUZZFLASH ALERT: BuzzFlash has been told by reliable sources that Attorney General John Ashcroft -- in a move that is reminiscent of the World War II era treatment of Japanese Americans -- is preparing regulations that will require aliens present in the United States, from certain Arab nations, to report to INS offices, airports, or other ports of entry to register with the government.
http://www.buzzflash.com/alerts/2002/06/05_Ashcroft.htmlIndicting Ashcroft - For bumbling before and after 9/11:
http://www.laweekly.com/ink/02/28/news-shapiro.shtmlIMPORTANT UPDATE: Families of 9/11 Victims DC Rally, June 11th -
http://www.democraticunderground.com/cgi-bin/duforum/duboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=26121&forum=DCForumID35A national press conference and formal web site launch for UnansweredQuestions.org will be held on Monday, June 10th from 2-5 PM at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
http://www.unansweredquestions.org/index.php
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Comment #7 posted by idbsne1 on June 04, 2002 at 17:07:02 PT
Yes, scary.....
I know too many people that do meth... and guess what? They ALL say, "I don't do it that often...." or "I quit for 3 weeks now"....that's EVERY time I see them.....EJ, I didn't know you were in the LA area!!!...I am having a rough time...I am afraid there is nothing we can do, but extreme measures....every person I speak to about all that's happening, pulls there head out from the sand and becomes enlightened and hears the truth... only to stick there head right back in.... noone cares.... and these are ALL my stoner friends... whether highly educated or not....they are winning, because we are collectively unorganized and unmotivated...I know the people here are not, but so many are... too many are....Friends, I have just heard through the grapevine that the DEA will start arresting patients. After they finish with the clubs, they will start going after individuals. Nothing on the news about the clubs... nothing.... none of our elected officials have NOTHING to say about this... they just let them make criminals out of sick people....Gray Davis and Dianne Fienstein should be hanged for Treason. How is it everyone in government is held unaccountable? How is it they can commit the most evil of acts under the guise of democracy?Where is the media? I am fed up.....idbsne1
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Comment #6 posted by freedom fighter on June 04, 2002 at 16:40:13 PT
DEA's Drug War Addiction
"Despite the DEA's denials that it is targeting marijuana clubs, court records show that last week's federal raid on a Santa Rosa club had been four months in the making."A common sign of addiction: Denials.."Our policy has been not to target marijuana clubs, even though that policy may change tomorrow," he said. "Federal laws have not changed, so we will continue our investigations."Stalking sick people boggles my mind. How dare they call themselves Americans?ff
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Comment #5 posted by Zero_G on June 04, 2002 at 15:39:26 PT
A threat to economic interests...
The WoSD has produced a self-perpetuating feedback loop of economic dependence; medical users are just so much "collateral damage", unfortunate, but necessary to this worldview.FoM, I would sooner see methamphetamine available at the local dispensary, (with the warning labels, etc.) than have the continued risk of unregulated labs in our neighborhoods. Providing meth users with access to health services would be a start in healthier choices, though, I'd be still against coerced "treatment".
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 04, 2002 at 14:01:45 PT
That's scary
I would be terrified to even be near a place where someone was making meth. That drug is a scary drug to me.
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Comment #3 posted by E_Johnson on June 04, 2002 at 13:59:07 PT
I bet all the meth addicts are happy
All the meth heads in California can rest easy at night cooking their meth knowing that the DEA is targeting a bunch of sick people trying to grow a little medicine.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 04, 2002 at 13:53:40 PT
Oh EJ
No truer words have been spoken.
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Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on June 04, 2002 at 13:50:52 PT
Well we're easier to find than Bin Laden
It's such a threat to world security to see a few cancer patients having a day or two not filled with sickess and despair, I can see why they devote such enormous resources to stamping out this deadly scourge called medical marijuana.
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