cannabisnews.com: War on Medpot in California Intensifies War on Medpot in California Intensifies Posted by CN Staff on September 09, 2002 at 20:15:09 PT By Pete Brady Source: Cannabis Culture While the United States prepares for September 11th memorials and officials continue to warn of possible terrorist attacks inside the USA, the federal government is terrorizing sick and dying people in California.In August, DEA agents stole six plants from a Northern California medpot patient, even though Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey tried to prevent the federal agents from violating a local policy he crafted that allows patients to grow six plants or less. On the same day in Santa Rosa, agents stole 128 plants from cancer patient Alan MacFarlane, who had earlier been arrested and acquitted for growing 100 pot plants.Orange County patient Mike Teague, who had just seen marijuana cultivation charges dismissed in state court due to his status as a patient under Prop. 215, was then arrested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms for being an "unlawful drug user in possession of a handgun."In other parts of California, federal agents and prosecutors are stepping in to attack small-time Prop. 215 patients after state courts and officials have decided not to prosecute them for marijuana.Early on the morning of Thursday, 9-5-02, DEA agents stormed the Central California coastal home of medpot activists Valerie and Michael Corral.The Corrals are among the most respected of California's medical marijuana advocates. Valerie was one of the prime movers behind Prop. 215. She was described by the New York Times in 1997 as "the Florence Nightingale and the Johnny Appleseed of marijuana rolled into one person."Corral and her husband, who is a botanical expert, run a legally-codified, non-profit 501(c)3 medical marijuana club called the "the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana," otherwise known as WAMM. WAMM is different from most medpot organizations. It is run by 250 patients and their caregivers, who provide FREE marijuana to each other, along with plants, grow instruction, and certification that can be used to prevent local cops from seizing plants from patients.Unlike some other medical marijuana operations, in which growers and sellers make huge profits and then hide behind Prop. 215 when they get caught, WAMM's operations have long been lauded as a model for truly selfless, compassionate public service unsullied by the profit motive.Before Prop. 215 passed, Corral was repeatedly raided by local police, but since the landmark medpot law was passed by California voters in 1996, WAMM has become an important part of the local health care community.The Corrals have conducted and attended meetings with Santa Cruz-area police and officials, providing educational materials and information that protects patients and police. Valerie has been honored for her work: the mayor of Santa Cruz gave her a formal proclamation of appreciation.The September 5th raid was met by fierce resistance from medpot patients and advocates, some of whom were handcuffed and roughed up by agents during the dawn shakedown.While DEA agents used chainsaws to destroy 130 pot plants cultivated by patients near Davenport, California, patients in wheelchairs gathered at the entrance to the garden, blocking agents and their vehicles.After a tense standoff, negotiations facilitated by Santa Cruz sheriffs resulted in the patients ending their blockade when the Corrals were released from custody without being charged. Patients gathered to hold a vigil for the plants that were murdered and stolen; some were crying, knowing that the plants were almost ready for harvest.Corral later said that this "latest injustice" will not discourage WAMM from assisting sick and dying people. She said that the destruction of the communal garden was a theft of medicine from people in terminal stages of cancer and AIDS.In February, the same day that DEA raided medpot clubs and growers in San Francisco actions that included the arrest of grow guru Ed Rosenthal, DEA chief Asa Hutchinson made a speech that said that the DEA was not interested in minor medical marijuana cases.Speaking at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, Hutchinson claimed, "I don't know of any instance in which there's been a federal targeting of any user; that's not within the federal priority system. We have gone after traffickers. If you have 500 marijuana plants, that is of concern."Reacting to the continuing crisis caused by federal invasions of California, the state's Attorney General Bill Lockyer sent a letter US Attorney General John Ashcroft, asking for a meeting and criticizing "punitive expeditions" against "locally authorized medical marijuana operations."The raids have caused ongoing protests at DEA offices across the state, and some medpot patients are threatening a civil war against the federal government if sick and dying people, and their plants, continue to be attacked.What are the federal government's priorities?" asked Jeff Jones, director of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers Cooperative. "At the anniversary of 9/11, you would think the federal government and its agencies would have more important things to do than raid someone who has not caused harm."Look for continuing coverage of California's marijuana scene, including the courageous actions of Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, in upcoming issues of Cannabis Culture.For information about the WAMM situation: http://www.wamm.org & http://www.safeaccessnow.org -- or dial 510-486-8083 for details of anti-DEA actions in California. Also, contact California's senators and tell them to stop the DEA from terrorizing Californians, by passing H.R. 2592, the States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act, sponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA). Sen. Barbara Boxer: 202-224-3553; Sen. Diane Feinstein: 202-224-3841Note: Feds attack advocates and patients. Newshawk: The GCWSource: Cannabis Culture Author: Pete BradyPublished: September 9, 2002Copyright: 2002 Cannabis CultureContact: ccmag cannabisculture.com Website: http://www.cannabisculture.com/ DL: http://www.hempbc.com/articles/2612.htmlRelated Articles & Web Site:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/Enforcement or Harassment? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14047.shtmlThe DEA in Chains: Bound by a Patient in a Chairhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14036.shtmlBackers Again Seek Medicinal Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13538.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by p4me on September 15, 2002 at 21:42:14 PT I could say life's a bitch and then you die, but.. ....most people have figured that out already haven't they Paul. It was good to see you check in because it really has been a long time. Why don't you set up a email address at yahoo.com that you can use irregardless of your ISP or lack thereof. The libraries in Chicago have to have computers you could use and I hope you do.Hang in there Paul and I wish you would start on that book to tell those grandchildren how us reformers undid the fascist that gained control of the courts, Congress, and the dickhead at 1600 Pa. Avenue in Warshington.Now get to that library and spread the word of reform and let's kick some fascist butt. That's an order. And here is a first for me at cannabisnews- lol.1,2 [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by paul peterson on September 15, 2002 at 19:40:18 PT: p4me Hey,sorry I am temporarily out of commission-my web site is down, my office was evicted from no rent, my phone is disconnected, I was suspended as a lawyer for 2 1/2 years, I am aware of what is going on, I will meet with some DEA people this week to discuss these heinous raids in California. I will try to find funds soon to get back on-line, etc. Just keep waiting for the 9th Circuit court of Appeals to act on those DEA cases they are "sitting on". Myself, I have a federal case pending in Chicago to ask for leave to start a Marijuana Sacramental Church (fat chance, of course). The DEA has not filed an appearance on the case yet-neither has the DOJ and the FBI (I am also asking the feds to file charges against the local "lawyer police" for mail fraud! Of course, they probably just assume that the judge will just think I am "delusional" or something (there is case law on this, of course. More later, I don't get on-line very often now, since I have lost all assets for keeping abreast of the situation. God bless, and thank you for your support to this cause. THINGS ARE HEATING UP NICELY RIGHT NOW, AREN'T THEY? I am glad to see the California Attorney General using my "suggestion" of claiming "ethical charges" against any attorney that charges people under federal law, but disregarding valid state law claims-JUST KEEP THE OPERATIONS "CLEAN" AND UNDER THE STATE MAXIMUMS, AND THE FEDS WILL NOT CROSS THAT LINE! MORE LATER paul peterson (SORRY AGAIN, NO EMAIL OR WEBSITE AVAILABLE FOR ME-I JUST LISTED MY OLD STATS SO I COULD POST THIS MESSAGE!) [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by John Tyler on September 10, 2002 at 10:10:34 PT Thanks people on the forefront It is a sad fact that those brave souls on the forefront of social change catch all of the grief. They are the heros though. They open the way for others to follow through. I wish there were some way I could express my gratitude for the trials and tribulations they have endured. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on September 09, 2002 at 22:57:07 PT Thanks p4me I appreciate the response and I know you are right. I wish Colin Davies the best. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by p4me on September 09, 2002 at 22:50:20 PT FoM- comment3 FoM, they are making an example of Colin about the way the Americans have to focus on Steve Tuck now that the Kubbys and Boje have escaped American injustice. Colin Davies is like Peter McWilliams- someone that needs to be taken off his medicine, threatened, harrassed, and lead toward a hopeful death. They are even after his dad for perjury about the way the Republicans beat Clinton with it.It is just a continuation of repression.1,2 [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 09, 2002 at 22:47:41 PT p4me That's an excellent idea and I just finished making a comment. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by p4me on September 09, 2002 at 22:44:39 PT Meeting at Marihemp and stuff Let me show you the search results of the NY Times website at 12:49 this Tuesday morning using the search word, marijuana. There were no matches for your search marijuana / Today.Tonite on Leno there was one reference talking about the smells around Kevin's dressing room and there was another good line before that. Jay was telling of an African woman that made the news because she was to be stoned to death for her sex life. Jay would say "stoned to death" and mention that is the way Kevin wanted to die by being "stoned to death." It just shows popular culture embrasses marijuana because it was easily understood and received in good humor. I did not hear anyone from the audience shout back in defiance of this media deviation. Not one person shouted "mixed message" or "think of the children." Jay Leno is getting pretty close to being an evil doer with talk like this.There was a show on UPN Monday on a show called "Girlfriends" about a person that was slipped an estcasy pill. She ended up in a hospital room with an IV in her arm from one pill. There was a big "I do not do drugs or date anyone that does drugs scene" that Walters probably really got off on. It would say things like you really do not not about the content of what you are ingesting and things that children should rightly know, but it was way overboard on the hospital room and the IV. I want to put up the link to the Marihemp for the Drug Policy section: http://boards.marihemp.com/boards/boardview.shtml?2x0x0I am registered at Marihemp as p4me also. I always wanted to chat with Paul Peterson and really never suggested a place we could talk in real time. It is a problem we should have worked around in case the website was hacked like Yahooka several months back. I have put up a link at Marihemp titled "cannabisnews-9/10/02. BGreen, I have a song about the Schedule One Lie and if you have ever copyrighted a song maybe you can help me over at Marihemp. I have said it before that I had hoped we could become a big enough group that we could help people with answers to questions. We all write and we are all need help filling in factual voids and we need to use the internet to its best potential to thrash the stupid prohibitionist that control the media. If anyone can help with two questions please or want to gather let's just put up a cannabisnews thread at Marihemp and use it as a stategic extension of our communications here. http://boards.marihemp.com/boards/message.shtml?2x3054 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on September 09, 2002 at 21:40:31 PT p4me Why do they keep this up against Colin Davies now that the laws have relaxed? Where are they drawing the line? This is very confusing to me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by p4me on September 09, 2002 at 21:37:51 PT Colin Davies trial started Monday x-ile is a long time contributor to the DE messageboard and the only source I can copy to remind us all of Colin Davies and his plight. Here is the link of origon with x-ile's comment following in the remaining paragraphs: http://212.129.240.114/upload/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3839the DE trial - Day 160-70 supporters of Colin Davies and the DEfenders got up early today to be outside Manchester Crown Court at 10am to mark the start of the trial which will almost certainly determine the immediate future of coffeeshops/cannabis cafes in the UK.Chris Davies, Liberal Democrat MEP for the Stockport area was there to explain to the TV and press WHY he supports Coilin's struggle to establish the Dutch Experience as a means to subsidise his Medical Marijuana activities.Unfortunate, but predictable, was the lack of any action in court for the public or media. Legal arguments led to the non-appearance of Colin and his co-defendents to face the charges against them.Tomorrow should see the start of the trial proper with the selection of the jury and the opening of the prosecutrion case.THE GOOD NEWS?The prosection have ALREADY dropped some minor possession charges, including the only one relating to protests outide Stockport police station - so LOGICALLY all charges against the 20-30 protestetrs still facing court action SHOULD be dropped.OVERHEARD in the court canteen queue:"This should be a coffeeshop - can I have a tenner bag of yer finest sensi please?""Sorry, we sold out by 9.30!"----------------------------1,2 [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by goneposthole on September 09, 2002 at 21:10:09 PT The unmitigated gall Those sick and dying people in wheelchairs should be ashamed of themselves. They obstructed law enforcement and made a vain attempt to make the DEA look foolish.They're probably not sick and may even be able to walk, too. They're not fooling any body.Signed, your typical pinhead prohibitionist [ Post Comment ] Post Comment