cannabisnews.com: Reefer Madness: Our Current Prohibition Reefer Madness: Our Current Prohibition Posted by CN Staff on June 10, 2003 at 17:08:54 PT By William F. Buckley Jr. Source: National Review The experience of Ed Rosenthal of Oakland, California, accelerates the day when heavy dilemmas in our legal system might just force a fresh look at our marijuana laws. Presumably that will have to happen when state legislators, congressmen, and presidents are in recess, because the great enemy of sensible reform has been, of course, politicians high from righteousness. What happened to Rosenthal was that he was convicted of marijuana cultivation and conspiracy, facing a conceivable sentence of 100 years in prison and a fine of $4.5 million. The defense attorney had been forbidden by presiding Federal District Judge Charles Breyer to advise the jury of the perspectives of the defense. The city of Oakland, instructed by a statewide proposition in 1996, had enacted an ordinance authorizing the growth of marijuana for medical use. The judge took the flat position that local laws do not override federal laws; therefore the verdict could not be influenced by the legal contradiction, and therefore the jurors shouldn't be sidetracked by hearing about it. The reasoning was identical to that of Judge George King in the case of computer guru and poet Peter McWilliams. Judge King did not permit McWilliams to base his defense on the California initiative. McWilliams died from AIDS, while awaiting sentencing, unrelieved by the marijuana that critically lessened his nausea. Sentencing day for Rosenthal was at hand on June 5, and there was some commotion when the thought was expressed that the guilty finding could mean life in prison. One juror had told the press that if she had known such might be the consequence of a guilty finding, she, and presumably other jurors, would not have voted as they did. The day came, and Judge Breyer, perhaps with a wink of the eye, sentenced Rosenthal to one day in jail and a $1,000 fine. Now Ed Rosenthal is not to be confused with a stray felon who took a toke at an outdoor movie with his date. Oh no. Rosenthal is a full-time practitioner of resistance to marijuana legislation. He has written several books, totaling in sales over 1 million. In one of his most recent, The Closet Cultivator, he outlined how to build an indoor-marijuana-growing system impossible to detect through any method other than betrayal. When arrested, he was linked to a nearby warehouse full of the drug, ostensibly consigned for medical use. Rosenthal had been teasing the law along about as provocatively as one can do. He had a monthly radio show, and a little while before his arrest his guest was San Francisco's district attorney, Terence Hallinan, who praised efforts by medical-marijuana cooperatives and permitted himself the obiter dictum on existing laws that "the government anti-drug policy is a big lie that's supported by a thousand other lies."Eric Schlosser of The Atlantic Monthly has published a deeply informative and readable book called Reefer Madness. He wonderfully illustrates the complexity, contradiction, and futility of extant drug laws. Although Governor Clinton of Arkansas introduced legislation to lessen state penalties for marijuana, he went on, as president, to treat marijuana as if it were as innocent as adultery. He doubled the arrests for marijuana infractions. When Nixon declared his tough-drug policies, athwart the recommendation of his own commission which had advocated licensing marijuana for individual home consumption, arrests climbed to over 100,000 per year. In 2001, 720,000 Americans were arrested for pot. About 20,000 inmates in the federal system have been incarcerated primarily for a marijuana offense. Those in state systems would equal that figure, and exceed it. The problem is more than the laws' contradictions. The Uniform Sentencing Act has given prosecutors, not judges, almost plenary powers over defendants, power ruthlessly used to extract information and to encourage duplicity and to make property rights insecure. Judicial process is convoluted to the point where a judge can reasonably exercise a choice between 100 years in prison and one day in prison. The marijuana laws can most directly be compared to the Prohibition-era laws, which didn't work, undermined the law, and were capriciously enforced. Pot consumption varies, but not in correlation with the laws' throw-weight. If you buy an ounce in New York State, that could bring you a fine of $100; in Louisiana, a jail sentence of 20 years. Ed Rosenthal is quoted by author Schlosser. Will the laws in America dissipate, as they have done in Europe? He doesn't think so. "They've made the laws so brittle, one day they're going to break." The whole edifice of prohibition would come down, he predicted, "like the fall of the Berlin Wall." Schlosser nicely summarized Rosenthal's prediction. "A group of powerful, white, middle-aged men will meet in a room to discuss what to do about marijuana. And they will reach the only logical conclusion: tax it."Like booze, some will then go on to abuse it, though with consequences less dire. Source: National Review (US) Author: William F. Buckley Jr.Published: June 10, 2003 Copyright: 2003 National Review Contact: letters nationalreview.com Website: http://www.nationalreview.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Ed Rosenthal's Pictures & Articles http://freedomtoexhale.com/trialpics.htmTwist Ends Medical Marijuana Casehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16545.shtmlGuru's Tirade on Marijuana Earns Respect http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16540.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #42 posted by ekim on June 17, 2003 at 17:10:37 PT Eric Schlosser of The Atlantic Monthly Lou Dobbs on CNN tonight will interview Eric and his book Reefer Madness. Repetes at 11 [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by FoM on June 11, 2003 at 20:38:53 PT afterburner It sure is a mess down here in the states. I'm glad Canada has sense about this whole thing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by afterburner on June 11, 2003 at 19:02:18 PT: I Finished Reviewing NORML's State-by-State Guide and my heart is breaking to consider the danger that medical cannabis patients, their providers, and gardeners must brave in order to obtain some relief from their pain and nausea. Such mistrust and misunderstanding is enshrined in so many state laws. To call them Draconian is to understate their harshness, cruelty, and severity. I pray for law-makers who truly understand the science of medical cannabis. I pray for doctors of independent professional ethics who embrace the new paradigm of preventative and wholistic medicine. I pray for more law enforcement officers who have seen the folly of the War on Cannabis with their own eyes and are ready to support non-criminal alternatives. I pray for citizens, whether they have voted before or not, who will elect law-makers and judges who will exercise compassion in their stewardship of the US Constitution and WE THE PEOPLE of the American Dream of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, and of the Equality of all humans.ego transcendence follows ego destruction, for me for you for all who embrace the future of civilization, brother, sister, mother, father, son, daughter, friend, neighbor, boss, employee, minister, government bureaucrat. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by FoM on June 11, 2003 at 15:41:21 PT Thanks afterburner The laws sure vary in the states. I know they call Ohio's a minor misdemeanor or they did but I don't know what that means. [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by afterburner on June 11, 2003 at 14:36:42 PT: Decriminalized States of America According to a state-by-state analysis compiled by NORML and published on its Web site -- http://www.norml.org -- 12 U.S. states representing about one-third of the U.S. population -- Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Oregon -- have in effect decriminalized minor marijuana offences.-US States Not Canada Led Way in Decriminalization http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/16/thread16493.shtml Alaska==========Less than 8 oz==========================================misdemeanor =====90 days=================$1,000Alaska==Any amount within 500 feet of school grounds or rec. center=====felony ==========5 years=================$50,000 Possession of less than 25 plants is protected under the Alaska Constitution’s right to privacy (See Ravin v. Alaska). Possession of 25 or more marijuana plants is “Misconduct involving a controlled substance in the fourth degree” and is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 or five years in prison. Ann Arbor=======1 oz or less============================================civil fine ======none====================$25Michigan========Marijuana use*==========================================misdemeanor =====90 days=================$100 Michigan========Any amount*=============================================misdemeanor =====1 year==================$2,000 Michigan========In a park*================================misdemeanor or felony =========2 years=================$2,000 *Conditional discharge possible. FEDERAL=========Any amount (first offense)==============================misdemeanor =====1 year==================$1,000 FEDERAL=========Any amount (second offense)=============================misdemeanor =====15 days MMS*============$2,500 FEDERAL=========Any amount (subsequent offense)===========misdemeanor or felony =========90 days MMS* - 3 years==$5,000 *Mandatory minimum sentence. California======28.5 g or less==========================================misdemeanor =====none====================$100California======28.5 g or less on school grounds while school open======misdemeanor =====10 days=================$500 California======Gift of less than 28.5 g================================misdemeanor =====none====================$100 California======Paraphernalia possession or sale (first offense)========civil fine ======none=============$200 - $300 California======Paraphernalia possession or sale (fifth offense)========civil fine ======none===========$5,000 - $6,000 Any conviction of minor under 21 causes driver's license suspension for 1 year. Colorado========1 oz or less============================================petty offense ===none====================$100Colorado========1 oz or less - failure to appear========================misdemeanor =====6 months================$500 Colorado========Display or use in public================================misdemeanor =====15 days additional======none Colorado========Paraphernalia possession or sale========================petty offense ===none====================$100 Possession of one ounce or less of marijuana is a petty offense. The offender receives a summons to appear in court, and upon a promise to appear in court, the offender is to be released from detention.Maine===========Less than 1.25 oz=======================================civil violation =none=============$200 - $400 Maine===========Paraphernalia possession and use========================civil violation =none====================$200 Any conviction may cause professional license suspension or revocation.Minnesota=======Less than 42.5 g========================================misdemeanor =====none**==================$300 **Possible drug education requirement. Possible driver's license suspension for 30 days if the offense was committed while driving a motor vehicle.Mississippi=====30 g or less (first offense)============================misdemeanor ====none==============$100 - $250 Second and subsequent offenses double first offense penalties. Any conviction causes driver's license suspension for 6 months. Nebraska========1 oz or less (first offense)*===========================civil citation ==none====================$100 Nebraska========1 oz or less (second offense)===========================misdemeanor =====5 days==================$200 Nebraska========1 oz or less (subsequent offense)=======================misdemeanor =====7 days==================$300Nebraska========Paraphernalia possession (first offense)================civil citation ==none====================$100 Nebraska========Paraphernalia possession (second offense)===============civil citation ==none=============$200 - $300 Nebraska========Paraphernalia possession (subsequent offense)===========civil citation ==none=============$200 - $500 *Possible drug education course. Nevada==========Age 21 years or over, any amount (first offense)========misdemeanor =====none*===================$600 Nevada==========Age 21 years or over, any amount (second offense)=======misdemeanor =====none*===================$1,000 Nevada==========Age 21 years or over, any amount (third offense)========misdemeanor =====1 year==================$2,000 Nevada==========Age 21 years or over, any amount (fourth offense)=======felony ==========1 - 4 years=============$5,000 Nevada==========Age under 21 years less than 1 oz (1st & 2nd offense)===felony ==========1 - 4 years**===========$5,000 Nevada==========Age less than 21 years less than 1 oz (third offense)===felony ==========1 - 4 years=============$5,000 Nevada==========Paraphernalia possession================================misdemeanor =====6 months================$1,000 *Possible drug treatment. **Probation usually granted for 1st and 2nd offenses.New York========25 g or less (first offense)============================civil citation ==none====================$100 New York========25 g or less (second offense)===========================civil citation ==none====================$200 New York========25 g or less (subsequent offense)=======================misdemeanor =====15 days=================$250 New York========25 g to 2 oz*===========================================misdemeanor =====3 months================$500 New York========Paraphernalia possession or sale========================misdemeanor =====1 year==================$1,000 *Includes any amount in public where marijuana is burning or open to public view.North Carolina==1/2 oz or less==========================================misdemeanor =====30 days*================none North Carolina==Paraphernalia possession================================misdemeanor =====6 months================variable *Suspended sentence mandatory. Possession of paraphernalia is punishable by up to six months in jail.Ohio============Less than 100 g=========================================civil citation ==no incarceration========$100Ohio============Paraphernalia possession================================misdemeanor =====30 days=================$750 Any conviction causes driver's license suspension for 6 months to 5 years. Professional licenses are suspended. Possession of paraphernalia is punishable by up to 30 days in jailOregon==========Less than 1 oz*=========================================misdemeanor =====none=============$500 - $1,000 *Medical use permitted with no more than 1 oz, or 3 plants, and state registration. -NORML Home > State By State Laws http://www.norml.org/ [Except Ann Arbor, Michigan: -US States Not Canada Led Way in Decriminalization http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/16/thread16493.shtml ]Note, there are all kinds of complications:- Those arrested in Ann Arbor, Michigan, have been charged with Michigan state or Federal charges, especially known activists.- Penalties for paraphernalia sometimes involve a criminal record, even in states where minor possession is a civil fine or petty offense.- A petty offense can turn into a misdemeanor if you skip out on court.- Drivers licenses, or professional licenses may be suspended or revoked.- Display, use, or burning in public increases penalties. This defeats the purpose of a protest.- Age under 21 years is at increased risk of a criminal record or incarceration.- Possession in parks, near schools or rec. centers is subject to increased penalties.- Previous offenders sometimes face increased penalties.Those least at risk:- First offenders.- Those over 21.- Those with no licenses, drivers or professional.- Those visiting states with civil fines or citations or petty offenses for both possession of pot and paraphernalia.- Those willing to risk Federal charges. They say they are not going after possession, but things could change.- Those not near or in a park, school, or rec. center.- Those willing to incur increased penalties for display, burning, or use in public.ego transcendence follows ego destruction out of the swamp of punitive discredited social engineering in those states brave enough to challenge the ruling motto of the rest of the country. [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by Nuevo Mexican on June 11, 2003 at 13:58:52 PT Welome Phil de_bowl! LOL!Best new c-news moniker! Gets' my vote! [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by FoM on June 11, 2003 at 13:51:31 PT E-Mail News from DPFCA: Letter from Ed Rosenthal Why The Judge Is GuiltyEd RosenthalBreyer did me no favors throughout the trial. He acted as the prosecutor, not as a judge. The reason was that he came into court with an agenda, to get me convicted even if he had to twist and bend the laws and courtroom procedures to get it.Here are a list of his errors.: 1.)When he found that the prosecutor had lied to the grand jury to get an indictment-the judge said it was harmless. That's just not true- the jury wouldn't have indicted without those lies.2.)When we had DEA Agent Pickett trapped in a vise of his lies- the judge stopped the questioning so that he would not be discredited.3.)The judge refused to allow us to use 885(d) the immunity clause after he said that a literal reading of this federal law would exonerate me.4.)Against precedent he refused to let us use estoppal as a defense. Under this concept a citizen is exonerated if he has been told that the action is legal by a government official with the authority to do so, as happened in this case.5.)He tampered with the jury by removing people who had strong feelings about 215 or states rights even though he declared that these were not issues in the case.6.)When juror members admitted that they acted improperly by seeking a lawyer's advice, the judge declared it harmless error, although one juror said it influenced their vote.7.)The judge took over direct examination of our witness not allowing my attorney to develop theories that he wished to.8.)The judge improperly interrupted the defense closing argument.This judge acted more like a prosecutor than a referee of the facts. He was biased and prejudiced, not impartial during the entire proceeding. The sentencing was a result of publicity and public pressure. For the judge it was a case of "you better be careful about what you wish for- you just might get it". The conviction he pushed for placed him in a difficult position- so he punted.On the other hand, his sentencing of me was a sugar coated poison pill. With this sentence he explicitly precluded future defendants from attempting to use any of the defenses that were excluded from being heard at the trial. These included 9th and 10th amendments, the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, federal immunity, and lesser harm.It would have been hypocritical of me to thank the judge for handing me three felonies to further his personal or political agenda. It would also have been the end of the story... and they lived happily ever after. The judge would have basked in the light as a person with Solomonic wisdom. That's just hasn't happened. Eventually the public will see that he has taken the robes of honor and turned them into stained rags. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by kaptinemo on June 11, 2003 at 13:11:08 PT: It's really good to see you back, Dank and E_J You've been missed, mightily... [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by Dankhank on June 11, 2003 at 12:20:24 PT: Druid Yes sir ree ...Took ten to the MMM in Dallas and left them with 9 activists and 1 nurse.I have an update, give me an address, these go free of charge ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by druid on June 11, 2003 at 12:03:44 PT DankHank Did exactly what I was thinking about! Good to see you are still around.cheers DankHank! ps still giving out those CRL CDs?I know I made quite a few copies and distributed them out.Thanks for your work on that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by phil_debowl on June 11, 2003 at 11:51:30 PT Ticket in California Most of california just gives a ticket for small possession. There's lots of all kinds of events in san fran :). I really like the press conference idea from MPP. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by FoM on June 11, 2003 at 11:46:22 PT Hi Dankhank It seems like you've been busy. Thanks for the offer about the articles but I think I'll pass. I have them but they are snipped and I can't unsnip them because of a glitch. I know Mapinc. has them and they are old now so I'll just keep doing current news. Thanks though! [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by Dankhank on June 11, 2003 at 11:38:01 PT: Action This is a test to see if I am still in the database.If so ...Hello, all ...Ready for some serious protest?A friend and I have already infiltrated a Democratic Party weekend event recently in OKC.We ate their cheap food, drank their fine booze, ate their cheap desserts ... see where their interests really lie?We seeded the 13 floors of the Westin Hotel with trifold pamphlets about medical Cannabis, generally kept table top seeded by the elevators on 3rd floor, where most of the folks would pass, had some refreshment in the parking garage a few times during this, and generally had a fairly fun day.Mayhap we should now take our refreshment in public during the meetings, and call the DEA.Hey, how 'bout this?MPP immediately announce that reefer will be smoked at every press conference held by the Drug Tzar. After if happens a couple of times ..... By Law organizer of press conference is liable as he knew there was to be a smoker present.Could maybe use a little refinement, but here today I believe this can work and say this is my idea.PS FOM ... I have most if not all of the "OttawaStories," 16 in fact.Would you like a copy of them? Hemp N Stuff [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by FoM on June 11, 2003 at 11:18:46 PT My 2 Cents What I was thinking is a sports event. Isn't it Ann Arbor that it is only a ticket? Sports are big events in the states and that might be where it would show the unfairness of this law. Just a thought. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by FoM on June 11, 2003 at 10:57:01 PT druid What kind of Federal Government Function? [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by druid on June 11, 2003 at 10:51:44 PT smoke-in plan My plan that I posted on another thread earlier was to organize a smoke-in or something at a Federal Government function. What would they do then? [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on June 11, 2003 at 10:35:30 PT afterburner That doesn't seem like a bad idea. What state has the easiest penalities? Isn't there somewhere where cannabis is only a ticket? That would be good so no one gets in serious trouble. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by afterburner on June 11, 2003 at 10:30:32 PT: Just a Thought. What if someone mobilized a smoke-in at major sporting events? Would the DEA fine the event organizers? It looks like the time for confrontational politics is upon us again.ego transcendence follows ego destruction when the concert and sports crowd realizes the folly of the RAVE amendment to the Amber Alert Law and protests to Congress. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by John Tyler on June 11, 2003 at 09:31:39 PT NASCAR Races I would bet that there is some drug useage at those big NASCAR races. When you have a crowd of 100 thousand fans I would suspect that someone would be possessing something illegal. Maybe they should be shut down too. Only to keep everyone safe though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Richard Paul Zuckerm on June 11, 2003 at 07:32:46 PT: THE REASONS WHY CANNABIS LAWS SHOULD BE REPEALED The Marijuana laws should be repealed:I.THE HYPOCRISYThe United States Central Intelligence Agency launders over $200 billion per year of TAX FREE drug money thru Wall Street, www.fromthewilderness.com; www.expertwitnessradio.org, www.sumeria.net/politics/shadv3.html, while otherwise law abiding Americans are villified for responsible Marijuana use. The DEA will never stop the drug war because the CIA, Vice President Dick Cheney, Richard Armitage, are [allegedly] involved in this massive drug money laundering. People may not believe it because the public school curruculum is rigged, www.johntaylorgatto.com, major media is manipulated, and people are generally conditioned to be good sheep, to love their masters, the federal government.II.THE FAILURES OF THE COURTSThe courts of law should step in and strike down the marijuana laws. Unfortunately, the great majority of the courts have upheld the constitutionality of the Marijuana laws. There were a few freedom-loving opinions from a few State courts, though. In State v. Mallan, 950 P.2d 178, 208-209, 218-219 (Hawii 1998)(Dissenting opinion by Justice Levinson), Justice Levinson opined that the Marihuana laws are against the freedoms the American people were guaranteed and in violation of the Hawaii State Constitution Right to privacy. In State v. Holland, N.J.Super. (App. Div. 2001?), the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey reversed the conviction because the police did not have the authority to force their way into the apartment without a search warrant after the smell of marijuana smoke emanated from same apartment. In Ravin v. State, P.2d (Alaska 197 ), the Supreme Court of Alaska declared the Marijuana laws unconstitutional as a violation of the Alaska State Constitutional guarantee Right to privacy. We need to litigate for the State courts to enforce the State Constitutions to give greater protection for the individual citizen than the federal constitution, including through the use of expert witnessness such as Dr. Lester Grinspoon, M.D., to inform the jury of the relative safety of Cannabis, for jury nullification purposes.III.LEGISLATIVE MALPRACTICEWe need to get on our elected officials, to let them know we do want decriminalization of Marijuana. Otherwise, they will act in the best interest of the corporations, assuming the votes are not manipulated, www.votescam.com. I must have communicated too much to New York State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan because, today, Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at around 9:45, she told me she received my letters & e-mails, "I will not be harassed", and lied to me that her e-mail address, nolanc assembly.state.ny.us, is on the New York State Assembly Web site!! Prior to our telephone conversation, though, I e-mailed her the upcoming Cannabis Pain Management Lecture from the upcoming events section from www.cannabisculture.com, to show her that Cannabis does have medical uses. I do not plan on contacting Assemblywoman Nolan for a while now, based on her comment, lie, and rushing me off of the phone. There are too many people who are slothful, have the attitude that there is nothing an individual can do. I would rather try, even if it is only me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on June 10, 2003 at 22:54:17 PT freedom fighter Pleasant dreams! [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by freedom fighter on June 10, 2003 at 22:47:40 PT Passing the drugs thru the screens..Neat Concept!Only problem with that it has been done years ago!\/,drunk as a skunk all perfumed up saying good night tooo you all !!!\/ff [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on June 10, 2003 at 22:15:56 PT freedom fighter Yes we are a public event because of our conversation but you can't pass drugs thru a computer screen or I don't think they figured out how yet. I'm just kidding but since it is using drugs on a property how can that be accomplished since their is no single property or known drug use? See what I mean? [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on June 10, 2003 at 22:09:15 PT freedom fighter I think I understand you now. I'm not really worried because this isn't an event but I'm happy that we have good lawyers watching out for our ( Mapinc. DrugSense and CNews and maybe others) web sites. Anything is possible these days. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by freedom fighter on June 10, 2003 at 22:05:58 PT FoM, Your site is certainly a public event.We must fight! paceff [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by freedom fighter on June 10, 2003 at 22:00:19 PT FoM, You are no different than the Eagle Lodge who declined to hold the event. This is may be an electronic forum but we are simply no different from what's had happened down up in Montana. After all, what you are doing is just simply trading the information but if supposed, just one who happened to be toking a joint and get arrested. After all, when I was arrested, I was certainly sitting reading your website. But, what if it was the DEA who was doing the arresting? This Amber Alert Bill is evil. I am all for finding missing children but to prevent you from posting both pro-con pot news on a site because someone happend to be tokin a joint while reading your website is downright unamerica!pazff [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on June 10, 2003 at 21:47:05 PT freedom fighter I'm sorry but you lost me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by freedom fighter on June 10, 2003 at 21:39:46 PT We must fight Just think, I am not talkin to the regulars, but to many many readers who often frequent here but do not post a comment or two here..FoM could get this such a warning tonight and we would'nt be able to speak out tonight.All because I said, " My 4:21 was nice and sweet." Or what goneposthole said!So I am allowed to this time not to refrain using profanity..This is is one word for you antis!BULLCOWDUNGSHIT!You anti's need to understand something, what country are you from?grrff [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on June 10, 2003 at 21:32:22 PT Peter McWilliams Mr. Buckley mentioned Peter in his article and I wasn't sure if everyone knew that the 3rd year anniversary of his death will be this Saturday June 14th. I hope Peter is proud of all our efforts.Peter McWilliams Memorial Page: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/Peterm.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by freedom fighter on June 10, 2003 at 21:12:42 PT Best offense! Make many more raves..I have great respect for the Ravers! The fools shall thread in dark undergrounds of tunnels if the clowns did'nt have the proper internet instruction of how to get to the crowd of the night where's there's no moonlight to be seen..Ahh,,, sounds left, right, North, and South so abound! The green Jungle beats of ahhh, the noise!!!!! The court jesters doing cartwhelling while the ravers beat the sound of the music!Make many more raves. Just be sure you have the proper instructions, completely ever so legalized, can you make the waves.Meanwhile, would a fool please step forward and announce your name?paceff [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by goneposthole on June 10, 2003 at 21:05:35 PT do it now today. get a group of white, middle-aged men to meet in a room and discuss distribution of marijuana with a marijuana tax stamp on it.get it done. Legalize cannabis now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on June 10, 2003 at 20:49:00 PT afterburner I knew that the Rave Act wasn't about Raves. It's a control mechanism. Control the undesirables. The rest are A OK!That is wrong. That is immoral. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by afterburner on June 10, 2003 at 20:41:24 PT: Right, FoM. Selective prosecution is a violation of due process. A clear violation of Amendment 5. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. -Amendment V: U.S. Constitution - Bill of Rights http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.htmlego transcendence follows ego destruction right into the chambers of the US Supreme Court with the ghosts of our patriot founding fathers leading the march while the fife plays a wistful tune of freedom. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on June 10, 2003 at 18:39:48 PT mayan and SoberStoner I'm very upset about this. I don't know what to say. If they attack us then they must attack every event where drugs are. I'm hoping that point will be shown to them. Selective enforcement of laws for certain groups of people isn't right. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by mayan on June 10, 2003 at 18:30:41 PT FoM... Yes, drugs are at sporting events also but sports don't threaten the RepubliCrat's stranglehold on power like the cannabis plant does. This is outrageous!!!September 11: Did you know...? http://www.cosmosleft.com/pages/7/index.htmWAG THE WTC II: http://www.serendipity.li/wot/psyopnews2.htm9/11 Inquiry and Is Anyone Safe ? http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=910&blz=1Mike Ruppert on Amy Goodman and the 9/11 Latecomers: http://www.questionsquestions.net/docs04/0518_ruppert911.html9/11 Film Draws Overflow Crowd: http://onlinejournal.com/Media/050703Lynn/050703lynn.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by SoberStoner on June 10, 2003 at 18:23:43 PT Exactly..Now you are starting to understand No insult meant of course..This affects ANY public gathering where drugs 'could' be.Any person caught is not only subject to a fine and time in a cage, but now the owner of that venue is subject to a tremendously huge fine, even if said owner was doing his best to prohibit drugs from being used at that venue.If it comes down to paying a fine or having exorbitant searches at each and every entry point, most owner will simply not hold the event.Sports, music events, ANY PUBLIC EVENT IS SUBJECT TO THIS!!!This is unconstitutional law by it's very definition and the people that were organizing this event would seem to have a very legitimate claim that their first amendment rights have been trampled upon in a way that even the boldest fascist should be ashamed of.SS [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on June 10, 2003 at 18:15:30 PT Baseball Games Sober Stoner aren't drugs at sports games too? [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by SoberStoner on June 10, 2003 at 18:09:10 PT FoM The specific fear was that it would target concerts. In essence, anywhere that illegal drugs are is subject to this fine.So much for that first amendment huh? We didnt really need it anyway.Big Brother knows better than the people who fought for and won our freedom did.I think it's time those in charge learned that there are still people out here who remember why America was founded. I think the time is approaching for them to find out why the second amendment exists to begin with.It wasn't for protection from outside dangers.SS [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 10, 2003 at 17:50:41 PT Rock Concerts? Are they next? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on June 10, 2003 at 17:46:56 PT SoberStoner I don't like it either. What gatherings will be next? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by SoberStoner on June 10, 2003 at 17:43:29 PT Sigh..so it begins We all knew this was coming when they proposed it last year, but it appears now the DEA has reached new lows.So what if they cant get more funding? They'll just go in and threaten anyone who may be holding a legalization event with a quarter million dollar fine for the presence of cannabis.This is too much.This is the very thing we feared most when RAVE was introduced and now the DEA is running around almost completely unrestrained and opposing any acts of freedom that they dont like.I dont like where this is headed...not at allSS [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by SoberStoner on June 10, 2003 at 17:39:14 PT This just showed up in my email ** DEA Uses RAVE Act to Stop a Benefit to Raise Money for Marijuana Reform** Fax the DEA and Tell Acting Administrator William Simpkins to Stop Using the RAVE Act Against Political Events http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=10509&ms=normlOnly two months after the RAVE Act was passed by Congress it has been used by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to intimidate the owners of a Billings, Montana, venue into canceling a combined benefit for the Montana chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP).On the day the fundraiser was set to take place a Billings-based DEA agent presented the venue owners with a copy of the RAVE Act warning them that they could face a fine of $250,000 if illicit drugs were found in the premises. The bands - most of which regularly played at the venue - were also approached and warned that their participation in the event could result in a fine.Rather than risk the possibility of enormous fines, the venue decided to cancel the event. This blatant intimidation by the DEA was obviously designed to shut down the marijuana reform fundraiser. Unless the American people speak out against this attack on free speech, the DEA will be emboldened to use the law against other events they do not like, such as all-night dance parties, hip hop concerts, hemp festivals, and circuit parties.Join the Drug Policy Alliance, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and numerous other organizations in our campaign to pressure the DEA to stop using the RAVE Act to shut down political events.ACTIONS TO TAKE1) Fax the DEA. Urge Acting Administrator William Simpkins to stop using the RAVE Act to harass innocent business owners and stifle free speech. http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=10509&ms=norml2) Forward this alert to friends and family. Send it to e-mail lists and post it in chat rooms.BACKGROUNDSponsored by Senator Biden (D-DE), the RAVE Act (also known as the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act) was first introduced last year. It proved so controversial then that two of its original co-sponsors withdrew their support because they feared it would send innocent business owners to jail. Business owners collected over 20,000 signatures in opposition to the bill. Protests against it were held around the country and tens of thousands of voters urged their elected official to oppose it. Controversy over the bill stalled it last year, but Senator Biden attached it to the popular "Amber Alert" bill without public debate or a vote of Congress earlier this year and snuck it into law.The RAVE Act expands federal law to make it easier to jail and imprison event organizers and property owners that fail to stop drug offenses from occurring on their property - even in cases when they take serious steps to reduce drug offenses. It applies to "any place", including bars and nightclubs, hotels, apartment buildings, and homes. Legal experts warned that the law was so broad that it could be used to shut down not only raves and electronic music events, but also Hip Hop, rock, and country music concerts, sporting events, gay and lesbian fundraisers, political protests, and any other event federal agents do not like.On May 30th an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) told managers of the Eagle Lodge in Billings, Montana that the Lodge could be fined $250,000 if anyone smoked marijuana during a planned benefit to raise money for a campaign to change Montana's medical marijuana law. After consulting their attorneys, the Eagle Lodge canceled the event.For more information on the RAVE Act see: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=57&l=1989For more information on the DEA and the Eagle Lodge see: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=57&l=1990#################### NORML Media Watch NORML was featured prominently in several media outlets this week, including The Associated Press, BBC News and The San Francisco Chronicle. To read these articles or about other NORML media appearances, check out "NORML in the Media" at: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5481 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment