cannabisnews.com: Bud Out! 





Bud Out! 
Posted by CN Staff on November 26, 2003 at 12:16:55 PT
By Nick Budnick
Source: Willamette Week 
Organizers from the Oregon chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws are still fuming over what they view as an effort to intimidate advocates of medicinal pot. The Oregon Medical Cannabis Awards banquet was held last Saturday at the Lloyd Center DoubleTree Hotel, but the event also took place inside an odd legal netherworld created by voters with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act of 1994. The conundrum is this: Under state law, medical spleef is cool; under federal law, all weed is bad.
This conflict was underlined on Nov. 13, when Ken Magee of the Oregon office of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration wrote a letter to the DoubleTree Hotel. Delivered in person by two DEA agents, the letter noted NORML's plans for a marijuana-judging event to be held at the banquet and asked an ominous question: Did the hotel intend to "knowingly permit...the illegal possession, conspiracy to possess or to aid and abet the possession of marijuana"? Facing the possibility of having their hotel seized by the feds, DoubleTree officials promptly informed NORML it was canceling its contract to host the banquet. "I think they expected a bunch of dumb stoners to say, 'Oh, OK, dude,'" says NORML organizer Madeline Martinez. Instead, NORML attorney Paul Loney contacted the Oregon ACLU. The group recruited Portland lawyer Michael Harting, who, in conjunction with the national ACLU's top-gun drug-policy lawyer, Graham Boyd, fired off letters to the hotel and the DEA threatening legal action for breach of contract and violation of the First Amendment. In the end, NORML dropped its "Beautiful Bud Award," the DEA and hotel mellowed out, and the affair came off without a hitch. In some respects, the event looked almost like a typical industry trade show. One room was ringed by tables bearing NORML T-shirts (55 percent hemp), hemp granola and dog collars, as well as the latest in bud-sucking technology: micro-screen bags for making the purest of resin, as well as small-scale vaporizers to take the harsh sting out of smoke. In the other room, standing in front of a white flag bearing a pot leaf superimposed on a medical red cross, an audience ranging from 15 to 40 watched a series of speakers who sounded like resistance leaders telling their troops to hang in there--victory is nigh. After the event, Magee told WW that his agency wasn't attempting to halt the banquet, just to block the presence of drugs there. "People are very much allowed to engage in their First Amendment rights," he said. But David Fidanque, head of the Oregon ACLU, was skeptical. If the feds' only concern was with the presence of marijuana, and not with the event itself, he asks, "why didn't they contact NORML" instead of threatening the hotel? Note: Local civil-rights lawyers fend off feds' attempt to shut down medical-marijuana conference. Source: Willamette Week (OR)Author: Nick BudnickPublished: Wednesday, November 26, 2003 Copyright: 2003 Willamette WeekContact: mzusman wweek.comWebsite: http://www.wweek.com/Oregon NORMLhttp://www.ornorml.org/CannabisNews NORML Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/NORML.shtml
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Comment #8 posted by ekim on November 26, 2003 at 20:26:41 PT
Virg i sent this wheel chair man story to Dennis
Saturday, November 29, 2003
http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
 
Vienna, Virginia
Keynote address for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Sheraton Premier, 8661 Leesburg Pike, Vienna
Public is welcome to attend - order tickets through cair-net.org or call 202-488-8787.
For more information call Josh Brockwell at 202-488-8787.Monday, December 1st5:30 to 8 p.m.Cleveland, Ohio
Fundraising Reception at Massimo da Milano's Restaurant at 1400 West 25th St. (West 25th & Detroit). Requested donation: $50. Contact: Dale Miller at 216-252-7827 or national headquarters at 1-866-413-3664 for reservations and tickets.
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Comment #7 posted by ekim on November 26, 2003 at 20:16:43 PT
posted by Virgil 
Comment #21 posted by Virgil on November 25, 2003 at 18:41:00 PT 
The injustice of it all 
There is a man trying to get out the story of his injustice and is recorded at http://www.marijuana.com/article.php?sid=7969&mode=nested&order=0 What will it take to change it all? This is one man's story.
I am 51 year old med user living in Iowa, my wife, who does not even smoke, was busted last August for cultivation of 20 babies one inch tall and 2 ounces or so of dried meds. I say or so because I have never weighed my meds no scales in the house, as they never left the house or were ever sold or shared. The reason I am posting this is because I am prepared to make my final stand right here in Iowa and need some press coverage to expose this unjust system to the country.My wife and I have no prior arrest record; wife has not even had a traffic ticket. The law lied to us repeatedly and ended up taking both our vehicles, imagines taking a wheel chair bound man only form of transportation, and took us both to jail as a result wife lost her job. Now I am supposed to be able to spend a grand a month for meds and doctor visits when all I wanted to do was dying with some dignity not addicted to narcotics and doctors and hospitals hounding my wife for money. Now it is about evection time and we have to choose between eating or getting my meds. I am writing this to perhaps see if anyone knows of a way to get the presses attention on a national level as I am prepared to go to prison for the medical help they offer but want the country to be aware of how the war on drugs affects the very sick and the very poor.I have been in contact with NORML but it would appear to me they are more interested in being chiefs and not helping the indians, and am at a total loss on how to draw attention to this issue. While living in Oregon I was involved with the medical marijuana program there but had to move so wife could find work. I even have a prescription form my doctor there for marijuana, but Iowa does not recognize medical value of marijuana.Please if any press members or someone with the knowledge on who to contact, other than NORML, email me please.I weigh only 108 pounds down from 160 a year ago and fear if I do not get this done I will be gone and nobody will know who killed me. I feel since state of Iowa will not let me tend to myself let them spend thousands a year to tend to me. thus going to prison is an option just to live longer but to die with no dignity plus cost the state of Iowa the thousands and thousands it will take to keep me alive in prison. This is not a case of crime it is a case of the county, Mahaska county, using me as a revenue source.We have retained an attorney but I fear he is deep into the "good ole boy circle" and have lost any trust I had in him. Now we are destitute and being robbed of our civil rights and steam rolled to accept a plea , but I want to go to 2 jury trials and let the record show how we were treated and to cost this county as much money as possible, let our 4 grand worth of old vehicles cost them plenty. The prosecutor handling our case is talking freely about the case while drunk playing golf and our rights are being trampled on more and more and the ACLU is not responding to my emails so have no idea where to run next.While living in Oregon I had my medical card and have a prescription from my doctor there for marijuana which is useless here but does show I am legit med user. We left Oregon so wife could get a job since was no work there at all, I draw a small disability check a month but it doesn't not even start to pay the bills and take care of my medical needsAny help would be greatly appreciated Thanks 
 
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Comment #6 posted by jose melendez on November 26, 2003 at 15:10:27 PT
action data harvest
from:http://www.crime-fighter.org/Articles/KenMagee/ken_magee.htmBy: Ken Magee, Assistant Special Agent in Charge
 DEA, PortlandThe Red Ribbon: A Small Token with a Big ImpactThe Red Ribbon Campaign starts with the smallest gesture: a child pinning a Red Ribbon to his shirt, a young girl wearing a Red Ribbon Wristband, a classroom planting red tulips, a business displaying a Red Ribbon banner, a community hosting a Red Ribbon family event.  Though these acts are simple, their significance is tremendous.  Each Red Ribbon has the potential to reach a boy, a girl, a caring adult or family in a profound way.  The Red Ribbon is a catalyst and symbol for millions of Americans who show they are united for a drug-free nation. The National Red Ribbon Campaign was sparked by the tragic murder of a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent, Enrique (Kiki) Camarena.  His killers were drug traffickers.  Within weeks of Camerena’s death, in March of 1985, his congressman, Duncan Hunter, and high school friend Henry Lozano launched “Camarena Clubs” in high schools in the Imperial Valley of California, Kiki’s home.  Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Kiki and others on behalf of all Americans.  That spring, two club members presented the “Camarena Club Proclamation” to then First Lady Nancy Reagan, bringing it national attention.  Later that summer, parent groups in California, Illinois, and Virginia began promoting the wearing of Red Ribbons nationwide during late October.  In 1988, the National Federation of Parents organized the first National Red Ribbon Week, an eight-day event proclaimed by the U.S. Congress and chaired by President and Mrs. Reagan.  Today the Red Ribbon Campaign also symbolizes support for the DEA’s efforts to reduce the demand for drugs through prevention and education programs. This October, in schools and communities all across the nation, youth and adults alike will be campaigning for a drug free society.  Choosing to live drug free is a choice that will provide benefits for years to come.  After all, a healthy society starts with good citizenship.  Each one of us has to make smart decisions about drugs, alcohol, inhalants and tobacco.  Therefore, I ask all of you to pledge to make this year’s Red Ribbon Campaign a success at home, school and at work.  Let’s turn a drug war tragedy of the past into a triumphant drug free future! If you would like more information about street drugs and drug abuse visit the DEA’s website at www.DEA.gov.  If you would like to request a drug education presentation feel free to contact the Portland, Oregon District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration at 503-326-3371, and ask for the Demand Reduction Coordinator.also, from:http://www.crime-fighter.org/Articles/KenMagee/biography_of_ken_magee.htmKen Magee, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA PortlandThe Portland District Office is headed by Kenneth Magee.  Mr. Magee was promoted to the Portland District office, which encompasses the states of Oregon, Idaho and Southern Washington, in May 2001.Mr. Magee was born and raised in the university town of Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He graduated from Michigan State University where he received both Bachelors and Master's Degree with high honors in Police Administration and Criminal Justice.In 1979, he began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Jackson (Michigan) police department.  In 1984, Mr. Magee joined the federal service becoming a Special Agent with the US Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration in Detroit, Michigan.In 1988 his career path lead him to Bogota, Columbia where he served approximately 7 years, one of the longest tenures of any DEA agent.  He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award, the highest award from the Columbian government.Mr. Magee left Bogata when he was promoted to Supervisor in Portland, Oregon in 1995.  After serving four years in Portland he was transferred to DEA headquarters in Virginia where he was the Unit Chief in the Intelligence Division.In 2001 Ken was promoted and returned to Oregon.  He is now in charge of the Portland District Office.When Ken arrived in Portland he had one main goal and that is to continue the outstanding working relationship between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.  In addition he wishes to enhance the arena of drug prevention and awareness by working closely with prevention experts in the field.see also:"There's no conflict of opinion whatsoever,"http://thc-foundation.org/Register-Guard.php' . . . has dealt a significant blow to the cocaine trade . . .'http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/seattle061303.htmlQuestions regarding     this investigation may be directed to Portland DEA Assistant Special Agent     in Charge Ken Magee at 503-326-3371 or Lt. Dan Cary of the Salem Police     Department at 503-588-6155, or ROCN Director, Steven Bechard at 503-234-5300http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread15678.shtml"I find that somewhat laughable, referring to drug paraphernalia as collectible art," he said. "I find it somewhat engaging that you would refer to this as 'collectible art' when it's drug paraphernalia."
Go Fight Real Crime!
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Comment #5 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 26, 2003 at 14:59:36 PT:
New Field Guidance to the DEA
Interesting to note after the Montana incident, new guidance was issued to field offices regarding the use of the RAVE Act. I guess this is the new procedure. Asking if they intend to allow illegal activity to scare the hell out of the host organizations. The RAVE Act needs to be be repealed.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 26, 2003 at 14:38:26 PT
Thank Kegan
I saw that article and just shook my head. Businesses that might contribute to illegal activity will be at risk. So far free speech as far as talking about changing laws seems to not be in the category. They could add that too the way it's going.
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Comment #3 posted by Kegan on November 26, 2003 at 13:58:31 PT
Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Do Anything
Congress Expands FBI Spying PowerBy Ryan Singel, Wired News, Nov. 24, 2003Congress approved a bill on Friday that expands the reach of the Patriot 
Act, reduces oversight of the FBI and intelligence agencies and, according 
to critics, shifts the balance of power away from the legislature and the 
courts.A provision of an intelligence spending bill will expand the power of the 
FBI to subpoena business documents and transactions from a broader range of 
businesses -- everything from libraries to travel agencies to eBay -- 
without first seeking approval from a judge.Under the Patriot Act, the FBI can acquire bank records and Internet or 
phone logs simply by issuing itself a so-called national security letter 
saying the records are relevant to an investigation into terrorism. The FBI 
doesn't need to show probable cause or consult a judge. What's more, the 
target institution is issued a gag order and kept from revealing the 
subpoena's existence to anyone, including the subject of the investigation.The new provision in the spending bill redefines the meaning of "financial 
institution" and "financial transaction." The wider definition explicitly 
includes insurance companies, real estate agents, the U.S. Postal Service, 
travel agencies, casinos, pawn shops, ISPs, car dealers and any other 
business whose "cash transactions have a high degree of usefulness in 
criminal, tax or regulatory matters."Justice Department officials tried earlier this year to write a bill to 
expand the Patriot Act. A draft -- dubbed Patriot II -- was leaked and 
caused such an uproar that Justice officials backed down. The new provision 
inserts one of the most controversial aspects of Patriot II into the 
spending bill.Intelligence spending bills are considered sensitive, so they are usually 
drafted in secret and approved without debate or public comment.Chris Schroeder, a Duke law professor and former assistant attorney general 
in the office of legal counsel at the Justice Department, said 
there-insertion shows that "people who want to expand the powers of the FBI 
didn't want to stop after Patriot II was leaked.""They are going to insert these provisions on a stealth basis," Schroeder 
said. "It's insidious."James X. Dempsey, executive director of the Center for Democracy and 
Technology, echoed Shroeder's analysis."On its face, it's a cryptic and seemingly innocuous amendment," Dempsey 
said. "It wasn't until after it passed both houses that we saw it. The FBI 
and CIA like to try to graft things like this into intelligence bills."House Intelligence Committee chairman Porter Goss (R-Florida) defended the 
new definition, saying it was necessary to keep pace with terrorists and 
the changing economy."This provision brings the definition of 'financial institution' up to date 
with the reality of the financial industry," Goss said on the House 
floor. "This provision will allow those tracking terrorists and spies to 
'follow the money' more effectively and thereby protect the people of the 
United States more effectively."The expansion surprised many in Congress, including some members of the 
intelligence committees who recently began reconsidering the scope of the 
Patriot Act.Timothy Edgar, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, 
decried the expansion of an executive power that is not subject to judicial 
oversight."The more that checks and balances against government abuse are eroded, the 
greater that abuse," Edgar said. "We're going to regret these initiatives 
down the road.National security letters, or NSLs, are among the most-used anti-terrorism 
powers, and are among the least-known or scrutinized. The Bush 
administration has pushed to expand their use. In the spring, it tried 
unsuccessfully to allow the CIA and the military the right to issue such 
subpoenas.The FBI says it can't say how many times it has issued itself NSLs because 
of national security. A few weeks ago, civil liberties groups forced the 
Justice Department to release some of those records, but
Justice handed over a six-page, blacked-out list.Other portions of the funding bill eliminate annual reports to Congresson 
several controversial matters, such as foreign companies' involvement in 
the spread of weapons of mass destruction, the effectiveness of the 
intelligence community and anti-drug efforts.The bill also nixes reports on how many times national security letters are 
used to access individuals' credit reports.After a joint committee reconciled the two versions of the bill, both 
houses had to vote to approve the compromise version, which is usually 
considered a formality. While Friday's Senate vote was a voice vote, on 
Thursday, 15 Republicans in the House broke ranks and voted against the 
entire intelligence-funding bill in protest of the national security 
provision. The bill passed by a vote of 264 to 163.Though debate was limited, a handful of representatives, including Butch 
Otter (R-Idaho), spoke out against the bill."In our fight for our nation to make the world a safe place, we must not 
turn our backs on our own freedoms," Otter said. "Expanding the use of 
administrative subpoenas and threatening our system of checks and balances 
is a step in the wrong direction."The ACLU's Edgar said he was surprised by the extent of the Republican 
defections. It shows how views in both parties have changed about granting 
unchecked anti-terrorism powers.Edgar also argued the extension may anger strong interest groups -- such as 
casinos, Realtors and travel agents -- who previously weren't part of the 
civil liberties debate."They had no idea this was coming," Edgar said. "This is going to help to 
continue to expand the list of people and organizations that are asking 
questions about civil liberties and Patriot Act powers."Members of Congress who were upset by the provisions and the process that 
led to their passage may hold hearings on the matter early next year.Neither the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Sen. 
Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) nor the ranking minority member, Sen. JayRockefeller 
(D-West Virginia), responded to requests for comment.The FBI directed press calls to the Department of Justice, which didn't 
respond by press time.The Justice Department has vigorously defended its use of the Patriot Act 
for both terrorist and non-terrorist investigations and set up a website to 
respond to its critics. 
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Comment #2 posted by Dark Star on November 26, 2003 at 13:05:08 PT
Patriot Act Strikes Again
Here we have incident two, after the nasty little affair in Billings, MT. Sounds like a violation of free speech to me. Constitutional challenge suit, anyone?
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Comment #1 posted by 420toker on November 26, 2003 at 12:51:29 PT
And a nelsonesque HA-HA to the Oregon DEA
HA-HA
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