cannabisnews.com: Leaders AWOL in Marijuana Fight





Leaders AWOL in Marijuana Fight
Posted by CN Staff on April 02, 2007 at 10:45:08 PT
By Kris Millegan
Source: Register-Guard
Oregon -- A Feb. 16 guest viewpoint by Jim Greig, "Marijuana more than medicinal," explored the economic benefits of ending pot prohibition, while making the point that users of medical marijuana are honestly seeking therapeutic effects. After Oregon citizens voted in 1998 to allowed medicinal use of marijuana, I went to meetings and heard story after story about the therapeutic value of cannabis.
Victims of automobile and industrial accidents with severe spinal injuries told tales of how marijuana helped them deal with constant pain while allowing them to continue being productive, whereas their prescription pain medicine left them lethargic and unable to function. Some stopped prescriptions altogether, while others were able to cut down substantially. Some had never used marijuana before the accidents. Patients with genetic disorders testified that marijuana helped their disabilities. Cancer, HIV and other patients told of enduring taxing medical treatments with the aid of marijuana - a drug that restored their appetites, helped combat nausea and dispelled depression. Obtaining this illegal plant was a big problem for these patients. Many could not grow the herb themselves, nor could they afford the street price of $300 or more per ounce. What has developed is a cooperative effort by local patients to supply themselves. In Oregon, these groups generally have been left alone. But in California, the federal government has spent millions of dollars on police raids and prosecutions. Why is our federal government so concerned about an herb that for thousand of years has played a beneficial role in human affairs? And why won't politicians - federal, state or local - address this absurd situation? Is the old and discredited image of the devil-weed still at work? Does propaganda about marijuana being a gateway drug still hold sway? I am sure there are many reasons, but while organizing an annual marijuana march, I found a reluctance to get involved very vexing. I could find no organization or political figure that would discuss the issue. Every elected official I asked (including some who I know have inhaled) declined. Left groups, right groups, gay groups, Hispanic groups, union folk and others all refused to get involved. A small, ad hoc group of concerned citizens has been left to call for legalization and to spur local discussion about the civic, social and economic costs of pot prohibition. Prohibition does not work - never has, never will. Prohibition keeps in place a black market, which corrupts our society from the top down and from the bottom up. Prohibition always leads to more abuse, younger users, civil corruption and criminal enterprise. Even with voters supporting change, we have lacked politicians with enough gumption to discuss a rational approach. Is it the money involved in the war on drugs? According to the latest figures from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the official cost of the drug war in the United States is $148.62 billion a year. Much of this pork pie is sent to municipalities and local agencies. Are our local law enforcement agencies and governments more committed to these federal funds than to our unalienable rights, our republican form of government and our collective interests? Bear in mind that the same office of drug control policy report says that the total economic costs of drug abuse in the United States is $44.73 billion a year - and that includes all related productivity and property losses, as well as costs for health care, social welfare and institutional expenses. Beyond the enormous savings involved, and beyond the medical and humanitarian issues, the positive economic benefits of a legal (that is, regulated and taxed) cannabis industry are huge. Our grass-growing valley could again become a center of production of fiber and construction products, creating jobs and tax revenues. And hemp may be grown on marginal lands, allowing a regrowth of more mature timbershed. Let us have real discussion and concerted action toward a regulated, lawful marketplace in place of our current costly prohibition. A significant step would be an official repudiation of cannabis prohibitions and a legal interposition by Lane County officials between higher officials and county citizens. Then, instead of increasing tax burdens and continuing to jail peaceful people, as any despot can do, we can be true pioneers and create an honest, real-world solution. The civic benefit of teaching our children with truth instead of lies: priceless. Kris Millegan of Walterville is president of TrineDay Press. Source: Register-Guard, The (OR) Author: Kris MilleganPublished: Published: Monday, April 2, 2007Copyright: 2007 The Register-GuardContact: rgletters guardnet.comWebsite: http://www.registerguard.com/Related Article:Marijuana More Than Medicinalhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22651.shtml
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Comment #20 posted by publicbulldog on April 03, 2007 at 14:51:47 PT:
Cannacare
Medical Marijuana presents a difficult problem for Federal law enforcement.
12 State 's have legalized medical marijuana to be used.
How does the Federal Government find these Medical marijuana patients?
After All the US Congress would not approve and fund an operation to find all of these people.
This Article uses fact to identify what methods Federal law enforcement is using to enforce federal medical marijuana laws over State medical marijuana laws in State's that have legalized medical marijuana.One way the Federal Government has found it can find Medical marijuana cases is to use multi jurisdictional drug task forces.
multi jurisdictional drug task forces that are paid for mostly by the States that have legalized medical marijuana.
These task forces do not enforce the will of the people,and enable the minority to trump the wishes of the majority by using the excuse that it is still illegally federally,to enforce Federal law over State law.
This breaks half a dozen State laws but the victims usually coerced into a "prejudiced" plea bargain due to the threat of Federal minimum sentence guidelines.
Most people think that it is the Federal government is the one doing the dirty work.
Most people are shocked to find out that almost all of the medical marijuana cases are intiated by local law enforcement in the States that have legalized medical marijuana.
A closer look reveals how the States that have legalized medical marijuana are bribed into breaking their own laws with Federal grants.
These drug free community grants number about a half dozen.The States that have legalized medical marijuana ,like mine,The State of Washington has become dependant on these grants.
The Federal Government bribes the State with Federal grants to comply with Federal laws.
In Washington State for example, CTED or Community Trade and Ecomnomic development
employs thousands of people.
In fact CTED'S very exsistance depends on those Federal grants,so Federal compliance no matter how illegal it is for Washington State to break its own laws to comply with Federal laws,CTED will in fact comply with Federal laws..
10,000 State government service union jobs outweigh the compassion of medical marijuana patients,so broken State laws don't mean a thing as far as CTED is concerned..
Another way for Federal agencies to flush out Medical marijuana patients is with Agents provacatuers.
One such Club Cannacare, helps round up patients by breaking the law ,and keeping Medical records and patient data on site for Law enforcement to confiscate.
This group is a creation of Norml and the mpp(marijuana policy project).
Also elements of the ASA are involved.
The persons leading the Way in this effort is Doug Hiatt and Steve Sarich.
They started out working out a deal with the THC clinic to help round up patients to build a data base of Patients for Federal agencies to round up.
The THC clinic kicked them out,then this group branched out into signing their own authorizations with the help of a Navy Doctor.
Meanwhile Steve Sarich grew 1500 plants while he had a caregiver,nad was predictably caught,and the records of 200 people just happened to be at the scene of the crime.
This was planned.
This was planned since 2005,and excecuted in January of 2007.
This group is laden with ex-military,and federally indicted persons to help prop up this group to achieve Federal agenda's and round up known medical marijuana patients.
I have proof of this as my medical records were seized at Cannacare,when the Multi jurisdictional drug task force predictibly came down on them.
I am writing this article to make medical marijuana patients aware of what they are up against.
I have extensive proof to back up what I have written.
Do not trust an organization that hands out cuttings from the same place that a Doctor signs authorizations,and where your records will be stored.
Your medical information will end up in a Federal data base.
This group does what the Congress does not and will not pay for.
Investigating Medical marijuana patients in States that have legalized medical marijuana.
They help identify Medical marijuana patients so the feds can work from a list.
200 people are already on that list including myself.
Beware stay awy from Doug Hiatt,Stay away from Steve Sarich.
trust me..You can
John Worthington
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Comment #19 posted by afterburner on April 02, 2007 at 22:37:42 PT
Think Love Will
"I think therefore I am." René DescartesI love therefore I share.I will therefore I succeed.
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on April 02, 2007 at 22:15:46 PT
I have no doubt
that our goal will be accomplished. It's just taking so much longer than I ever thought righting an obvious wrong could take.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on April 02, 2007 at 20:45:36 PT
Hope
I feel that there is change in the air. If we all can try to bring some sanity to the people maybe laws will change. We must get to people's hearts before they will listen. I don't believe change comes from politics but from ordinary people like us and many others.
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on April 02, 2007 at 20:37:33 PT
I don't crash in despair so often anymore.
I try to keep a firm grip on the bottom and don't look up. I don't even think up. Just keep going. One foot in front of the other. People are suffering because of the war on cannabis and the war on drugs. 
We have no choice but to stand strong and do whatever we can to help as much as we can. We ARE being heard. It's better than it was ten years ago. It is. Not much. But there was a time people refused to even talk about that the war on drugs might be a bad idea. At least there is some discussion now. That is progress. We haven't arrived. We haven't stopped the hideousness, cruelty, shackling, caging, cursing, mistreatment, unreasonable search and siequre, indignity, and death of the WoDs...but there is progress .... although it looks small in the scheme of things.
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on April 02, 2007 at 20:36:30 PT
whig
You know I was raised Catholic and we had many statues in our church. I didn't understand how we could have statues because of the biblical story about the Golden Calf. The Golden Calf symbolizes to me putting money or possessions or power where it shouldn't be put. 
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Comment #14 posted by whig on April 02, 2007 at 20:28:25 PT
FoM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_calf
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on April 02, 2007 at 20:14:18 PT
Dankhank and Hope
When you think about how our world has been turned upside down since we invaded Iraq it's a miracle that anyone has any fight left. It seems we are fighting for our very survival. Our minds have been abused. We feel like they think that we don't love our country if we disagree with this war. We want to see wisdom in our leaders and what I see is greed. The love of money is the root of all evil. Money won't fix this really twisted time we live in.
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Comment #12 posted by Dankhank on April 02, 2007 at 19:37:51 PT
Toker
good to hear of you ...Many, I included, have had to take a breather ...Be well ...
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on April 02, 2007 at 19:23:40 PT
Comment 10
I'm glad to hear that.Apparently Toker took one in the heart, or something. I'm glad to hear he'll recover.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on April 02, 2007 at 18:48:17 PT
whig
I just talk to Toker00 in an e-mail. He is ok. He will be back soon. 
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Comment #9 posted by publicbulldog on April 02, 2007 at 14:10:48 PT:
Greig's buddy Sarich had a caregiver
And still didnt get busted for growing 1500 plants
Do not get an medical marijuana authorization
from Cannacare.
Your records are not safe.
Steve Sarich had a caregiver and still not get arrested.
Storing records at the same location is not safe .
Your information will be compromised.
He lies like a rug.
He represnts danger. avoid.. beware...
It is a trap
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on April 02, 2007 at 13:55:46 PT
whig
I e-mailed him this morning and haven't heard from him yet.
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Comment #7 posted by whig on April 02, 2007 at 13:51:52 PT
Toke
Has anyone heard from Toker00 lately?
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on April 02, 2007 at 13:24:41 PT
NM: Medical Marijuana Bill Signed Into Law
New Mexico Business Weekly Monday, April 2, 2007Gov. Bill Richardson today signed into law a bill that allows the use of medical marijuana in New Mexico by individuals with certain chronic medical conditions. Senate Bill 523 was sponsored by Sen. Shannon Robinson, D-Albuquerque, and includes HIV/AIDS, cancer, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis as conditions that qualify a patient for medical marijuana use. The bill creates a panel of health care professionals who will supervise the program and states that patients must be under a doctor's care and supervision to qualify. 
 
 
 
The New Mexico Department of Health will establish rules for applications, licensure requirements for medical marijuana producers and production facilities and develop a secure distribution system. Copyright: 2007 American City Business Journals, Inc.http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2007/04/02/daily2.html
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Comment #5 posted by dongenero on April 02, 2007 at 13:17:58 PT
tangent topic
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070402/ap_on_re_us/forbidden_flier;_ylt=AtTjjVZK4e.2ijqnsUogg3IUewgFStudent free speech upheld for religious flyers being handed out at school. This should carry over to bonghits4jesus as well.
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Comment #4 posted by RevRayGreen on April 02, 2007 at 11:41:27 PT
Thanks Bill
now exactly what forms will the state supply ? Bottom
line is I can legally have THC in my system if caught
for posession and had to be subject to a UA. At least
I would have a medical defense.
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Comment #3 posted by fight_4_freedom on April 02, 2007 at 11:40:41 PT:
12 down......
38 to go!:)
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 02, 2007 at 11:20:10 PT
New Mexico: Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Bill 
By Reed UptonApril 2, 2007Governor Bill Richardson on Monday morning signed into law a measure that makes New Mexico the 12h state to allow the use of medical marijuana.The bill requires a doctor’s permission to use marijuana. Patients with debilitating illnesses or in hospice whose doctors recommended them could be certified to use marijuana.The patients could not grow their own. The New Mexico Health Department would be in charge of obtaining and distributing it.Richard son described the measure as a humane piece of legislation that assures sufficient safeguards.“This law will allow much needed relief for New Mexicans suffering from debilitating diseases,” said Richardson. “It is the right thing to do.”The measure creates an eight-person team of health-care professionals with expertise in serious medical conditions to oversee the program.Richardson also signed measures to protect victims of domestic violence. They increase probation time and create a special team to review domestic violence homicides.Copyright: 2007 KOB-TV, LLC 
http://www.kobtv.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=31397&cat=NMTOPSTORIES
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Comment #1 posted by switchback on April 02, 2007 at 10:55:14 PT:
Truth
I hate how marijuana is a called a "gateway drug"; i.e. a gateway to other, progressively harder grugs. Has anyone ever tried to define this? Why doesn't anyone that has taken morphine or vicodin, which are more closely related to opiates, somehow end up doing cocaine or heroin? Illegality is the key here. As a buyer of illegally obtained marijuana, you must purchase your product from a drug dealer. This dealer wont always have marijuana, and will undoubtedly push his wares of harder drugs upon you. If the supply is there, you may just demand. Take away the drug dealer and you take away the "gateway" status of cannabis. Then you would have to go out of your way to acquire harder drugs. Marijuana is so harmless aspirin seems life threatening.
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