cannabisnews.com: Malaga Man Victim of Conflicting Marijuana Laws Malaga Man Victim of Conflicting Marijuana Laws Posted by CN Staff on September 02, 2007 at 19:21:52 PT By Tom Moody, Carlsbad Current-Argus Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus Carlsbad, NM -- A new state law providing for legal use of medical marijuana recently collided head-on with law enforcement efforts to enforce federal drug laws in Eddy County. When Malaga resident and paraplegic Leonard French, 44, received his medical marijuana permit from the New Mexico Department of Health in July, he bought a marijuana growing kit to grow a few plants, thinking he was obeying the law, he said. When the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force showed up at French's door last week to confiscate his marijuana plants and growing lights, they had no knowledge that French even had a permit, said task force Commander David Edmondson. "When we call the Department of Health for a list of permit holders, they say they can't tell us because it comes under doctor-patient privilege," Edmonson said. "But then, after we go into his house, we call them up and they confirm he is on the list. I have no problem with medical marijuana, but this law stinks." The New Mexico Department of Health hands the permit out to the patient, but then leaves them on their own, he said. The patient gets the permit, but then they have to buy the kit illegally, he said. "There is also a significant safety issue at hand for the task force and for the patient," Edmonson said. "It could have been a kick-in-the-door, rush in kind of thing," Edmonson said. "They should tell us up front, so we know who is on the program," he said. French's problems started in 1987, when he was in a motorcycle accident that severed his spine and paralyzed him from the waist down, he said. "For the next 10 years the doctors had me on a combination of valium, baclafin and ditropan," French said. "The baclafin and valium together just drag me down and knock me out. It makes me stay in bed and sleep all the time," he said. The side effects are terrible, French said, and leave him with bladder control problems as well. "In 1997 I had someone recommend marijuana to me and I was like, yeah, right," French said. "But then I tried it and I have been self-medicating since then." There is a huge difference between taking the former medications and using marijuana for medicinal purposes, French said. "Just taking 10 mg of valium keeps hitting me for hours, and I can't regulate it after I take the pill," he said. "If my legs spasm, I can take just a couple of puffs of marijuana and it relaxes them. "I don't have to get stoned, I can regulate it and it works quickly. When I take the other medicine, it takes a while to work, and then it hits you for hours before it starts to wear off," French said. When he was able to get a permit for medical marijuana, French said, it was like a dream come true. "When this permit happened, I was excited about it and about not having to worry anymore about how I bought it," he said. In the past, he had to buy the marijuana he uses out on the street, French said. "When I take the other meds, I have no life," French said. "When I can use the marijuana, my quality of life is so much better. When I got the permit, I thought this is so awesome, making this legal for me. I thought I was covered." French recently bought a marijuana growing system on eBay for $235, he said. "It came with fertilizer, pots, everything delivered," French said. "They said it was about eight weeks before I would be able to harvest it. It was great. I was going to be able to grow my own medicine." French had six plants that were about 1 inch high. They were taken during the task force raid on his house, he said. "When they showed up at my door, I thought it was the state making sure I was within the guidelines they had set up, which I thought I was," French said. So he invited the agents inside. "I didn't even ask if they had a warrant." French said he doesn't have anything against the task force. "I do feel like they went beyond the call of duty to take my medication. It was such a blessing to be able to live a somewhat normal life and have help with all the muscle spasms." In a press release this past week, Gov. Bill Richardson stated, "As long as Mr. French was within the limits of the medical marijuana state law, we urge the DEA not to prosecute him. U.S. attorneys have their hands full with real drug cases and the border, and can't afford to waste taxpayer dollars to prosecute individuals who are critically ill or suffering from debilitating conditions." Edmonson said he expects the Drug Enforcement Agency to press charges against French because he was only allowed to have four plants and he had six. "The law needs to be repaired because it is too vague," Edmonson said. "The governor should have seen this. They should set it up like a pharmacy and have it distributed. I have a problem with people growing their own marijuana without any monitoring." French said he had no idea how the task force even found out he was growing his own plants. Edmonson said the task force received an anonymous tip. "I don't know if they will charge me or not," French said. "It's a quality-of-life issue for me. My quality of life is not worth living, if all I have to look forward to is laying around in bed for the rest of my life." Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus (NM)Author: Tom Moody, Carlsbad Current-Argus Published: September 1, 2007Copyright: 2007 Carlsbad Current-ArgusContact: editor currentargus.comWebsite: http://www.currentargus.com/Related Articles: MMJ: Battle Brewing Over State Pot Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23299.shtmlMMJ: Drug Bust Sparks Questions Over Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23293.shtmlMulti-Agency Drug Task Force Wastes Money http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23292.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #49 posted by Toker00 on September 05, 2007 at 19:13:23 PT whig Yeah, thanks for that. I haven't been drunk in twelve years or more. Cannabis works for me. I made an error of judgement by using alcohol to treat my depression. My medicine is corrected and I can self medicate with safety and relief now...except for the obvious risk of DEAth.I am very familiar with the Kudzu that grows here in the South, but I didn't know it could be medicinal. Excellent.Thank you, Creator, for cannabis.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #48 posted by FoM on September 05, 2007 at 18:39:21 PT One More Thing It seems to be only about Gays, Guns, Abortion and Immigration. What about universal health care? [ Post Comment ] Comment #47 posted by FoM on September 05, 2007 at 18:37:15 PT Republican Debate I didn't know they were having a debate until I checked google and saw an article so we turned it on. Law and order is what they seem to want above all things. They are really scary to me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #46 posted by whig on September 05, 2007 at 18:27:52 PT Kudzu I understand it's plentiful all over the south these days, turns out it's another creation tree, or paradise tree, perhaps. If it's not too toxified by all the herbicidal chemicals the farmers and governments have been spraying it with, it's likely to be medicinally beneficial and a good food source. [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by whig on September 05, 2007 at 18:15:53 PT Toker00 May I make an herbal recommendation?Kudzu may help with alcohol dependence.Here's an article I just found using Google.http://www.bastyrcenter.org/content/view/978&page=3 [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by Toker00 on September 05, 2007 at 17:51:59 PT FoM Oh yeah. Not a problem. I know what to do with this dog. It's been mine since my Teens. Using cannabis as a rehabilitary substance also makes it possible for me to fight off these bouts, with whatever you want to call it, even when Cannabis isn't available, which is so rare near the "Border" (border, what border?) with Mexico. Or Canada. Or California. Or Tennessee. Come to think of it, it is rarely Unavailable if you live near ANY border.Don't worry now, Hope. The time to worry is passed. During the height of my Alcohol addiction was when there were PACKS of these black dogs. I've made many strides and much headway in dealing with them. But I would be DEAD if Cannabis had not been so available ALL THESE YEARS! And they are Prohibiting WHAT!?! Good Health?!?I would like to thank my good friend JustGetnBy for his comment to whig and myself. It was your comment that made me remember there all many others watching and reading what we post here. We are leaving a Living Legacy to the Power of Cannabis to Unite, Heal and Enlighten. Those who liken us to idiots and worse simply can't recognize that we are THEM, only we are IMPROVED and IMPROVING, not DIEING and DEGRESSING in our Souls like those who refuse to accept Truth in their lives. Lie clingers will be done away with in our Universal Unity of Humanity and Creation.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by Toker00 on September 05, 2007 at 17:32:33 PT Hope Maybe the Black Dog was a bit too much. I believe that is what Teddy Roosevelt called his depression and I borrowed that because when you are there, it's hard to describe it without over or understating it. The Black Dog description matched what I would call it. It's not like a Migraine headache or anything. It's Spiritual. I think it comes from knowing what right and wrong are but not seeing enough people choosing the right path, including myself. I want to improve this world so that our future biological bodies won't be so stressed out like all of us are today. We must build this physical world to accommodate the physical bodies that our souls infinitely re-inter into, lifetime after lifetime, on our souls journey TO "God" or at least for me, my journey to strive to UNDERSTAND "God" or the "Creator". War screws our world and our bodies to Hell. We live in what we co-create with "God". A few profiting on what belongs to all of us cannot be tolerated any longer. Our Spirits MUST have a healthy Earth, capable of supporting Healthy bodies, to Return to. The Elite may have figured out how to re-inter the Genetic lineages of the "Controllers" of Man. We were warned about men who would cause the Creation great suffering and a need for the Creation to be, well, Re-Created. We are the Spirits who will usher in this Re-Creation. It is up to us to Re-Create this World into the New World spoken of in many philosophies and religions of the past. We are IT folks, it is up to US. It will not be a New World Order, it will be a Universal Union of Humanity with the Spirit of Creation. Now if that did not make a bit of sense to you, wait until I write about my new philosophy, Tokerology: Understanding how to Understand the Creator's Creation. Or: What the F*ck Were We Thinking!?! Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by FoM on September 05, 2007 at 13:08:15 PT Hope I like to pay attention to the weather and you sure have had a wet summer. I hope it eases up for you soon. [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by Hope on September 05, 2007 at 12:32:30 PT Rain Dark and dreary. Muddy. The way the land is around here there may be flooding a few miles away, but not right in this spot, right now. No bad electrical activity. I'm grateful for that. It's been a really dark, stormy, wet, and "shady" summer, for the most part. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by FoM on September 05, 2007 at 11:36:54 PT Hope You and I are on the same wavelength. That is really great. I was looking at weather in your area and I hope you aren't having problems since it looks like there is a lot of flooding down your way. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by FoM on September 05, 2007 at 11:29:52 PT Toker00 I know you are talking to Whig but since we all can read what each other says I want to say something to you. The dark dog doesn't necessarily need to come back. When I was taking prescription medicine and drinking beer I had terrible times of being up and down. By eliminating these substances from our life in time we can level out. If you aren't drinking or taking medicine some food can cause problems too. Make sure you are eating good healthy food and get adequate rest and let your mind when it wanders let it wander to good things. Block the negative thought and switch to a positive thought until you move into the positive way of looking at life. That's how I found peace and more stability in my mood. Remember we love you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by Hope on September 05, 2007 at 11:26:02 PT Hang in there, Toker00 Your description of serious depression as a "Black dog" is quite effective at letting us know what you are fighting.It reminded me of watching that "Black dog" that night in my daughter's back yard. Silently running the fence watching and stalking her neighbor's every move.Probably one of the best things I ever gained from cannabis use and experimentation is how very powerful thoughts and emotions are and that I really can do more to control my thoughts and mind than I had previously thought I could. A lot more. It didn't make me be able to do that. It did allow me the serenity of a moment to be able to see that I had more power to do so than I thought I did. You can say, "No", to crippling thoughts and you can learn to make them "back off". Sometimes it helps to say "No" out loud when you find those thoughts prowling into your conscious mind. That realization stayed with me. Just like learning anything can stay with you.Knowing that can help you get a "collar and leash" on that "Dog" and have greater control of just how much devastation it can cause, can mean so much. Knowing that can help you take that "Dog" apart and see what it's really made of.A touch of cannabis doesn't kill or sedate the "Black Dog"... but it let's you see you have more power to deal with the "beast" you find yourself living with, than you may have previously thought. You can see it for what it is, and teach it to "heel". You learn what emotional feelings and thoughts are it's food...and you learn to starve the thing.Something like that. It's hard to describe "invisible" things...feelings, emotions, and thoughts. But comparing it to dealing with a vicious and devastating and very black "spiritual" dog type is an excellent effort.And to people who wish to label and mock such efforts and disparage his battle, or anyone else's in a similar situation with depression: No. He doesn't actually see a black dog anywhere. He's not having hallucinations. It's an apt description of the "feeling" he has. I once described a feeling I was having...anxiety... as the same feeling I had when I actually saw rats leaving a barrel of garbage. The "Helpful" person I was talking to immediately surmised I was having an hallucination about rats in garbage. A child of mine once called me to his bedroom one night. He said he was having a bad feeling. He said, "You know like that feeling you get when they play that scary music in a movie right before something bad is going to happen?"Yes, I knew. We talked it out and he felt better. We talked about anxiety and what it is and isn't and how to best deal with it. Yet there are those who would have made a "business" out of assuming that the child was hallucinating scary music. I can't tell you how despicable I think that kind of "helping" mindset is.It's so hard dealing with people who insist on remaining "stupid" and aren't really trying to see at all...but are instead playing some sort of idiotic "Gotcha" game.I can understand, Toker00 that cannabis helps you fight depression better than a lot of tissue searing drugs can. Cannabis is not an horrific cell numbing chemical. It's a tea type thing. A nourishment and needed "balm" for some. It's powerful, but it's not brutal. It's not for everyone. But for God's sake...stop brutalizing those who do like it or feel they get benefit from it.What is the good purpose of cannabis prohibition? Why do prohibitionist insist on harming those who wish to use it?I'm ready to understand if you prohibitionists have something understandable to say. Say something that's not a lie. Cannabis prohibition is not to "save" any "children". That's a lie. Tell me something true and sensible.You can start with, "I just hate the look on a person's face that is stoned." "They look so snide, and content, and lazy. I just hate that. I just hate "that smile"... so it ought to be against the law." [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by Toker00 on September 05, 2007 at 03:35:58 PT whig Not a prob whig. I recognized that. The problem I have is depression. When the black dog comes, he doesn't warn. Things you say can be fine with me one moment and an attack the next. It's not you. It's me. My dog stays about two weeks each time and it ranges from the blues to suicidal. I'm just being honest. Alcohol feeds the dog. Cannabis calms the dog and eventually chases him away. Alcohol was killing me, Cannabis gave me life. What is wrong with that? My Government thinks I should just be consumed by the Death dog. The Creator gave me Cannabis and told me to Live. Which choice would you guys make? Oh, I forgot. Some of you guys chose Life, too.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by whig on September 04, 2007 at 17:54:47 PT Toker00 You know I have a brief style of writing. It's not meant to cut my friends, of which I consider you one. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by FoM on September 04, 2007 at 16:44:42 PT Toker00 I'm glad you and whig are working this out. You know I appreciate the both of you and so do others here. I wanted to comment on Congress not doing what they said they'd do.The Republicans and Bush said nope nope nope. They need more Democrats in power and then they could get change accomplished. They gave it their best shot for a long time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by Toker00 on September 04, 2007 at 16:33:36 PT whig Yessiree. I totally agree. Richardson isn't any more superhuman than the next politician, so I really can't fault him for not risking political suicide by going too far with his support for cannabis. And wouldn't it be a hoot if the Dems said they support ending the Federal raids on medical users but are not for rescheduling, then when Kucinich and Richardson are appointed to their positions in a new Democratic Administration, (since it is unlikely either will be President) they IMMEDIATELY order the HHS to reschedule cannabis with or without the DEA's approval? And with Edwards as AG, they turn the DEA into what it is supposed to be, after drug law reform, A Drug "LAW" enforcement agency and not a Drug "LIE" enforcement agency? The Dems have the power to make the changes we are demanding. Whether they will do any different than the New Dem majority Congress has done with ending the Iraq war, the only reason they were elected to Congress in 2006, is to be seen...they've certainly been fumbling the ball with that...Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by FoM on September 04, 2007 at 12:21:24 PT Just a Comment When I have seen the Democrats in a debate I like them all except Senator Clinton. (I will vote for her if she gets the nomination though) If she wasn't running it would be hard to pick who would be better but for me I want anyone that can beat her to beat her. I think she is from too much of the same thing and is more a Republican and I want someone with different ideas and values to win. I am still a registered Independent but I would register as a Democrat if I must. I try to look at the big picture and not concentrate too much on the qualities or faults of each candidate. They aren't perfect anymore then we are perfect. I want to go in the direction that the Democrats think though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by whig on September 04, 2007 at 08:52:30 PT Toker00 I think Dennis Kucinich is also a good man and I would be very happy if he would be able to be elected.I'm not saying who to vote for or not, but even if Bill Richardson weren't running for president he's done a lot for New Mexico and I couldn't expect him to do more than he thinks he can. It was brave of him to stand up and say "arrest me" if the government is going to arrest medical patients.Dennis Kucinich is also a brave man and deserves our respect and support. We can't vote for more than one person, but I can certainly endorse both of them. Why not?I hope they will both be part of whatever the next administration is. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by Hope on September 04, 2007 at 05:22:26 PT :0) My friends!We are a fortified front ... again. I guess this means, once again, that we'll all "Hang together"...instead of "Separately". Or maybe... together, we can detain the hangman!A good beginning for this week.Thank you. Thank you for sound minds and good hearts, and being men and women of reason, and having "Love" for one another.1 Corinthians, 13If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing....(There's more.) [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by Toker00 on September 04, 2007 at 04:59:55 PT Why Kucinich? Because not only will he change Cannabis laws and Drug Laws in general, he has also filed Impeachment papers against the Criminals that wage this War on the People. He has voted against current Wars. But that's just MHO about ONE candidate. Not my decision to vote for him. Unless the election were today and he were ELECTABLE. There. :p :)Peace.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Toker00 on September 04, 2007 at 04:50:36 PT Oh, Ok, whig Because I don't hate you either. FoM will verify that from my e-mail. I think you are an asset to this forum and the local community you live in. I don't want to take away from anyone doing something positive for Cannabis. To not commit, this early, to what I only use the word half-stepper as a descriptive, not an insult, is my decision. Kucinich would go even farther if he were electable. That is what I will work for. To help make Kucinich or someone else who goes a bit further than the status quo, electable. Then I will decide who to vote for. Richardson isn't the first to defend Medical Cannabis. But, the war it rages, and he is now in the spot light. A pioneer for Freedom would take that extra step like Carter and Kucinich. We share. We influence. And, occasionally, we bump into each other, and even ourselves. That is where the word "Movement" comes from, I believe. We need it all. I need to get tapped up against the head like everyone else. But remember, so do you. lol.I love you all, and thanks for supporting BOTH of us!Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by afterburner on September 03, 2007 at 21:54:15 PT Toker00 & whig Cannabis for medicine, spiritual growth and safer recreation. "We must hang together, or we will all hang separately." -Benjamin Franklin. We have all learned from each other, benefited from each other. Let us not let our diverse interests and strong opinions tear us apart. We need each other, even if it is like "herding cats."Peace out. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by whig on September 03, 2007 at 21:04:21 PT Bill Richardson This man has done more for our movement within the establishment than anyone else I can think of.You don't like the establishment? Good. It sucks rocks.But it exists, and if someone is standing up to injustice, even within its very walls, that person is our hero. That's my opinion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by whig on September 03, 2007 at 21:01:53 PT Toker00 I do not want you to leave this forum and it is not my forum anyhow. It is FoM's and I think she wants you here very much.I defend our heroes because we have so damn few. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by whig on September 03, 2007 at 21:00:16 PT Toker00 I do not hate you.I absolutely positively do not. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by JustGetnBy on September 03, 2007 at 15:23:36 PT Toke & Whig Love ya both man, you are both passionate people. I enjoy and benefit from both of your comments. peace from NorCal [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by dongenero on September 03, 2007 at 14:24:56 PT 4 plants! The poor guy had 6 little seedlings for crying our loud!Odds are 50% would be females and once they show flowers he would be down to 3 viable, medicine producing female plants. The odds will not always play out that way. He could have 5 males and 1 female or even end up with 6 males. Others could wither along the way, from human error, pests or over watering.If he wants to be sure to yield a 3 month supply (necessary for the following grow cycle), he needs to set himself a margin for error. Even so, look at the following numbers:.....Irv Rosenfeld gets .75 lbs per month from the Federal government. That is 2.25lbs for 3 months (cannabis growth cycle). Mr French's little indoor grow could maybe net 1-2 ounces per plant every 3 months. That's 6-12 ounces every 3 months IF...he grows 6 plants.....6 female plants.This is a fraction of what the Federal Government sends out to participants in the Federal Compassionate Use Program over 3 months.I cannot understand how the people setting these limits are so clueless! They must give it absolutely no thought. Or are they just extremely stupid? Put on the thinking caps legislators and council people! And they talk as though cannabis users are mentally challenged and unmotivated! [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 14:02:31 PT Something.... One of the best things about the cyber connections here...is that we seldom shriek at each other. Shrieking at those you are aligned with causes unnecessary division. Stand by who you're supposed to stand by. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 13:58:17 PT "Don't allow yourself to be"? Work on it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 13:57:09 PT Toker00 Be tough. It's just "bee stings".Hurt...but not likely to kill you...unless you are hyper sensitive.Hyper-sensitive is not always good, if it ever is.Don't be hyper-sensitive. Don't allow yourself to be.Same to you, Whig. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 13:54:01 PT Mr. Whig It's my opinion that some opinions are better left unshared. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by RevRayGreen on September 03, 2007 at 13:34:35 PT Lighten Up Francis............ [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Toker00 on September 03, 2007 at 11:04:20 PT Ok whig. Your hatred for me shines with no doubt. You can have your forum back. I'll be leaving after this post. My point was that NO ONE should be arrested for Cannabis possession, sick or not. No one.My creation? I ask NO one to be arrested for the sake of my creation. Where did you get that? I suggest you stick it back up there.What does he have to do to satisfy me? Set himself on fire? Want to stick that one back up there to? I'm looking for someone to go the distance for All of us. Do I think there will be a presidential candidate that will? Probably not but I'm not committing to someone right now, regardless whether they legalize medically, who is only going half way. Not that you deserved that explanation, but you got it.Obviously I am no longer needed or welcome here, so, to those who think otherwise, I'll be reading. My opinions will be kept to myself until I find another compatible forum, or this one returns to a friendly place for Cannabis Legalization.There are protests to prepare for anyway. I'm making a protest music video. I will apologize for any unintended offense. Legalizers don't like jail any better than Patients.See ya.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Hope on September 03, 2007 at 10:19:02 PT "Making Mountains out of Molehills" That's what the War on Drugs does.And the "Mountains" they make our of those little molehills aren't just mountains. They make raging, lava spewing, deadly volcanic mountains out of molehills. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by RevRayGreen on September 03, 2007 at 08:49:06 PT Never will I buy anykind of grow-kit off the internet. The state should provide kits to those like Mr. French, then again the state records could be another DEA way to bust patients. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by whig on September 03, 2007 at 08:13:12 PT Toker00 In my opinion, if you think someone needs to be arrested for the sake of your recreation, you should go ahead and demonstrate in a way to get arrested yourself.Personally I don't want to be arrested but if I was I would invoke a first amendment defense, because it is a religious thing for me too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by whig on September 03, 2007 at 08:03:17 PT Toker00 "He's gaining trust, but is it earned trust? He's still protecting the Corporations over the People. He is speaking out of Both Sides of his Mouth."What does he have to do to satisfy you? Set himself on fire? [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Toker00 on September 03, 2007 at 07:45:00 PT He's gaining our trust but losing his argument... "You want to arrest somebody. Arrest me," said Richardson to cheers and applause."I am not for decriminalizing drugs," said Richardson, who said illegal drug use is a national problem better solved with more emphasis on education and rehabilitation as WELL as the enforcement of DRUG LAWS.Now if he will invite arrest in defense of Sick people, will he also do that for Healthy people? Because it's time for Someone to. If it shouldn't be a crime for Sick people to use it, why should it a crime for Anyone to use it? Wouldn't the Sick be the LEAST likely candidates for experimentation medically? So if it is Safe for Sick people, why isn't it Safe for Healthy people? It's Safer than Alcohol. It's even Safer than Aspirin. If Sick and Healthy people are equally allowed to have access to these "Dangerous" drugs, then why can't we have access to an Herb that is Safer for both the Sick and the Healthy?!? Wouldn't that be guaranteeing the welfare of ALL of us?He's gaining trust, but is it earned trust? He's still protecting the Corporations over the People. He is speaking out of Both Sides of his Mouth.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by charmed quark on September 03, 2007 at 07:41:20 PT Edmonson wrong on law The law allows 4 MATURE plants plus 3 seedlings. French had 6 seedlings, so he was under the limit."There is also a significant safety issue at hand for the task force and for the patient," Edmonson said. "It could have been a kick-in-the-door, rush in kind of thing," Edmonson said. He should be asking himself why they use such violent tactics against people growing some herbs in their house. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on September 03, 2007 at 07:17:21 PT Governor Richardson Comment About MMJ September 3, 2007Excerpt: Fielding questions for better than an hour, Richardson spoke to a wide variety of topics — from his Hispanic heritage to his condemnation of the Bush Administration for ordering federal authorities to arrest a terminally-ill cancer patient in New Mexico for possessing medical marijuana."You want to arrest somebody. Arrest me," said Richardson to cheers and applause. Last winter Richardson signed a bill allowing limited use of medical marijuana for pain relief for the terminally ill."I am not for decriminalizing drugs," said Richardson, who said illegal drug use is a national problem better solved with more emphasis on education and rehabilitation as well as the enforcement of drug laws.http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070903/CITIZEN_01/709030016/-1/CITIZEN [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by OverwhelmSam on September 03, 2007 at 07:14:41 PT We Need More Humane Cops Down and out? Hard to find a job? Quit smoking pot for a few months and join the ranks of the police force. We need more liberal police officers. The murderous criminals who usually gravitate toward this type of work are ruining it for everybody. Report the haters for corruption when you catch them to internal affairs and clean up the force. Use your discretion to let people with pot go on about their business. Work your way to the top and set marijuana policy. You don't even need much training to be a deputy sheriff. We can turn law enforcement around, one recruit at a time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by aolbites on September 03, 2007 at 03:19:09 PT hmm "The department announced earlier this week that it would not implement the law's provisions for the department to oversee the production and distribution of marijuana to eligible patients. That decision came after Attorney General Gary King warned that the department and its employees could face federal prosecution for carrying out the law, which took effect in July."VS:"The law needs to be repaired because it is too vague," Edmonson said. "The governor should have seen this. They should set it up like a pharmacy and have it distributed. I have a problem with people growing their own marijuana without any monitoring."so whats it gonna be, cops? geez. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by greenmed on September 03, 2007 at 01:00:34 PT anonymous tip French recently bought a marijuana growing system on eBay for $235, he said."It came with fertilizer, pots, everything delivered," French said. "They said it was about eight weeks before I would be able to harvest it. It was great. I was going to be able to grow my own medicine." An anonymous tip after ordering a "marijuana growing system" with advice concerning flowering time... from eBay, which advertises across state borders? Something smells fishy, and it isn't the fertilizer.Mr. French, acting in good faith in New Mexico state law, may be the victim of a not-so-new DEA sting op. Legitimate and trusting Cannabis grow licensees would be the natural prey of this kind of scheme.Shame on the DEA, if this is happening. Shame on the DEA and especially the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force for subverting the will of the People and state law.I hope that I'm wrong, for if not, it would signal a new low. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by afterburner on September 02, 2007 at 22:14:02 PT What the Hey! "The law needs to be repaired because it is too vague," Edmonson said. "The governor should have seen this. They should set it up like a pharmacy and have it distributed. I have a problem with people growing their own marijuana without any monitoring." Does this cop have stock in pharmaceutical companies? [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Hope on September 02, 2007 at 21:09:29 PT "So he invited the agents inside." That's so sad."I thought it was the state making sure I was within the guidelines they had set up, which I thought I was,...". They were dressed in normal law enforcement uniforms? No armor? No helmets? No masks? No screamed threats and yelling? No drawn weapons?Not even a diversionary bomb crashed through a window?As far as "How they knew"...the E-Bay sale was very probably a sting.Wonder how many showed up for the "surprise" visit/raid? [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Hope on September 02, 2007 at 21:00:33 PT "kick-in-the-door, rush in kind of thing" Could have been?Just a rush of troops? They knocked on the door?Is this a new trend?No body even had to get on the floor or be cuffed to anything?No body yelled?No body pointed a weapon at anyone?What kind of "Raid" was that? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Hope on September 02, 2007 at 20:56:29 PT "six plants that were about 1 inch high" Go! Go! Go! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Hope on September 02, 2007 at 20:55:30 PT "....four plants and he had six. Call the Law!Call all of them!Call a lot of them.Make sure they come prepared for WAR!Four plants instead of six!Mobilize the troops! "Intelligence" says he has six plants instead of the four he's allowed!Mobilize!Attack! Go! Go! Go! Go!Six plants! Six plants instead of four!Go! Go! Go! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Dr Ganj on September 02, 2007 at 20:36:25 PT Four, Not Six! "Edmonson said he expects the Drug Enforcement Agency to press charges against French because he was only allowed to have four plants and he had six. " Oh no! Not six plants! Send him to prison for life! Those two extra plants are a flagrant violation, and he should be publicly flogged, beaten, and thrown in the hole for at least six months, and then he can finish out his appropriate life sentence. We need to control paraplegics, and their depraved desires to ingest medicinal herbs. We must address this outrage! Jail 'em all, I say! Cannabis is the Devil's work, and growing six plants is shocking, and it must be met with swift justice.If you are a paraplegic using marihuana-beware, the government will arrest you! There will be no leniency! http://www.drugfreeworld.org/ [ Post Comment ] Post Comment