cannabisnews.com: Boulder DA: Enforcing Pot Laws is Lowest Priority
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Boulder DA: Enforcing Pot Laws is Lowest Priority
Posted by CN Staff on September 30, 2009 at 04:22:06 PT
By Erica Meltzer, Camera Staff Writer
Source: Daily Camera
Boulder, Colo. -- Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett said Tuesday that the state's medical marijuana laws desperately need more clarity, and he's not interested in prosecuting cases that fall in the gray areas between legalization and prohibition of the drug. Enforcing marijuana laws is his office's lowest priority, Garnett told the Boulder County commissioners. "I want to spend as little of my office's resources as possible prosecuting marijuana cases," he said. "I want to be practical and helpful to the medical marijuana community. I also want to be realistic about what the law is."
The commissioners asked Garnett to address the enforcement around medical marijuana after Superior and Broomfield moved to ban medical marijuana dispensaries and comments Garnett made questioning whether dispensaries are legal caused on uproar within the medical marijuana community. In response to the controversy, a group of dispensary owners will meet Wednesday in Longmont to discuss forming a trade association to self-regulate the industry. They hope to forestall harsher regulations at the state or local level. Mark Rose, owner of Grateful Meds in Nederland, said in a phone interview that dispensary owners need to be mindful of their impact on the community and remember that not everyone is comfortable with marijuana use. "The people and the voters of Colorado have given us a great opportunity to do something really great for people," he said. "What really gets me is the people pushing the limits and putting a stick in the eye of the people who didn't vote for this. If you push it too far, the backlash is going to be way worse than what we have now." In Longmont, a grower tried to lease warehouse space across from a middle school, but the landlord backed out in the face of public outcry, Garnett said. Some people want to see commercial growing operations that supply dispensaries. He heard of another dispensary owner who wanted to put in Fussball tables, a non-medical touch for a supposedly medical dispensary. Garnett said there should be regulations around these issues, similar to the way liquor stores and bars are regulated. But as the law stands, he said, it's not clear whether dispensaries are even allowed by the state constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana. That amendment allows "caregivers" to possess marijuana to give to patients. Garnett said he is convinced by arguments in favor of dispensaries and understands the logic of allowing commercial growing operations to supply them. He also thinks there are strong arguments the state constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana does not allow for dispensaries. He does not believe the law allows for commercial growing operations. Garnett said without either self-regulation or state intervention, more towns may try to ban dispensaries, while others will use zoning to severely limit where they can operate. Garnett said the Legislature should provide more clarity; his job is to decide which cases to prosecute. "Trials should be about the facts, not the law," he said. "Cases should not be prosecuted when there is real doubt about what the law is." Source: Daily Camera (Boulder, CO)Author: Erica Meltzer, Camera Staff WriterPublished: September 29, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Daily CameraWebsite: http://www.dailycamera.com/Contact: openforum dailycamera.comURL: http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_13450163CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on September 30, 2009 at 17:38:30 PT
Iowa: Senior Group Votes for Medical Marijuana
September 30, 2009 DES MOINES (KWWL) - The Older Iowans Legislature meet in Des Moines once a year to discuss different issues and vote on their importance. Tuesday they voted 27-21 in favor of approving medical marijuana. Nancy Nichols of West Des Moines said, "We don't want marijuana. We want marijuana to be used by doctors in cases where opiates and other things do not relieve a person's pain."The Older Iowans Legislature will pass their ideas on to lawmakers.URL: http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?S=11233052
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Comment #16 posted by FiddleMan on September 30, 2009 at 14:42:33 PT
Museman
“There are enough who are victimized, trodden on, and beaten to the point they cannot rise, but those of us who can surely must.“I will! Thanks again for lifting my spirits!Legalize Cannabis Now!
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Comment #15 posted by museman on September 30, 2009 at 13:00:48 PT
Fiddleman
That is an important and valid observation.Fear is the root by which the powers and principalities grab hold of our hearts and souls and force us into so many unnatural places, attitudes, and actions. But to that I respond with a probable familiar phrase to some;"Fear is the little death. Fear is the mind killer."I submit, that acknowleging the very real danger represented by thugs with guns and their greedy masters forcing their way in the world, is wisdom, but not a prerequisite to fear.My own personal hero stated, in reference to the struggle of liberty and consciousness, and the very real war against that same liberty and consciousness; "Be as wise as serpents, but harmless as doves."Which I take to mean, particularly in instances such as personal liberties, that we must be wise in our dealings with those who would harm us, careful not to cause harm ourselves, but to not stop our motion or endeavors because of the fear of them.One does not flaunt their liberty in the face of a Police State -except in the ways it is allowable, like 'free speech' we take our liberty -like we always have, away from prying eyes. But now after a lifetime of being outlawed because of my choice to use one plant, the opportunity to affect change through changing awareness is here. The tide, for the moment, has turned. The 'war' has faltered, and the perscuting states are all scrambling to accomodate the changing consciousness -and they of course will not catch up- so it is time for those who can, to gird themselves with the fortitude of knowing the truth, what is truly ethical, right, and just, and go out there and press the issue onto the opposition for a change, 'take the battle to the enemy' which, 'Yay! Hoorah!is beginning to happen.Ok so I may have been overinclusive in the 'sold out, share the misery' statement, but Unfortunately I believe it still does apply on a lot of social levels, and though those particular strata of society have as much right to their erroneous beliefs in a failed and failing system, as not, they don't have the right, in a society that supposedly includes all the strata into their blanket 'standards' of 'legality,' 'personal and material worth,' 'rights,' and 'privileges,' to impose their standards upon anyone else whose standards are different.They may be able to impose their power in many ways. But the truth is we outnumber them at an incredible ratio. Why do you think there are laws to begin with? Funny how its always -up til now, been the same creed, and ilk of people making the rules?Awareness, and consciousness is beyond their control, no matter what they try. Its so far out of the bag now they'd have to nuke everything down to cockroaches to get back their absolute power they have enjoyed for all of history and beyond. Truth, and the stating of the truth (not statistical 'publications' citing this 'research' or this 'finding') cannot be stopped.It can be mocked, derided, outlawed, persecuted, and called things like 'terrorism' and 'antipatriotism' and even treason, but the truth will not be stopped.As a follower of the truth, even with all my efforts to be wise, harmless, and not be rended by the swine who eat my pearls and try to grind them and me up in their swiney teeth,.. shit happens, and we all make mistakes. But even when I stood there in front of those pretentious 'judges' who presumed my guilt without plea or cause, I stood there unafraid, because I know as a warrior, and once a soldier, that fear is the last thing you want in your moment when dealing with potential threats.And sometimes you just gotta take a hit. Can't expect any victories in a war without casualties.There are enough who are victimized, trodden on, and beaten to the point they cannot rise, but those of us who can surely must. Cautiously, aware, but never fearful.REPEAL PROHIBITION
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Comment #14 posted by FiddleMan on September 30, 2009 at 12:07:30 PT:
Fear of our Police State!
Thanks Museman, I think that I needed a “pep talk”!"Some people are resigned to give up their rights at the first sign of resistance, and say things like "You can't beat city hall." and "The law always wins." They say to us who labor sincerely for true and lasting liberty; "Take what you can get, 'cause you'll never be really free."
They believe in the status quo more than themselves or the truth, and it is they who are the stumbling block within our striving community.
They are the ones telling us to accept our fate, bend over and take it, because they sold out, and want the company."I disagree about "sold out, and want the company" though... FEAR is most often the reason people begin to believe these things!
Many of us are completely terrified of the horrible things that will happen to our families and ourselves if we try to be free!
Many are so afraid that our Police State will totally crush us, destroying our family, incarcerating us and possibly even killing us.I try to be politically active as far as blogging, verbally spreading the word, and signing petitions, but I can no longer use the very medicine that would help my Anxiety & Depression as the fear that our Police State will return to “finish me off” would aggravate my anxieties. I tried several pharmaceutical poisons, but it is very obvious that they do not work for me (not to mention how afraid I am to take “medicines” that have side-effects such as “Addiction” and “Risk of Death”). It also seems to me that even if these pharmaceuticals did “round off my highs & lows” that they would only handle my physical symptoms – my Knowledge that the Police State will always be there ready to destroy my life (and my family) if I choose the proper medicine defeats any benefit that may have otherwise occurred. My Anxiety & Depression is rooted in the knowledge that I am not a free man and that I live in a Police State! Yes, I am terrified! I am very, very afraid!I try to be brave, but the Police State uses Guns, Tasers, Clubs, Door Rams, etc. ANY sign of opposition to them (even simple verbal opposition or running away from them in fear) can get you killed!  Our Police State also has nearly unlimited financial resources in court as they use your tax dollars against you while you must pay your own way. Fighting for our personal rights and freedom in court is limited to the rich.Cannabis does not induce paranoia. Cannabis does induce heighted awareness. Heighted awareness of our lack of freedom and of our Police State induces paranoia.Once you have been forced by the State to “bend over and take it”, FEAR really sets in! Believe me, it is not a pleasant experience!Yes, I WILL keep blogging, signing petitions and talking to people, and maybe – just maybe – one day I will be allowed to be happy again.Legalize Cannabis Now!
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on September 30, 2009 at 11:59:14 PT
NJ: Medical Marijuana Bill Gains Momentum
By Nyier Abdou, The Star-LedgerSeptember 30, 2009URL: http://www.nj.com/insidejersey/index.ssf/2009/09/post_3.html
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Comment #12 posted by Sam Adams on September 30, 2009 at 10:23:42 PT
prohibitionists
they don't need to "learn" anything, they know exactly what they're doing. It's all about oppression. None of this is new. For centuries the Christian Church has vigorously attacked the use of psychoactive plants, for medical and spiritual use, all around the world. Only alcohol (the Romans favorite drug, btw) is allowed as sacrament. The paper & pulp industry, Big Pharma, chemicals & plastics, criminal justice, they're all just following in Emperor Constantine's footprints.  Wipe out the competition! Spiritual, industrial, it doesn't matter, just crush them so you get benefit and get the big McMansion on the coast
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on September 30, 2009 at 09:45:59 PT
The Mainstream Media's 5 Favorite Marijuana Myths
http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/opiniion-the-mainstream-media-s-5-favorite-marijuana-myths
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on September 30, 2009 at 09:43:11 PT
comparing cannabis and alcohol
The Prohibitionists need to get a clue that the effects of alochol consumption and cannabis consumption are very different. Very, very different.
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Comment #9 posted by museman on September 30, 2009 at 09:03:01 PT
once more for the thirsty horses;
Alcohol is a solvent, toxin, and poison, the 'high' one gets is from dying brain cells.If someone wants to get-off by killing their brain, more power to them, but please stop comparing the wonderful herb with that obnoxious chemical that turns people into monsters and is the favorite drug of thugs with badges and guns.What is so hard to understand! I am completely baffled.
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Comment #8 posted by museman on September 30, 2009 at 08:57:53 PT
wait a minute!
That guy in the picture looking at the bags of pot isn't a 'young man' a 'hippy' or gangsta - he looks like my grandfather! (when he was alive)But those young guys surely looked suspicious with their obvious middle-eastern heritage and beards -must be terrorists. Ya that's it, call 911, get the heroes.But seriously I can hardly wait til these anti people become archived, like GW. What a relief it will be to not have to see their fat, alcohol-bloated faces and hear their arrogant loserness every damn day.Some people are resigned to give up their rights at the first sign of resistance, and say things like "You can't beat city hall." and "The law always wins." They say to us who labor sincerely for true and lasting liberty; "Take what you can get, 'cause you'll never be really free."They believe in the status quo more than themselves or the truth, and it is they who are the stumbling block within our striving community.They are the ones telling us to accept our fate, bend over and take it, because they sold out, and want the company.Well, fie on them.I'll have my liberty even if I'm still an outlaw in the process, I'd rather be a free outlaw than an american slave, any day. So those lazy so-and-so's (lazy because they don't want o do the labor of getting real liberty) who are telling us that we can't have 'unrestricted freedom' or 'total freedom' -which as far as I know is what real freedom actually is- can have their police state and Big Brother, some of us will be free regardless.You can drop a dime on me and try to prove the sanctity of your fake morality and authority in your 'courts' of 'law', but in those where truth still exists I will win. -its been tried.If I wanted to, I could be quite happy with the local conditions. I could grow my pot, have my pot, smoke my pot, share my pot, and carry it around. That, as far as a 'compromise' is concerned is one I personally could live with. But its not real. Its not liberty, its still capitulating to the status quo, and my spirit will not abide. Its still like signing a confession to a crime i did not commit. Its saying to the world, "Yes, they are right, cannabis is a dangerous substance, and should be used by only certain people -designated by the minions and officers of the economic empire."Ah well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. I guess the good news is that stupid horses don't breed if they die from thirst.LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #7 posted by dankhank on September 30, 2009 at 08:56:09 PT
no different
yes, we here ALL know that ... one day ALL will realize.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 30, 2009 at 08:37:38 PT
Stiletto Stoners
Stiletto Stoners They've got killer careers and enviable social lives. They're also major potheads. Why are so many smart, successful women lighting up in their off-hours?URL: http://current.com/items/91054776_stiletto-stoners.htm
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 30, 2009 at 08:32:35 PT
Dankhank
No different then a glass of wine after a long day!
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Comment #4 posted by dankhank on September 30, 2009 at 08:30:30 PT
stilletto ...
yes, saw it myself ... on soon ...morning ... all .....
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on September 30, 2009 at 08:29:23 PT
Professional Women and Pot
Stick just saw a piece on MSNBC that said professional women are blowing off steam with Pot. 
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Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on September 30, 2009 at 08:00:19 PT
Foosball
god forbid people that are suffering be allowed to socialize and have fun with each other.The Government wants you to get home and back in front of the TV eating as soon as possible, like a good farm animal
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 30, 2009 at 06:15:34 PT
Booming Medical Pot Sales Concern Officials
September 29, 2009URL: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-09-29-medical-marijuana_N.htm
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