cannabisnews.com: Medical Pot Advocate Hopes To Set Court Precedent 





Medical Pot Advocate Hopes To Set Court Precedent 
Posted by FoM on April 17, 2001 at 08:10:16 PT
By Timothy Bowman 
Source: Tahoe Daily Tribune 
Matthew Macosko is walking free for the time being. Macosko was arrested April 11 after mailing a package containing a quarter pound of marijuana. The package, which was sent to an address in Kentucky, was intercepted by a U.S. postal worker and South Lake El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team was notified. The package never reached the intended recipient and was returned to South Lake Tahoe. Law enforcement waited for Macosko to retrieve the package and shortly after arrested him. Authorities also found $10,550 cash on Macosko. 
During his arraignment, Macosko waived his right to a speedy trial. His preliminary hearing has been set for May 7 at 8:30 a.m. He faces two felony charges of transportation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. Judge Susan Kingsbury released Macosko, a well-known distributor of medical marijuana on the South Shore, on his own recognizance. His bail had been set at $250,000. Despite the gravity of the charges, Kingsbury said she felt it was unlikely Macosko would attempt to flee if released. "I do think you will appear in court," Kingsbury said during Macosko's arraignment. "I am going to release you on your own recognizance." During the proceedings Macosko said that his intention was to provide medical marijuana for persons in serious need through a South Shore dispensary, Tahoe Healing Caregivers. He argued that the medical marijuana laws are unclear as to the legality of mailing marijuana for medical purposes. "I know that the mailing thing has not been addressed yet, but I am trying to set precedents," Macosko said. "I see people hurting in town and everywhere, and I try to help them." Kingsbury agreed the medical marijuana laws are ambiguous in their wording. "The medical marijuana laws are lacking in many respects," Kingsbury said. "They were drafted very poorly. It leaves these people without parameters with which to conduct themselves within the law." Kingsbury's decision to release Macosko came on the condition that he not sell, use, mail, or drive under the influence of marijuana. Macosko said he was happy with the judge's decision. "I'm glad I was let out on (my own recognizance,)" Macosko said. "I am not running. I am planning on setting some precedent." About a dozen people gathered in front of the court and on Al Tahoe Boulevard to support Macosko. They held signs supporting his release and they waved to passing cars. Macosko's godmother, Stevie Kiss, was among them and said she was pleased with the decision. "Matt has made it possible for everyone in Lake Tahoe to be medicated," Kiss said. "There are people who are dying and they need this medication. I don't think he should be charged with it. I feel wonderful and I feel beautiful for Matt." Source: Tahoe Daily Tribune (CA)Author: Gregory CroftonPublished: April 16, 2001Copyright: 2001 Tahoe-Carson Area Newspapers Contact: tribune tahoe.com Website: http://www.tahoe.com/tribune/ Related Article:Medicinal Marijuana Provider Arrestedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9358.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #1 posted by Lehder on April 19, 2001 at 14:11:18 PT
post office hatred of war critics
Evidently the "Narcotics Interdiction Team" was also alerted to my mother's sending of valentine candy to me through the mail in February. It's an example of what I have called DWI axiom #4:Drug War Ideology:1. Drugs destroy lives. Drugs destroy society.2. Only the government can stop you from taking drugs.3. Everyone is suspect.4. If you disagree with 1-3 then you are on drugs ( or receiving drugs through the mail.)It was a pound package of chocolates in a padded mailing envelope that was weighed and stamped at the PO and left with the PO for transport. It arrived late in my mailbox with a long razor-cut slit, neat along the edge of the parcel and cut just right so that the box inside could be removed. I've shown the cut parcel to two other people who to my knowledge are not addicted to mind-destroying or child-killing drugs and both are as certain as I am that the package was opened intentionally. I complained by phone on Feb 13 and again a week later. Both times I was given a case number and told I would receive an answer within 30 days. I did not receive any replies. I called again a few days ago and complained again. The lady I spoke to sent me forms to fill out and I intend to do that soon. She also sent me a letter in which she tries to convince me that it is my neighbors tampering with my mail. There is no reason whatsoever to suspect this. I live in class place - noisy, but high-priced and my neighbors are not slobs and they do not mess with the mail. The package was not left with the manager but was small enough to fit into my mail box.I told the lady: I have been an active and strong-spoken critic of the so-called "war on drugs" on the internet and I believe that totalitarian elements in the PO or broader arms of federal government opened my mail illegally out of stupidity or for harassment. This means that 1) the feds are watching us and look up our real names and addresses and 2) they open my mail.If they had replied to either of my complaints for which I was issued case numbers and said they had no record of any such opening then I would have had to accept that as fact. But their failure to carry out either of the promised investigations and then their stupid attempts to blame the violation on my good neighbors tend to incriminate themselves. It is illegal to open 1st class priority mail without good reason.I intend to send them my written complaint on their form and if I receive a satisfactory answer then I'll take my suspicions back right here. If not then I intend to reproduce all the correspondence here along with my comments.I am presently "in transit", everything in boxes and being sent, like the candy, all across the country. I'll be boarding a plane soon, and will let you know in a month or two when I am reestablished if any foreign objects were pushed up my butt at the airport in order to protect chilldren.Hasta Luego,'Carlos'somewhere in transit
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: