cannabisnews.com: Full House for Pot Club Hearing Full House for Pot Club Hearing Posted by CN Staff on April 26, 2005 at 06:23:41 PT By Suzanne Herel, Chronicle Staff Writer Source: San Francisco Chronicle S.F. Calif. -- Former San Francisco District Attorney Terence Hallinan told a Board of Supervisors committee Monday that strict regulation of pot clubs in San Francisco isn't feasible. Now a defense lawyer, Hallinan said, "I'd certainly advise any client of mine not to sign any document ... or keep any records that a federal grand jury could subpoena." Hallinan, a longtime champion of medical marijuana, spoke at a public hearing of the Government Audit and Oversight Committee, which is trying to figure out how to rein in the burgeoning pot dispensaries in the city. The hours-long meeting drew dozens of speakers and a packed crowd at City Hall. With an estimated 43 such dispensaries, San Francisco is home to more pot clubs than any other California municipality. The growth has spawned complaints about smoking at the clubs, loitering, noise, double-parking, people buying marijuana who don't have a medical need for it, and people reselling the product on the street, said Larry Badiner, the city's zoning administrator. The hearing was called by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who last month got passed a 45-day moratorium on new clubs. He reassured the crowd that the supervisors are dedicated to preserving access to medical marijuana in San Francisco. Using medical marijuana at the recommendation of a physician is legal in California under the 1996 Compassionate Use Act, also known as Proposition 215. However, any use of the drug is still illegal under federal law. "Why we're congregated here today is not to ban clubs. We are trying to simply say something smart," Mirkarimi said. "There's nothing wrong with saying that if you are going to allow patients to consume cannabis, then having a proper ventilation system is not unwise." Proper ventilation is one of a number of recommendations that Mayor Gavin Newsom has submitted to the Board of Supervisors. Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/fullhouse.htmSource: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Suzanne Herel, Chronicle Staff WriterPublished: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - Page B - 2Copyright: 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Related Articles & Web Site:Medicinal Cannabis Research Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/research.htmCity Hearing Examines Options for Regulating http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20582.shtml High Time To Regulate http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20577.shtml Newsom Offers Plan To Regulate Pot Clubs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20569.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #13 posted by FoM on April 27, 2005 at 15:08:14 PT stoner spirit I wanted to make sure I thanked you for your comments and participation on CNews. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by stoner spirit on April 27, 2005 at 15:05:22 PT: Light and truth The media and our masters are so scared of the truth, that's probably why some people get only ten seconds on T.V. The media is like, "Waah, mommy we found those that tell truths, and we are scared! Please help us mommy, please help us!" Then they go away really fast while they are crying to the government. You would think that we would be treated fairly by the media, but we are not. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by afterburner on April 26, 2005 at 17:33:02 PT Live Audio Web Chat with Dr. Andrew Weil, 4/28/'05 email from Ethan Nadelmann re Dr. Andrew Weil: From : Ethan Nadelmann, DPAlliance alerts actioncenter.drugpolicy.org . Sent : April 19, 2005. To : recipient somemail.com . Subject : Live Audio Web Chat with Dr. Andrew Weil Drug Policy Alliance. Reason. Compassion. Justice.From the Desktop of Ethan Nadelmann Please Join Me for a Live Audio Web Chat with Dr. Andrew WeilDear recipient,Best-selling author Andrew Weil, M.D., and I will be online for an audio web chat on the revised and updated editions of From Chocolate to Morphine: Everything You Need to Know About Mind-Altering Drugs and The Natural Mind.Before Dr. Weil became known to tens of millions for his pioneering work and writing on integrative medicine, he was already highly regarded for his insightful writing about drugs. His first book, The Natural Mind, is one of the greatest books ever written about psychoactive drug use. It played an important role in shaping my thinking on the subject, and is widely regarded as a classic in the field. As for Chocolate to Morphine, which Andy co-authored with Winifred Rosen, there is simply no better drug education book -- both for young people and adults.Dr. Weil will be online to address your questions on a range of topics. Please email questions drugpolicy.org before April 28 to submit questions, and don't forget to bookmark the chat address!When: Thursday, April 28, 2005, 3 PM PST / 6 PM EST Where: http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/041205weilchat.cfmRead on for further information about Dr. Weil and myself:About Andrew Weil:Recognized as one of the world's most influential people by Time magazine, Andrew Weil, M.D., is a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine. He is also a clinical professor of medicine and the founder and director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He is an expert in the traditional use of mind altering substances and the different effects of various legal and illegal drugs.Dr. Weil is a best-selling author whose books include Spontaneous Healing; 8 Weeks to Optimum Health; Eating Well for Optimum Health; The Healthy Kitchen; The Natural Mind; The Marriage of the Sun and Moon; Health and Healing; Natural Health, Natural Medicine; and From Chocolate to Morphine: Everything You Need to Know About Mind-Altering Drugs. His new book, Healthy Aging: Your Lifelong Guide to Physical and Spiritual Well-Being, will be available in October 2005. Andrew Weil, M.D., also authors the popular Self Healing newsletter, a monthly column for Prevention magazine, and is the editorial director of DrWeil.com, the leading online resource for healthy living based on an integrative medicine philosophy.I am the founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the United States promoting alternatives to the "war on drugs." I've spent many wonderful hours with Andy over the years. It will be a real pleasure to have you join our conversation.To submit a question now, please use the following email address: questions drugpolicy.org .I encourage you to pass along word about the chat to other people you know who might be interested, and look forward to seeing you online on the 28th!Sincerely, Ethan, Executive Director, Drug Policy AllianceTo Contact or Make a Donation by Mail to the Drug Policy Alliance:Drug Policy Alliance, 70 West 36th Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10018Get a PDF copy of the Donation Form. For subscription problems please contact Jeanette Irwin, Director, Internet Communications jirwin drugpolicy.org, 202.216.0035 DrugPolicy.org | Take Action | Donate | Privacy Policy +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++You received this message because recipient somemail.com is a member of the mailing list originating from http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp.Please visit http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/unsubscribe to unsubscribe from all lists. Visit http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/managesubscription.asp to learn about other lists you can subscribe to.For problems, please contact Jeanette Irwin at jirwin drugpolicy.org.Please consider joining the Drug Policy Alliance: http://www.drugpolicy.org/join [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Sam Adams on April 26, 2005 at 17:27:56 PT Louisa May Alcott I was watching a History channel show on cocaine a couple nights ago - I had no idea it was so big before prohibition. Use was common in early major league baseball players. Sigmeud Freud and many other famous shrinks did their life's work while jacked up on cocaine - taken by injection daily! People would specifically go in & sit down at a diner for a drink of Coca-Cola to get a quick blast. They passed cocaine laws by saying it makes black people go crazy & attack whites (hey, at least with cannabis they said it would make black people SEDUCE white people, we got better propaganda)It's amazing how effectilely a substance can be demonized in just a single generation.Stoner Spirit, you're right we need a revolution. I'm afraid it won't come until we're all broke, like in Russia. Then all the people will leave their huge McMansion subdivisions & come to the cities to live in shantytowns. This is what's been happening in most 3rd world countries over the last 10 years. Most 3rd world cities are turning into "mega-cities". [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Toker00 on April 26, 2005 at 16:53:29 PT Bush on the Island. I didn't protest in the sixties, being too young. But I went to my second protest today. g.w.bush was in Galveston today to tout his ss reform. delay was there too. I really enjoyed bashing the bastards. There were about three hundred people who showed for our side, and about twenty showed for the Fascists. We drowned them out to say the least. We were there for hours, but we only got about ten seconds on the local news channels. But it was fun. There were hundreds of people lined up on "their" sidewalk waiting to get into UTMB to hear bush. Tuxes, gowns, the elite works. Our sidewalk, ponytails, tie dies, gothic, and middle and lower classes. Beautiful banners and signs. Chanting. A show of solidarity, but so brief. And so NOT noticed by Bush and Co. Damn them all.Peace. Legalize, then Revolutionize! (medicine)(energy)(nutrition) [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by stoner spirit on April 26, 2005 at 16:29:48 PT: Camps May the media eat its words, and choak on what it says. I dair say that the government probably wants to get into every single part of our lives, and regulate everything we do and say. These camps need to be abandond, who is going to come for me, the government? Just for speaking my mind? There is a time and a place for everything, but speaking your mind and saying certain things that are truths shouldn't be corrected, wether the masters like it or not. I will not become one of those that has a tracking chip inside their body, I will not become a blind slave, and I'm tired of living under the rule of our masters, (the government). May their downfall be soon and swift, and may the Gods see to that! Good Gods! I just needed to get that off my chest, sorry. I really think that we are in need of a grate change, or revolution here. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Greenjoy on April 26, 2005 at 15:10:07 PT Stupidfest Uh Oh. Feelin kinda negatory. I should prolly just cut the puter off.---- I'll try to keep it down. This is a dumbed down country. The media plays to the lowest common denominator. Its the safest bet. It has been for 30 or 40 years so why rock the boat. Just put that "reporter all over the case" face on. In this instance, there is no bonus for a new suv or a "good job on that story" from the colleagues by doing an objective report. Its a pity that the successful people that can speak to the benefits of non medical marijuana use, (dare we say it, "getting high") must remain mute in fear. Then at the very end of their career...or life, they release the big "oh, by the way...all those songs that made it big...especially the ones that you love the most, I wrote them when I was stoned." But we have to hide. And the more successful, the more there is to lose. Always the obligatory disclaimer. "Of course, I would never drive under the influence of marijuana." "I never went to work stoned." "I never did brain surgery high." B.S. I wonder how many docs have a few drinks with lunch and then Beamer back, get scrubbed up and go back to work. I actually have a medical need. A really pppppainful neck injury. But long ago I learned to love cannabis for its less "legitimate" uses. I started when I was 15. I concurrently became considerably more attuned to the finer things in life. I don't regret one single puff. An army of drug counselors, a curriculum of court ordered classes, will not change my mind. GJ PS. Louisa May Alcott loved her hash. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Sam Adams on April 26, 2005 at 13:13:54 PT The media I guess it's a much sexier to story to sound the alarm about out of control pot-smoking chaos! than to write about thousands and thousands of people, from all walks of life, who are finding great relief for their illnesses at these clubs.Once the reporters get chronically ill with some health problem, that will become the story for them as well. I guess they'll delight in persecuting us until then. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on April 26, 2005 at 11:47:24 PT Marijuana in S.F. The city of San Francisco launched public hearings yesterday on how to regulate the medical marijuana trade. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court is about to rule on a case involving the growing of medical marijuana. As the city waits for the ruling, Nancy Mullane reports San Francisco officials are worried the pot problem may be out of control. Listen to this story:http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2005/04/26/AM200504262.html http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread20584.shtml#2 [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 26, 2005 at 09:14:51 PT A Sense of Finding Something New Sam, I remember the wide eyed hope for a new way of thinking that made people important and not just things. Caring and learning about different life styles and goals etc. was really great. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on April 26, 2005 at 09:05:28 PT 70's I remember going into Times Square in NYC in the early 80s, there was this sense of excitement that "anything goes". Sure, if you weren't careful you could get thrown into the back of a van & sold into sexual slavery. Yes, it was dirty & noisy. You were forced to look at really ugly, nasty-looking poor people & various derelicts walking the streets along with the businessmen.But the cops were focussed on keeping people from hurting each other, not smoking a joint, or busting strip clubs, or people smoking cigarettes, or teenagers buying a beer.And upstate, there were probably 1/5th as many people in the jail in the 70s as there are now. And all that tax money was going to other places. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 26, 2005 at 08:21:45 PT Sam We had much more freedom back in the 70s. Police didn't hate our culture. They sort of thought it was funny as I recall it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on April 26, 2005 at 08:11:02 PT we have no freedom today For some reason, this regulation push in SF is fascinating to me. There is so litttle actual freedom in today's America. In fact, we probably have some of the least freedom of any civilization the world has ever known. When it comes to political thought or demonstration, sure, we have plenty of freedom. No one is going to beat you up for voting Green. But, in terms of everyday activity & the way we live our lives, it's shocking to me how we live. Most public and private activity is highly regulated, with large standing units of armed men ready to leap into action against the citizenry. Millions in prison, many for selling & using plants & plant-based intoxicants. Millions more living in camps, oops, subdivisions, where non-conformist activities such as hanging wet clothes outdoors, or planting the wrong bushes is illegal. Noise, smoke, unfamiliar odors, too many people in one place at a time, people you don't know consuming a plant, or selling it to each other, even if you can't see them....all this is forbidden.I just fail to see any real problem from these clubs. Poor ventilation? If people are truly suffering, won't they just go to one of the other clubs that doesn't allow smoking, or one that has ventilation? Double parking, noise, loitering, don't we already have a enormous police force that is tasked with controlling these "violations"?Have stringent federal, state, and local regulation of the pharmeceutical industry solved the problem of prescription drugs being re-sold and/or abused? I just remember going into NY in the 70s, it was so radically different from today. Most of the change and clampdown has come in the last 30 years. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment