cannabisnews.com: Pot Case Could Be Closed
Pot Case Could Be Closed
Posted by CN Staff on October 11, 2005 at 12:19:27 PT
By Brian Wargo, Las Vegas Sun
Source: Las Vegas Sun
Nevada -- A 56-year-old woman convicted of misdemeanor possession of marijuana may get to keep her Boulder City home without a court fight despite the city's lawsuit to seize the property. She apparently may pay the city to drop the lawsuit.Boulder City Attorney Dave Olsen said he's optimistic a settlement will be reached with Cynthia Warren that would have her pay in exchange for the city dropping its effort to confiscate her home, which city officials say would fetch $400,000 in an auction.
The lawsuit sparked debate in Boulder City over personal property rights versus the need to crack down on drugs.Olsen said he and Warren's attorney, John Lusk, have been discussing settling the case. Olsen refused to say how much money would be enough for Boulder City to drop the lawsuit.Boulder City filed the lawsuit in District Court in April, alleging Warren was a marijuana dealer. Police had raided her home and found six marijuana plants, a large bowl with 2.9 ounces of marijuana, baggies, alleged sales records and paperwork detailing water and cultivating schedules for growing marijuana.A 49-year-old man who lived at the home with her was also charged in connection with the marijuana.A settlement of the lawsuit "has been my objective from the outset," said Olsen, who has come under fire from some residents for trying to seize Warren's home."I have been doing these types of cases off and on for 16 years, and in virtually every case, I have never taken anybody's property. We have always settled. Contrary to what some people might believe, I am not interested in taking this poor woman's house."Warren had been charged by the Clark County district attorney's office with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and conspiracy to possess, both felonies. But in July, Warren, after a plea of no contest, was found guilty of possession of drugs not to be introduced into interstate commerce, a misdemeanor. In addition to her 30-day suspended sentence and $500 fine, she is required to complete drug counseling.Lusk has criticized the city's tactic to seize Warren's almost paid-for home based on the misdemeanor possession charge for which she was convicted. But he said he was open to resolving the case. He said fighting the case could be more costly to Warren than "a token payment of some kind."Taking the case to court "could be very expensive on both sides. It is ridiculous," Lusk said.Olsen said, "The bottom line here is that if we can't reach an acceptable settlement, we will go forward with the case."Under state law, money from drug forfeiture cases is restricted for anti-drug uses, which could include equipment, drug-sniffing dogs or undercover buys.Previously, Boulder City obtained $3,000 from a local resident whose vehicle authorities allege was used to transport drugs, Olsen said. The man settled the case rather than risk losing his vehicle, Olsen said.Boulder City sought to obtain another home in 1999 but lost that forfeiture case in court, Olsen said. Olsen was not the city attorney at the time.Lusk defended that homeowner as well, a woman who had allowed her son to live at a home she owned that police alleged was used for manufacturing methamphetamines.Lusk said pursuing the case against Warren is just as wrong-headed as that failed lawsuit was."I think trying to forfeit her house over alleged marijuana in her house is just an error in judgment not only on the prosecutor's part but by the City Council," Lusk said.Brian Wargo covers suburban government for the Sun. Source: Las Vegas Sun (NV)Author: Brian Wargo, Las Vegas SunPublished: October 11, 2005Copyright: 2005 Las Vegas Sun Inc.Contact: letters lasvegassun.comWebsite: http://www.lasvegassun.com/Related Articles:Asset Forfeiture Abuse http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21122.shtmlMisdemeanor Charge: Pot May Cost Homeownerhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21114.shtmlProsecutors Seek To Uphold Property Seizure Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18568.shtml
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Comment #33 posted by whig on October 12, 2005 at 21:52:23 PT
Wedding
I recently attended a Catholic Mass for a wedding. It had been some time since I'd sat through one, and moreover had observed the iconography of the stations of the cross, and the first time I had done so conscious of the significance.The Romans killed Jesus, and for this they repent and wail and beg forgiveness, but they are forgiven already, and they do not forgive themselves, so they go on with this and they worship the man but do not understand the message nor partake of the Spirit, replacing the eucharist with bread they think is the body of Jesus, and it is not. Jesus is not the only Christ, all who partake of the body of Christ are what they are, and the eucharist is not old wine or bread, but the new wine of Cana, the bread of the sacred herb.
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Comment #32 posted by whig on October 12, 2005 at 21:37:35 PT
X-tians
The X-tians who do not know Christ call themselves Christian, but worship the Cross. The true and hidden church is not found within buildings of wood or stone, it is within ourselves, it is us, we are here now and there is no time.
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Comment #31 posted by Jim Lunsford on October 12, 2005 at 21:33:48 PT
Hope and Sam
Didn't realize I probably sounded offended. Just another stoned rant of mine. Hey! I'm working on my "Annointing". lol I have to admit, I cracked up on the truism, "50% of the people are dumber than average". And those are the 50% that are unqualified to get into the FBI, even without the weed prohibition clause! I am increasingly tired of people who refuse to ever think. The govt just feeds them B.S. and they swallow it without a thought. And yet, it's so easy to find out truth if you just look. But, most people are too busy displaying their internet prowess and intellect on the Yahoo! Message Boards. It's really scary when you read those things. And to think, that we are the result of millions of years of evolution. The finest product nature could ever produce. Rev Jim LunsfordMeek: They can have the earth, I'll take the skies anyday!
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Comment #30 posted by whig on October 12, 2005 at 21:33:09 PT
Rev. Jim, Hope
You are Christ, for you are anointed, and you are angels in the sight of God. Do not think that it is for a few only that this is so, but for all who speak and act for the spirit in which each of us partake.Michael
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Comment #29 posted by goneposthole on October 12, 2005 at 13:28:24 PT
pay the fine
place the house up for sale, be done with Boulder and the dumb Swede for a city 'attorney' *cough cough* (extortion artist).enough of prohibitionenough of the drug warenough of this hooey
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Comment #28 posted by Sam Adams on October 12, 2005 at 08:02:45 PT
Rev. Jim
I wasn't trying to put down Mexico, on the contrary, I was saying the cops here are worse. I couldn't agree more with what you're saying.Especially the scare tactics. I was reading the local paper of a suburban town here in the Northeast; it's in a rural area, about 1 hour from a big city, with a population of 5000-10000. The people in the town keep voting to contain property taxes, raising the fury of the town government. One of the biggest problems is the runaway police budget.I read the minutes of the selectman meeting. The cops were actually saying stuff like "The perception is that there's no crime here in XXXville. (which is totally true, it's a affluent area). But, drugs are prevalent, and there are 5 known gangs operating in YYYville." I couldn't believe it. The city with gangs that he mentioned is a half hour away - does he seriously think that hooded gangbangers are going to drive up the back roads for 30 minutes to roam the woods with their Uzi's and AK's? But he wouldn't be saying it if it didn't work, and work well. Especially on older people that haven't lived in the city recently. They're really easy to scare. Ignorant people too. Remember, 50% of the population is dumber than average.I remember my first visit to Amsterdam, the first place in Europe I'd ever visited. My buddy & I were totally in the bag after a night of partying. We got lost and ended up walking around the absolute depths of the red light district. All the American guide books had said that Amsterdam's ghettos were the worst in Europe, the most dangeous and sleazy city over there. At one point, my friend said, Wait, this is baaaaad area! And then we looked at each other for a second and burst out laughing. The worst area of Amsterdam was like Disneyland compared to 90% of American cities, even the mid-sized ones have way more crime and overall degredation. Amsterdam is clean, the buildings, street, and public transportation are flawless. The African people are totally integrated in with the white people.Half or more of our TV shows are about crime. It's become part of the American mythology. Crime and guns and cops and jail.As you get older & more well-travelled, you begin to realize the huge amount of brain-washing and propaganda that used in the country. It works especially well in the US because of our isolation from other countries & cultures.Why did the civil rights reform era start in the 40's and 50's? Because of all the good men that went to Europe and fought in the Army, and then realized how shamefully embarrassing our treatment of black men in the army, and at home, was in comparison to the Europeans.
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Comment #27 posted by Hope on October 12, 2005 at 05:43:09 PT
I understand, Jim.
I just get so sick of those "perverting the gospel" and making a really simple idea complicated. Also...sometime it's like their accepting salvation gives them a badge that makes them part of some sort of posse charged with going out there and getting someone. Sheesh. "Spreading the Word"...is simply that no one is lost and we should be having joy over that. It's not "be saved"...it's "Look up...you are saved!" according to what I believe...it's the "Good News" of the New Covenant.
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Comment #26 posted by Jim Lunsford on October 12, 2005 at 05:35:24 PT
Hope
I think the biggest difference between me and the kristians, is that I believe that Jesus was telling us of the path we should take, and that it was his path and not his person that made him a Son of God. I've always felt it is possible for a human being to be concious of their own Christ self. That we are all children of god, whether we no it or not. And that religions tend to get in the way of it. After all, don't the clergy demand power in this world as well? I am the way, is a portion of the bible I remember. Hey, I'm not a Christian, so I don't really read up on it too much. I'm too busy with my own practise to learn all the others. lol Gee, and all of them say I am lost if I'm not with them. Now I feel like just burning a bowl and thinking about all this. Except, I've just not much use for thinking anymore. Oh well, didn't mean to start up anything. Just couldn't sleep. Take care, Rev JimLaw: The occupation of creating crime
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Comment #25 posted by Hope on October 12, 2005 at 03:38:20 PT
For Heaven's Sake...
It's about LOVE....not rules and complicated exclusivness. It's about getting RID of that stuff. It's not about joining the frickin country club.
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Comment #24 posted by Hope on October 12, 2005 at 03:32:16 PT
Checklist for new Christian.
"You do understand that you can't "save anyone's soul"? We believe that's a done deal and that it's not your job. Right?"New Christian: "Check.""You do understand that you're not an angel or the "arm" of God or the "wrath" of God? Right?"New Christian: "Check.""You do understand that you didn't just "get saved" when you just now made it known that you accept Christ for who he is and what he did? You do know that was done years ago and is a done deal and is good for the future...even a thousand years from now, as well as today and the past and is still as valid as it was the day it was done?"New Christian, "Check. I already had the "saving"...whether I knew it or not. Now I have the relationship to explore and work on."
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Comment #23 posted by Hope on October 12, 2005 at 03:09:29 PT
One of the most undervalued scriptural writings
1 Timothy 4:9-10This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.(Paul apparently wrote something to the effect of "ESPECIALLY" and not as many seem to read it..."Exclusively".)(It also says, "all men"...not "a few" or "some".)("No man goes to the Father except through me." is taken out of context by nearly everyone, including me for most of my life...apparently. Jesus was trying to tell his disciples who he was and not to be afraid of him or that he was some sort of blasphemer. He said, "If you know the Father...you know me" or "If you know me...you know the Father.")
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Comment #22 posted by Jim Lunsford on October 12, 2005 at 02:40:53 PT
Sam Adams
Actually, I spent quite a bit of time in Mexico. Outside of Mexico City, and a few other places, the cops actually are proud to serve their community. I would always get stopped somewhere in the country, but who wouldn't ask why some stupid gringo is driving around in the middle of Mexico? Most of us are far too scared to leave the borders of the most violent nation in history. In Mexico City, the corruption is probably under-reported. There, the cops are just openly robbing tourists, to include myself. But, in the real Mexico, they do take bribes, but not excessively. It is more of a convinience thing that helps to defray the salaries of the police. They come from the communities and actually interact with the towns on a daily basis. Unlike ours, which have separated themselves from it's citizens over the last thirty years or so. In Amerika, we have about 1/16th of the world's population, yet we have 25% of the world's prison population. But we are afraid to travel to countries outside of Europe (and most amerikans are too scared to do that as well, thank you media for feeding our fears!). Machievelli wrote a very accurate book on politics and has been historically condemned for doing so. His book, "The Prince", has always been seen as bad because it just outlines what politics is. But people don't want to know about that. However he appears wrong on one area, the taking of property. Machievelli stated that you (meaning government) could kill a man's son and be okay, but his land was sacred. And it's usually true. You can hang a man for a crime, and the family won't turn against the country and cause a revolution. Or you can send them off to war and they will be proud of having their child die for some politician's greed. But, taking their land is bad government. Land grabbing schemes by governments (and yes, the corporations many work for are the government) apparantly do work here. But that may be the victim attitude and the view that it is more important to obey the law than to do anything about the law. Yet, what power does the law have over us? Whatever power we allow it to have. Rights are not God given. They aren't guarrenteed by law or by those who died before you. The only real rights you have are those you insist on taking. In short, the only right you have is the right to fight for whatever you believe in. But, we are a nation of rule followers. Instead of obeying the principles of compassion and justice, we are the rule followers of the Pharisees. Amazing the religion that took the name of Christ as it's founder has gotten it so back ass wards. Basically, the United States (and it's citizens) are the same people that Christ was railing about some 2000 years ago. And what have we learned? Nothing. You can lead a horse to water, but that's about it. I had a fundamentalist try and convert me the other day. This sounds unrelated, but I think it's relevant. He believes in the end times. I see it as a self-fulfilling prophecy of an ignorant nation. While he "fears" for my soul, it is only because I don't believe in the same name of the religion as he does. I really couldn't find anything in the bible, outside of some of the new testament that could possibly convert me from my non-religion spirituality. I call it Buddhism just to give it a name,but humans aren't smart enough to figure out what a higher power is. I do like the Buddhist title though. I've been one since 1976 and have spent many a day medititing on it. Yet, I don't call it a religion. It's just philosophy. At least in my interpretation. And it's counter to everything in our society. And amazingly similar to what I've read of Christ. In fact, there is a temple in Thailand that has equally impressive statues of both Buddha and Christ beside each other. They are both considered Buddha. Oh yeah, just a title to them. Means "awakened" or "enlightened". And both would be killed by our society. Personally, I don't believe the legal system is the route that can save us. This lawyer fighting the city's siezure of her property isn't the answer. It is too far gone for a mere human to figure out. Because we don't want the answers to our ills. Not as a society. Instead, we keep looking for someone else to cure our ills. One aspect of Christ that I found comforting was his role as a political activist and government reform. In short, his statements of "render unto ceaser" and that we should all spend our time being grateful for what we have and to spend our time helping our neighbors, are an ideal government. All other forms are merely tools of oppression in which one person is dominant over another. Yet, we are all supposed to be equal before God? Christian government is so confusing nowadays! lol Basically, I guess I'm an anarchist. Sorry about the long write, but the war on us is a very complex problem. One that cannot be answered in a yes or no format. The war on drugs is really our belief that one person does have power over another. But I've noticed that cops don't mess lightly with people with guns. I wonder how many homes would be confiscated if people started shooting at the cops who are stealing them. Oops, I meant confiscating. I am not advocating violence, but I do accept it as part of life. Personally, I don't own that much anymore. I gave up most of my things at the beginning of this year. Only what I can carry on my motorcycle. And the less I own, the less they own me. But, that's just me. I don't try and force my beliefs on anyone else. It just doesn't work anyway. People will only see what they want to see. Just our nature. But, I do believe that "these times, they are a-changing". Every single aspect of our society is proving inadequate to performing it's supposed task. Therefore, it will dissolve into chaos and either be reborn as a more complex structure or gone completely. But, this chaos is a part of growth. I don't know the answers either, but it should be a pretty exciting journey! Peace,Rev Jim LunsfordChaos: Only for those who dare grow will see it as a positive.
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Comment #21 posted by runderwo on October 11, 2005 at 21:39:49 PT
The Onion
Check this out :)
Report: 92 Percent Of Souls In Hell There On Drug Charges
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 18:05:21 PT
Well...except for the ones that
are sorry for it...like Eric Sterling.
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Comment #19 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 18:04:33 PT
Lusk?
Wasn't that the Amityville Horror people? There is a lot that's a horror and horrible about this situation. I'm ashamed of people like Olsen and the people who made the laws that he's using in the first place.Shame on them!
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 18:00:47 PT
"...think clearly when I am not angry..."
My neck just gets red and I want to kick some ass. Then I have to calm down. I calm down more quickly than I used to.
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Comment #17 posted by mayan on October 11, 2005 at 17:49:01 PT
Fight It!
Boulder City sought to obtain another home in 1999 but lost that forfeiture case in court, Olsen said. Olsen was not the city attorney at the time.Lusk defended that homeowner as well, a woman who had allowed her son to live at a home she owned that police alleged was used for manufacturing methamphetamines.I would certainly fight it. What kind of court would support the forfeiture of a woman's house for a mere misdemeanor? This is a no-brainer. Some people are simply afraid to fight the system but we are now witnessing the consequences of that fear. If we don't fight back it will only get worse. We are right, they are wrong. That's all I need to know to know that we will be victorious. All we have to do is stand up for what is ours!Off Topic...High-potency marijuana has police worried:
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051010/NEWS05/510100324/1006/NEWS01THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...INTERNET SWELLS WITH 9/11 QUESTIONS:
http://www.freemarketnews.com/Feedback.asp?nid=2499/11 produced by vast conspiracy:
http://dailybeacon.utk.edu/showarticle.php?articleid=48804David Ray Griffin speaking in Vermont Wednesday!
http://www.svfeep.net/griffinspeakingtour.htmlThe 9/11 Reichstag Fire:
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/911_reichstag.htmlWelcome Truth Seeker:
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20050204132153814
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on October 11, 2005 at 17:40:57 PT
unkat27
You aren't getting kicked out. I find that getting angry doesn't help me deal with much of anything. I can think clearly when I am not angry. That's just the way I am not everyone.
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 17:33:39 PT
But also
people like Olsen have to be stopped...by any means short of physical violence. Hopefully. If possible.
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 17:31:50 PT
The way we treat them.
I don't want to be like them. I don't want to treat them badly, the way they've treated us.I'd rather just cut an M in the seat of their britches...instead of what you said.
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Comment #13 posted by unkat27 on October 11, 2005 at 17:27:59 PT
Olsen, the Vulture, is Sharpening his fangs!
What i can't believe is that the pacifists who dominate this forum don't think people should fight back against vultures like this. If it were me, I'd chop Olsen into pieces and flush him down the toilet to the lowest level of hell!There, I said it. If I get kicked out of this forum for speaking my heart, I don't care! I would fight back if a vulture like Olsen did something like this to me! You know what I think? I think the goddam vultures won't back down until we start cutting them down!
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 17:26:53 PT
Oh...I get it...I think...
That's what they said when it came on..."Zorro...Who makes the sign of the Z."
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 17:24:57 PT
Zorro
makes the sign of the Z. You weren't a Zorro fan as a child?
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on October 11, 2005 at 17:17:52 PT
Zorro
Who makes the sign of the Z
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 17:07:35 PT
Zorro
I just came in from digging Hibiscus and potting them and I think I have a little ant zorro or something up my britches leg.
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 17:05:30 PT
Where's Zorro when you need him?
We need a cannabis Zorro who rushes in and saves the down trodden from the evil federales and leaves a big M slashed across the seat of their britches.
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 17:03:19 PT
Bet you can identify with this, FoM
Thinking of the Highlander...I thought of Zorro and remembering how much I loved Zorro. Zs everywhere. The other night I noticed on Si they wised up and made a female Zorro for all the little girls out there. She was called Our Lady of the Swords or something like that...I don't recall for sure. She was definitely a female Zorro.Whish! Whoosh! Whoosh!
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 16:55:16 PT
The Highlander
I liked The Highlander movies.
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on October 11, 2005 at 16:17:21 PT
Hope
You're right - she's got the evil herb - she's a witch!!! Nothing ever changes. We love to demonize someone so we can feel better about ourselves.Remember the scene in "Highlander" where the guy's wife turns on him? (after he magically recovers from a fatal war wound). The more things change, the more they stay the same.
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Comment #4 posted by dongenero on October 11, 2005 at 13:57:37 PT
extortion
It is government sponsored extortion. It is sanctioned by We The People.....because if you don't agree....you must be soft on drugs, what about he children....you don't want your patriotism to be in question do you?And slowly our rights are eroded as we relenquish more and more power to our government.
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on October 11, 2005 at 13:57:05 PT
We've seen these guys before.
The ones wanting to take the woman's home and every thing else of any value they can lay their greedy little mitts on. Medieval Times. The Dark Ages. They are stoic...proud...in their demonization and persecution of such as she.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 11, 2005 at 13:39:20 PT
Press Release from The Drug Policy Alliance
Action Alert: Cut Drug War Waste to Pay for Hurricane ReliefTuesday, October 11, 2005Are you tired of the government spending your money on all those anti-marijuana TV ads that don't work? You know, the ones that claim that drug users are terrorists, and that smoking marijuana will make you crazy, get you pregnant, and cause you to shoot your neighbor.You can help us cut those anti-marijuana ads this year.
But don't stop there. You can also help us cut funding to the Andean Counter-Drug Initiative (formerly known as "Plan Colombia"), which is devastating Colombia and destroying the environment.
And help us cut the federal Byrne grant program, which is financing out-of-control anti-drug task forces like the ones we've told you about in Tulia, Texas and Flint, Michigan.
These are just three examples of wasteful, harmful drug war programs that Congress could cut to pay for hurricane relief efforts. Eliminating these programs would save $1.6 billion this year alone.
Tell Congress to save money by cutting drug war waste.
You have probably already read in the news that members of Congress are debating how to pay for relief efforts. We know what would be a good start: stop wasting money on the failed war on drugs. Imagine how much money would be saved if the government simply stopped arresting people for marijuana, and stopped raiding raves and other peaceful electronic music events.
And what if instead of incarcerating people with substance abuse problems, we provided them with drug treatment? California voters approved our treatment-instead-of-incarceration initiative in 2000 and taxpayers have already saved more than a billion dollars. That's just one state, and one reform.
You may recall that we have already been successful in cutting federal drug war waste. Congress has cut funding to the anti-marijuana ads and the Byrne grant program for two years in a row. Last year we were able to slash funding for Bush's student drug testing program in half.
Now, we're working to cut wasteful drug war spending even more. As just one example of why we think we will be successful, the Republican Study Committee (a caucus of more than 100 conservative House Republicans) recently suggested completely eliminating several drug war programs, including those ridiculous anti-marijuana ads. By working with them, as well as with progressive Democrats, we can make these cuts happen.
But we need you to contact Congress, and then forward this alert to your friends.Take action now!
Also, if you haven't become a dues-paying member of the Drug Policy Alliance, please consider doing so. As the old saying goes, "There's strength in numbers." Help strengthen the opposition to drug war waste by becoming a member here.
Finally, we hope to have some exciting news to report next week. So stay tuned!
http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/101105hurricanealert.cfm
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Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on October 11, 2005 at 12:50:33 PT
The poor woman
In Mexico, if you get caught speeding or doing anything else wrong, the cops can throw you in jail until your family from the US sends down big bucks to pay them off.The only difference in Nevada is that you read about it in the newspaper. The Mexican cops go about their extortion privately. Probably because they don't want to share with the DA.
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