cannabisnews.com: Pot in a Pickle Pot in a Pickle Posted by CN Staff on November 25, 2005 at 22:21:51 PT By David Frey, Aspen Daily News Correspondent Source: Aspen Daily News Glenwood Springs, CO -- Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario and medical marijuana user Gene Brownlee may not agree on much, but they both agree that Brownlee's case should send a message about the state's medical marijuana amendment. But what message? Brownlee, whose case was dropped by prosecutors because of police mishandling evidence, hopes it tells law enforcement to be careful when dealing with growers who use a state amendment to legally cultivate the drug. "Before you disrupt a crop that is destined for medical patients, that has been found legal by the state of Colorado, you better be damned sure you know what you're doing," Brownlee said. But for Vallario, the case illustrates an unusual bind police find themselves in when dealing with a medical marijuana dealer who they believe is breaking the law. According to the amendment, police have to preserve the plants until the case is finished. In this case, that would have put them in the awkward position of police caring for over 100 marijuana plants for more than a year. "It's really difficult," Vallario said. "You just want to say, 'just go and do another case,' but we can't just ignore it, because there's a potential crime being committed." The amendment doesn't make any provision to help police deal with evidence handling, he said. "I think it's kind of half a law." Brownlee's case was the second that prosecutors dropped after police destroyed the plants rather than saving them. His ex-wife Jennifer Ryan was a certified medical marijuana grower and Brownlee had previously been on the state registry, but he said his certification had lapsed. A third case involving his nephew has been on hold, awaiting the outcome of this case. A family friend, Drew Gillespie, pleaded guilty to cultivation charges and is on probation. The Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team raided the apartment Brownlee and Ryan were moving into in June 2004 and found 131 plants. Officers took samples from the large plants and destroyed the plants. They uprooted 23 small plants and preserved them, roots and all, in evidence bags. The state medical marijuana law requires that all the plants be preserved. TRIDENT officers said they were unaware of that provision at the time. In Ryan's case, District Judge James Boyd allowed only the whole plants to be entered as evidence, and since Ryan had a license to grow 24 plants, prosecutors dropped the case. On Wednesday, District Judge Daniel Petre reached a similar decision in Brownlee's case, prompting prosecutors to drop that case, too. "The People have determined that they lack sufficient evidence upon which they may prove the charges pending against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt," wrote Chief Deputy District Attorney Scott Turner. Brownlee said he believes his nephew's case will also be dropped. "He had nothing to do with this entire case," Brownlee said. "He was just there to help my wife and I move. That was it. The plants had been moved the week prior." Vallario said he also thinks that case may be dropped. Brownlee had maintained that he and his wife were licensed to grow 42 plants between them, and that many of the plants they had were just small clones that may not survive on their own and shouldn't be counted. His medical growing certificate had lapsed, but he said because he had been on the registry before, he shouldn't be disqualified just because he couldn't afford to pay the fee to stay certified. But investigators believed they had a crime on their hands. Even after seeing Ryan's certificate, they found far more plants than they believed she was allowed to have. Vallario, who heads up a drug team, admitted officers erred by destroying the plants, but he said they had acted in good faith and didn't know about the law. Now that they know, though, what do they do next time? "Are we supposed to take all those plants and rent a warehouse somewhere and maintain them?" he asked. "Or is the property owner ... supposed to maintain the plants until this can be settled in court? There's really no practical way to do that." In this case, that would have left police caring for 131 plants for 17 months and counting. "Now we're growing these things and we're increasing the amount of product," he said. That doesn't please Vallario, who is no fan of laws that decriminalize marijuana or legalize it for medical use. "It's just stupid," he said. "I fully understand the medical marijuana thing. I'm not a doctor. I'm not in a position to say it's got medical value or not. But if it does have medical value, treat it like any other drug." Vallario said he's not optimistic that voters will pass an amendment to fix this dilemma. But officers may have a way out, he said. They could leave the plants where they are, allowing them to be abandoned after their owners are arrested, then treat them like any other abandoned contraband. But critics say the message to police should be to leave certified medical marijuana caregivers alone. "They shouldn't pick on people who are legally participating in the medical marijuana program," said Kristopher Hammond, the Steamboat Springs attorney who handled Ryan's case. "There are plenty of other people to pick on." Hammond said TRIDENT should focus on other drugs, like crystal methamphetamine, instead of medical marijuana growers, and if they seize the plants, they need to care for them. "The law says, if they don't want to care for the plants, don't take them," he said. "It's inconvenient to take care of prisoners in the jail, but that's what they do." Brownlee said a part of him is disappointed his case never made it to trial. He claims he was doing nothing wrong and wanted a chance to prove that and make a stand for the voter-approved amendment. "Had I got to prove may case and have it not be dismissed upon a technicality, I think it would have shown that this is the citizens' choice," he said. "We made this decision." Source: Aspen Daily News (CO)Author: David Frey, Aspen Daily News CorrespondentPublished: November 25, 2005Copyright: 2005 Aspen Daily NewsContact: dfrey aspendailynews.com Website: http://www.aspendailynews.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #72 posted by FoM on November 30, 2005 at 14:03:16 PT Afterburner You're right in my opinion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #71 posted by FoM on November 30, 2005 at 14:02:03 PT The GCW You're welcome and it's good to see you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #70 posted by The GCW on November 30, 2005 at 13:29:18 PT Thank You for posting this, FoM. This was published on Tuesday 11:29:5.It did not make it to the web-site, but it was in yesterday's paper.-----------Dear Editor of the Aspen Daily News, Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario (Pot In A Pickle, Nov. 25, 2005), mentions the word, “stupid,” in describing the way citizens have chosen to control public servants, from overzealously attacking medical marijuana users. Caging humans for using a plant, is stupid. A plant, as in what God said He created and said is good, on literally the very 1st page of the Bible. A word to describe protecting sick citizens from overzealous public servants is, compassion. Truthfully, Stan White [ Post Comment ] Comment #69 posted by afterburner on November 30, 2005 at 11:10:25 PT War Survivors EMS Needed for war survivors recovery training and support network: an emergency response team with at least 5% of the total budget. At least 5% of the veterans may need sudden and swift backup.As the Israeli scientists have concluded, trauma relief with medical cannabis is a viable medical intervention. Politicians and statesmen in other countries, states and provinces can give legal substance to the medical reality. [ Post Comment ] Comment #68 posted by FoM on November 28, 2005 at 08:57:36 PT Afterburner I totally agree with you. I have seen the damage done to Veterans including my husband ( agent orange ) He was very sick when I met him and he was only home from Nam for about a year. When a young man is put in a position and kills another person they will never be the same. If they are injured it only compounds the experience of war. War only makes the elite rich and the average person that serves in the war bears the pain. It's all so very wrong to me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #67 posted by afterburner on November 28, 2005 at 08:48:22 PT Comment #49 FoM ::: War Recovery Needed "I think those that will have trouble adjusting are those that saw very narrowly (Pro Bush and War) but those that saw the big picture might adjust to state side living a little better."Soldiers are already returning, their hopes shattered by their complicity in betraying the American Dream, their hands bloodied with the stench of torture. They are hurting. Their families are trying to be understanding and supportive, but they have questions and dark fears. It is long beyond time to establish a war survivors recovery training and support network. Quillions of taxpayer dollars are spent on basic training in martial arts for a global spotlight bearpit. Let us not skimp on basic training for renewed peace.ego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question. Pax cannabis! [ Post Comment ] Comment #66 posted by FoM on November 28, 2005 at 07:34:34 PT Mayan & Jim Mayan I agree there isn't anywhere that is safe in Iraq. Just like in Vietnam you never knew who your enemy was. My husband said a person could be cutting your hair during the day and be out shooting at you at night. When we invade a country that's the way the people will act. If someone invaded our country it would be the same way. There is no difference.Jim I tried to fix your comment but it really messed up and I was worried that it might hurt the program that runs CNews so I deleted it and posted the shortened URL. What you write is important. Everyone that takes the time to write here on CNews is important to me and many readers. [ Post Comment ] Comment #65 posted by BigDawg on November 28, 2005 at 07:32:57 PT Funny But last I heard, ignornce of the law is NO excuse.At least that is what Non-police officers are told.I guess if one becomes a cop... one then gets to play the "I didn't know" game. [ Post Comment ] Comment #64 posted by FoM on November 28, 2005 at 07:25:55 PT Hope I remember I had an animated movie in our video store years ago but I didn't watch it. I remember a contemporary christian group made a song about it but I didn't really listen to it. It was more like science fiction and I'm not into fantasy or science fiction type things. I never read much of anything since I couldn't keep my mind on what I was reading. My mind would start thinking of other things and I would forget what I read. The only time I kept my mind on what I was reading was when I was traveling with my husband coast to coast. For me I think I might enjoy the movie. It looks really good. [ Post Comment ] Comment #63 posted by Hope on November 28, 2005 at 06:46:51 PT The Chronicles of Narnia An amazing series of books by C. S. Lewis. They were absolutely wonderful!I was just talking to someone yesterday about the movie. It would be so hard to make a film from the astoundingly beautiful stories. It's been done before, as well as an animated one, too, but the books describe such amazing scenes and panarama that I doubted that a movie could ever be made to compare to the richness of the books. The other attempts had fallen woefully short. After looking at just that first picture at the link you provided, I think Disney just might have done a pretty good job.I can still imagine finding that wardrobe and the coats in it and going through the back of it into the most amazing adventures. C. S. Lewis was a genius.Thank you for that link. It's not just for children... at all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #62 posted by mayan on November 28, 2005 at 05:08:34 PT Step Down Canada's Martin May Be Toppled Today, Leading to January Vote: http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aaZglrnk3Mq8&refer=home [ Post Comment ] Comment #61 posted by mayan on November 28, 2005 at 04:39:24 PT FoM It is so ridiculous that those congressmen would go to Iraq! Even the green zone gets shelled on occasion. The only secure areas are the major oil fields and our permanent bases. Those politicians might as well grab a gun and stay over there. THE WAY OUT...Pentagon Expanding Its Domestic Surveillance Activity: Fears of Post-9/11 Terrorism Spur Proposals for New Powers: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/26/AR2005112600857.htmlAnticipating a Terrorist Attack on Congress: http://www.uruknet.info/?s1=55&p=18210&s2=28Hollywood, Iraq and 9/11: Reinforcing the Party Line: http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/november2005/281105partyline.htmBuried Truths: http://www.bigissuescotland.com/latest_news/2005_09/buried_truths/index.cfm?intPage=1Loose Change 9/11: http://www.loosechange911.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #60 posted by global_warming on November 28, 2005 at 03:50:58 PT ot but interesting http://www.newstarget.com/z008511.htmlThe mass poisoning of humanity: an exploration of human stupidity The mass poisoning of humanity: an exploration of human stupidity [ Post Comment ] Comment #59 posted by Jim Lunsford on November 28, 2005 at 02:51:41 PT FoM Thanks. That format bugged me as well. Though it's not really necessary to keep the link. It doesn't do much without the story, and I don't think it was that important. I would have a hard time believing anything I wrote would be important! lol Peace, JimRev Jim LunsfordFirst Cannabist ChurchLife: Far too short and beautiful a gift to spend in regret [ Post Comment ] Comment #58 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 21:46:27 PT Hope I just saw this movie advertised on TV. I thought you might like to check out the link.It's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I remember either the music or something about this from years ago during my church days.http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia/index.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #57 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 18:52:08 PT Jim Here's The Link Here's the link after I shortened it. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051128/ap_on_go_co/congressmen_injured [ Post Comment ] Comment #56 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 18:47:51 PT Jim Just a Note I tried to fix your comment because the long link messed up the comment and made people have to scroll sideways but my edit didn't work so I had to remove the post. Sorry. [ Post Comment ] Comment #54 posted by siege on November 27, 2005 at 15:44:07 PT DEAR film Hay I have one for you, the grand kids come in last wenday and all had a headache, they had to watch a **DEAR film** and say they could see flash's in it and it hurt them, I just wonder if they have resorted to Subliminal Vision in there bad service to the CHILDREN of the nation of the U S. Coca: Tall, erect plant with long internodes, large seeds and a little THC. ... Coca cola was first marketed in 1886 and promoted as a headache remedy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #53 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 14:58:00 PT Siege Good article. Many of these children might just be Indigo Children. I knew a woman who teaches gifted children. I remember asking her if the children were handicapped since I didn't know what Gifted Children meant. This was before the Internet so I really didn't know anything about this. She said no they are not handicapped but they excel beyond normal students and they become bored waiting for others to catch up. They think outside the box that society has made for them. http://www.metagifted.org/topics/metagifted/indigo/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #52 posted by siege on November 27, 2005 at 14:49:52 PT THE MYTH OF ADHD The U.S. uses 90 % of the world's Ritalin. . .there is no solid evidence that ADHD is a genuine disorder or disease of any kind . . . there is no proof of any physical abnormalities in the brains or bodies of children who are routinely labeled ADHD. They do not have known biochemical imbalances or 'crossed wires'. . . ADHD is a controversial diagnosis with little or no scientific basis. . . A parent, teacher, or doctor can feel in good company when utterly dismissing the diagnosis and refusing to apply it to children."http://www.newswithviews.com/Turtel/joel3.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #51 posted by global_warming on November 27, 2005 at 13:52:36 PT Masks When can 'we take our masks off?Be recognized,As Mother Loving ChildrenWe need LoveWe can give LoveLike the rain'We water this world It is growingA True HumanIs being bornThat ChildBrings water and sunlight,Open and receiveWhat belongs to all of usEnd This War [ Post Comment ] Comment #50 posted by global_warming on November 27, 2005 at 12:57:55 PT Hope is a Pit Bull Thanks [ Post Comment ] Comment #49 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 12:38:26 PT That Seems Right To Me Too EJ that makes perfect sense. I have watched the Discovery Times Channel Special Off To War. The next episode which isn't scheduled yet will be about adjusting now that they are back from Iraq. In this group of National Guard there are different opinions about the war. Some were Republicans and some Democrats. They weren't at liberty to speak exactly as they feel they said on the show which bothered them. Maybe when they are out of the National Guard they will speak out so we can hear their honest opinions. I think those that will have trouble adjusting are those that saw very narrowly (Pro Bush and War) but those that saw the big picture might adjust to state side living a little better. [ Post Comment ] Comment #48 posted by global_warming on November 27, 2005 at 12:24:42 PT Further Righteous Dead HeadsAre Doomed, to endlessly Reciting and repeatingThose Mantras towards SalvationSalvation that never comesMuch like insanity is definedRepetitive gesturesBelief SystemsHoping for that different outcome That can never comeThe Light in this UniverseShines uponHorrible Human conditionsMay 'we come to like mindEnd this war on peopleEnd the prohibition on cannabisMay 'we receiveOur inheritanceMay 'we stand before the Lightpeace [ Post Comment ] Comment #47 posted by E_Johnson on November 27, 2005 at 12:17:42 PT Something I once read FoM I read somewhere once that people who hold the most romantic notions about war end up being the most destroyed by its unromantic reality. [ Post Comment ] Comment #46 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 12:10:55 PT Very Sad If I believed in the war and believed Bush was right and found out otherwise it would mess with my mind. Maybe he discovered more then he could handle. [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by E_Johnson on November 27, 2005 at 12:04:01 PT OT: Here's a sad story This is very sad. I don't know what's going to come out of Iraq but the top Army expert on military honor and military ethics went there and ended up shooting himself in despair.http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-colonel27nov27,0,1641096.story [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 12:03:04 PT global_warming OK now I know what you mean. I believe strongly in compromise because if we don't compromise we will fight. I am relating that to being married for a long time. Compromise makes people understand the other person and it puts us on the backburner and that's a good thing in my opinion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by Hope on November 27, 2005 at 11:59:54 PT Snippiness.... Just read back further...guess I was pretty "snippy". Rather like a Pitt Bull get's "snippy" when he goes in for the kill. With that analogy in mind, I pretty much shredded his britches leg at the least.I did attack...not so much that person specifically or personally, ...but law enforcement in general, which of course, they are an integral part of. Yep...I pretty much "ragged" on someone who was kind of sticking his neck out and making an effort at calm discussion.Diplomacy is important. I need to brush up on it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by global_warming on November 27, 2005 at 11:58:05 PT Answer All them plea-bargained people (Christians, Jews and Moslems) who believe in God, yet are owned by the the local bank.There is only One True Master, This is the Master who has Lighted the Stars [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 11:46:27 PT global_warming a question What is a righteous dead head. I never heard that before. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by global_warming on November 27, 2005 at 11:36:47 PT re:comment 37 If you got the balls, go kick some ass.Thinking of Rosa, that little black lady.When we those people start pushing back this mob of ignorant prohibitionists, those muddled headed and righteous dead heads, might scratch their empty bucket heads and just maybe, some light will get inside those dick heads. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by Hope on November 27, 2005 at 11:22:05 PT Oh! Thank you, Global Warming. That is so sweet. I'm touched and it does make me feel better. Thank you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 11:21:25 PT Hope I didn't mean that you have a bad temper. I have a bad temper. I don't even read boards where there is even the slightest bit of bickering. Once I see bickering I don't go back to read anymore. That way I don't get upset. I would rather think about making a web page or learning more about video or something. I'll read more on global warming or issues about poverty or any number of different topics. I also enjoy reading about certain music. It fills my days with positive things and it helps me stay focussed on what are my hopes and dreams of helping to reform the laws surrounding Cannabis. [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by Hope on November 27, 2005 at 11:19:32 PT And I will certainly concede... that while I might not think I was mean...I didn't do a very good job when I had the chance. That's not good, but I'll just have to forgive myself and live with it and try to do better, even if it means not saying what I'd really like to sometimes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by Hope on November 27, 2005 at 11:14:08 PT "...thinks I'm mean." They have now conceded that I'm not mean...just "concerned". So that's good. The "waters" there have calmed enough now that perhaps conversation will continue. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by Hope on November 27, 2005 at 11:09:58 PT Jim, Mayan, and FoM Thank you very much for the counsel. I needed it and it did help.FoM, I think I really don't have a bad temper. I do bow up about some things but I am usually willing to go to great lengths to solve disputes. Going back and rereading what I wrote on that blog I don't really see any meanness or insensitivity. Perhaps there was a bit of snippiness here and there, and of course, the subject is a very volatile one. I think perhaps it was like you said, Jim. Their take on it made it seem insensitive and mean to them.The very nice owner of the site did think I was "harangueing" the person I directed my comments to. It is a very important blog in Texas. Many influential people in Texas frequent the site, including lawmakers, law enforcement, lawyers, and government workers in Austin. I'd like to have done better and now I think perhaps it would have been better had I not said anything at all.Are you prepared for some irony? I mean real irony.The person who thinks I'm "mean" is a Texas narcotics officer, a former supervisor of one of our Narcotics Task Forces. I don't know which one or what his or her real history is, but he, or she, thinks I'm "mean". I still don't see it, but then it's always harder for us to see our own faults than it is for others to see them.It seems important to me that he or she is speaking out against much of the drug policy today. That, I think, is exceptionally good. He is speaking more sensibly than any prohibitionist I ever spoke to. That's important and he has accepted my apology and is speaking again. I'm thinking some real good may come of his posts there and that I've already said more than enough and ought not bring my "set in stone" attitude into the picture anymore at this point, for fear of stopping any progress that might possibly be made by the person in softening the hard line prohibitionist policy that we are up against today. I want it to end, but certainly softening the line is better than nothing at all.Again...thank you for your good counsel. I appreciate it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by global_warming on November 27, 2005 at 10:52:39 PT re:comment 23 I don't know what you said elsewhere, but I do know that you have never posted here with anything insensitive. In fact, I think you have a very thoughtful and insightful mind.Perhaps it is I that has been insensitive, for which I might use this oppurtunity to apologize.SorryWe all love you Hope.gw [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 10:44:22 PT Dankhank The news is slow because of it being Thanksgiving weekend but as far as coca goes it's just a plant. I don't believe plants are bad. I believe like Dr. Andrew Weil about coca. He believes coca leaves should be legal and put in chewing gum as one idea he mentioned. He said it would take the edge off people that want to use cocaine. I agree that plants including the poppy should not be against the law. If God made it how can it be bad? [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Dankhank on November 27, 2005 at 10:20:46 PT Wow, cain't spell ... Bill Maher .......... [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by Dankhank on November 27, 2005 at 10:18:44 PT amazement?? FoM, you voluntarily ran an article about the beautiful Coca Plant that may have as many uses as Cannabis ... uhhh ... nah ... but many anyway.Must be a reeeeeaaaaalllll slow news day .....No, wait, as Bill Mayer says, "I kid the FoM ..."great story, thankz [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 09:33:10 PT News Article on Legalizing Coca from The NYT Advocate for Coca Legalization Leads in Bolivian Race ***Excerpt: For thousands of years before that, however, Indian highlanders cultivated and chewed unprocessed coca to mitigate hunger and increase stamina. Though the Bolivian government has made growing coca largely illegal, the bright green leaves are taken for granted as part of Andean culture. They are still bought and sold legally across Bolivia for chewing or making tea, with people young and old never giving it a second thought. Indeed, coca tea is sold in supermarkets and it is consumed across the Andes, even in elegant hotels and offices. While acknowledging that cocaine trafficking is a problem, Mr. Morales and the coca growers contend that most coca in the Chapare goes for traditional uses. Mr. Morales says that as president he would allow the "industrial" use of coca, to make everything from toothpaste to pharmaceuticals to soft drinks to be exported as far away as China and Europe."Coca and coca tea can be industrialized to circulate internationally," Mr. Morales said during an interview en route to a meeting with coca farmers. "How can we not legalize, since we are not hurting anybody?"Complete Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/26/international/americas/26bolivia.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 08:25:40 PT Hope I have a very bad temper. When I lose it I lose it and no one is safe from my anger. I can shun a person for the rest of my life and live with it. Being high strung is good because it can make us creative and passionate about what we do. The hard thing is to know when to not get angry and to know when to get angry. Doing CNews for so many years has helped me put things in order. Do we need to put up with abuse? No, I don't think so. Do we need to be tolerant? Yes, I think we must be tolerant. Do we need to sacrifice our convictions? No, we don't need to sacrifice our convictions. Can we take pride in wisdom we have earned from life's experience? Yes, we can be humbly proud. Just some food for thought as to how I deal with life everyday. I don't use any drugs anymore since 94 so I have had to teach myself coping skills so I don't want to pick up a drink or swallow a bunch of pills. I used drugs and alcohol to escape and it caught up with me but now I say to myself is this or that worth it and often I say no. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by kaptinemo on November 27, 2005 at 08:23:31 PT: Now THIS is what is meant by 'framing' Thank you, Mayan, for that first link. I strongly suggest that everyone go there and read how simply changing the words from 'marijuana' to 'cannabis' can cause the entire thrust of the debate to favor our side.Everyone knows that words have meanings beyond their original intent. The proper term for this is 'connotation'. Our opponents like to use the slang term 'marijuana' because it has a connotation of association with criminality and/or (tacitly despised) ethnic minorities. When Dr. Denney brought this up to the awareness of the people he was addressing, he shut down (most of) the usual blindly ignorant blathering that we hear so often regarding the issue.In short, he stopped playing by the anti's stacked deck by ceasing to use their terminology...getting and holding the pol's attention in the process. A lesson all reformers should take to heart. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by mayan on November 27, 2005 at 06:33:27 PT Arkansas Pot Shots: Dr. Denney in Arkansas - By FRED GARDNER: http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner11262005.htmlWisconsin...Madison weekly: What's happening at the state capital: http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051127/APC0101/511270519/1003/APCnews [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on November 27, 2005 at 06:32:14 PT Hope I understand what you are saying but is it possible whoever said you were insensitive was being insensitive? [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by mayan on November 27, 2005 at 05:52:07 PT Hope Yeah, what Jim said. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by Jim Lunsford on November 27, 2005 at 03:45:52 PT Hope Whenever you speak or write, or whatever, it means different things to everyone who notes your actions. Everyone’s past and present interpretations of reality are filtered through their life’s experiences. To the degree that everyone’s reality is completely different from everyone else’s experience. It gets complicated after this, so I’ll try to stick with this part!In my opinion, what is important is not that someone might get offended. Not that I think we should go out of our way to offend, just that we can’t allow concerns about what other people might think to get in the way of our actions. I used to worry so much about what others might think of me, and then I realized they were all worrying in the same manner. I don’t really have time to waste on what others might be thinking about me. That would paralyze my actions and actually give the gossipmongers something to talk about. Instead, the less time I spend on worrying about what someone’s reaction might be, and the more I spend on whatever it is I am doing at the moment, the happier I am.I am a work in progress, as is everyone else. However, living more and more in the now, I am less and less concerned about some vague future. A future which will come anyway, and isn’t worth the “bird in the hand” that I have with the present. Frustration is merely allowing the past to dictate your future by controlling your present actions. Once the past becomes the past, it no longer exists. Only our attachments to those memories dictate our present state of emotions. By not recognizing that these attachments are just emotional memories, and are impeding our perception of reality, we feel frustration, or some other emotion. There is another old saying that goes something like this: The enlightened person sees the perfection that already exists. We have created this world of oppression and prohibition by our fears and attachments. And it perfectly reflects these fears. All prophecies are self-fulfilling. With a mind concerned with what we don’t want to happen, our fears are realized. I am a novice skydiver, with just under three hundred skydives. Nevertheless, I do have a tendency to worry about the “what-ifs” that can happen in this way of life. Those “what-ifs” tend to be very serious in this sport, and I began to realize them in reality. Now, I am beginning to see it more in the realm of possibilities. What can I do, not what may happen. I think it makes a difference. It boils down to this: If nothing could stop you from achieving your goals, what could you do? Anything. And only your thoughts limit your actions and deeds. I hope this helps. We truly do only have one thing to fear; and that is fear itself. Peace, JimRev Jim LunsfordFirst Cannabist ChurchEternity: One second of perfect clarity and knowing of the present is worth far more than an eternity of mindless being. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by Hope on November 26, 2005 at 22:48:22 PT FoM. It's so true...all too often. "I think for me it was my first realization that what we believe and hope for isn't always the way it will go." I'm worried about something and feel I should say that maybe others should go slow and be more cautious about what they say now, too. We've seen things get messed up before when we seemed so close to seeing cannabis prohibition and persecution ended. Probably others of you are also getting a bit of that anxiety. I'm a bit worried because something odd happened to me recently, and partially today, in a conversation about the reform of drug laws. It was an important conversation to me and I thought I went about it in much the same way I always do. More or less, saying what ever true thing came to my mind at the moment that seemed relevant to the discussion.Only this time something went wrong. I messed up all the way around. I let my anger and frustration get the best of me. I said too much and wasn't succinct and clear at all. As a result, I was told that I was "insensitive" and even "mean". Am I often that way and don't realize it? I was told my choice of wording in the conversation did my cause more harm than good and instead of rational and reasonable, I came off as insensitive and mean. That alarms me. I certainly do not want to slow us down as we strive toward our goal. I'm so sad that I so badly messed up an important, to me, opportunity to share my thoughts. I prayed, as usual, too. I'm stunned and embarrassed that I dropped the ball so miserably and completely. I was feeling too much anger, without fully realizing it and didn't control it like an experienced person knows absolutely must be done in those situations. Ranting here is one thing, but ranting to people who you hope to convince of the injustice of the drug war is not the way to go. We all know that.Dang. I'm so upset. What I'm saying is, this may be a crucial time in our fight and we've become so used to the daily grind of it that we might get careless. I apparently did, big time. If it's happening to me, it might be happening with others...so just be careful.This is not the time to let our anger at the injustice of it all cause our efforts to misfire. But somehow...I think my anger has reached a point that I don't trust myself to speak out as rationally and with as much reason as has usually been the case, I think, in the past. I lost it and turned a thoughtful conversation into a rant. It cost us something and I lost an opportunity to possibly do some good.This post probably doesn't make any sense...it sounds vague and confusing, even as I'm trying to say it. Maybe it's just me and I just need to give it a rest for a bit. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on November 26, 2005 at 21:07:44 PT Dankhank We have been watching the History Channel and it is about the Kennedys. Every time we see something about the Kennedy family it takes us back to that dreaded day when Kennedy was killed. It was a strange time for us and the whole country. I think for me it was my first realization that what we believe and hope for isn't always the way it will go. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Dankhank on November 26, 2005 at 20:26:38 PT the boys ... I was 13 when the fab four exploded over America ...What a ride ...I'm listening to the Pixies, now, on Austin City Limits ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on November 26, 2005 at 19:35:18 PT Thanks Dankhank I like this part:The scene-by-scene particulars are fascinating; for example, the description of Ringo meticulously rolling up towels to seal the threshold under the door of a room at the Delmonico Hotel in New York the night in 1964 when they met Bob Dylan and Dylan introduced them to marijuana. "An unusually gregarious Dylan was delighted by the Beatles' curiosity and readiness to experiment," Spitz writes. "They got right in the groove, which relaxed the recalcitrant bard, who lit joint after joint, fanning the fateful flame." The chapter ends: "Nothing would ever be the same again." [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Dankhank on November 26, 2005 at 19:30:36 PT OT a bit .... http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/27/books/review/27stern.htmlfor Beatle Fans ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on November 26, 2005 at 17:30:21 PT potpal That was a wonderful video clip. What a kind man. Money isn't the most important thing to some people. That gives me hope. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by potpal on November 26, 2005 at 17:19:39 PT corner drug store Dig it. http://video.cgi.cbsnews.com/video/video.pl?url=/media/2005/11/26/video1075745.wmv&sid=3480&dart=news.video4 [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by BGreen on November 26, 2005 at 17:17:57 PT When the pigs don't obey the law the pigs are criminals and should rot in jail.I'm really sure the lying pigs didn't know the law.BS!The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on November 26, 2005 at 17:13:54 PT News Article from AlterNet Good Drugs***By Annalee Newitz, AlterNet November 23, 2005Researchers discovered that chemicals from marijuana rejuvenate an area of the brain linked with learning. My favorite news bump of the past couple of months started in one of my favorite Canadian cities: Saskatoon. Researchers there at the University of Saskatchewan demonstrated that marijuana rejuvenates cells in the hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with learning and memory. Neuroscientist Xia Zhang and his team injected rats with a superpotent chemical synthesized to resemble a chemical found in a typical puff of pot. And, under the influence of this mega-marijuana, the rats started growing new brain cells.Please tell me this means that all those annoying PSAs with Rachael Leigh Cook smashing things and talking about "your brain on drugs" will have to be rethought – or possibly just erased from the nation's cultural memory. Then again, with all those new brain cells we'll be growing, it might be hard for us to forget.Complete Article: http://alternet.org/story/28681/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by siege on November 26, 2005 at 16:55:56 PT live I see the Warmth and Gentelness and provocative side come forth some would take it for weakness, they are the foolish ones, we hold the one's that have been or being sacrificed dear to us, for our causa. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Hope on November 26, 2005 at 16:31:06 PT I'm not getting at anything... Really.It's just a feeling I have about that compliment directed toward women and I wanted to share it with you. My feelings are nothing, except to me and perhaps, people who care about me. Just thought I'd share one...and I truly wish I hadn't now.It's nothing more than a thought shared by a woman friend to a male friend. We should drop it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by global_warming on November 26, 2005 at 15:57:59 PT What is it your getting at..Lady Hope,am I too testicular?Is Ovarian thinking coming Forth?Praise the Mother of JesusMary, and womenhood,In the short timeI have to writeOur Children'Are being slaughtered [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Hope on November 26, 2005 at 15:44:44 PT Global Warming I understand. It is a very common, and much used term.Glad you didn't take offense at my feminine suggestion. I like you is the only reason I bothered to mention it. It's really not all that wonderful a thought, having testicular abundance, to those of us who like the courage we get from our ovaries just fine.It was just a gentle suggestion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by global_warming on November 26, 2005 at 15:16:44 PT GoodNight World I Pray, the New MornWill SeeA Hand of GentelnessReaching outWith Food and Warmth Christmas marks,This Time of Year, Prayers for Angel And Fools Who seek her end Those that have not yet Found That Eternal Gentle Hand That fills our human basket,Forever.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by global_warming on November 26, 2005 at 14:54:25 PT Jesus Had Balls His sacrifice is BornThat Power from AboveIs the problem"Do You Believe In God" [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by global_warming on November 26, 2005 at 14:14:17 PT November 26 In the year 2005,The Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team raided the apartment Brownlee ,..Vallario, who heads up a drug team, admitted officers erred by destroying the plants, but he said they had acted in good faith and didn't know about the law..Is this the kind of news headline that we have to live with?Who is deciding what is News?Imagine, the Head of the Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team, making such a statement, because of a green plant, much like that maligned dandelion, guess they have their hands full, what with all those bad greeny plants, that are sprouting all over this place.Balls, is another word for courage Hope, Angel has them, she is coming forth to testify, her last breath, I pray, will inhale the green green grass of home. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by siege on November 26, 2005 at 09:43:36 PT Virus Alert Admin jademountain.com Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie 11-26-2005 Admin zlf.bssntnt.com Registration Confirmation 11-25-2005info yahoo.com Registration_Confirmation 11-26-2005 info 98frog.com Mail delivery failed 11-26-2005 [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 26, 2005 at 09:39:15 PT Siege Thank you. That's the first one I have ever received but I'll keep my eyes open for more. I marked it as spam and blocked the address so the one I got should not return I hope. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by siege on November 26, 2005 at 09:29:17 PT VIRUS the last week have had about 30 of them the IP take them out here. you have been to 30 illegal sites admin CIA.gov ( admin FBI.gov, and more.all .gov [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by runruff on November 26, 2005 at 09:27:03 PT: To many bennies. Don't give the leos the benefit of the doubt. They haven't earned it. If the herb was in bud they took it. They used it or sold it. We all know green bud is green gold. I don't believe for one minute that any cop is going to throw away gold that will not have to be accounted for. If not in bud they through it away in spite.Are you "fed" up yet. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 26, 2005 at 08:41:57 PT Just a Virus Warning When I looked at my email this address came with nothing else in the content. I did a search and it is a virus so be careful. Here's a link.admin cia.govDON'T OPEN E-MAIL FROM ADMIN CIA.GOV ATTACHMENT CONTAINS THE VIRUS I-Worm/Sober.CFhttp://middlewesterner.typepad.com/middlewesterner/2005/11/dont_open_email.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 26, 2005 at 08:28:33 PT Hemp Link I saw this link in a hemp article and thought others might want to see it too. My sister asked me where we get our Hemp from and I said mostly China I think. She asked why we can't grow Hemp here and I told her. She said that's just wrong.http://www.hempbedlinen.com.au/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by siege on November 26, 2005 at 07:19:23 PT WHERE THE CRIME According to the amendment, police have to preserve the plants until the case is finished. "It's really difficult," Vallario said. "You just want to say, 'just go and do another case,' but we can't just ignore it, because there's a **potential crime being committed."** WHERE THE CRIME!! The amendment doesn't make any provision to help police deal with evidence handling, he said. "I think it's kind of half a law." KEEP YOUR DAM HANDS OFF A**HOLE!!Vallario, who heads up a drug team, admitted officers erred by destroying the plants, but he said they had acted in good faith and didn't know about the law. JUIST GOOD LITTLE SHEEP FOLLOWING THE DEA!!"Are we supposed to take all those plants and rent a warehouse somewhere and maintain them?" he asked. THE POLICE MADE THE ARREST SO IT IS THERE RESPONSIBILITY!! "Or is the property owner ... supposed to maintain the plants until this can be settled in court? There's really no practical way to do that. THE POLICE: To seize and hold under the authority of law.Vallario said he's not optimistic that voters will pass an amendment to fix this dilemma. **But officers may have a way out, he said**. They could leave the plants where they are, allowing them to be abandoned after their owners are arrested, then treat them like any other abandoned contraband. THIS LEAVES THE STATE AND CITY AND THE POLICE DEPT. IN FOR A LARGE LAW SUE, WHEN ALL IS FINSHED AND DONE!! KEEP YOUR DAM HANDS OFF, YOU KNOW IT IS NOT CONTRABAND, YOU GOVERNMENT SHEEP!! IF THE (PLANTS) ARE IN THE HOUSE THEY ARE NOT ABANDONED!! ARE YOU SAYING THAT IF I TAKE A WALK FOR 1 HOUR, YOU CAN SAY THAT I HAVE ABANDONED MY HOME, Sheriff Lou Vallario arrested: IS NOT ABANDONED YOU ARE JUST LOOKING TO GET AROUND THE LAW OF THE STATE!! BEST WISHES I HOPE THEY VOTE YOU OUT SOON. 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