cannabisnews.com: Narcotics Charges Possible After Marijuana Raids Narcotics Charges Possible After Marijuana Raids Posted by CN Staff on December 22, 2005 at 08:13:24 PT By Wyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Staff Writer Source: San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco -- Federal agents are compiling evidence seized in raids on a San Francisco medical marijuana club and pot-growing operations in the city and Sonoma County, which could soon lead to narcotics charges, a Drug Enforcement Administration spokeswoman said Wednesday. Agents raided the South of Market club late Tuesday after an earlier visit drew a raucous crowd of protesters. Agents said they had seized a small amount of baked goods at the marijuana club at Ninth and Howard streets and 500 plants at a warehouse on nearby Clara Street. Earlier Tuesday, agents raided the home of the club owners, Catherine and Steve Smith, and confiscated 122 plants, along with financial records and growing equipment. A simultaneous raid in the Sonoma County town of Penngrove turned up 217 plants. The DEA said the investigation there led agents to the Smiths. No one has been arrested. Casey McEnry, a DEA spokeswoman, said that the value of the seized plants was about $2 million and that agents had also taken away 20 pounds of processed marijuana. "We're working with the U.S. attorney's office, and they are reviewing the evidence to make the determination on whether charges are filed," McEnry said. The U.S. attorney's office would not comment. Although medical marijuana growing and use was legalized by state voters in 1996, it is still against federal law. Steve Smith said Wednesday that he was in "constant fear" of being arrested and had been unable to sleep. The Smiths dispute the government's report on the size of their growing operation, saying there were only 130 plants -- not 500 -- in their warehouse. They said the agents had also taken about $50,000 in cash from their residence. Snipped:Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/e3cn9Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Wyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Staff WriterPublished: Thursday, December 22, 2005Copyright: 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Related Articles:DEA Returns and Raids SF Marijuana Clubhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21398.shtmlMedical Marijuana Provider Raided http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21397.shtmlPot Club Owners' Home Raided in SoMahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21396.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #20 posted by whig on December 23, 2005 at 21:08:47 PT potpal "Anyway, my birthday song may be a little more thought provoking, if I may say so, but of course the Beatles sound soo good. And being a songwriter, I like the fact that like the Beatles I quickly recognized and incorporated a well established hook...Happy Birthday to you!"I think the Beatles are underestimated, but of course they have to be. They could not have been as successfully subversive of the establishment if they had been perceived as such. I suggest that their Birthday song means much the same as yours. John knew, anyhow. He knew, and it is who he was, and then he was killed for it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on December 23, 2005 at 18:27:38 PT potpal I listen to music on the computer or on a CD and have used headphones but our Amp and speakers aren't connected to the computer. Our Amp is a 80 Watt Kenwood and it works fine but it very old. I have good speakers that came with the computer and they work fine. I really am only learning about audio and video recently. This computer has a couple nice programs that seem to be helping me figure out how to make VCDs. Video or a picture slide show have been fun to play around with. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by potpal on December 23, 2005 at 18:08:57 PT FoM I was being silly. FoC would be the acronym. Anyway, have you interfaced your computer with your audio system yet? In case you haven't and our interested, a simple earphone jack/RCA (red/white) plug on the other side does it. Earphone plug on the PC/line in on the sterio. Voila. Music is magic. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on December 23, 2005 at 15:17:23 PT potpal Thank you. I don't understand what you mean about my name but I am dense sometimes and today is one of those days. We have been working at getting our speakers hooked back up. We had to move things and they weren't working for a while. Now we have music thruout the house and I just love that. We still have speakers my husband got when he was in Vietnam in 69 and they sound great to this day. I got new bedroom drapes today so I'm enjoying Christmas. I hope you have a very happy holiday weekend. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by potpal on December 23, 2005 at 15:04:02 PT FoM Thank you for the complement and all you do for everyone. May the force be with you.Just occurred to me that if you ID was Friend of Cannabis, the acronym would be a bit provoking. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by potpal on December 23, 2005 at 14:54:22 PT whig Love the Beatles. Reading McCartney's semi-autobiography at the moment, Many Years From Now, been out a while just getting around to reading it. Looks good on the shelf. Anyway, it's a rather fab take on and addition to Beatle trivia. Paul and his interviewer and actual writer, pretty much detail his day to day life during the 60s. So much is written about the band so this being more or less about Paul, the fact the he was single and lived in the heart of swingin' London, where John was married, a Dad and lived in the burbs, his life sytle and pals and such, where he hung out and with who, and who wrote each little line of every song, gets a little petty at times and John isn't here to second it of course...but in all I'm enjoying it a lot. Anyway, my birthday song may be a little more thought provoking, if I may say so, but of course the Beatles sound soo good. And being a songwriter, I like the fact that like the Beatles I quickly recognized and incorporated a well established hook...Happy Birthday to you!Give pot a chance. Stay tuned. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by whig on December 23, 2005 at 03:43:37 PT potpal You say it's your birthdayIt's my birthday too--yeahThey say it's your birthdayWe're gonna have a good timeI'm glad it's your birthdayHappy birthday to you.Yes we're going to a party partyYes we're going to a party partyYes we're going to a party party.I would like you to dance--BirthdayTake a cha-cha-cha-chance-BirthdayI would like you to dance--BirthdayDanceYou say it's your birthdayWell it's my birthday too--yeahYou say it's your birthdayWe're gonna have a good timeI'm glad it's your birthdayHappy birthday to you.(Beatles - Birthday) [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on December 22, 2005 at 19:45:28 PT potpal That was so beautiful and true. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by potpal on December 22, 2005 at 19:28:49 PT In other words...;-) Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. And without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee. By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by potpal on December 22, 2005 at 19:23:20 PT Jim, the price we pay Nice sermon. I had just written a song that I believe reflects something along the line, What if you greeted every day like a child at Xmas?: Welcome to my world! (Hi ho) Or each day as the awakening it is.Every day’s your birthday Once you open up your eyes Every day’s your birthday Each comes with some surprise Every day is a new day I’ve come to realize Every day’s your birthday Happy birthday to youWorld/Wheel goes round and round It’s a revolution Sun goes up and down A grand illusionEvery day’s your birthday Once you step into the light Every day’s your birthday Each comes with some delight Every day is a new day There to get you through the night Every day’s your birthday Happy birthday to you12/12/005 (c)BurgerWords be what they may.The price of pot...karazy. No prohibition, 49 cents a pound. Everybody grows pot. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by ekim on December 22, 2005 at 19:22:08 PT new years wish ############################## for those at hia post here with big ideas.will those among us that have worked with hemp as rope or sails please devise a great straining device that can be taken to a river like in China now experincing the worst polution spills of this centrey. the h string will be strung across the water, with tubes with holes for sucking all that is on top of the rushing water. different filters will be incorpated by inflating other tubes that have been imbeded in the hemp fabric. the hemp is local and renewable and may have features that will collect or cause said contaminet to be attracted to it. http://www.thehia.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by siege on December 22, 2005 at 15:47:17 PT Oakland council denies cannabis clubs' legality Officials say drug's low priority for police doesn't legitimize itBy Heather MacDonald, STAFF WRITER OAKLAND — Measure Z, which made private adult use of cannabis the police department's lowest priority for law enforcement, does not allow commercial sales of the drug at private clubs, the City Council decided Tuesday.http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_3333460 [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Sukoi on December 22, 2005 at 14:45:36 PT Whaaat??? "Federal agents are compiling evidence seized in raids on a San Francisco medical marijuana club and pot-growing operations in the city and Sonoma County, which could soon lead to narcotics charges, a Drug Enforcement Administration spokeswoman said Wednesday." Narcotics charges? Doesn't the DEA know that cannabis is NOT a narcotic? What a bunch of morons. The "moronathon" continues... [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by ekim on December 22, 2005 at 10:32:34 PT what is the correct amount to be charged----- yes Ron the state of the law (HEA) is pathetic.but those young folks that have fought so valiantly deserve great admiration.if for no other reason than forcing lawmakers minds to admit your litany of wrongs to themselves.as to the Golden Plants -------lets reread what happen down in SD last week.Prop. 215’s intent lay at the heart of the San Diego Police Department’s decision to take part in Monday’s raids. Assistant Police Chief Cheryl Meyers told CityBeat Tuesday that had the raids been only a product of the federal government’s attitude that medicinal marijuana is just as illegal as recreational marijuana, San Diego Police would not have participated. However, Meyers said, “we were convinced; the evidence was there” that each of the 13 locations raided were acting outside the boundaries of Prop. 215 and the city’s medical-marijuana guidelines. She said state and city laws do not allow for caregivers, which is what the dispensaries are supposed to be, to make a profit. “They’re jacking up the prices so steep [that] they’re making a profit off of the illness” of their patients, “and they were very loose in who they sold the marijuana to.” With the DEA tagging these plants at 2 Million the cost of doing business just went up. How much is it going to cost these dispensaries in court costs. IF Assistant Police Chief Cheryl Meyers feels that a fixed price for Cannabis can be made then by all means please speak up, tell the courts what a just and equitable price should be charged to recoup the cost of fighting the Fed and State Govt on the behalf of the People. http://www.minorml.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 22, 2005 at 10:20:22 PT dongenero Thank you. I wonder how they come up with those prices? They seem very high. Who could possibly afford to pay that much money or who should have to pay that much money? [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by dongenero on December 22, 2005 at 10:06:16 PT High Times market quotes F0M, here are current cannabis prices according to High Times Market Quotes.http://hightimes.com/ht/home/content.php?page=thmq_1205 [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 22, 2005 at 09:52:56 PT Cost of Pot I don't understand the cost of Cannabis. It's around a $100 an ounce as far as I know. Why is so expensive? What I've heard is good homegrown is around $125 to $150 but not hundreds of dollars. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Ron Bennett on December 22, 2005 at 09:38:48 PT What are those plants made of ... gold? "...value of the seized plants was about $2 million..."$2 million!? Were they made of gold ... geez, talk about inflating market value.In regards to the financial aid provision change, I'm not overly excited ... if they'd eliminated it, that would be something to cheer about ...As it stands now, college students who are convicted of burglary, rape, murder, etc can get financial aid no problem - heck, they may actually qualify for even more! ... and yet, college students convicted of mere possession, etc of cannabis can lose all financial aid just like that ... crazy stuff! :(Ron [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Jim Lunsford on December 22, 2005 at 09:30:56 PT The World Is Changing In fact, the only thing you can count on in this world is change. And, as the Buddha say, only that which is unchanging is real. I'm sorry, couldn't help myself. This government is so hilarious.I really enjoy this comedy show of life. This information superhighway has really demonstrated the irrelevance of government in our lives. And so much of it is just nothing but self-fullfilling prophecies.Reagan announced a little fact while in office about how government would always be substandard. The best minds went to business. An emphasis on a problem as an obstacle and not an opportunity for society to view government as a work in progress. A progress where service would be a higher goal than just monetary wealth. We have an apopolyptic religious nutcase in charge. Not just Bush, but the whole sector of society that is ruling now. So, out of fear of the end times, they create the perfect setting ofr it in Iraq. Gee, wipe out all the government inferastructure excepting religion, and you get an anti-usa religious political party. Oh yeah, Allah will come down and judge us as the Christ will come down on here. According to their religion anyway. Or what I've been told of it. Who would have ever figured that one out? We are so insane with our actions. I find life so hilarious. All of this power grab stuff over another. When our world ends at the end of our life, does the rest of the world even pause? So, what good is this power grabbing? Sorry, just here to enjoy the ride.I like all these polls on impeachment lately. Though I would have to admit they probably don't represent a fair spectrum of society. Only those that would be biased towards impeaching him would have read that article probably. And would have to be finding that site. Which means people who are connected to that "Master Mind" principle of the internet. Napolean Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" is the source of the master mind theory. Just thought I would clarify what I was talking about there. It's not what you know, but having the question and finding the answer, that counts. Or maybe it doesn't. Anyway, I have to agree with my friend from Europe. The world is changing so fast that next year will be the beginning of something totally different in the all forms of our life. Government is becoming irrelevant to the society. That will change.It amazes me that the only true pains we experience in this inevitable change result from these organizations resisting the change. Nothing but fears bringing themselves to life. What we concentrate and focus on, becomes our reality. Fears are only groundless if you know them to be groundless. But, our entire governmental structure is based upon fear. Hilarious.How much freedom is a person willing to give up, when we all die one day anyway? How safe is a world in which no one survives? And how much fun is it to be secure? I find the unknown future to be less of a problem when I am enjoying the present so much. And the past will only affect you as long as you allow it, as well.Rev Jim LunsfordFirst Cannabist ChurchWhat if you greeted every day like a child at Xmas?: Welcome to my world! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by ekim on December 22, 2005 at 09:04:42 PT found at www.drugwarrant.com Wednesday, December 21, 2005 Senate passes reform of HEA Drug Provision http://daregeneration.blogspot.com/ This morning, at about a quarter to 11:00 EST, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation bill by a margin of 51-50, with Vice President Cheney casting the tie-breaking vote. The budget bill contained a reform to the HEA Drug Provision, which would remove the provision’s retroactivity to make students ineligible for financial aid based on past drug convictions. The bill is almost set to become law, pending the President’s signature.By removing the retroactivity of ineligibility, the provision will now make ineligible only those applicants for financial aid who are convicted of drug offenses while in school and receiving financial aid. This law will be in effect for the next school year.This is a major victory. Only because of the years of sustained pressure by student activists did Congress reform this disastrous law. It’s a good first step, however this reform is still sorely lacking. If Congress had looked seriously and honestly at the facts, they would have repealed it altogether. http://www.leap.cc/events [ Post Comment ] Post Comment