cannabisnews.com: Marijuana: Medicine or Drug?










  Marijuana: Medicine or Drug?

Posted by CN Staff on April 10, 2007 at 05:56:16 PT
By Tristan Scott of the Missoulian 
Source: Missoulian 

Montana -- Because Robin Prosser uses prescribed marijuana to ease her chronic pain and illness, she calls it medicine. Because Jeff Sweetin is a federal agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency, he calls it a dangerous drug.And because federal law supersedes state law, making it illegal to grow, sell, purchase or use marijuana, even for health-related reasons, Prosser is out of luck.
“From the DEA's standpoint, it's not medical marijuana, it's just plain marijuana,” said Sweetin, special agent in charge of the DEA's Rocky Mountain Field Division.That's how federal agents saw it earlier this month, when they nabbed Prosser's shipment of marijuana from a UPS delivery truck - it was marijuana, plain and simple. And illegal.But for Prosser, who suffers from a lupus-related immunosuppressive disorder, an illness that for the past 22 years has caused her heart trouble, muscle spasms, nausea, bone fractures and migraines - maladies that daily marijuana use helps mitigate - it's the difference between full-time agony and the ability to function.“I'm a sick person,” said Prosser, 50. “But I'm also intelligent. I've raised a child in this community who's about to graduate from the university, I've been a productive citizen, I was in the PTA, and yet I'm considered a criminal.”Prosser thought she'd witnessed the ushering in of a new era in November 2004, when voters approved the Montana Medical Marijuana Act. The law allows patients to use marijuana if they suffer from diseases like cancer, glaucoma and HIV, or from chronic pain.Prosser, who qualifies as a patient, can grow her own marijuana or designate a caregiver to grow or obtain marijuana for her. According to the act, either Prosser or her caregiver can possess six plants or up to 1 ounce of dried marijuana at a time.The new law was like a godsend for Prosser, who's tried nearly every pill doctors could prescribe, including morphine, anti-nausea pills and other painkillers, even though she's allergic to them all. Marijuana, Prosser says, is the only thing that makes her pain manageable.“I don't see how they can deny me a thing that saves my life,” she said. “I can't eat without it.”On March 30, Prosser learned that a package containing 20 grams of marijuana had been confiscated by federal agents. The package was clearly addressed to Prosser and even gave the return address of her designated caregiver, who is registered through Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services.“They confiscated 20 grams of marijuana,” Prosser said. “Less than an ounce, and yet it's the difference between agony and the ability to live my life.”According to Roy Kemp, who maintains the registry as the state's licensing bureau chief, 319 patients in 36 counties are currently recognized under the Montana Medical Marijuana Act. Kemp says 118 Montana physicians and 116 caregivers have signed up to assist qualifying patients like Prosser.Kemp's office at the Department of Health and Human Services also ensures that doctors are licensed by the state, and that appointed caregivers haven't been convicted of a felony drug offense.In short, Kemp makes sure everything is above board. But at the behest of a law enforcement officer, Kemp has to confirm whether a person is registered with the state as a medical marijuana patient or as a caregiver, which is exactly what happened in Prosser's case.According to special agent Sweetin, even though the federal government tends to focus on a brand of drug trafficking out of sync with Prosser's case, the discrepancy between state and federal law means the agency is obligated to investigate every complaint.“The reason we encounter these cases at all is that when we get a call about something suspicious, we're duty bound to go check it out,” Sweetin said. “What's the alternative? The alternative would be to say, ‘Hey, don't worry about it.' We get involved in these cases because it's our responsibility to investigate.”So when a UPS employee flagged the package as “suspicious,” apparently due to its strong odor, the company's security officer called 9-1-1 and the complaint was forwarded to Missoula's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.“We did seize that marijuana,” Sweetin said. “It came to our attention that there was a package being shipped via UPS that was thought to contain marijuana. We obtained a federal search warrant because we had probable cause to believe it contained marijuana.”And although Sweetin said Prosser almost certainly won't face federal charges, the DEA is more inclined to prosecute caregivers, many of whom provide marijuana for more than one patient.“Is she in violation of federal law? Absolutely. Will she be prosecuted? No,” Sweetin said. “But if you're a caregiver shipping marijuana all over Montana, you stand a relatively good chance of experiencing federal prosecution.”That's a harsh reality for Prosser, who says it's become increasingly difficult to find caregivers willing to risk the possibility of federal charges. Her only alternative now is to obtain marijuana from dealers on the street, which costs more and makes it impossible to settle on a consistent strain of the drug.“I need a consistent, steady supply of the same strain,” Prosser said. “But it's so hard to find a caregiver when the minimum punishment for growing and cultivating is five years under federal law.”Prosser said she had been with her current caregiver less than two months prior to the DEA seizure, and isn't sure where she'll turn next.“It was the first time I was able to find a consistent supply, so I don't have to fear running out,” Prosser said.According to Kemp, a single ounce of marijuana lasts a patient about 10 days.“It forces people to be constantly looking at how to get their next ounce,” Kemp said.Prosser says she's been living with that anxiety for more than a decade.In 2002, Prosser sustained a 60-day hunger strike and lost 76 pounds to call attention to the need for legally prescribed marijuana. She attempted suicide four times in two years because, she says, the pain became unbearable.“I can't believe I'm having to come back and battle for this again,” Prosser said. “I'll go on another hunger strike and this time I won't stop.”But despite state laws, the issue of legalizing marijuana for medical use remains mired in a federal resolve to keep the drug illegal.“Confusion reigns on this issue and it's not going to get any easier as more states go down the same pass, from the legalization of medical marijuana to the legalization of an ounce or less,” Sweetin said. “It just creates a lot of confusion.”That line of reasoning doesn't sit well with Prosser, who is near tears as she recounts the daily frustrations of her life - the paranoia of taking a puff in the parking lot at Target so she won't get sick while shopping, the conflict in trying to be a good person and a responsible mother while being labeled a criminal by the government.“Two years of this law not working is all I can take,” she says.Source: Missoulian (MT)Author: Tristan Scott of the MissoulianPublished: April 10, 2007Copyright: 2007 MissoulianContact: oped missoulian.comWebsite: http://www.missoulian.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml

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Comment #53 posted by gloovins on April 15, 2007 at 18:49:08 PT
No problem Toker & yr welcome
Dankhank - that was an interesting google search, I just don't know the practicallity of homemaking my cat's food. But a dog - yeah - cats can be very finnicky about their food though. A subtle difference I suppose...
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Comment #52 posted by FoM on April 14, 2007 at 06:35:29 PT
Dankhank
That's a good link. If I didn't have one of my dogs that's the size of a small pony I'd make food for him and her. 
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Comment #51 posted by Dankhank on April 13, 2007 at 21:32:55 PT
dog food ...
try this ... http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=homemade+dog+food+older+dog&spell=1
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Comment #50 posted by Toker00 on April 13, 2007 at 03:42:01 PT
Thanks, Hope!
: )Toke.
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Comment #49 posted by Toker00 on April 13, 2007 at 03:39:25 PT
I appreciate that, gloovins!
You bet I'll check it out. I agree with you that cats can make a good friend. A long time ago I had a little solid black cat named Molly. She was a dog at heart. She would get sideways and hiss and actually BARK when someone came to the door! I am NOT lying! I swear, that little cat acted like a dog! Just as possessive and just as protective. Toke.
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Comment #48 posted by gloovins on April 12, 2007 at 19:52:58 PT
Your dog & food Toker
Hey just readin your post Toker & you asked if anyone knows a good pet food. I don't know how I stumbled upon it but several years ago I found this company, www.flintriver.com & they seemed to know what was up with pet food if you read their site info. Anyway, my cat loves their oven-baked food - dry only - & is in very healthy spry shape for an 11-yr old cat! Noticed that was your dogs age & thought I'd pass along a tip on food for your loved one...I don't know what I do w/o my cat, I found her as a kitten, a stray in May of 1996 & while I know dogs are mans best friend - well - I'm hear to say cats can be too...! Hope your dog & you & everyone here   C-news are doing well & prospering... :)
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Comment #47 posted by Hope on April 12, 2007 at 19:36:18 PT
Elvis
That's sweet. I hope he gets well and you get to keep him a while longer.
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Comment #46 posted by Toker00 on April 12, 2007 at 15:41:24 PT
One last call before I go get him tomorrow.
They said he was leading a hound dog rock n roll party in the back of the clinic, so I guess he's back on track. That's my Buddy. I can sleep now. I'll tell ya what he says about his visit when I pick him up tomorrow. He's so funny. I love him.Toke.
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Comment #45 posted by whig on April 12, 2007 at 13:06:44 PT
Toker00
I haven't done any baking in a few months, figured it was best to let others do so for awhile. Seems that someone is, maybe a lot of someones, because I can see the change happening all around.
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Comment #44 posted by FoM on April 12, 2007 at 13:03:09 PT
Toker00
I'm glad he will be ok. We always have to pay in because of social security. We usually owe a couple thousand to them. We'll know on Monday morning when the taxes get done. I hate tax time. 
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Comment #43 posted by Toker00 on April 12, 2007 at 12:42:01 PT
Relatively good news.
Yeah, Had Enough, I like the kind of biscuits that make you float on your back about five feet in the air, then gently lower you down into a pillow of softness. They are kinda hard to get around here, but whig makes 'em, so Cali. has them. I think that's what they gave El at the vet today. He will be there until in the morning for observation and heart medicing regulation. When his lungs get congested, and this can happen within a few days, his heart works overtime, and swells. He is resting now and will rest tonight. I'll pick him up in the morning and he will probably be chasing the cat outside the fence soon enough. I'm just glad his blood work and kidneys were ok. Worried about the poisoning of so many other good dogs. Can someone suggest a good food for older dogs that's not processed? I don't ever want to lose him, but I SURE don't want to be the one who gives him poison food.Bless you FoM and all for the concern. Now I'm going for a BC for this tension headache after a day of dealing with my Brotherhound's sickness, and paying taxes. At least I didn't owe but 25 dollars to Ceasar this year. Ha!Toke.  
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Comment #42 posted by Had Enough on April 12, 2007 at 10:59:50 PT
Hey Toker
Sorry to hear that Elvis is not home with you.Since you feel confident about the situation, I will too. But my thoughts will still be that of concern.Biscuits….. HhmmmDogs. Truly mans best friend…Good Luck Elvis, you too Toker!!! Hang in there.
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Comment #41 posted by FoM on April 12, 2007 at 10:42:08 PT
Toker00
That's good to know. Dogs are special and we worry about them sometimes just like we do people. Many of us understand that connection very well.
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Comment #40 posted by Toker00 on April 12, 2007 at 10:38:09 PT
Thanks, FoM
He'll be OK I think. He has had boughts of bronchitis in the past. It's just his age I'm concerned about. It's so hard on his heart and lungs. Dachsunds have been known to live into their twenties, so I have plenty hope.Toke.
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Comment #39 posted by FoM on April 12, 2007 at 10:20:17 PT
Toker00
I'm sorry to read that he is having trouble breathing. Good luck to you and El. 
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Comment #38 posted by Toker00 on April 12, 2007 at 10:06:52 PT
Had Enough
El is having a rough time right now at the vets. He had trouble breathing yesterday and today so I took him and am waiting for a call about his chest x-rays. He'll be eleven years old next month, on the 5th, so he's like me, just an old man doin the best with what he's got left. Ha! I don't fear death and I don't think he does either. We've both done our share of Loving and Protecting, each other and others. What more can you ask of us, right? Besides. We're still good for the good times to come. Don't worry. A biscuit and a scratch; that's all we ask. I thank you, as does El.Toke.
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Comment #37 posted by FoM on April 12, 2007 at 09:00:20 PT

Just a Note
I have looked and can't find any news that is even slightly worth posting or reading. I will keep looking though. My husband has a VA appointment for some tests so we will be away tomorrow for a number of hours and I thought I should mention it. I hope everyone has a great day.
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Comment #36 posted by Hope on April 12, 2007 at 08:56:49 PT

Sweetin
wouldn't feign "confusion" or stupidity, would he?Sly dog.
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Comment #35 posted by mai_bong_city on April 12, 2007 at 08:13:56 PT

#31
beautifully inspiring, afterburner.indeed, blessed be we.
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Comment #34 posted by Had Enough on April 12, 2007 at 07:32:56 PT

Dazed & Confused???
I think not.Oh I don’t think Mr. Sweetin is confused.But I think Mr. Sweetin is trying to make people believe that they are confused.Truth? Mr. Sweetin knows the truth of the whole matter. He knows that cannabis reform will cut in to his industries cash cow, and knows which side of the bread to try to butter up to.Prohibition days are on it’s way out. That is what I see when I hear stuff like this.************Hey Toker. How bout givin Elvis a scratch next time you see him, maybe a goodie treat. Tell him it’s from me :)

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Comment #33 posted by Toker00 on April 12, 2007 at 06:58:50 PT

Had Enough
What is so confusing about it?That's just it. It's so simple, they are confused. Can you say stumbling block? For some, Truth is just that.Toke.
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Comment #32 posted by Had Enough on April 12, 2007 at 05:09:50 PT

Clowns & Jokers
““Confusion reigns on this issue and it's not going to get any easier as more states go down the same pass, from the legalization of medical marijuana to the legalization of an ounce or less,” Sweetin said. “It just creates a lot of confusion.””What is so confusing about it?

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Comment #31 posted by afterburner on April 11, 2007 at 22:05:00 PT

Robin
"mired in a federal resolve to keep the drug illegal"The stubbornness of lawmakers afraid to admit they made a mistake by passing Prohibition.The benefits to society of legal medicineWe the generation weigh these options in our actions our thoughts and our words."In every insult, rift and war, where colour, scorn or wealth divide, Christ suffers still, yet loves the more, and lives, where even hope has died." -Christ is alive by Brian A. WrenLet us dream a new dream of how we want this earth to be
How we want people to treat each other Honour to our blessed healing herb cannabis
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Comment #30 posted by whig on April 11, 2007 at 16:04:02 PT

BGreen
I agree with you, but I see this as a negotiation that we are going to eventually have to resolve, and soon. I do not believe we are going to fail this time, it is not acceptable to fail because the stakes are the fate of the world now.
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on April 11, 2007 at 14:40:24 PT

A Tax Question
When we had a business we paid into everything our Accountant told us to pay into to. Do the dispensary employees get W-2s?http://www.irs.gov/compliance/enforcement/article/0,,id=106704,00.html
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Comment #28 posted by BGreen on April 11, 2007 at 14:23:34 PT

The State hasn't shown any willingness to help
but we're hoping if we give them money they'll help and protect the right of the sick to get their cannabis.I know they want our money but I don't believe the State of California is going to change anything.In fact, I'll bet you that they earmark this tax money for the prison, D.A.R.E. and drug treatment industry, just to further express their disdain for medical cannabis and it's partakers.If they want taxation, we deserve representation. It hasn't happened so far. That's all I'm trying to say.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #27 posted by whig on April 11, 2007 at 13:46:33 PT

BGreen
I know that at least some of the "above-board" dispensaries have bank accounts and transact their affairs like ordinary businesses already. California is saying that they are treating them like ordinary businesses. If the feds want to persecute the dispensaries they could already subpoena the bank records, having the state collecting taxes doesn't really increase their risk of prosecution in this case.There are presumably some providers who stay in a more discreet posture, and I respect that too. But if you're going to operate a store-front dispensary, you cannot really expect not to make some compromises and accept regulation and taxation of your business -- however, in return for this they are also entitled to be represented and protected.I also think the state needs to consider ways of making medicine affordable for the poor.
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Comment #26 posted by BGreen on April 11, 2007 at 09:39:45 PT

That was my comment, Max Flowers
The fact that people in the Bay area can get their medicine has very little to do with the State of California and very much to do with the compassion and forward thinking of many of your citizens.The State of California has let the Federal Government terrorize the patients and compassion clubs through their tool known as the DEA.In other words, in my opinion, medical cannabis exists in California despite the continuous contempt of the patients and State law exhibited by the lawmakers and law enforcement.All I see with this taxation is that they're milking the cash cow until the Fed's swoop in for the slaughter.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on April 11, 2007 at 09:38:47 PT

Max Flowers
We moved here because we knew back in the 70s we wouldn't be able to buy a house if we stayed in Pa. California is about 10 years ahead of the rest of the Nation when it comes to progressive thinking. We'll catch up in time I hope.
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Comment #24 posted by Max Flowers on April 11, 2007 at 09:21:28 PT

Follow up
Of course there are many many people who can't move to CA for various reasons. My comment was probably quite unrealistic, but I get frustrated when I see people who really need to be here, who are stuck in really punitive states.And if buying a house were a really strong criteria for me, I would have LEFT California a long time ago, not stayed, as you're right the prices are out of reach for a lot of people. And I may yet leave for that reason, someday. But every time I think of any other state, I think of rabid, Naziesque drug task forces and I end up staying put.I just saw a comment in a newer thread saying something to the effect that CA wants the money but does not want to be compassionate and let people have the medicine. That may have some truth at administrative/gov't levels, but at street level, especially in the bay area, I can tell you that it's very easy for people to go into the clubs and get what they need, all day long...
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Comment #23 posted by BGreen on April 11, 2007 at 07:10:46 PT

Who writes this?
Why, it's one of the little D.A.R.E. generation of brainwashed trolls, that's who.Propaganda is never meant for the literate and informed, it's just a tool to control the feeble and ignorant.Unfortunately, the overwhelming number of feeble and ignorant Americans insures the success of propaganda in this Country.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #22 posted by john wayne on April 11, 2007 at 04:04:53 PT

 "Marijuana: Medicine or Drug?"
What the fucking fucking fuck? Who are these illiterate assholes who write this stupid shit? Do they honestly think that these categories are mutually exclusive? Fuck the fucking fuck, newspaper writers are the fucking stupidest shits that ever walked the planet.FUCK!(Note: sorry about the profanity.)
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 19:41:35 PT

whig
I think you and Mrs. Whig made a very good decision by moving to California. I was mentioning to Max Flowers that moving isn't possible or even wanted by everyone. That's why we need the Federal Law to change so everyone can benefit.
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Comment #20 posted by JustGetnBy on April 10, 2007 at 18:59:24 PT

Comment #9 Sam Adams
Most "Drug Tasks Forces" are based on Federal Grants, and they come with a Federal agent.
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Comment #19 posted by Rainbow on April 10, 2007 at 18:40:49 PT

WAMM
When they raided Wamm I called the agent on duty and ask him to resign if he really supported such obscene behavior. Of course he denied that any wrong was happenning.But I planted a seed and encourage others to call the agent on duty and ask WHY. See the Dea.gov site for phone numbers.Rainbow
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Comment #18 posted by whig on April 10, 2007 at 17:16:00 PT

FoM
I agree. Not everyone can move. I was just responding to Max's point and that I did and am glad for it. But my circumstances are my own, and are not someone else's who may have other obligations. I just think it should be an option people consider, and at the same time we need to make it possible for people to get medical cannabis when it saves lives and treats pain so well without demonstrated harm wherever they live. It's not like it won't grow in any climate. There's nothing but idiocy preventing it.I'm all for people abstaining if they choose, but the general arguments about the drug war apply with equal strength to cannabis, but whereas the risks of other drugs are in many cases serious, cannabis is benign and good by consensus of the medical research at this point.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 16:50:13 PT

Press Release From The Marijuana Policy Project
House Committee Votes to Make Medical Marijuana Law Permanent, 10–3PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — The House Health, Education and Welfare Committee passed legislation today to prevent Rhode Island's medical marijuana law from expiring on June 30. The bill, H 6005, passed the committee by a vote of 10-3.http://www.mpp.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=glKZLeMQIsG&b=1157875&ct=3752811
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 14:01:17 PT

mbc
Thank you. There is an old expression to bloom where you are planted and that's how I feel. 
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Comment #15 posted by mai_bong_city on April 10, 2007 at 13:33:04 PT

how true FoM
people like this can't afford to up and move - and home is important to many, a sense of belonging and community.
best to work to change to make the places we live better all around. if everyone were just to flee, well...
montana has come a long way. there's obviously still progress to be made here, there and everywhere.
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 11:12:52 PT

whig
That's true. I only mean some people couldn't move no matter how it might help. Family must take priority to a persons own health needs many times.
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Comment #13 posted by whig on April 10, 2007 at 10:56:54 PT

FoM
A lot of people who need medicine can't find it. California is good if you need to get medicine to save your life. It's different if you're able to find what you need where you are, or if you aren't suffering. I know people who live in one place often go elsewhere for better medical care.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on April 10, 2007 at 10:29:00 PT

Max Flowers 
California is a leader in change but this is my home and I love it and have family here. Most people couldn't afford to buy a house in California compared to many states. I want to see the laws changed for everyone and that would solve this problem. I also don't believe people can relocate because of lack of a job or even enough money to move.
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Comment #11 posted by whig on April 10, 2007 at 10:01:14 PT

Max
I'm glad I moved.
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Comment #10 posted by Max Flowers on April 10, 2007 at 09:58:33 PT

Why don't people like this move when it's crucial?
Harsh as it sounds, if you want to be able to be a cannabis patient and be left alone in total peace, you gotta live in California. If it's a life and death matter (or even a matter of life-ruining pain), wouldn't you move? I sure would. I know, I know, it's not so easy for people to just up and move, but seriously, when things are THAT bad, it's what you have to do. I admire people on the one hand for fighting the battle in a state where the "authorities" just can't handle the concept of medical cannabis, but on the other hand I just don't understand people not just simply going where things are liberal when your life or quality of life depends on it when there are a bunch of a-holes in charge who wake up in the morning determined to see you stay in pain or go to jail over it. Maybe I'm just a lot more nomadic than most people. And it's easy for me to say because I grew up in and live in California. But if I didn't, and needed to be here for this type of reason, you can bet I'd be on the road to CA.
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Comment #9 posted by Sam Adams on April 10, 2007 at 09:00:43 PT

montana
How did the feds become aware of this case anyway?So when a UPS employee flagged the package as “suspicious,” apparently due to its strong odor, the company's security officer called 9-1-1 and the complaint was forwarded to Missoula's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.It says "Missoula's" task force. Missoula, Montana, where the citizens just voted to allow this. Am I missing something?  Someone who works for Montana must've called the feds in on purpose.
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Comment #8 posted by mai_bong_city on April 10, 2007 at 09:00:18 PT

dongenero
darn tootin'. but the gov sends the low-grade,
and they save all that g-13 for themselves.it is very confusing - i wonder what shipper they use to get it to the local pharms for the ind patients?

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Comment #7 posted by mai_bong_city on April 10, 2007 at 08:51:07 PT

Amen, Hope.
if this is a test of humanity, watch who will come out on top, believe me. 
it says something when the ill are the stronger, and the more decent, in this wrong persecution by the feds.
i am hopeful the right thing will prevail, in the end, wherever that may finally be to this long road we're all walking - running - crawling.
Peace
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Comment #6 posted by dongenero on April 10, 2007 at 08:51:00 PT

Hope comment #3
I think officials and prohibitionists are being tested as human beings....and they are failing badly.Well said Hope.
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Comment #5 posted by dongenero on April 10, 2007 at 08:47:57 PT

federal medical marijuana..send it to Ms. Prosser!
Sweetin said. “It just creates a lot of confusion.”How about the confusion created when the federal government sends cannabis out from the University of Mississippi to those in the federal medical marijuana program, yet it will not open the program to other ill US citizens? How about the confusion when the federal government has a selective medical marijuana program and then persecutes and prosecutes others for trying to use marijuana in a medical capacity?Confusion indeed!
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Comment #4 posted by Dr Ganj on April 10, 2007 at 08:39:42 PT

Federal Warrant For 20 Grams Of Dried Flowers
"We obtained a federal search warrant because we had probable cause to believe it contained marijuana.”I wonder how much time & money it took to do this? 
This is another glaring example of what's wrong with our country.
I tend to go along with Sam Adam's comments. You think it's bad now, just wait and see this world-which could have been paradise, unfold into a sordid cesspool of total despair.The feds have proven through actions like this in Montana, that they are not capable of compassion, or empathy for the ill. All they care about is following the law, and that sure brings to mind how the German police used to think as they followed their orders too.  

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Comment #3 posted by Hope on April 10, 2007 at 07:48:45 PT

I feel so bad for Robin.
In a sane world, she shouldn't have to go through all this to obtain something (and that happens to be completely non-deadly) to help her. A few leaves and flowers...dried for tea or to smoke or vaporize or cook with. It's a sad shame. I think officials and prohibitionists are being tested as human beings....and they are failing badly.
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Comment #2 posted by mai_bong_city on April 10, 2007 at 07:09:00 PT

i agree
lots of good points, sam. i was just thinking the other day as well about what out society will be like with a generation of adults who've been on pharmaceutical psychotropics....and the peaceful marijuana users locked-up....and with the increase in longevity, we'll be having an older population losing their brains to alzheimer's - brave new world? 
i'm afraid.
but i'd go for the nuts, not the stomach.
unlikely he's got a set, though.

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Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on April 10, 2007 at 07:00:32 PT

Feds
What are the feds doing in Missoula, Montana, interfering with a sick person's medicine? I can't believe y'all give me flack for being a Libertarian.  I feel like I"m sane and everyone else is crazy. Humans were meant to live free and fail or succeed based on their own choices, this is sick perversion of faked good-will.Government will never be done right, because humans are flawed. The best course is to minimize government, always.Why doesn't Robin just go to the man's house who took her medicine, punch him in the stomach, and take it back? Oh yeah, we live in a police state, they'll beat her and throw her in prison. police state - no freedom.Yesterday I had an interesting run-in with 4 young African-American teenagers. They took offense to a lane-change that I made (after signaling), and tried to stop and block my car so they could basically get out and attack me. I found it to be a most enlightening experience. It was pretty obvious they were young gang members, probably out doing deliveries for their business - illegal drugs, of course.It was a most enlightening experience. When they saw that I wasn't afraid, they got back in their car, like most bullies do when confronted. I thought to myself, I just experienced the smallest, fleeting feeling of what it's like to be in Iraq. The smart, honest, hardworking people are ducking for cover and hiding, or leaving outright. The day of the violent thug and bully has arrived in Iraq.And that's really exactly what the current Democrat/Republican regime loves. Stoking violence and crime here and abroad. Why? So they can militarize the police forces and grow the army, enriching the war industry, scaring the population into supporting them with more taxes, causing them to work harder at their jobs, making money for the rich elite. As a side bonus, the government accrues even more power.  Hire more police to sit in their cars getting fat while more violence happens.We're surprised that the federal government is fomenting civil war in Iraq? Look what they've done here! 30 years of drug war civil war. Inner city gangs moving from fists and switchblades to machine guns in a single generation. Prisons growing by a factor of 10 in one generation. All caused by the drug war. What's going to happen when the boom goes bust and the next Depression comes calling? Extended drought or flooding crashes our economy or China's. When the government's revenue gets cut in half, or to 10% of what it is now after hyper-inflation. What's going to happen to all the prisoners who have grown up in thug culture and spent 10 years lifting weights and raping other men? What's going to happen to the legions of pea-brained prison guards when their paychecks run out, and so does our food?
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