Posted on 09/23/2002 8:56:33 AM PDT by Commie Basher
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NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 100
Washington DC 20037
World Wide Web: http://www.LP.org
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For release: September 23, 2002
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For additional information:
George Getz, Press Secretary
Phone: (202) 333-0008 Ext. 222
E-Mail: pressreleases@hq.LP.org
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Libertarians urge California Gov. Gray Davis to protect medical marijuana patients from federal agents
SACRAMENTO, CA -- Should California Governor Gray Davis call out the National Guard to defend medical marijuana patients from federal agents? That's the question Libertarians will be asking today as thousands of medical marijuana advocates descend on the state Capitol in Sacramento to send the federal government a message.
"The National Guard is charged with defending lives and property when disaster strikes – and the federal raids on medical marijuana clinics have been a complete disaster," said Libertarian Party Political Director Ron Crickenberger, who is attending the rally.
"These DEA bullies with badges have ransacked clinics, brutalized helpless, dying people, and trampled state law. Now the only question is whether Davis will live up to his responsibilities as the state's chief law enforcement officer or continue to kowtow to the federal government."
Agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration have raided dozens of marijuana clinics over the past few months, despite the fact that the possession, use, and cultivation of medical marijuana was legalized statewide with the passage of Proposition 215 in 1996. But now Californians are fighting back. Santa Cruz and other localities are making "medipot" available during public rallies at City Hall as protesters chant, "DEA, go away!"
Monday's Medical Cannabis Freedom Day rally, which kicks off at noon on the south steps of the Capitol, was created as a way for medical marijuana supporters statewide to demand an end to federal interference.
But will calling out the National Guard be necessary? Libertarians hope not.
"No such confrontation would be needed if Davis and Attorney General Bill Lockyer had the backbone to speak out more forcefully against this unwarranted federal intrusion," Crickenberger said. "Davis has asked the federal government to stop the raids. And last week, Lockyer sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and DEA head Asa Hutchinson 'questioning the ethical basis' for the raids.
"But meekly asking the DEA to stop hasn't worked. Davis and Lockyer should publicly and unequivocally demand that the raids stop. They should remind Ashcroft and Hutchinson that their boss, President George Bush, pledged during the campaign to 'respect states' rights' on medical marijuana. And they should inform the federal government that any future harassment of medical marijuana patients will be treated as an assault under state law.
"If Davis lacks the courage to stand up to the federal bully when lives are at stake, he should have the decency to resign."
Other groups participating in the rally include the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP); the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML); Students for a Sensible Drug Policy; and the Drug Policy Alliance. Organizers are also demanding a federal pardon for Bryan Epis, a Libertarian Party member who faces 10 years in prison for cultivating medical marijuana.
Forever the hypocrite.
Hey, go join the 20th century. Hahahahahahaha
You're a libertarian and expect the world to abide by your fringe extremist desires. It doesn't work that way. If you're so damn upset, why don't you go out to California and march on the state capitol with all your pothead pals. If you libertarians all whine together and throw one big temper tandrum, may be someone will listen.
Expecting the National Guard to defend the rights of marijauna users is ridiculous.
My hope is that they will be forced to join when what remains of civilized society finally has enough. Perhaps the time is near. The voters in Ca. have just recently learned that their vote means nothing to the fed.gov. And as soon as the rest of the voters across our nation figure it out, well, one can only hope... meantime, our fate is in the hands of the controlling cretins at large.
I understand your reluctance to deal with this issue. We are talking about the rights of voters in Ca. You argue their vote doesn't count while I argue their vote does count. Comprehende'?
Not according to you, bucko.
>>>Yeah, when are these birds going to wake up and join the 20th Century?
256 posted on 9/26/02 2:32 PM Mountain by headsonpikes
I understand, amigo. I have no reluctance to deal with this issue, or any issue. In 1994, I had my vote taken away from me by the Colorado Supreme Court, when it ruled that a state wide referendum, opposing special interests for homosexuals, which passed into law with a majority of Colorado voter support, was unlawful. Those of us who voted for it, were furious that the CSC took our vote away from us. A similar event happened in 2000, when the USSC overturned a ruling by the Florida SC, that subsequently gave the presidential election to George W.Bush.
This type of stuff happens all the time. Depending what side you stand on, sometimes you may win and sometimes you may lose. But this article is about California libertarians demanding that the Cal National Guard, be employed, so as to freely allow medical marijauna users access to their pot. Ridiculous.
You're forgiven.
>>>I hope this helps.
I don't require any assistence from you.
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