Terminal Cancer Patient in Iowa, Entire Family, Face Drug Charges Over His Medical Marijuana Use

Reason ^ | 10/1/13 | Ed Krayewski

[Nachum]

Benton Mackenzie is 47 and set to die, suffering from terminal angiosarcoma cancer. Mackenzie uses medical marijuana to manage his pain, including a cannabis oil for his skin lesions some doctors say make his experience worth studying for other patients. Mackenzie’s effort to alleviate his pain and improve the quality of his life, however, has put him in the crosshairs of Iowa law enforcement. The Quad-City Times reports on how it started:

Search warrants filed in Scott County District Court describe how sheriff’s deputy Dan Furlong, who began investigating Mackenzie’s drug activity in 2010, was determined to bring down a local conspiracy.

Furlong wrote that Mackenzie solicited a high school friend and convicted felon, Stephen Bloomer, to help him grow marijuana.

Deputies pulled Bloomer over in May and cited him for driving while barred. He drove a car registered to Mackenzie, Furlong wrote. Deputies also spotted Bloomer walking in the neighborhood of Mackenzie’s parents’ home at 27120 183rd Ave.

[Nachum]

I hate to say this, but the only thing that will change them mind of the people who won't bend on medical marijuana is when their own loved ones need it and can't have it.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Marijuana is not just an illegal drug.

Marijuana is resistance to tyranny of all sorts.

[BipolarBob]

Yep. It's no fun watching a love one waste away when cannabis is the only thing that gives them an appetite after the radiation.

[NormsRevenge]

Sorry, Folks, but that deputy should be put on lost pet detail.. and the sheriff recalled.

jmho

[freebilly]

Pursuing this evil terminal cancer patient for 3 years on the public dime. I feel so much safer....

[freebilly]

Iowa’s senior senator, Chuck Grassely, meanwhile, says science backs marijuana prohibition.

BS....

[dragnet2]

“I woke up to a bunch of people screaming ‘search warrant!’” Mackenzie said. “They had me on the ground. They had my wife on the ground. They were throwing stuff around in my son’s room. I heard them trashing the house.”

__________________________________________________

How much are these agents of the government paid?...How much are their tax paid lottery style government retirement pensions worth?

Are they protecting us from dangerous cancer patients?

Have they killed any of these patients before they died from their diseases?

[43north]

I am not in favor of legalized MJ for everyone. That being said, if it makes someone with a terminal condition feel better where is the harm? There isn’t any and the prohibitions be damned!

Same same with DEA getting excited about giving terminal patients narcotics. Of course they’re going to get addicted. Then they’re going to die. I don’t see a problem here but some in favor of the War on (some) Drugs certainly will.

[csvset]

They shoot pets these days.

[Nachum]

I am not in favor of legalized MJ for everyone.

And it doesn't work for everyone. It is only another arrow in the quiver against certain horrible diseases. I doubt that this arrest will do anything to change anything.

People who grow their own medical marijuana for their loved ones will simply be more careful. It's not even a choice. Suffering and death or some relief from horrible pain. What's a jail sentence to someone with a cancer death sentence?

[varyouga]

"Same same with DEA getting excited about giving terminal patients narcotics. Of course they’re going to get addicted. ...I don’t see a problem here but some in favor of the War on (some) Drugs certainly will."

Well son, I can't sleep at night if I know someone is out there getting high. Nobody is above the law, not even if they're dying. Besides, they might give some to children.

Dang dopers will be the downfall of this nation...

/s

[dragnet2]

lol...

[JLS]

I know another thing that would change the mind of these particular “law officers.” They clearly have WAY TOO LARGE A BUDGET. If they can waste funds going after people who are dying, then I would cut their budget 10% or maybe 25% next year.

You need to elect good stewards of public funds who will do this. You would be surprised how quickly the guy in charge would see the light.

[kabumpo]

Marijuana is one of the most pernicious substances there is, and its smoking a holy rite of the left.
Much as I hate everything about it, it is quite ridiculous for the police to focus on this one man. People in NYC smoke it openly in the streets all day long.

[dennisw]

Marijuana is resistance to tyranny of all sorts.

tyranny like Obama's loves marijuana users and marijuana legalization. Given enough time it will make you into a compliant imbecile. You seem to be in the beginning stages

[sunrise_sunset]

Elements of our police forces are turning banana republic. Just use some common sense already.

[noprogs]

I must disagree!

Steroids in ball sports, prostitution, unregistered firearms and online gambling while smoking pot will be this nations downfall.

Get your stuff straight!

BWAAA HAAA HAAA

[freebilly]

tyranny like Obama's loves marijuana users and marijuana legalization. Given enough time it will make you into a compliant imbecile I don't smoke pot. That's my choice as a free human being. Those who smoke pot are exercising their free choices. Are you saying the state should continue criminalizing the choice to smoke pot because it makes people compliant imbeciles?

[dennisw]

Yes!!

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Tyrant