"Guru of Ganja" (Ed Rosenthal) convicted of marijuana cultivation

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 01/31/03 | DAVID KRAVETS

[MikalM]

A federal jury Friday found Ed Rosenthal, the author of how-to-grow books on marijuana and how to avoid the law, guilty of marijuana cultivation and conspiracy charges.

Deliberating for a day, the 12-member jury concluded that Rosenthal, the self described "Guru of Ganja," was growing more than 1,000 plants, conspiring to cultivate marijuana and maintaining a warehouse for a growing operation. He faces a maximum life term when sentenced June 4.

[Dane]

I don't see where the circus comes into play here... If he was doing this for the city of Oakland and for medical purposes, then why should he not be aloud to mention that, isn't that the truth? Is it even legal to order him to whithold that information?

This was a Federal case held in a Federal court of law. The Supreme Court in 2001 stated as such in an 8-0 decision that the medical marijuana clubs could be prosecuted in a Federal Court of Law.

The lawyers for the defense tried to bring in arguements that were not germaine to the case and the Judge rightly shut them down.

If you have a problem with the Federal law take it up with the person who probably is the most sympathetic to Mr. Rosenthal's plight, House Minority(Democratic) Leader Nancy Pelosi.

[Kevin Curry]

Hey, You're not aloud to use your best defense

You betcha. Just imagine how much more effective Shaquille O'Neal would be if the refs would allow him to cold-cock anyone driving to the backet.

[Dane]

Several people in the courtroom, including Rosenthal's wife and daughter, wept as the verdicts were read by a court clerk.

Just my opinion, but I don't doubt that Mrs. Rosenthal and her daughter were cheering when the OJ verdict was read.

[Nouge]

This was a Federal case held in a Federal court of law. The Supreme Court in 2001 stated as such in an 8-0 decision that the medical marijuana clubs could be prosecuted in a Federal Court of Law.

So by that ruling, he should have never have been prosecuted, if he was an officer for Oakland's medical marijuana program, so now it even makes less sense to me. Unless I completely read your post wrong...

This doesn't have anything to do with my opinions of the fed laws, this has to do with free speech in the courtroom. If this was your average street dealer trying to say he grows it for medical purposes then this would make sense, but if he was truly doing it for the city then I really don't get it.

[Kevin Curry]

. . . this has to do with free speech in the courtroom.

LOL! This is the first time I've come across an attack on the federal rules of evidence based on the First Amendment.

[tacticalogic]

Just my opinion, but I don't doubt that Mrs. Rosenthal and her daughter were cheering when the OJ verdict was read.

Just as I don't doubt you cheered the dismissal of charges against Lon Horiuchi, and everyone involved in the incidents at Ruby Ridge.

[Nouge]

LOL! This is the first time I've come across an attack on the federal rules of evidence based on the First Amendment.

Ok, answer me this... If he was doing for and with the city of Oakland, why should he be ordered to dismiss that from his defense? It's a simple question.

[dogbyte12]

Uh this a court of law and not a circus. The judge rightly, IMHO, did not tolerate Rosenthal's lawyer circus tactics and shut down any Johnny Cochran like theatrics.

Allowing the jury to be told that the city government authorized the man to grow the plants is circus tactics? Ok. Dane, you can be silly all ya want, but use your brain too.

It is a good question. Should federal law supercede state laws. There are strong arguments for both sides. If a state has Jim Crow laws is that ok if the feds disagree? If a state has CCW laws and the feds disagree is that ok?

But to suggest that a person authorized by a local government to do an act, is engaging in a circus act by mentioning that act, cheapens your argument Dane.

I think the problem, that I and most others have with you is not your belief that marijuana is evil, it is the tactics that you condone.

I personally think that marijuana is a waste of time, money, and brain cells, but that is my right as an adult to so choose. I don't need the federal nanny telling me to do so.

The federal government was founded by the states, not the other way around. Although they are taking your side in this issue Dane, it is a slippery slope. We have the fed government taking our money, mandating education requirements, abortion law, drug law, gun laws, etc... and it just isn't what the original framers had in mind.

[corkoman]

Oh sheesh, here come the kangaroo pictures from the Libertarians calling the court and jury "statists" all for following the law.

Thats right Dane - drool all you want. Life in prison for growing naughty vegetables. >Oh sheesh, here come the kangaroo pictures from the Libertarians calling the court and jury "statists" all for following the law.

You rascally totalitarian putz.

[Dane]

So by that ruling, he should have never have been prosecuted, if he was an officer for Oakland's medical marijuana program, so now it even makes less sense to me. Unless I completely read your post wrong.

Uh no Nouge, Mr. Rosenthal, was prosecuted under a federal statute for growing more than 1000 marijuana plants.

Mr. Rosenthal was tried in a Federal court and under Federal rules. Rules which Mr. Rosenthal's attorney tried to skirt and in which the Judge said no to.

If you have a problem with the Federal law in this case, take it up to the person who probably would have sympathy for Mr. Rosenthal's plight, House Minority(Democrat party) leader, Nancy Pelosi.

[jodorowsky]

Hopefully this will haunt the jurors for ten-to-life when they find out what they were used for. There must be one or two decent people on the jury.

[subterfuge]

You've been around awhile cork, you must know its pointless to argue with Dane and Kevin Curry, right?

[Kevin Curry]

The City of Oakland cannot negate federal law.

[Kevin Curry]

That's true. We haven't lost an argument yet.

[Kevin Curry]

Hopefully this will haunt the jurors for ten-to-life when they find out what they were used for '

Yeah. I'm sure they will cry themselves to sleep for months if not decades.

*Yawn*

[dogbyte12]

That's true. We haven't lost an argument yet.

Hmmm... "you are a hop headed dope headed libertarian who is funded by George Soros" is considered a winning argument?

I should try that with my wife when we argue over who gets to take out the garbage ;)

[Nouge]

OK... let me try this again, since I my question went unanswered...

If he was doing for and with the city of Oakland, why should he be ordered to dismiss that from his defense?

...Awaiting childish response...

[subterfuge]

Sure you have, you're just too stupid to know it!

[EaglesUpForever]

Oh, well. One less libertine on the streets is not really a bad thing.

When your rights are taken away we will see if you are so happy about it...

THE FOUNDING FATHERS ARE TURNING OVER IN THEIR GRAVES.

[Kevin Curry]

Because it isn't a defense, dipwad.