New DEA drug warrior

Honolulu Weekly ^ | July 23, 2000 | Cindy K. Mackey

[MrLeRoy]

Associate U.S. Deputy Attorney General Karen Tandy, nominated to replace Asa Hutchinson as head of the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency ( DEA ), has medical marijuana supporters alarmed.

During a nomination hearing before the Senate judiciary committee June 25, long-time drug warrior Tandy made it clear that she supports DEA med-pot raids in California and Oregon, despite the fact that these patients and providers have been acting in compliance with state laws. Despite evidence to the contrary, Tandy has consistently denied marijuana's medicinal value.

During that hearing, Tandy denied any knowledge of a 1999 National Science Association study which confirms the value of med pot. "I have no basis for believing that marijuana, and specifically smoking marijuana, has any such benefits," Tandy said.

Hawai'i is one of 10 states that have marijuana laws, but has not yet been targeted by the DEA. Hawai'i U.S. Representative Ed Case, who cosponsored legislation that would provide further protections for med-pot providers, said, "If Hawai'i stepped up its licensing, I have to assume that we will also be targeted by the DEA."

Local med-pot providers like Tom Mountain of the Honolulu Med Marijuana Patients' Co-op remain cautious. "The co-op practically shut down when they began arresting people in California," he said.

If the DEA suddenly began cracking down on med pot in Hawai'i, its effects would be disastrous, according to Mountain. "Some of the HIV patients would quickly deteriorate if their supply was suddenly cut off."

Randy, a Honolulu resident who has been sick for six years ( he asked that his last name not be identified ), said, "Marijuana is the only thing that has been able to stop many of the seizures."

Med pot also helps cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy by increasing their appetite, which often "saves or prolongs their lives," says Gary Greenly, a prescribing physician of med pot in the state.

Patients with spinal injuries, cancer and multiple sclerosis use med pot to alleviate chronic pain without ingesting drugs that are far more harmful and addictive. Rahil Taalibat, bed-ridden after a severe back injury, told the Weekly, "Without marijuana, I'd have a choice between having terrible pain, or being addicted to medication that makes me sicker."

Tandy's likely approval by the full Senate isn't discouraging to Greenly, who sees the use of med pot as inevitable. Greenly noted, "There is a slowly growing group of physicians that will do everything necessary to make medical marijuana available to patients who need it.

"The problem is that the U.S. government took a stance against marijuana as a killer drug used by evil people, and they don't want to backpedal," Greenly added. "But it is here to stay, and I wouldn't be surprised if it became the aspirin of the 21st century."

[MrLeRoy]

Wod_list (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/involved?group=124) ping

[Lady GOP]

_

[B.O. Plenty]

The raids will continue until local Sheriffs get some balls and throw the feds out of their counties. County Sheriffs are the highest directly elected law enforcement officials...therefore are the people who should enforce the local laws...not the feds.....

Will it happen?....probably not, but we can hope.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[Roscoe]

The raids will continue until local Sheriffs get some balls and throw the feds out of their counties.

"According to the United States Sentencing Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, more than 99 out of every 100 marijuana arrests are made under state law, rather than under federal law."

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2002/bills/house/H-645.HTM

[Wolfie]

These are specifically Federal arrests, precisely because the States have legalized medical marijuana.

[HurkinMcGurkin]

100% of raids on Medical Marijuana clinics in States allowing such are perpetrated by the Feds. Your cite is irrelevant to the issue at hand.

[Roscoe]

100% of raids on Medical Marijuana clinics

Source?

[coloradan]

"in States allowing such "

Sheesh.

[Tony Niar Brain]

Logic, dude. State sheriffs don't raid medical marijuana clinics that are legal in their state.

[MrLeRoy]

Logic

Not Roscoe's strong suit---he seems to prefer argument by cut-and-paste.

[Roscoe]

Butte County Sheriff Scott Mackenzie arrested David Kasakove, the operator of "medical marijuana" co-op in Chico, California, on marijuana possession charges in 1997.

California's Proposition 215 allows for limited marijuana cultivation and use by patients and their "primary caregivers". Dope dens calling themselves "clinics" are illegal.

[Roscoe]

Logic, dude.

Facts, dude.

California's Proposition 215 allows for limited marijuana cultivation and use by patients and their "primary caregivers". Dope dens calling themselves "clinics" are illegal.

[Roscoe]

Facts and sources as opposed to falsehoods.

[MrLeRoy]

California's Proposition 215 allows for limited marijuana cultivation and use by patients and their "primary caregivers". Dope dens calling themselves "clinics" are illegal.

No contradiction there with the statement, "100% of raids on Medical Marijuana clinics in States allowing such are perpetrated by the Feds."

[MrLeRoy]

Facts and sources

No relevant ones from you yet.

as opposed to falsehoods.

Who has posted falsehoods?

[Roscoe]

The article says California.

[MrLeRoy]

Tandy denied any knowledge of a 1999 National Science Association study which confirms the value of med pot.

Ignorance and thuggery go hand in hand.

[Roscoe]

Ventura County police raided a Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Cooperative "grow operation", seized 342 marijuana plants and arrested four of its pushers.