Posted on 01/21/2003 4:28:02 PM PST by Libloather
Marijuana columnist goes on trial on charges of illegally growing pot
Tue Jan 21, 3:28 PM ET
By DAVID KRAVETS, Associated Press Writer
SAN FRANCISCO - An author of how-to books and columns on growing marijuana and evading the law went on trial Tuesday on federal charges of illegally cultivating pot.
The case against Ed Rosenthal represents the latest clash between federal agents and state and local authorities over the medical use of marijuana.
Rosenthal, a former columnist for the pro-marijuana magazine High Times, has said he was growing pot to help the sick, which is legal under California law. But marijuana is still illegal under federal law.
Prosecutor George Bevan told the jury that agents seized some 3,000 plants growing in Rosenthal's warehouse in Oakland.
"It's a federal offense," Bevan said.
Rosenthal, 58, could receive a life sentence if convicted.
California and seven other states — Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon and Washington — allow the sick to receive, possess, grow or smoke marijuana for medical purposes without fear of state prosecution.
Nearly two years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court said it was a violation of federal drug laws for medical marijuana clubs to dispense pot.
Armed with that ruling, the government has raided several marijuana clubs and growing operations in California over the objection of marijuana advocates and local prosecutors and politicians.
I guess folks will be returning his books...
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I know I'd sleep better at night knowing this doper was behind bars rather than wandering the streets raping and killing while hopped up on marijuana.
[sarcasm on] I feel so much safer now, knowing that the government is protecting us from such dangerous, violent criminals. [sarcasm off]
Nothing in the constitution relating to federal jurisdiction and enumerated powers has changed since then.
In addition, from the perspective of the presumption of liberty, the 9th amendment states:
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
Simply put, every citizen has the retained right to consume the chemical of their choice for the reason of their choice without federal intervention, nothwithstanding.
And any such intervention is unconstitutional for lack of jurisdiction, lack of enumerated power, and a violation of the 9th amendment, in the Bill of Rights.
Let me repeat: The Bill of Rights. Not the bill of privileges.
I sure hope that you are being sarcastic. There are a lot of freepers who would say that with full seriousness. That idiotic 1936 movie, Reefer Madness, still has believers.
"To help the sick?"
Riiiight.
It's also a "Gateway Drug Back". Psychiatrists in California have been using cannabis since prop 215 to detoxify alcoholics and hard drug users. It's a harm reduction program that has a very good success rate.
You can read the details at: www.mikuriya.com/meduses.html
Dr.Mikuriya is a renowned pyschiatrist, was a Board Member of the National Institute of Health and is a retired 2Lt. Army Medical Corps.
This is the same kind of foolish, Puritan, thinking that gave us alcohol prohibition and all its attendant horrors. It seems that many people did not learn that lesson and are taking a repeat course, suffering even worse consequences.
I thought that FReepers were in favor of personal freedom, that they understood that freedom is something that you cannot have unless you grant it to others. When you support the evil drug war, you support the descent of our once great nation into tyranny.
The gateway theory has been absolutely disproved many times. The idea that we would put someone in jail for use of a herb that grows wild and has been used for thousands of years is absurd and evil beyond words. The War on Drugs will be the end of our freedom because of all you puritans. Heaven forbid that someone gets a little unauthorized happiness! Doesn't anyone learn from history?
That's a great speech. I hear there's an opening for a writer at the High Times magazine. You would be perfect.
Is the magazine High Times allowed in the slammer?
Personal freedom? What kind of personal freedom can there exist for those who would willingly become obliterated to reality by using marijuana or any other psychotropic drug? In fact, the "freedom" to consume marijuana decreases freedom in that it diminishes rational thought and affects negatively those around the user.
And what exactly is wrong with being "pure?"
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