Posted on 02/14/2003 12:35:18 PM PST by MrLeRoy
Nearly four years after the implementation of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, there are still few support services for OMMA patients in Eugene. But the Compassion Center, a nonprofit corporation that opened in Eugene two years ago, is striving to create a "model organization" for the support of medical marijuana users that the rest of the state could follow.
The center offers many services to its members, including classes on cultivation of the plant, confidential consultation and assistance for patients registering with Oregon Health Services. An "introduction" night that provides a basic understanding of the OMMA takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. the first Thursday of every month.
Teaching patients how to grow marijuana is especially important, because while Oregon allows possession and use of the drug for medical marijuana card-holders, it's still a crime to buy the substance.
The clinic, located at 1055 Bertelsen Road in Eugene, opened in December 2000. It is funded by donations, clinic revenue and membership dues. The center is also applying for non-profit status with the IRS, which will allow people to make tax-exempt donations.
Compassion Center President Todd Dalotto, who co-founded the organization, said he's pleased with the progress of the center during the last two years.
"We have people coming from all over the state for our services," said Dalotto, who has been involved with the nutritional and health aspects of marijuana use his entire adult life. "We're creating a model organization that we hope to duplicate in other places."
Dalotto emphasized that one of the center's main goals is to educate the general public about the OMMA, which exempts patients from criminal penalties related to growing and possessing the herb. In order to apply for a medical marijuana card, patients must first be diagnosed with one of nine qualifying ailments, such as HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease and cachexia, a condition of severe malnutrition.
Dalotto also said that he is in support of decriminalizing the drug.
"The American public seems to favor legalization, but it relies on politicians to pass legislation, he said. "There is no reason there should be a law against the plant unless they're using it to hurt someone."
Citing "Question 9," a recent Nevada initiative to legalize the drug, Dalotto said he believes money plays heavily into the politics of marijuana.
"Any voter initiative for legalization always gets outspent by corporate and government initiates," he said.
In spite of support from the Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs -- the state's largest police organization -- the measure failed, with 61 percent of voters rejecting it. National drug czar John Walters made two trips to speak against marijuana use before voters went to the ballot.
But the Compassion Center has yet to raise ire from governing authorities in Oregon.
Dalotto said he's received no interference from state officials and minimal intervention from federal officials. Last year, medical marijuana patient Leroy Stubblefield's plants were seized by Drug Enforcement Administration agent Michael Spasaro. Doctor Phillip Leveque, a physician at the Compassion Center for two days each month, also works at a variety of other OMMA centers across the state, including Voter Power in Portland. He has signed medical marijuana applications for more than 4,000 patients and said that the law's "strange" criteria cause confusion.
"The biggest problem is that judges don't understand the law, the district attorney doesn't understand the law and the police don't understand the law," Leveque said.
Medical marijuana user John Walsh, a Compassion Center patient and cannabis activist for many local organizations, said the law's gray areas make it "difficult for there to be enough available when they need it."
A benefit for the Compassion Center and Emerald Empire Hempfest 2003 will be held Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Campbell Club Cooperative.
"Thousand points of light" bump
Oh no, no agenda...
...the Compassion Center, a nonprofit corporation...
Tax-exempt 501(c) corporation. No Left wing bias there in favor of true corporate welfare, no sir.
Mandatory drug testing of 501(c) employess as a condition for "non-profit" status would have these Leftist organizations drying up and blowing away like aging dung...
...that opened in Eugene two years ago, is striving to create a "model organization" for the support of medical marijuana users that the rest of the state could follow.
This is their agenda: Growing more Leftist non-profit organizations to subvert American civilization. Sort of like the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) thing...
The center offers many services to its members, including classes on cultivation of the plant, confidential consultation...
Openly conspiring to commit federal felonies...
The clinic, located at 1055 Bertelsen Road in Eugene, opened in December 2000. It is funded by donations, clinic revenue and membership dues. The center is also applying for non-profit status with the IRS, which will allow people to make tax-exempt donations.
And to apply for federal, state and municipal grants to be awarded by Leftist politicians, which in turn are laundered for political campaigns in exchange for appointments of Left wing wackos to special district boards and funding for local Leftist candidates to climb the political career ladder.
"We have people coming from all over the state for our services," said Dalotto, who has been involved with the nutritional and health aspects of marijuana use his entire adult life. "We're creating a model organization that we hope to duplicate in other places."
Again, this is their agenda: Growing more Leftist non-profit organizations to subvert American civilization. Sort of like the "NGO" thing...
Well, I see our friend is back in the news. Up to 4,000 now? I guess suspending his medical license for 90 days and fining him $5,000 for signing medical marijuana applications without examining patients last year had no effect.
Of course, it does have the effect of showing how medical marijuana is a joke and a scam.
How'bout this one?
You nailed it! They are one in the same, in most respects...
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