Despite some recent court victories and the more progressive stance taken by the Obama Administration with regard to medical marijuana, registered patients in Washington are still ending up in courts across the state. The Cannabis Defense Coalition is following these cases and bringing citizens along both to observe and to let judges and prosecutors know that their willingness to ignore the intent of the state’s voter approved medical marijuana law will not go unnoticed. Not surprisingly, most of these cases occur in rural Washington, where support for the medical marijuana law is not as strong.
There are two important court dates next week. The first is on Monday, August 10 in Shelton. It involves a married couple, John Reed and Karen Mower, both of whom are authorized patients. Mower is terminally ill. During this hearing, the judge will decide if the defendants can use a medical marijuana defense. In previous cases, judges have ruled that even authorized patients cannot use that defense.
The second case is one I’m just becoming familiar with. Some information comes from Ben Livingston at the CDC:
David Hagar was growing medical marijuana as designated provider for his mother Rosa, an authorized patient. Grant County Sheriff’s raided him earlier this year, taking 27 plants (10 of which had no roots, 3 of which were dead) and all his growing equipment.
Mr. Hagar started again growing medical marijuana for his mother, and a few months ago, was raided and arrested by the Grant County Sheriff for the second time this year. This time, his mother was present, and detectives took four marijuana plants, all the growing equipment, and her medical marijuana recommendation.
Hagar will be in court next Tuesday, August 11 in Ephrata at 9am. If you’re interested in being an observer for either hearing, please contact the CDC at info@cdc.coop.
like the song says…
“when the war comes the cops are gonna be on their side”
need any more proof it don’t matter if they are Elephants or Donkeys???
we need REGIME CHANGE….A REAL PROGRESSIVE REVOLUTION but the truth is that people don’t care enough. we are happy to watch our TV and become numb to the whole process…so we get what happens here.
the law not respecting what the people wanted or voted for.
you still think you have rights??
as Carlin said…you have privilages and they will take them away whenever they want.
How much money are the local police and prosecutor wasting on these trials?
These are counties with major budget problems. Shouldn’t they focus on violent criminals, not harassing law abiding medical patients?
@2
How much money are the local police and prosecutor wasting on these trials?
I’m hoping some local reporters can take up that question. During the Kitsap County trials, there were some estimates made but I don’t remember the exact figures.
There is an active campaign in California for sensible legalization and regulation of marijuana. It’s about damn time we realize that this drug is not the Bluebird of Happiness or the Black Death. It should be legal and regulated, as alcohol is today.
Here’s an argument I’ve made so many times I’m getting bored with it:
By the time one reaches my age (I’ll be fifty-one in ten days) one has known – at the very least – fifty people who have died on lung cancer and another fifty who have died of cirrhosis of the liver. Now ask yourself the following question:
How many people have I personally known who have died as the result of consuming too much grass?
ANSWER:
Not only have I never known anyone to die in that matter, I am not aware of it happening in all recorded human history.
I cannot believe that seventy-two years after pot was made illegal, we are still having this same stupid argument.
I need a drink….On second thought….
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
Poor little stoner OCD Lee just can’t win….
http://www.bellinghamherald.co.....ni_popular