Indiana

[palmspringsbum]

Hazy stances

Amanda Lowry | IDS | 10/11/2007


I personally believe that there should be a requirement that every politician who runs for public office must have smoked pot at some point. Even if that experience doesn’t make the politician want to legalize it, he or she will at least realize how dangerous it isn’t.

My position on this issue was only strengthened this week after watching a CNN video of Mitt Romney, in typical 2008 Republican front-runner style, dismiss a multiple sclerosis sufferer advocating that medical marijuana arrests be stopped. The MS sufferer caught Romney on camera and explained to him that, although he is against legalizing marijuana, the smoked form of the drug is the only pain reliever for his lifelong illness that he can use without getting sick.

His question, then, was “Will you arrest me and my doctors if I get medical marijuana prescribed to me?”

Romney dodged the question, answering, “I’m not in favor of medical marijuana being legal.” After that, he returned to his mission of shaking hands with as many rally attendees as possible, ignoring journalists who pressed him to answer the man’s question.

Romney’s attitude toward the MS patient exemplifies the 2008 Republican front-running presidential candidates’ chronic dodging of the issue of medical marijuana arrests and raids on medical marijuana dispensaries, which have been common since the U.S. Supreme Court decided Raich v. Vernon in 2005. The verdict allowed federal officers to arrest sellers and users of medical marijuana, regardless of individual state laws.

Determined to at least appear concerned for everyone’s well-being, the candidates have tried to make their anti-medical marijuana stance appear justified through pointing out the drug’s safety issues, health risks and its potential to proliferate recreational drug use.

But that appearance falls apart when someone brings up the topic of medical marijuana arrests and dispensary raids. Standing firm in the belief that cancer patients and well-meaning doctors should be tossed in the slammer doesn’t exude that same sense of compassion about public health.

So to avoid the hypocrisy, the candidates draw attention away from the arrests and toward the drug’s risks.

When a woman at a New Hampshire conference last week asked John McCain whether he would legally allow her use of medical marijuana, he replied:

“You may be one of the unique cases in America that only medical marijuana can relieve pain from ... Every medical expert I know of, including the (American Medical Association), says there are much more effective and much more, uh, better treatments for pain.”

And last week at another conference, when a woman asked Rudy Giuliani about his position on the raids, he, too, avoided the topic and talked about the FDA’s evaluation of cannabis alternatives.

The health and safety issues medical marijuana presents are important topics for political discussion. But the discussion that needs to come first is the one about people who are getting arrested for trying to put themselves out of agony while hurting no one else – and how to stop those arrests.

[palmspringsbum]

Couple says their pot is for medicinal use

IndyStar.com
October 26th, 2007


NEW CASTLE, Ind. -- A couple charged with growing and possessing marijuana say they will plead not guilty because they were growing the illegal drug for medicinal purposes.

Police said it's an unusual defense because Indiana is not one of several states that allow marijuana use for medical reasons.

"That is a first for us, to have a prescription for marijuana shoved in our face while we're reading a warrant," said State Police Senior Trooper Ron Halbert.

Jeffrey L. Johnson, 46, and his wife, Bonnie L. Johnson, 48, were arrested Tuesday at their Henry County home and were charged with cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana and maintaining a common nuisance. They were released from the Henry County Jail after posting bond.

"We're going to plead not guilty and we'll take it to the Supreme Court if we need to," Jeffrey Johnson said.

Police said they found an indoor growing operation with 23 marijuana plants and nearly a pound of processed marijuana.

The investigation began at the Johnsons' business, Wine-N-Vine, which sells home beer brewing equipment and indoor gardening equipment. The company's Web site states, "Home brew and home grown. Do it yourself and enjoy it yourself! Don't tell anyone!"

Jeffrey Johnson said his wife has brain trauma and pain and needs marijuana to cope. Johnson gave police a copy of a 2003 prescription by a Florida doctor.

"Bonnie Johnson has seizure disorders and migraine headaches," the note reads. "She uses marijuana for medical reasons."

Jeffrey Johnson said he and his wife are "law-abiding, God-fearing citizens."

But Halbert was not sympathetic.

"Until Indiana changes its law, she needs to move to Canada or California," the trooper said.

[palmspringsbum]

Muncie couple arrested for growing "medical" marijuana

by David MacAnally, WTHR Eyewitness News
October 26th, 2007


Owners of a Muncie beer and wine making shop are in jail for growing pot and drug possession. They reportedly admit it's pot, but deny it's wrong. But their defense may not play in an Indiana courtroom.

Their mug shots look nothing like the shots on their web site. The site promotes their company, Wine-N-Vine, selling home brew, wine making gear, plant grow lights and hydroponics equipment. Their slogan: Homebrew and home grown. Do it yourself and enjoy it yourself. Don't tell anyone.

But someone told the Indiana State Police something. Troopers began investigating Jeffrey and Bonnie Johnson's Muncie business and their Henry County home where police say they found 100 pounds of pot, 23 plants and a marijuana growing operation.

The couple reportedly used the pot for medical reasons. And say they'll take the case all the way to the Supreme Court if they have to. We asked them on the phone if they think they would prevail.

"Our lawyer has advised us not to make any comments until the court case is over I have no further comment that's all I have to say for right now, I'm sorry," Bonnie told Eyewitness News via phone.

But the Muncie Star Press reports the Johnson's claimed they used the pot to treat Bonnie's chronic pain from brain trauma. And had a 2003 prescription for it from a Florida doctor.

A prescription they reportedly showed State Police as they served their search warrants. But medical marijuana is not legal in Indiana.

We asked a neighbor of the Johnson's store what they thought. He said "I feel if it is medical, I understand."

Marie, a wine store customer, who found the shop closed said "I approve of medical use of marijuana. I don't use it myself. They're persecuting innocent people. They're good, outstanding people."

But others not high on that idea. One neighbor told us "There's too many kids out here. Kids are going to have an excuse, 'I'm going to use it for legal stuff. Medical reasons.' That's not right."

A total of 12 states have removed criminal penalties in cases where people have a doctor's order to use medical marijuana. Indiana is not one of them.

Even if it were the Federal government could go after users. It doesn't recognize medical marijuana use laws.