[Vision2020] Supplier's Conviction Sparks Medical Marijuana Concern

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (March 25, 2011) Spokesman-Review.

 

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Supplier's conviction sparks concern among medical marijuana advocates

 

Marijuana advocates still reeling from last week's conviction of a medicinal
pot supplier in Spokane are stepping up the pressure.

 

Nearly three dozen demonstrators gathered Thursday outside of the federal
courthouse in downtown Spokane, urging the removal of marijuana from the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's list of drugs considered to have no
medicinal value.

 

They also are circulating petitions asking Spokane Mayor Mary Verner to
declare the sale of medical marijuana to doctor-approved users to be the
lowest law enforcement priority in the city. Supporters say they've already
gathered more than 1,000 signatures and hope to present them Monday night to
the Spokane City Council.

 

"We'll be out here as long as it takes," said Rhonda Duncan, speaking
through a megaphone at the Lincoln statue. "Please don't let these medical
marijuana patients suffer."

 

Earlier this week, about a dozen medical marijuana advocates asked Spokane
City Council members for support in achieving legal recognition for
commercial dispensaries. State lawmakers are debating legislation that would
regulate the production and sale of medical marijuana across Washington.
Even if a bill wins approval, however, and is signed into law by Gov. Chris
Gregoire, it likely would take months to take effect as state agencies draft
rules for implementing its provisions.

 

Prompting the increased push for legal clarity was a Spokane County Superior
Court trial last week. One of Spokane's first medical marijuana dispensary
operators, Scott Shupe, was convicted by jurors on drug-trafficking charges
for selling marijuana to doctor-approved users. Drug investigators estimate
there are about 40 medical marijuana dispensary operations in Spokane
County.

 

Duncan, who owns the dispensary Club Compassion, said she's worried federal
agents may begin raiding medical marijuana dispensaries in Spokane.
Dispensaries in Montana were raided last week as part of a federal
investigation.

 

Although U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has said federal authorities
won't prosecute medical marijuana cases that are complying with state law,
Washington's medical marijuana law is poorly crafted and ambiguous. Among
other things, the state law contains no mention of commercial dispensaries,
leading to differing interpretations over how medical marijuana users are to
legally obtain marijuana.

 

"We're trying to get the feds to notice that we want them to leave medical
marijuana patients alone," said Charles Wright, owner of the South Perry
Street dispensary the THC Pharmacy. "They're attacking the sick and dying."

 

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Aaron Hale smiles as a car honks in support of medical marijuana. Marijuana
advocates protested outside of the federal courthouse in Spokane on
Thursday. The group says they would like the city to reduce marijuana
enforcement to its lowest priority.

 

cop_potrally25_t620.jpg

http://media.spokesman.com/photos/2011/03/25/cop_potrally25_t620.jpg

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

 

Tom Hansen

Moscow, Idaho

 

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