[Vision2020] Supplier's Conviction Sparks Medical Marijuana Concern

[lfalen]

This is anothe good place to save the taxpayers money.
Roger
-----Original message-----
From: "Tom Hansen" thansen at moscow.com
Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:29:22 -0700
To: "Moscow Vision 2020" vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Supplier's Conviction Sparks Medical Marijuana Concern

> Courtesy of today's (March 25, 2011) Spokesman-Review.
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> Supplier's conviction sparks concern among medical marijuana advocates
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> Marijuana advocates still reeling from last week's conviction of a medicinal
> pot supplier in Spokane are stepping up the pressure.
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> "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."
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> "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.
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> cop_potrally25_t620.jpg
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> http://media.spokesman.com/photos/2011/03/25/cop_potrally25_t620.jpg
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> Seeya round town, Moscow.
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> Tom Hansen
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> Moscow, Idaho
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