Medical Marijuana in the News: Week of 6/1

Medical Marijuana in the News
ASA’s Media Summary for 6/1/07

* FEDERAL: Rosenthal Retrial Ends With Split Verdict
* COLORADO: DA Rethinks Caregiver Case
* CALIFORNIA: Dispensary Regulations, More Patient Protection in LA
* VERMONT: Expanded State Medical Marijuana Law Enacted
* RHODE ISLAND: Overwhelming Support for Medical Marijuana Bill
* CONNECTICUT: Support for New State Medical Marijuana Bill Urged
* WISCONSIN: State Medical Marijuana Measure to be Considered Again
* FEDERAL: Dispensary Operators Charged
* CANADA: Patients Criticize Medical Marijuana Program
* CALIFORNIA: Dispensary Case Goes to State Court
* DOCTORS: Specialists Battle Prejudice on Behalf of Patients

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FEDERAL: Rosenthal Retrial Ends With Split Verdict

Even though he did not put on a defense, author and medical marijuana advocate
Ed Rosenthal was acquitted on one felony charge and the jury deadlocked on
another. He was re-convicted of three other charges related to his work growing
cannabis for patients under a city of Oakland program, but there were other
victories for medical marijuana patients. With help from ASA, seven members of
the community who the government tried to compel to testify against Rosenthal
refused; the judge ultimately complimenting them on their “dignity” and
“decorum” and refused to punish them. And ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford got the
bulk of the government’s case dismissed by arguing that it was “vindictive
prosecution.”

Medical marijuana advocate convicted
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
Ed Rosenthal was a free man, but not a happy one, after a jury convicted him
Wednesday for a second time of violating federal drug laws by growing marijuana
for medical patients.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4685

"Ganja guru" convicted in San Francisco retrial
Reuters
After fighting for years to clear his name, a prominent marijuana advocate
known as the "ganja guru" was convicted again on Wednesday on charges of
cultivating and distributing the weed.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4704

Federal Jury Convicts 'Guru of Ganja'
by Paul Elias, Associated Press
The self-proclaimed "guru of ganja" was convicted again Wednesday in federal
court of illegally growing hundreds of marijuana plants that he said were meant
to treat sick people, which state law allows.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4695

'Ganja guru' guilty, but won't see jail
by Josh Richman , ANG Newspapers
A federal jury in San Francisco convicted Oakland "Guru of Ganja" Ed Rosenthal
on Wednesday of three of the five marijuana-growing felonies of which he stood
accused.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4687

Jury Convicts Rosenthal on Three Marijuana Counts, Acquits on One
by Julie Cheever, Bay City News Service
Oakland marijuana activist Ed Rosenthal was convicted in federal court in San
Francisco today of three counts of conspiring to grow marijuana and growing
marijuana at an Oakland warehouse.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4696

Pot advocate convicted on three charges
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
Marijuana advocate Ed Rosenthal was convicted for a second time today of
violating federal drug laws by growing pot plants for medical patients, but he
faces no punishment for the felony convictions, apart from the one day in jail
that he has already served.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4689

`Ganja Guru' case goes to jury
by Josh Richman, ANG Newspapers
The fate of Oakland "Guru of Ganja" Ed Rosenthal once again rests in a federal
jury's hands -- in a manner of speaking. after his first trial and conviction
in 2003, later overturned by a federal appeals court. Whether with a clean
slate or as a convict, Rosenthal will walk free no matter what this jury
decides.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4691
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COLORADO: DA Rethinks Caregiver Case

What was touted as an important test case for medical marijuana caregivers in
Colorado may send an even stronger message to the state’s law enforcement
community. Like many states with medical marijuana laws, Colorado does not
provide realistic guidelines for how qualified patients are to get their
medicine, leaving its citizens to make ad hoc arrangements. Attorney Brian
Vicente – who is director of the Colorado Campaign for Safe Access, a joint
project of ASA and Sensible Colorado -- appears to have convinced authorities
to recognize the legitimacy of this set of caregivers.

Charges in medical marijuana case expected to be dropped today
The Coloradoan
The Larimer County District Attorney is expected to drop charges in the medical
marijuana case against Fort Collins residents James and Lisa Masters, the
couple's defense attorney said today.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4697
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CALIFORNIA: Dispensary Regulations, More Patient Protection in LA

Thanks to the tireless efforts of ASA’s southern California office, LA has
begun the process of issuing medical marijuana ID cards and regulating local
dispensaries. ASA has worked closely with local officials to educate
stakeholders on the importance of shielding patients from arrest and the
community benefits of sound dispensary ordinances. See ASA’s study at
http://AmericansForSafeAccess/DispensaryReport.

Regulating medical pot
by EDITORIAL, LA Daily News(CA)
It's the correct action, just 10 years late. Medical marijuana was approved for
use by sick people in California after Proposition 215 was passed by voters in
1996. Since then, dispensaries opened all over Los Angeles and enjoyed
virtually no regulation by state government.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4692

LA County to Issue Medical Marijuana ID Cards
Fox News LA
Los Angeles County will begin issuing identification cards next month to
patients with prescriptions for medical marijuana, health officials said today.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4686

ID cards for medical pot users to be issued
Los Angeles Times
A year after adopting an ordinance to provide medical marijuana users with
identification cards, the county will begin issuing the state-mandated cards
June 1, the board decided Tuesday.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4690
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VERMONT: Expanded State Medical Marijuana Law Enacted

The Granite State has now expanded protections to more patients who are
following their doctor’s advice on using cannabis as part of their medical
treatment. Unlike California, which leaves decisions about who and what can be
effectively treated in the hands of doctors, Vermont’s medical marijuana law
enumerates the specific conditions that patients may legally use cannabis to
treat. Now, at least, there are fewer patients who will have to fear arrest and
incarceration.

Expansion of Vermont medical marijuana statute becomes law
Associated Press
Vermont's medical marijuana law -- which lets people with life-threatening
conditions use the illegal drug without fear of prosecution -- now covers
people with chronic, debilitating conditions.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4682

Medical marijuana law expanded
by Nancy Remsen, Burlington Free Press (VT)
Steve Perry of Randolph Center welcomed news Thursday that a bill expanding
eligibility for the state's medical marijuana registry would become law -- even
though the governor refused to sign it.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4698
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RHODE ISLAND: Overwhelming Support for Medical Marijuana Bill

The one-year medical marijuana program in Rhode Island is set to become
permanent, regardless of what the governor chooses to do. A “sunset provision”
in the law passed last year means that state lawmakers have to get a new bill
on the books by the end of June for the program to continue. Testimony from
patients who have been helped and an utter lack of problems convinced an
astounding majority to vote for making the law permanent – more than 85% of the
Senate and nearly 81% of the House.

Medical marijuana legislation heads to Rhode Island governor
Associated Press
A bill that would make Rhode Island's medical marijuana program permanent is
expected to have enough support to sustain a veto from the governor. The Senate
on Wednesday passed the legislation by a 29 to five vote. The House approved an
identical bill last week by a 51 to 12 margin.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4683
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CONNECTICUT: Support for New State Medical Marijuana Bill Urged

Opinionmakers in Connecticut are weighing in on a pair of state bills, one in
each house, that seek to protect medical marijuana patients there from arrest
and prosecution. While it is too soon to know how the political winds will
blow, the example of other eastern states is a good one. Voters in Maine and
lawmakers in Vermont, Maryland and neighboring Rhode Island have all passed
similar bills.

Allow Ill To Use Marijuana
EDITORIAL, Hartford Courant (CT)
Rhode Island's yearlong experiment with legalizing medical marijuana has been a
success. Connecticut should join its neighbor and 13 other states in letting
seriously ill people have marijuana to ease their pain.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4684

Compassion: Connecticut should allow medical marijuana
EDITORIAL, Danbury News-Times (CT)
It is heartbreaking to hear patients and their loved ones begging for the legal
right to the relief that marijuana provides to some patients. A carefully
regulated program will allow them to get the help, the freedom, they request in
a compassionate and legal manner.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4677

Lives Won't Go Up In Smoke If Marijuana Used Medicinally
by Mark Braunstein, OpEd, The Day (CT)
After its longest debate of this legislative session, the Connecticut House of
Representatives last week passed for its second time in three years what today
is known as House Bill 6715, An Act concerning the Palliative Use of Marijuana.
Courtesy of public access through Web broadcast video, I was able to listen to
five of the six hours of the discussion.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4688
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WISCONSIN: State Medical Marijuana Measure to be Considered Again

For the past two years a Republican lawmaker in Wisconsin has introduced
medical marijuana legislation; this year, it’s a Democrat’s turn. The bill’s
sponsor believes he has the support this year to gain passage, in part thanks
to the education provided by former-Representative Underheim, who learned
firsthand about the horrors of chemotherapy but retired at the end of last
year before seeing his bill passed.

Medical marijuana bill in Wisconsin gets a shot in the arm
by Danielle Kaeding, KUWS (WI)
Following Minnesota’s lead, Wisconsin legislators are taking on the issue of
legalizing marijuana for medicinal use. State Representative Frank Boyle says
he’s optimistic medicinal marijuana will become legal because other states have
paved the way on the matter.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4699
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FEDERAL: Dispensary Operators Charged

A San Francisco Bay Area medical marijuana dispensary that provided medicine
for upwards of 1,000 patients was shut by a federal DEA raid last year. Now the
dispensary’s operator and a manager are being charged with federal drug crimes
that could send them to federal prison for decades. Mandatory minimum
sentencing means harsh punishment (the highly unusual case of Ed Rosenthal
notwithstanding) even for those whose mission was helping the sick and
suffering.

Proprietors of Hayward medical pot club face federal drug charges
by Henry K. Lee, San Francisco Chronicle
The owner and manager of a Hayward medical marijuana dispensary were charged in
federal court today with using the business as a front to sell pot for profit.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4700
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CANADA: Patients Criticize Medical Marijuana Program

In addition to the quality concerns expressed by many patients who receive
Health Canada’s medical marijuana, there is also the issue of paying for it.
The only prescription drug for which Canadians are required to pay is medical
marijuana, causing many to question why and some indigent patients to refuse to
pay.

Unpaid pot bills chronic problem
by Brennan Clarke, Saanich News (Canada)
Any other terminally ill patient in Canada would have all his prescriptions
covered by the Canadian health care system. Jason Wilcox owes so much money for
his medication, Health Canada has cut off his supply and threatened to send a
collection agency after him.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4701
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DOCTORS: Specialists Battle Prejudice on Behalf of Patients

The New York Times was among the papers remembering cannabis pioneer Dr. Tod
Mikuriya this week. His obituaries make clear the battle he fought to have not
only cannabis taken seriously as a medicine again but his own medical
recommendations. Because so few outside of oncology and HIV/AIDS practices
understand the therapeutic potential of cannabis, doctors who have made a study
of cannabis frequently develop specialty practices that result in the writing
of many recommendations, as in the case of Dr. Banister.

Tod H. Mikuriya, 73, Dies; Backed Medical Marijuana
by Margalit Fox, New York Times
Dr. Tod H. Mikuriya, a California psychiatrist who was widely regarded as the
grandfather of the medical marijuana movement in the United States, died on May
20 at his home in Berkeley. He was 73.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4702

The pot doc is in
by Robyn Moormeister, The Union
Grass Valley physician Dr. Stephen Banister is in the business of making people
feel good - or at least a little more comfortable - with his approval of
marijuana to treat their pain.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4694


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MORE ABOUT AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS

Find out more about ASA at http://AmericansForSafeAccess.org. More medical
marijuana news summaries can be seen at
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=122.