------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Feb. 20, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
DEFYING SCIENCE AND VOTERS: FEDERAL GOV'T CRIMINALIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA By Preston Wood Los Angeles The scientific evidence is in, and the conclusions are clear: Marijuana, used for medical purposes as prescribed by a doctor, can relieve pain and ease the suffering of those who are sick. Study after study has verified that the herb reduces pain and wasting syndromes for people with AIDS or cancer, and helps those dealing with glaucoma. The people have spoken, too: In California and eight other states, voters have overwhelmingly approved state ballot initiatives that allow the medical use of marijuana. The U.S. government, on the other hand, through the Drug Enforcement Agency, continues to treat the medical use of marijuana as a crime. Ignoring the will of the people, the Bush administration is actively conducting raids on homes and facilities where marijuana for medical use is cultivated. On Jan. 31, a federal jury convicted Ed Rosenthal of Oakland, Calif., of conspiring to cultivate marijuana and maintaining a grower's warehouse. Rosenthal, 58, faces up to 85 years in prison when sentenced June 4. His arrest last year was one of a string of DEA raids on medical marijuana suppliers in California. Under strict orders from U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, Rosenthal was never allowed to tell the jury that he was growing marijuana as an officer of the city of Oakland's medical marijuana program. Subsequently, all nine jurors have denounced the trial, apologized to Rosen thal and vowed to take part in an upcoming news conference to express their solidarity with him. Oakland's program and similar ones throughout California were authorized under a 1996 voter referendum known as Proposition 215. Eight other states also allow the sick and dying to smoke or grow marijuana with their doctor's recommendation. But federal authorities do not recognize these laws. "There is no such thing as medical marijuana," said Richard Meyer, a DEA spokesperson. A 2001 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal government's position that medical marijuana is merely part of illegal drug trafficking. Meanwhile, on Feb. 4, the traditionally conservative San Diego City Council approved medical marijuana guidelines that allow sick people with a doctor's note to possess a pound of marijuana. CRUELTY, PLAIN AND SIMPLE In Los Angeles, David Basford, who has for a long time used the herb to reduce the wasting syndrome and nausea that come with AIDS, may find himself homeless soon. He is going to be evicted from his tiny one-room apartment for breaking federal policy on medical marijuana. Basford's apartment is provided by Community of Friends, a non-profit organization that receives federal dollars to operate housing for homeless, disabled and low-income people. Based on federal guidelines, Basford's tiny crop of marijuana plants could jeopardize funding for the program. So he faces eviction. The Bush administration spends billions of dollars on war. It ignores the lack of medical care for millions of workers in the United States and sends its DEA attack dogs to break up medical marijuana projects around the country. In arrogant disregard for the will of the people, who have again and again expressed care and compassion for those who are suffering from cancer and AIDS, the U.S. government reveals its contempt for real democracy, and for a program that has scientifically been shown to help those who are suffering. When it comes to upholding the racist death penalty, Bush screams loudly about "states' rights." When voters approve state mandates seeking to alleviate suffering, he sends in his federal shock troops from the DEA. Those who are sick and suffering are asking only for their universal right to comfort and care. For Bush and his buddies, such concepts do not compute. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe wwnews- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
