California resumes ID cards

[MrScalia]

I get lots of MM info e-mailed to me, just passing some good news :

When California officials halted the medical marijuana registry two weeks ago, we urged you to take action. Well, your activism has paid off ... Eleven days after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) Department of Health Services suspended the state's medical marijuana ID program and asked for legal advice from the attorney general, the program's up and running again. More than 550 of you mobilized to ask Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) to quickly issue an opinion stating that the ID program does not aid and abet a federal crime and ordering it to reopen. And on Friday, Lockyer's office did just that.

The news gets better. In addition to restarting the program, Lockyer's opinion provides a clear explanation of why states can enact medical marijuana laws — including laws with registry ID cards. Lockyer wrote: "The federal government's decision to criminalize the use and possession of marijuana — for all purposes — does not require California to do the same." He quoted the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion that the "federal government may not compel the states to implement ... federal regulatory programs." These firm statements will help allay some of the fear and confusion caused by the Department of Health Services' and others' knee-jerk reactions to the Court's recent medical marijuana decision.

In addition to your efforts, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) deserves praise for its key role in securing a prompt resumption of the program. The ACLU threatened to sue the Department of Health Services if it did not resume its registry ID program by 5:00 p.m. today.

California's ID card program was just getting started when the Department of Health temporarily suspended it. Only 123 cards had been issued from three pilot counties at the time of suspension. Those three counties — Amador, Del Norte, and Mendocino — began issuing cards in June, and other counties are expected to follow suit on August 1. Unlike in most medical marijuana states, California's registry ID system is voluntary. Patients whose doctors recommend medical marijuana are protected from prosecution whether or not they have medical marijuana ID cards.

However, ID cards are a quick and easily verifiable means for patients to prove that they qualify under the state's medical marijuana law. Many patients find that the cards protect them from harassment and even arrest. The California bill that established the registry ID program explicitly provided that patients with ID cards are protected from arrest. However, courts have interpreted the vague language of California's medical marijuana initiative — Prop. 215 — to protect patients from conviction and to warrant a dismissal of charges, but not to completely protect patients from arrest.

 

[Frogman]

"The federal government's decision to criminalize the use and possession of marijuana — for all purposes — does not require California to do the same." He quoted the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion that the "federal government may not compel the states to implement ... federal regulatory programs."

Now I know I'm probalby going to get a bunch of you Californians' panties in a twist. Just remember, this is the Internet.

LMAO. Typical Californian Attitude.

"We don't believe in the Federal Govt, because we Californians think we're our own independent republic. The Independet REpublic of Kalifornia."

What gets to me is how all the californians, after they are done screwing up Cali, decide to move to other states, and start screwing them up.

Locally, where I live, we had some sort of an Anti Smoking Coalition - California plated cars driven by what I can only describe as modern day hippies...- that wanted a lot of the bars to go to a non smoking only establishment. These pinheads would walk into bars and start telling smokers that they are bothered by the smoke. You tell that to a group of lit up Rednecks or Rough Necks.. See how long you last. Apparently they didn't last long, because within 5 days, they left... Apparently they got beat up too many times, and the local cops just didn't give a damn.

I spent a few years at Coronado, and I hated that state ever minute I was there. It wasnt the scenery that I hated, but rather the "I'm far superior to you" attitude of the Californian people.

/cliff notes

The Independed Republik of Kalifornia is defying the Federal Govt. once again.

Cali Sucks, and can fall in the water for all I care.




Tha is all.

 

[MrScalia]

Wow , I never knew Pepole hated us like that.
As for Hippies , I don't think I've seen one in Years

Back to the MM do you think this guy should be in Jail?

As for Ca, doing thier own thing , 215 was voted into state law . I've only been two other states Nevada , Pennsylvania
Nevada kinda like a waste land, Pennsylvannia way too cold and not much to do from what I rember.

 

[Frogman]

Sir,

I don't disagree with the whole Medical Marijuana topic. I can honestly say I've never smoked the stuff, but I have friends who have smoked ther real thing, in the 60's and 70's when they were kids, and they turned out fine, so I know what most people who smoke the stuff in moderation know. It's not as bad as the Anti Drug campaigns make it out to be.

I believe that if someone wants to use MM for ail their physical pain, well then so be it. Let them use the stuff. Especially if they are people who cannot contribute to society by working anymore, be it because of their age, or because of their physical disability.

What prompted me to post in this thread originaly was the attitude of your State's AG. It reminded me of the attitude I saw when I was stationed in Cali. The whole We don't care what the Feds say, we do things our way here.


Cliff Notes:

I agree with the MM topic. I disagree with you AG thinking Cali doesnt have to follow federal laws.

 

[fossten]

Sir,

I don't disagree with the whole Medical Marijuana topic. I can honestly say I've never smoked the stuff, but I have friends who have smoked ther real thing, in the 60's and 70's when they were kids, and they turned out fine, so I know what most people who smoke the stuff in moderation know. It's not as bad as the Anti Drug campaigns make it out to be.

I believe that if someone wants to use MM for ail their physical pain, well then so be it. Let them use the stuff. Especially if they are people who cannot contribute to society by working anymore, be it because of their age, or because of their physical disability.

What prompted me to post in this thread originaly was the attitude of your State's AG. It reminded me of the attitude I saw when I was stationed in Cali. The whole We don't care what the Feds say, we do things our way here.


Cliff Notes:

I agree with the MM topic. I disagree with you AG thinking Cali doesnt have to follow federal laws.

I had a relative that smoked the stuff all her life and her mind is nearly gone because she moved on to acid. The weed was the thing that hooked her, then she escalated.

 

[Frogman]

I had a relative that smoked the stuff all her life and her mind is nearly gone because she moved on to acid. The weed was the thing that hooked her, then she escalated.

Well yeah.... You drink too much water and you can die... Practically anything will kill you when taken in excess.

I did not mean to generalize, and imply that EVERYONE who smokes "Wacky Tabacky" as a friend of mine puts it, is not going to get hooked. I'm sure there is the fair share that will move on to the harder stuff.

 

[Gruuvin8]

I used to smoke a lot of pot and i dont condone it..... It dums ya down, it makes ya want more and more, it makes ya lazy, and being emotionally addictive, it puts ya on an emotional rollercoaster. Stoners can not feel good when they're not stoned. It IS NOT physically addictive!! only psychologically. that being said, i think it is wrong that actions that harm nobody but only possibly the person committing the action, should not be criminalized. Smoking pot can screw up your life if not strictly controlled... but it's not fair that potheads should be treated as criminals.

Pot may lead to harder drugs only because a) one would try someting else to feel good and b) because it is illegal and part of the "drug culture"

many feel good drugs are not illegal such as alcohol, tobacco, prescription pills, etc. these are never said to "lead" to other hard drugs. why? they can lead to other hard drugs. especially alcoholism.... its hard for a recovering alcoholic to feel good without some sort of mind altering chemical, and could very likely try pot, pills, or coke to feel better. the reason why alcohol is not said to lead to harder drugs is that alcohol is legal and harder drugs are illegal. many people will not cross the line and enter the world of crime by using illegal drugs. this is mainly why pot is considered to lead to other hard drugs -- because pot is illegal and it's not a big step to move on to another illegal drug once someone is accustomed to breaking the law and getting away with it.

this is an argument for the legalization of marijuana as well as an argument for making alcohol illegal. both are fun and relatively harmless when used in moderation.... but life threatening when used in excess.... and it's very tempting for some people to do more and more!