One the many gray legal areas and conflicts with existing federal Cannabis Prohibition laws created by state medical cannabis laws and their protections for qualified patients is receiving proper media sunlight this week via the Willamette Weekly’s expose on a memo recently circulated to the residents of a ‘section eight’ housing unit in Portland, Oregon that informed the patients that the management company can legally discriminate against them if they’re legal, state-authorized medical cannabis patients.
Is this kind of naked discrimination fair? Does this kind of mindless government-created discrimination in a lame attempt to uphold a virtually unenforceable prohibition make any sense to anyone other than a government technocrat?
Ironically, the rental management company can’t discriminate against poor people if their elderly, women, military veterans, handicapped or minorities (or other resident medical patients that can lawfully use hundreds of thousands of other physician-recommended prescription drugs for any number of disease types and ailments)…but, the federal government and their well compensated with taxpayer dollars management companies can now legally discriminate against medical patients if they’re sick, dying or sense-threatened and a lawful medical cannabis patient.
This is another prime example of why 74 years of Cannabis Prohibition must end in America as soon as possible. Kudos to Human Solutions of Portland for continuing to respect Oregon law, common sense and basic decency.
This Bud’s Not For You
Tenants are told they can’t use medical marijuana in public housing.
Two of the city’s public-housing agencies have told their tenants they cannot smoke medical marijuana in their apartments and houses.
The warnings from REACH Community Development and Home Forward (formerly known as the Housing Authority of Portland) have drawn a line for the first time as the federal government continues to apply pressure to limit use of medical marijuana in Oregon.
Home Forward has started telling tenants of its 6,200 units that smoking medical marijuana in their residences could get them evicted, even if they had been given prior permission to do so. But they can use medical marijuana in other forms. The letter says the ban will start in November.
REACH has gone a step further, telling residents they cannot use medical marijuana in any form if their unit receives a federal subsidy or if they rely on a Section 8 housing voucher, also funded by a federal program.
REACH officials didn’t return calls from WW.
But Dianne Quast, Home Forward’s director of real estate, says her organization has been waiting for federal guidance out of fear it would violate state law if it denied tenants the right to use medical marijuana, or federal law if it allowed such use.
She says Home Forward simply decided to fold marijuana into its general nonsmoking policy, which it put in place a year and a half ago.
“We were stuck between two laws,” Quast says.
The housing providers’ notices follow a series of warnings to states from U.S. attorneys, including Oregon’s Dwight Holton, that medical-marijuana dispensaries may violate federal drug laws.
“It’s really disappointing, and I’m not sure, frankly, that it’s lawful or constitutional,” says Leland Berger, a lawyer who helped draft Oregon’s medical marijuana law and now represents patients and providers statewide.
“It wouldn’t surprise me to see more litigation.”
Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, and that’s meant federal agencies and U.S. prosecutors have been at odds with state and local governments in the 16 states and District of Columbia where the drug is approved for use.
Early in the Obama administration, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the U.S. Justice Department would not interfere with medical-marijuana operations under state law.
But this year, the Justice Department signaled a change, telling governors of medical-marijuana states it would do more to police the drug’s use.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, sent a memo in January to organizations it subsidizes, says Donna White, national spokeswoman for the agency. In Oregon, those agencies run about 44,000 housing units, home to between 88,000 and 132,000 people.
In the memo, HUD leaves the decision to evict medical-marijuana users to housing providers, but it forbids them from granting “reasonable accommodation” for its use. Reasonable accommodation protects people with a disability from eviction—until now, that included anyone with a medical-marijuana card.
Home Forward says it won’t seek any evictions. REACH’s ban on medical marijuana in any form in its HUD-subsidized properties could mean users would be kicked out.
HUD also directs housing providers to deny applicants who disclose they use medical marijuana. For Home Forward, that means it must also deny such applicants for Section 8 vouchers, which subsidize rent for private properties.
“So we simply don’t ask,” Quast says.
Leland Jones, HUD’s regional spokesman in Seattle, says the memo stems from his agency’s efforts to clarify federal policy toward medical marijuana as states expand its use.
“It’s important that all partners receiving federal assistance know what our rules of the game are,” Jones says.
Some housing providers were probably confused before the memo, he adds.
Some still are. Human Solutions is a Portland-based nonprofit that accepts Section 8 vouchers, but officials there don’t know what the policy means for them.
“We are aware of the ruling, but it was unclear from our point of view whether it was imposed on us,” says Jean DeMaster, Human Solutions’ director. “As a result, we’ll continue to serve people who use medical marijuana as long as they have the marijuana card.”
“Thanking you in advance for your cooperation is a pipe dream.” I am thoroughly convinced that whoever thought this one up is “Lower than whale shit in the dead sea.” Louie from Vegas just said “Worm shit boz.” Someone is really picking a fight.
oh it “official” now? no kidding…
It says no accepted medical use in the United States yet they call it medical marijuana which is legal under state law for medical use! If they don’t want to let people smoke in homes they subsidize, fine, but can’t they please just get their words right?
It sounds to me that the notice is just saying you cannot smoke it. But as long as it doesn’t interfere with neighbors, go ahead and eat it. Too bad they can’t grow it though…
I agree that people should be respectful and not smoke around other people, that includes govn’t subsidized housing in my opinion. I can’t stand second hand smoke, or moving into a home that smells like smoke. Granted, cannabis smells much better than cigs.
Vaporize it instead.
I supporterd and voted for Obama..
He backpeddled/Lied on his stance during the elections RE:Medical Marijuana
“Early in the Obama administration, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the U.S. Justice Department would not interfere with medical-marijuana operations under state law”
I am very disappointed in this response by Obama administration – what is to happen to those of us
who would rather use marijuana (a natural substance) INSTEAD harmful/addictive – man made drugs
WE are not criminals – simply want relief to have management of chronic pain and quality of life..
SHAME ON OBAMA!!!
As a landlord & medical user of Marijuana i see nothing wrong with their decision . I have rented to people who smoke Marijuana & burns on carpets from lit joints happen quite frequently . The smell is also strong & unpleasent
to those who both smoke & don’t smoke Cannabis . I’ve also lived and owned several properties in, Humboldt County . Several of my properties were right next door to ” growers ” houses & come the fall when harvest time was getting near the constant stench of Marijuana was overwhelming & unpleasent . Regardless of whether it’s medical or not i would not want any of my Pot smoking tenants disturbing my ” straight ” tenants with their stench of Marijuana .Everyone should respect everyone with their weed .It’s kind of like being poured over with beer .
[Editor’s note: Your view makes no sense at all…especially as you claim to be a medical cannabis consumer. Why should the government be able to throw state-authorized and physician-sanctioned medical patients out of section 8 housing for following a medical regiment that includes cannabis. Does the federal government evict tobacco consumers? How about Oxycontin patients? Does the feds through out poor tenants who burn nasty smelling potpourri blends?
“Stench” of medical cannabis growing? Hmmm….
Busted!
No medical cannabis patient views cannabis as creating an ‘unpleasant stench’ as most cannabis consumers love and appreciate the wonderful odor of both growing and dried cannabis.
You’re not a medical patient…you’re a lying, rabble rousing anti-cannabis Prohibitionist.]
I am pretty sure the Nazi’s won the war at this point. Just not openly.
“It’s important that all partners receiving federal assistance know what our rules of the game are,” Jones says.
So, it’s all a game? Well, I want my rights as a citizen granted to me. They need to stop playing games, stop playing “big daddy”, quit trying to impose their personal rules and beliefs on me and stay out of my life. I wonder how we re-enact the Declaration of Independence and throw it in the face of the “leaders” in D.C.? I’ve tried giving it to them, but they always send a note back to me quoting all their personal views to me on the issue, or just ignore me and they don’t respond. I’m frustrated and I’m about ready to go light up a joint in his face to prove my points!
AMEN
Home forward has recently advised us that marijuana Has been decriminalized as of July 1st when in fact it was decriminalized in 1973 Has been legalized as of July 1st 2016 And of course there’s no using of the medical substance
Capitol hill ignoring us is not working, But in 2012 we will ignore you! We will have a candidate that supports an end to marijuana prohabition.
Medical/Marijuana is just like the gay movement, and they may go hand in hand. It’s the stigmatization, the discrimination, against otherwise convalescent users that drives this “war” persistently forward. As for the alcohol and pharmaceutical industry: it’s competition. Huge competition; and that makes me smile 🙂
that just shows you how much money the pharmacentical companies are dishing out, because that’s who cannabis is really gonna put a dent in, everyone of their sythetic drugs could kill you and that’s the odds they rather play with, what a disgrace!!! that shit brings tears to my eyes. this is a sad sad situation, and it lets ya know what little respect theses people have for human life, it’s sad to see how racism is able to still run wild. THIS HAS TO END!!! with all the pass experience and research, i can’t believe this god damn govrnment. they’re really a sick pack of sociopaths.. we will never give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEVER!!!!!!!!!
All the more reason to let the states decide!
Since this is official now.
Since AG. Holder went against Obamas’s loose promise of not interferring with state legalizes MMJ.
Since Obama campaigned on “logic and reason” and “easing the drug war”
Since Obama has increased DEA and border patrol budgets for the sole purpose of interdiction, and has given local and state police more money in drug fighting grants than Bush Jr or Sr did.
When we can start to just call him a liar?
To be honest I have yet to see some one as two faced as Obama when it comes to drugs and their use.
PEOPLE were talking about the illegal law on pot it self, WE need to start there, make them tell the truth about why its illegal, OTHER then a LIE!! FREE all POT prisnors Let them WORK, tax them not supporting them in JAIL
This is Really great because citizens of our great country will not stand for this nonsense. Once enough people here about this sort of treatment out of our government, things will be changed by the people. This country is more compassionate than our government. We just need to get these stories in the mainstream and pressure would be put on the politicians.
P.S. to 1.
But – you know what – “whale shit in the dead sea doesn’t give a big rats ass what people think of it.” So! what I’ve got to figure out is…what do you have to do to make a bad thing evil? Oppression with destructive power is a crucible of evil. Sadistic behavior towards one’s fellow man certainly qualifies as evil. Social cognition apparently has no value – and – conscience goes undetectable. What does this sound like? It’s all going to come down to “Good v.Evil” – That will be the “Final Judgment.” All else is idle weeds for the wearing.
btw- JR isn’t a prohibitionist for sure. He could be a self-loathing cannabis user. THere are many of those who only smoke because it’s “bad”
anyway– the laws are schizo and the federal policies are schizo. The VA now lets vets use it but they won’t let people use it in their homes…. weird
Allen St. Pierre
I think you nailed 6. JR to the wall with that one. It was my feelings exactly.
After reading around I came upon articles in Reason (The Red/Blue Paradox) and (The Truth about Taxes and the Rich), the latter at this link http://reason.com/archives/2011/04/29/the-truth-about-taxes-and-the/1.
“The top 10 recipients of federal money are New Mexico, Mississippi, Alaska, Louisiana, West Virginia, North Dakota, Alabama, South Dakota, Kentucky, and Virginia. The top 10 payers are New Jersey, Nevada, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Illinois, Delaware, California, New York, and Colorado. Rhode Island breaks even.”
I wonder where the rest of the states fall in the line-up.
It just seems to me that the people shooting their mouths off the loudest and the most about wealth redistribution and living within one’s means come from these states sucking at the teet of another state. Bachmann is from Minnesota, Palin from Alaska, but the others like Texas. I have to say this journalism could expands its reporting perspective. Why am I listening to Sessions of Alabama bleat against cannabis when some of the money collected by the Feds in California is being redistributed as a percentage to Alabama? In theory. In reality, too.
I’d like to see some in-depth reporting from this perspective, and throw it in prohibitionists faces that some of the money they/their states get comes from cannabis revenues collected and redistributed by the federal government.
Neglible, maybe. But, definitely something.
I’m so mad at our government! They are deliberately beating around the bush to male certain they don’t look bad cause nobody has the balls(besides Ron Paul & Barney Frank) to do something, to decide one way or the other.
I can understand not letting them smoke inside due to the fire risk and the damage that smoke does to carpets and walls, but not being able to use it in any form is just silly.
Sixteen states have approved medical marijuana. I am sure many more will follow in the next few years. It is WAY past time to reschedule marijuana out of Schedule One! It’s funny when you demonize marijuana and also demonize poor people how you can take away any programs that poor people use when they LEGALLY use medical marijuana. I understand the reasoning of not wanting to support poor people’s housing AND their Federally illegal marijuana use. The logic fails me when marijuana is a better medicine then some of the regularly prescribed medicines. …..POST #6. The smell of good marijuana growing and or being smoked does not smell bad to people that appreciate it. A stench is the smell of rotten food in a refridgerator turned off. Stench is a dead possum underneath the crawl space in 104 degree heat. Cannabis growing is a very beutiful smell. I would put it up there with roses. The editor called you out…. You are a rabble rousing anti-cannabis prohiobitionist.
Obviously, this is another rediculous and unfair rule for the sick to have to play by. I wonder, is there even one drug that is produced by the Big Pharmaceutical companies that carries a similar restriction?
I think not! For me, this alone is proof of our Govt’s true intention regarding this matter! Their agenda is clearly not about safety or care of the citizens of this country. Throw the bums responsible out!
@7 somedood: This country is slowly becoming the kind of world Hitler aimed for so, I regretfully have to agree with you about the Nazi’s winning… People like Lamar Smith is a perfect example of this that comes to my mind; him and Michelle Leonhart.
But thank goodness, this war isn’t over yet. I’m still fighting and I know a lot of you are too. Problem is, they, the anti-cannabis crowd, use billions of tax dollars, law enforcement, and even the military in this war…
@6 Editor – Right ON!!!
This guy J.R. is a low life and assuming he really is a landlord, I wouldn’t rent from a bum like him! No Way!
I am soundly of the impression that some corporate big wig got into the Obama administration’s back pocket and this is being done to placate big pharma.
“The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.”
— Oscar Wilde
As a OMMP cardholder, I cannot believe what is happening here.. I am 23 years old with a near-crippling back disease that has left me disabled and in constant pain. My medical marijuana is one of the only things that takes the edge off of my sciatica pain and allows me to enjoy time with my family and friends without being doped to hell on pain medication.. I am ashamed that our government could allow people like me to be discriminated against because I simply choose to NOT become addicted to pain medication!!!!!!!!!!
Trust in the fact that the Pres., who has done nothing, will come looking for votes again from our fine community, if he can stop laughing at us long enough…hurt and betrayed
HUD allows banks to sell its FHA insured mortgages to Large multi national banks at a cut rate, knowning that many will fail. the american public bails out both. CEOs make millions, But you can’t smoke pot. What is you have an FHA mortgage? you can or can’t smoke pot? do they come by and check? God Bless American this weekend. Home of the not so free. I will be handing out my gifts from the land this weekend at a city fireworks display near you!!
It’s like there’s a new outrage every day.
How do I get off this ride?
quell surprise!
obama spent years building up a cover as a progressive democrat, between his role as community organizer, as an illinois state delegate, and as candidate obama in 2008. imagine spending a decade as a parishioner in somewhat radical reverend wright’s chicago church. but if obama had run in chicago as either a republican or a reagan democrat, he would have been sitting on the political sidelines in chicago, still …
obama’s disguise as a progressive democrat began slipping while he was a us senator — and once in the oval office, he has entirely shed that persona, that image, Except when he is running for office again or looking to boost the roll-call of conservative reagan democrats like himself. his ‘base’ is the same as dubya’s ‘base’ — the haves, the have mores, and the almost have it alls …
between the economy & lack of jobs, plus the continuation of most of the village idiot’s policy agendas, the democrats stand to loose both the white house and the congress in 2012 if obama isn’t successfully primaried.
vote green party; vote for the socialist workers party, vote tea pot party; vote libertarian party, or even vote for the tea party — any such choice is better than rewarding an ambitious politician who’s treachery includes war crimes old & new, destruction of the constitution & bill of rights, and a perfect willingness to ‘throw your grandparents under the bus’ to continue funding our illegal wars … and our crony corporate kleptocrats …
All this in the wake of thousands of Americans (representing tens of thousands more Americans) writing their representatives, and blogging, pleading with their leaders to be reasonable about marijuana.
As far as I am concerned, all that the USA has going for it right now is medical marijuana. Take away medical marijuana and I am moving out of this police state.
It is not just pot patients that are getting kicked by the government, but also protesters, and so-called conspiracy theorists, and airline travelers, and Ron Paul supporters, and the list goes on and on. At the rate it is going, in a few years everybody is going to be an enemy of the state. And game to be preyed upon. Just listen to Jesse Ventura, or Alex Jones or Gerald Celente. It is really scary how unreasonable and predatory the USA has become toward its citizens.
Are people this cruel? Seriously, they use it for pain, so it makes the people who discriminate against them look like nothing less than sadists.
If litigation proceeds, and the courts rule in favor of the plaintiffs, this might just turn out to be the mindless act on the part of the federal government that finally undoes the prohibitionist stance.
I sent the auto-letter to my rep, but I’m going to follow with a personal email.
The guy is never going to do the right thing, but at least he, or his staff, will have to hear about the chronic pain I have suffered the past few years, and the fact that I refuse to destroy my organs by using over the counter or prescription meds. And since this isn’t an MMJ state, I cannot try the natural alternative unless he helps.
Another late Ap story how Justice Dept.isnt gonna
soften its stance on medical marij.I can not vote for Obama.I will sit it out.
@6 Editor: Well done, sir.
This is the reason why something like HR 2306 is so important. The federal government, like it or not, is still committed to enforce federal law, whether or not the people agree with it. If we change the law, as we’re starting to get momentum on, then issues like these will naturally dissolve.
We made alcohol illegal, and we made it legal again by modifying federal law. I’m not a smoker, but my mother died from breast cancer, and her father had parkinson’s, so I want to stop a person from suffering like how I saw them suffer, and I understand that full legalization is the only way to let that happen, and to cause, at the very least, a delay in the creation of these diseases.
We need to talk to, and educate people about the realities of what’s happening. Despite the propaganda we’ve all been raised with, compiled with apathy among many people, we are still making giant strides compared to even a decade ago.
So we should expect such opposition, and only let it enhance our initiative to finally change the federal law, cause even if we got every state to fully legalize, one could still be prosecuted on a federal level.
YOU WILL LISTEN, YOU WILL DO WHAT I SAY, YOU WILL DO WHAT YOUR TOLD, YOU WILL CONFORM, YOU WILL OBEY. WE HAVE THE POLICE, WE HAVE THE MILITARY, YOU WILL PAY,
Gary Johnson could do a lot more good if he ran as a third party independent. No he’s not going to win, that’s not the point. Say he runs and gets 3% of the popular vote, (if all pot smokers voted for him it would be closer to 20%). Say the elections like 2000 where that 3% could have made the difference in a nearly even split. The Democrats if they lost by 2% will see that Gary Johnson vote as 3% that should have voted for Obama, as the slightly less evil of the two parties. If the Republicans likewise lose by 2% they’ll see a 3% voter they might have gotten as a disaffected Republican. Point is you don’t have to have 50+ to get your way, all you need is enough to swing the election so both sides can see they would have won “if only” they had gotten the pot vote. Do it Gary, your going nowhere as a Republican and it wouldn’t be much better if you were a Dem. Hit em where they hurt.
36 is right, all these years of “pleading with their leaders to be reasonable” has gotten us nowhere. Begging never does. Instead of all that talk of violence and revolution and million stoner marches and jamming internet message boards how about we pick one Dem and one Rep drug warrior and very loudly put all our energies into their defeat.(see Bob
Barr 2002) Also if we had a person to run as a pro pot independent for Pres and that person got enough votes to swing the election one way or the other.( see Ralph Nader 2000) Some politicians might then see the light and jump on the legalization bandwagon. Most won’t but they won’t want to piss us off either. That how you get your way in this country, Not by begging congress, of all people, to do the “right thing” As Winston Churchill said. “Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing…after they have exhausted all other possibilities”
[quote]So, it’s all a game? Well, I want my rights as a citizen granted to me. They need to stop playing games, stop playing “big daddy”, quit trying to impose their personal rules and beliefs on me and stay out of my life. [/quote]
… “Big Brother Is Watching” …
What do you expect in a goverment that has its head up their ass all the time.I am sick of this goverment telling me what I can do.Sure move the sick people using medical mj, who is going to move in meth asses.
Keep your medication on a need to know basis. Even though I am an abstainer, they’res no need to disclose your medical uses. Remember the bans on bhongs amid cries about lung damage from officialdom???!!!
This is unbelievably “Big Government!”, the very thing that Obama said he was against. All I see is another Bush! Oklahoma recently put forth a bill to discriminate against those on food stamps or welfare, forcing those on these temporary social services to submit to drug testing and making the poor, already in need of financial assistance, pay $10 for the test, out of pocket!! Though, in Fairness (?) they are reimbursed if it’s negative! So if you’re poor, you’re forced to go underground again, even if your State has legalized MMJ, or Decriminalized the Drug! The Poor are forced to break the law, thereby filling our prisons, which has been happening for many, many decades! Come shout for Truth with us at Truth Fest 2011. http://www.truthfest.org. Let’s take back our power and find a voice in this fight for civil rights! See you there!
Republican idiot tries to ruin this pot rally…
Idiot Republican tries to ruin this pot rally:
I have a candle to light, There was a favorable ruling some months back for MMJ in New Mexico that the local PHA could not discriminate. I read it on this blog. Whether the AG supersedes this ruling I’m afraid that the alternative is expanding to the whole country designs similar to the one in Florida. I fear the consequence to the MJ public of that course.
Some of you people kill me when your attitude consist of ” oh i understand about not being able to smoke in there own house is an ok rule.” …. How do you people define civil liberty, because as i understand it that when a person rents or dare i say owns a home than its there home and they should be able to do damn near what ever they want in there own home so long as it docent hurt anyone other then themselves.
51. Greg
This idiot threw himself to the lions. The guy must not be playing with a full deck of cards. This only goes to show you how dedicated prohibs are. WOW!
For those who smoke marijuana to relive their pain and suffering, no proof is necessary that it works. No proof is necessary that it makes their lives better. No proof is necessary that their government is lying to them and persecuting them for what is essentially a harmless act.
For those who believe marijuana to be inherently evil, no amount of proof to the contrary will be sufficient to change their thinking. No scientific discoveries that marijuana provides significant medical help in numerous situations will be taken into account. No study performed by a major laboratory saying marijuana is more helpful than damaging will be accepted.
There are few things more dangerous to a developing culture than a closed mind.
“There are no Kings in America.”
Everyone in government thinks they’re a fuckin’ King or Queen – but – I don’t see no fuckin’ crown on their heads.
His majesty is simply telling us -“NO!” We are either going to obey – or – we’re going to pay the price. Who ever holds the power to repeal the prohibition of cannabis [a Genesist’s Faith and Sacrament] is “my enemy.” The enemy of my enemy – is still “my enemy.”
You can call his majesty and his court “whatever” you want. You can regard his majesty and his court “however” you will. Just remember this – “The King simply and absolutely doesn’t give a shit one way or the other – what we the people feel or say. After all The King is the King and knows better – what is best for his subjects – and – is indifferent to the will of his subjects. You can’t deal with indifference. In fact – his majesty is proud of what we call him. But – his majesty has made a terrible error – a terrible error in judgment – but – an error doesn’t have to become a mistake mistake until his majesty and his court refuses to correct it.
What we’re experiencing “right this very moment” is only “one frame” of a life long drama movie. If we do not want to see “today’s frame” appear anywhere in the future – we will have to pay strict attention to that “one frame” of today. What “today’s frame” reveals is oppression, suppression, and reprisal. What that “one frame” reveals today is that these unconstitutional practices are being effective. What is absolutely necessary is to expose this injustice in its array to every free American for their consideration. It seems that his majesty doesn’t know right from wrong. “The truth will over-come.”
the reason mj is not legal is because the nazi republicans , organized crime, the tobacco and alcohol lobby stand to loose a lot of money. the nazi republicans and organized crime have always been one and the same.
First of all Attorney General, Schutte, should not even allow himself to lie to us about the medical marijuana…Mr. Schutte, is very biased and prejudiced about medical marijuana, He felt this way before becoming attorney general of michigan…Being Biased, and prejudice against a bill that was passed by 63 percent of the voters and we dont even get considered. No way will a regular doctor, give approval for MM, even if he believes it will help a patient. my doctor says he believes i need the approval, but he will be black balled if he signs anything approving me.
Is there a way the voters, can ask for a court ruling on mr schutte? Another thing. The medical marijuana clinics are not “pot shops”, as mr. schutte, says. The one i belong to in Bay City, Mi, has given jobs to those working there, where they couldnt find work elsewhere.
Please someon, help us. I am 77 years old, and i have severe health problems, which i take medical marijuana to relieve. I was in the 1954 operation castle, Bravo shot, where i got a dose of ionizing radiation that left me with severe Anemia, and hepitas B, my liver was damaged too, and I cannot take even a asprin for pain, because it hurts the liver.
Bob77
59. robert zakrewski
“My doctor says he believes i need the approval, but he will be black balled if he signs anything approving me.”
Certainly not by the American Medical Association – they approve of it – and the nurses do to. Who has intimidated your Dr.
Intimidation
1). To make timid, make afraid, daunt. 2). To force or deter with threats or violence; cow.
AND THERE YA GO! If “governmental intimidation” isn’t illegal [then] it damn well should be. If it’s not a matter of law [then] it’s a matter of individual conscience – and – free will. Government aka “The powers that be” – are intimidating “American Citizens.” This is against the highest law of the land – and – beyond. It’s not a matter of marijuana – legal – or – illegal. It’s a matter of “government’s rude display of power” – and – “VIEWER MODIFICATION COMPLETED.”
Re 35, David762,
I’m afraid I have to agree with virtually everything you write. I used to be an Obama defender. Now, I get disgusted nearly every time his wimpish face appears on TV.
Yer right about his carrying on many of the policies of Bush II (aka Village Idiot); and you’re right that he fooled us all (it seems) into believing he was a progressive of any sort.
I have to tell you, I’m probably more undecided than I’ve been in a long time as to whom I’ll vote for in the next election.
Republicans? I’d give up smoking pot before I’ll ever vote for one of them. They’re the ones who got us into this economic mess with their de-regulation, un-paid for (and unnecessary) wars and tax cuts for the uber rich. (During all the Banking scandals, I kept hearing people say, ‘Looks like someone wasn’t doing their job,’ and I’d always correct ’em & say, ‘No, someone DID their job–their “job” was to look the other way while the Banks were scamming!’)
So, I honestly don’t know how I’ll vote next time. I’m sick of Obama, sicker of the GOP, and don’t trust the Liberterians–half of them want to take us back to the days of people being refused service at restaurants, etc etc. Tea Partiers? I’d as soon vote for Captain Kangaroo.
I don’t know, I’ll have to wait and see. I of course will lean toward someone who supports legalization–but that won’t be the only criteria. Hitler or the Weimar Republic? What a choice!
61. Puff
“Republicans? I’d give up smoking pot before I’ll ever vote for one of them.”
That’s bull shit and you know it. You’re not giving it up for anything. You might move to Amsterdam before you would give it up though.
“I’d as soon vote for Captain Kangaroo.”
You may have to vote for Captain Kangaroo my brother [but then] didn’t we have this discussion a couple of years ago.
Good CDXX Communion – and – my best to you and yours.
Amer. Gen., how you doing?
Lol, you got me on that first one. Unfortunately, I guess you’ve heard what’s happening in Amsterdam–they’re not gonna sell to foreigners any more. What’s up with that.
But you understand my point. The GOP cares about nobody but the rich. Tax cuts my A**. How many jobs did Baby Bush’s tax cuts create? Seems like I recall millions of jobs LOST. That’s a tired old mantra that that’s been disproven over and over and over.
And, while I truly do respect your point of view, my friend, I hold NO respect whatsover for a party (a tea party) that wants to cut SS and Medicare, while giving the super rich even more tax cuts.
We don’t live in a feudal system–just yet! Plutocracy is not my idea of Democracy. Money DOES NOT equal speech.
Best wishes always
63. Puff
To tell you the God’s honest truth – I don’t know what kind of a world we’re living in – let alone what country. The dust hasn’t even started to settle – and – won’t until 2012. All I know for sure is that Genesists declare a “Conscience Clause.” Everything else is incidental. We turn our backs on the present powers that be – and – their words fall on deaf ears.
Well California has advised the feds that they will not enforce federal law – so – “We will wait – and – we will see.” In the meantime – we demand Scientific Conclusion. The truth is in the science. The pursuit of science is the truth.
Stay well…Good CDXX Communion.
Puff.
I have come to this conclusion – a politician is a politician – and – the party affiliation is as about as meaningful and pertinent as tits on a bull. In fact they are all related by family. What we are dealing with is – “We are living in a class bound society.” Rank has its privileges – no matter how rank they are.
Very well said. If the Feds refuse to follow the wishes of the people, perhaps SOME of the States will. (I don’t expect that all of the States are smart enough to do so.)
66. Puff
Cal and 15 other states has got us to where we are today. Wait until some stars start falling of the flag.
This fight has just begun.
Best regards – Manny
Revenue from marijuana would help keep people in there homes – all housing public and private.
I wonder if the same rule applies to smokers in general.
A working class person who can afford thier own home can use medical marijuana without loosing thier shelter. So poor people are penalized for using medical marijuana, they lose they’re shelter, thier home. So is the government going to build homeless shelters to accomodate the thousands of patients who choose to use medical marijuana? Is this the real objective of DHHS creating a list of medical marijuana users, it’s set up so that a person can’t get medical marijuana unless they go on a DHHS list to be able to get a medical marijuana card through them instead of being just between the patient and the doctor (the way it should be in respect to doctor patient confidentiality). So they will have the list of poor people to be evicted, most people who utilize the facilitating of government programs through DHHS, qualify for said programs becuase they are poor. Are we headed for a country where DHHS becomes dictators for the poor of this country, or are we already there living within a dictatorship. DHHS started as an agency which facilitated government programs at a local level. Just look how far they’ve come. Shouldn’t we all just wear a poor patch on our sleeves to identify us from the rest of the population. Next they’ll be gathering us up, placing us on frieght trains and bringing us to the prepared burial sites like the germans did with the jews.
The cost to the government for health care in aroostook county maine is higher than anywhere else in the country, and even higher than all the new england states combined.(inwhich Aroostook votes on medical marijuana were greater for against it, than was the southern counties votes for it, that pushed it through) Here in Aroostook county Maine they didn’t want medical marijuana, and they still don’t want it. They stand to loose to much money that they get from pushing the pills to the patients on maine care, even to the point of distroying peoples health. Up here the health care system ( hospitals, clinics, pharmacies) they are all about making the money, they are not about providing health care. If a person chooses medical marijuana, they don’t make anything if the patient chooses to grow his own for medical use. Well I think it only makes good sense to look for the fraud where the costs are the highest, especially when the population is much less than all the other ares where the costs are lower even thou8gh the populations are greater. The scary thing is that the health care agencies(hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies) have been bleeding the system to the best of thier capabilities for so long, that they are deeply embedded and proficiently utilizing thier bleeding the system practices. About the only way for it all to be exposed would be to audit all of them, in order to get the overall picture of the bleeding of the system by the health care up here
When it comes to medical marijuana uses for health issues; shouldn’t the laws apply to all the same whether you’re black or white, rich or poor, shouldn’t the laws apply to all, the same? Because they most certainly do not, and actually show favoritism to the well to do, which is unfair to the less fortunate. I don’t see any well to do people getting notices that they’ll have to leave thier homes and become homeless if they choose to utilize medical marijuana, like the notices they send people who are on subsidized programs. This is only one example of how poor people are treated with predudice in this country. There is no law against a man and a woman getting married, the working class on up, yet if two low incomed disabled people fall in love they can’t get married without consiquences. I’ve been with the same woman for well over a decade now but we will never be able to afford to get married because we are both disabled. We will never be able to share the same roof over our heads and share one home together(an american dream for only those who can afford it)Both of us being disabled means that if we got married we’d lose around $300.00 a month from our incomes. We’d actually lose money from our disability compensation if we had a joint effort going on. Most working class people or well to do people who get married and creat a joint efford on expenses are better off financially. Not so, for the disabled people in this country. I’m a disabled veteran and I served to protect the rights of the people in this country, from both foreign, and domestic enimies. I don’t think I would have served at all had I realized at the time that I was only protecting the rights of the people in this country who were fortunate and in good health, and still able to be employed. I paid into social security all of my life, and I’ve paid my dues. Now I’m on the receiving end of what I’d been paying for all those years, yet I’m made to feel that I’m less than others, just a welfare case, with a lot less rights than the average joe!
Section 8 housing vouchers are provided by taxpayers and section 8 housing have many problems that are not addressed and HUD is short staffed so monitoring of this type of housing is not done. Section 8 housing isn’t good for the people in the position of having to rent them nor is it good for any community they are built. Section 8 housing was set up in 1937 (?) we’ve learned lots since that time about motivation, education and assessment of needs of individuals with no options because of no money. When you don’t have employment , can’t feed your family through no fault of your own, or if your an addict, or if you are a single parent, or if you’re an ex-con those are all unique problems that should be taken into account when providing for all of these individual needs. Section 8 housing only gives you an apartment, maybe some classes in how to shop and how to keep a bank account. it’s not the MJ that the problem it’s this will not help the majority of people get off vouchers, or live better. But it sure as hell is destroying urban areas close to MAX trains. Lack of safety and threaten life style of people living in SECTION 8 and those who have homes in the neighborhood. So quit your whining about lack of Medical MJ, I’m sure it won’t matter people that need it for medical needs and those that don’t will be smoking it and selling it as well as other drugs to make money so they can have the options that money buys.
whats so wrong with marijuana it makes people calm fuck the feds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So can section 8 find out if you have a medical recommendation in CA
Well, now let’s make sick people homeless too, Way to go again MR. President..
They can deal meth but not have med mj lol
The government is forceing their cut of the pie through regulation. They know if your homeless you can not realy grow forcing you to buy or steal. The government wants you to pay for medical insurance and buy their meds and test. Freedom and liberty and justice have all been taken away from the poor in this country
As a section 8 recipient who has been acknowledged as disabled and thus living in Sec 8, I find it abominable that the feds are playing with the quality and existance of lives over a trivial substance as cannabis. Medical patients are not to be perceived as merely pleasure tokers. We have serious issues ( mine is pain ) where *any* kind of substance is one that the feds have a problem with. I am greatly disappointed in President Obama to not have the backbone to acknowledge and have the compassion
to differenciate between medical use and recreational users and housing vouchers. It is the unfortunate downward spiral of chronic disease that afflicts a great many people and they should be be afforded the best pain relief and quality of life despite needing housing assistance. However I can also relate to those that find overpowering smells noxious. I am very sensitive to smells although my landlord conveniently chooses to act against me.
I understand there are steps that can be taken to curtail thos odors..since I don’t toke I don’t have that problem other than a greedy landlord making that claim against growing my own medicine. It would be really nice if the dispensaries made medicine affordable on a sliding scale for SSDI folks. However to be equal ALL noxious odors need to be addressed by landlords if that is the case or make a max. level of odors permissible.