Today’s New York Times City Blog features an article about a court settlement between New York City and Jamie Rutkowski. Who is Jamie Rutkowski? Until New York City police decided to arrest her for minor cannabis possession—in a city that is supposed to be issuing civil tickets— locking her up in police detention, creating a health hazard for the young woman with diabetes and ultimately paying her $125,000 in damages, no one knew who she was.
Now, all cannabis consumers in the United States—notably in municipalities and states that have reformed their cannabis laws with decriminalization laws and patient protections for medicinal use—should cite Ms. Rutkowski’s case settlement as precedent against overzealous law enforcement agencies who choose to physically arrest and detain minor cannabis offenders, rather than issue them a civil fine, similar to a speeding or parking ticket.
Kudos to Ms. Rutkowski and her attorney Joel Berger for 1) challenging the NYC police department’s infamous practice of arresting and detaining for many hours minor cannabis offenders and 2) for making it ironically clear that even an arrest on minor cannabis charges can create serious health concerns whereby an adult who chooses to consume a non-toxic and relatively safe recreational drug like cannabis (or, has the drug recommended to them to consume medically by their physician) can quite literally be placed into a life or death situation.
“They could have killed me over a joint,” Ms. Rutkowski said. “Something needs to be done.”
After thousands of years of human use, there is little-to-no scientific evidence that moderate cannabis use is harmful to the individual consumer or society in the whole. However, there is overwhelming and abundantly clear evidence that Cannabis Prohibition can be deadly for individual consumers, law enforcement personnel and those involved in the currently illegal and untaxed businesses of cultivating, transporting and selling cannabis.
Disgustingly, in a city that, since the late 1970s, is supposed to have true ‘decriminalization’ laws for cannabis possession cases, New York City continues to nearly lead the nation in per capita arrests for simple cannabis possession cases (approximately 43,000 cannabis possession arrests annually; constituting nearly five percent of all annual cannabis arrests nationwide) as well as having one of the most racially imbalanced arrest rates for minorities (approximately nine out of ten cannabis arrests in NYC are made against minorities).
After Diabetic Woman’s Arrest, a $125,000 Settlement
By ADRIANE QUINLANHer decision to smoke a marijuana cigarette outside a Manhattan bar where she was attending a bachelorette party landed Jaime Rutkowski in jail, threatened her life and lead to a lawsuit that on Monday yielded $125,000 from the city.
On Oct. 16, Ms. Rutkowski, who has diabetes, said she was thrown to the ground and arrested on charges of possession of marijuana outside a club on Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side.
Stress elevates her blood sugar levels and at the nearby police station house, the blood sugar meter she uses was confiscated. She relied on the meter to determine how much insulin to inject into her system from an insulin pump inserted in her stomach. An overdose could be life-threatening.
The police eventually called for an ambulance more than three hours after Ms. Rutkowski had been taken into custody. Emergency medical technicians found that her sugar level was almost four times the normal level, dangerous enough to take her to Bellevue Hospital Center.
Ms. Rutkowski and her lawyer, Joel Berger, filed a suit against the city and the officers involved in part because they hope it will alert the the Police Department to the needs of diabetic prisoners.
“The settlement is so high because a woman nearly died,” said Mr. Berger.
Mr. Berger also said Ms. Rutkowski’s crime was “trivial.” He added: “Almost any jury was not going to be exactly shocked by the nature of the offense. They’re not going to view this as the crime of the century.”
Ms. Rutkowski was charged with a class-B misdemeanor and received an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, which means that she was not fined and that after one year her case will be dropped and sealed.
Elizabeth Thomas, a spokeswoman for the city’s Law Department, said, “We believe the settlement is in the best interest of all the parties.”
The Police Department’s aggressive enforcement of marijuana possession laws has led to an increase in arrests for possessing small amounts of the drug. While many of those arrests result in fines but no jail time, they do typically result in spending a night in jail.
“They could have killed me over a joint,” Ms. Rutkowski said. “Something needs to be done.”
Mr. Berger said the police did not have a specific protocol to deal with diabetic patients, something that he believes needs to be addressed. “Police officers need to understand that when they arrest a diabetic, there are potentially life-threatening effects,” he said.
Ms. Rutkowski said she would use money from the settlement to pay student loans and to further her education. A graduate of Temple, where she studied chemistry, she said she’s interested in pursuing a degree as a doctor of veterinary medicine. “I’m going to try and make something good out of a terrible situation,” she said.
The law was warned and see what happend. I guess we can go one at a time. (Stand in marijuana line not bread line.)
I think Ms. Rutkowski should have gotten a much larger settlement. I think hitting these “fascist regimes” in the only place they feel it, the money belt, is the only way they can be made to understand that we are human beings with all the same rights everyone else has. I, too, am diabetic. It was wrong of them to treat her that way. A number of years ago I was arrested on a case of MISTAKEN IDENTITY, by the police department of a small southern town. I was denied my medication overnight and then TRANSPORTED to another small southern town where I didn’t even have medicine. I was released almost 24 hours later and when I got home had to go to the ER to get my blood sugar down to normal. It was over 400. Oh, yeah, and the food I was given and expected to eat was completely inappropriate to my diet, I wasn’t even given food to eat at the other towns police department. When I checked into suing both police departments I was told it would cost more than I ever would get back. Really? If I’d had the money I would have immigrated elsewhere. It is very hard to see in this country today the country I was born into.
She can be the Rosa Parks of marijuana legalization. Rutkowski has given us steps closer to legalization. Let’s have Potimism!
Sadly there is a loophole for public use, two of them actually. First is that showing your pot and paraphernalia in public is still arrestable, second if you are in a public “plaza” you aren’t even allowed to smoke a cigarette. NYC isn’t about freedom, its about money, and there’s lots of money in civil and traffic violations, its terrible exploitation.
This is Bullshit.that is all
people it will never change..i tried drinking to relieve stress because random testing by the employer was stressing me out..almost died from alcohol..now i’m left with no stress relief..if i owned a gun i would go on a fuckin killing rampage because the laws will never change,.. our goverment is hooked on arresting us to maintain it’s so called balance it has created..it is total and complete corruption, they control what we do, see, and hear, as well as tell us what to do in the privacy of our own home..i tried going to work after a night of drinking a few times..either went home sick , was unproductive, or was a danger to those around me, took meds to control anxiety once wrecked my car..so what will it be..society’s leaders to the gallows or a lame fuckin life till we die? Your choice..let’s all get together..organize and take back our freedom !!
What the Cops did not have a specif protocol for dealing with a Diabetic patients? Being 54 years old it really scary the hake out of me just knowing what the cops will do to a person smoking a joint. I do not believe this is the first time a sick person has been arrested at that jail. No there a lot more that is going on here.( WAR WAR WAR ) Yep that what it will come down to. Our far father must be real a sham of us. One of the reason my Dad fought in ww2 was to keep our police and any government from doing this to us.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
I am no more outraged by this then I am by ANY random cannabis smoker being jailed. Your freedom is being taken from you, and any additional injury is just kicking you while you are down already. Ultimately her situation could have been resolved with rational drug policy.
It’s hard to not sound like a bunch of whiners, but seriously we are held down by ‘The Man’ more then just about any other group, anymore. Gays are more accepted then potheads, which is odd since you would think we would be accepted first (not that hating any group is right).
I share MLK’s dream that someday all mankind will see each other as brothers and sisters and learn not to judge others for the choices they make in their personal lives.
Arresting people for cannibis is just wrong. Don’t the Police have some real crimes to investigate?
I honestly dont think she was awarded enough!
Consuming alcoholic beverages affects the blood sugar level negatively compared to cannabis. Of course, any science indicating the positive aspects of cannabis receives no consideration by the Feds.
Alcohol:http://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_and_nutrition/page4.htm
Cannabis:http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/cmu/diabetes_5.htm
Can someone explain why this woman was thrown to the ground? It’s always unbelievable to read stories about law enforcement treating marijuana users as they would an
armed robbery suspect.
Im glad tha someone stood up for themselves but this has nothing to do with marijuana other than she smoked it when she got nailed. More over it has to do with her diabetes. Who knows if she had number one or number 2 diabetes.it matters.. The people want and scientific way to go about the marijuana adgenda while others want to reach in their pockets and hope there is more cash. Scientist agree(other than those payed by governments)that marijuana has medical value and can have more value if allowed the room to research the narcotic. F the governments view when it reguards lobbied views.
Weird how there was a double homicide in my town and yet a “pothead” is arrestd every 40 seconds in the United States, and there is still no one convicted for this trial. btw it was two kids and had bags over their heads to suffocate them with their hands tied.. Thanks sooo much poilice department you get the workers and forget the murders..
I wonder if someone can come up with a continually updated list of how our politicians vote on bills such as HR 2306 so that we as a community can know exactly who to vote for in the next election. Cannabis legalization may not be the only thing going on in our society of concern, but it is certainly important enough to warrant our collective votes. I also agree that she was not awarded enough. Lets keep the pressure on the uninformed and intolerant people.
i’m talking to her right now and iasked her why they threw her to the ground. She was outside with her friend and the cops were in plainclothes and grabbed them physically so they tried to get away. when she got away he tackled her. would u go willingly with someone who claimed to be the law without proper i.d.? i wouldn’t. look what happened to that 8 yr old who got chopped up. you can’t trust anybody anymore. when you’re a girl in the city and someone grabs you you’re first instinct is to get away and thats what they did. it was a matter of an instinctual reaction to a stranger putting their hands on her before they could properly identify themselves
How can her record be sealed. Isn’t her arrest record public? Try getting a newspaper to black out your name.
You are never expunged? With digital archives, your life is never deleted. I love this country. the land of the free. over grow the govt.
Thrown to the ground? You know, they’re really lucky she didn’t get a festering wound over this. (Diabetics are prone to wounds that have a hard time healing.) If she had lost a limb (or worse!) over this, this lawsuit would be a hell of a lot bigger.
And really…. over a joint? It’s not like she was smoking a gun. I never knew joints could be so dangerous and life threatening! /end snark.
What do we need jackass politicians who will vote against us as soon as someone pays them more anyway? We as Americans have the right to introduce a ballot initiative ourselves and they cannot say no if we have the necessary number of signatures.
Such police officers, wasting their time bothering about cannabis, are worse than the criminals at large on the street. They are just bullies hiding behind a badge, using their authority to practice sadism. Bravo on the settlement. Should have been in the millions. Every police officer in NYC should be required to attend a class educating them on A. the law as it relates to cannabis, and B. cannabis, a worthwhile medicine, not a cause for alarm.
CDXX Communion for 07.19.11
To my brethren of the Genesist Faith
Genesists believe that God [gave us] Manna in Genesis I:29,30,31. Do you?
And God said – Every herb bearing seed – To you it shall be for food/meat – I give you every green herb for food/meat – God saw – Behold it was very good.
29. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed, to you it shall be for food/meat. 30. And to every beast on the earth, and to every fowl in the air, and to everything that creepeth on the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for food/meat. 31. And God saw everything that he had made, and Behold, it was very good, and the evening and the morning was “The Sixth Day.”
Establishment Clause.
“Without exemption (circumscription – qualification) no person(s) shall make any law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Today’s Thanksgiving.
Lord of both body and mind – we are thankful for our freedom of worship, thought, speech, and expression; the freedom to be seen and heard, the freedom to Observe * Experience * Gain Wisdom.
The Bible [any Bible] – the Supreme Law of Creation – and – the Constitution – the Supreme Law of the Land – are the only to references I require.
Im glad the woman isnt physically hurt because of the ordeal. But i was even happier to read that she won her lawsuit. Its always the pot smoker that’s the one paying; with money and their future. This federal prohibition on cannabis needs to end, to many lives have been ruined already. Im sure at least a dozen people were arrested for cannabis in the time it took me to write this. Their lives forever ruined by unjust laws. Even if there arent that many people put in jail for cannabis use, if they are arrested for cannabis they will have a felony charge for the rest of their life, unless they’re one of the lucky ones that either live in the right state or get a sensible judge. It’s time for this to end.
Ms. Rutkowski is one of the lucky few to survive.
There has been a lot of deaths in jails cells this year.
The Feds are out of touch. The military spending has caused us to be a war machine without many wars. But we’ll find someone to bomb. It’s the American way! We’ll also make the police busy by arresting pot victims. This logic is insane. Arrest and Incarcerate keeps lawyers, judges, cops and prisons a steady diet for yankee society. The Feds need their wings clipped.
Marijuana doesn’t kill but marijuana prohibition certainly can
LEGALIZATION CAN SAVE OUR NATION!!!!
they need to legalize and make cannabis once again our #1 cash crop. look at what the government pulls in off taxes out of one county in cali. If legalized,and manufactured,and distributed worldwide… Our nations 14.7 TRILLION dollars of debt would be substantially decreased if not completely caught up within just a couple years. The President who does make this happen would be our countries savior. Like the Jesus of past presidents.
ladies and gentlemen, the drug war at work! fuckin’ people over one joint at a time.
Fed’s need training on people skills as well.
Back in 1983, my then boyfriend and I went to Negril Jamaica for 3 months, one day during my stay, I was relaxing at Rick’s Cafe on the cliffs, there were about 20 large loud and pompous men. I asked one of the bartenders there who these men were. He informed me they were New York City cops. These men consumed more gange and alcohol than should have been humanly possible in my 5 hours that I observed. Yes, ALL were smoking, drinking and just out and out rude to all staff and those around them. Yes, I got a chance to see New York’s finest in full action…..a bunch of hypocrites I say. Just an FYI.
Marijuana is the prohibited drug in our society and most commonly used in many developed countries. Medical studies have shown that the active ingredient in marijuana delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can bring health benefits to some patients. The impression that these benefits were significant, voters in California, Arizona and other 13 states approved initiative allowing the use of medical marijuana for patients in certain conditions.
I’m surprised the amount of money she got was so small. Seems like we always hear sums in the millions when things like this are litigated. The amount seems pretty fair to me. She gets a little justice, but the city, i.e. the taxpayers, are not saddled with making up lost revenues in the millions.
I very surprised the NYC Police would not have had a protocol for diabetics in place for anyone arrested. This is certainly not the first diabetic they ever encountered.
30. Fresh Says:
July 20th, 2011 at 2:25 am
LEGALIZATION CAN SAVE OUR NATION!!!!
Isn’t it rather obvious – that the Luciferian Party does not want to save our nation – they want to “sue as hell” destroy it – and – the bulls eye is our Constitution. I mean – how can they dominate the world with this one little rogue nation pulling their plug all the time. Wait til the “Thought Police” come and haul you off – never to be seen again – for having your own thought.
Does anyone know exactly where the $125,000 that was awarded came from? Did it come directly from the State’s budget, city budget, or perhaps the budget for Law Enforcement? Personally, I wish the amount would have been higher; add an additional zero to the end. And, I think it should have come directly from the Police Dept that arrested this poor victim. That, my friends, would have shut down their facist ways in a hurry and sent an undeniable message to leave us all the hell alone unless we are engaged in a real criminal activity! If that bankrupted their police dept, oh well, we don’t need that kind of enforcement.
Wow! I’m glad she is still alive.
P.S. to 37
“LEGALIZATION CAN SAVE OUR NATION!!!!”
How could I have been so stupid to have forgotten the most important item on the Luciferian’s hit list – God. Does Lucifer sound better than God? Does the North American Union sound better than the United States of America? Does toilet paper sound better than the Constitution? Does “Yes Master” sound better than freedom? “IT’S UP TO YOU.”
38. Your are right Don WHY should the people of this country have to pay for this.? The officers have their own mind don’t they? If i gropped someone the same way they did i would be in jail for attempted kidnapping. Were they working at the time? If so couldn’t one pull out their badge and show proof first? Crazy how those made fun of thruout school go and get a badge to hide behind. Typical bullshit.
The Department itself should pay for this one or make the officers pay it and maybe it would stand as an example for other officers to not cross the line. give it they do have a stressful job. That does not excuse their actions tho. Just like one of us we have rules that they should have to be accountable for.
It’s really sad that I would not have been aware of this (and many other stories of this nature) if not for NORML getting this out! We all need to continue to give NORML as much support as we can as we all try to fight for our freedom and against this kind of injustice. I’m really pissed off at the mainstream media for turning a blind eye to this cause. I believe the general public would be all over this kind of thing if only they were aware of it. The amount of coverage they gave the Casey Anthony trial got the public all fired up. Why can’t they give even 10% as much coverage when people suffer because of marijuana related infractions??? I’ve read that people incarcerated for minor marijuana crimes have committed suicide. If not for prohibition, they just might still be living relatively happy lives.
This is just another reason for marijuana to be legal throughout our great nation. This woman would not have had to go thru what she did if our law makers and our president would see the writing on the wall. It is time for the people to stand up and let our government know just how wrong they are in keeping the marijuana prohibition to continue. I think the lady should of been awarded more than what she got.
Your tax dollars at work once again!
It’s time to defund and disband police departments. Replace them with citizen militias/patrols headed up by a county sheriff. Volunteers already provide EMT services, firefighting, cleanup and other community functions. Some police departments utilize unpaid reserves too so it’s not like we will have a problem turning over the “keep things down to a dull roar” stuff over to the citizens of the USA, citizens who are tired of paying so much in taxes for such poor service and the resulting problems.
An elected sheriff is also much more accountable to the public than a police chief, which means each county gets the law enforcement level and style the majority of it’s citizens choose.
How much longer do we have to stand in stupid?
Thats our goverment for you, Rather see you dead instead of using marijuana!
Of course that poor woman did’nt enough money , theirs still 100 yrs of prohibtion to answer for. So how do they pay for that. They must be held accountable for all crimes againt THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. How about an American federal government for a change? We are supposed to be the best not the beast.
I am jaime’s mother and the way she was handled by the NYPD is just DISGUSTING. She is 4’11” and weighs 110 lbs. She was thrown to the ground without them saying they were the police. She was handcuffed and her feet were shackled for more than 24 hours, They never gave her food or water (for hours). She was left to go to the bathroom struggling to get there with her feet shackled and the door would not close (right next to the men’s holding area). They would not give her the insulin from her purse or the kit to take her blood level. It was in her purse in the next room. They kept her hand cuffed and legs shackled in the hospital as well. The officer would not give the nurse permission to take them off. They also gave her the run around when she left. They told her that her purse was in one station, when she got there it was in another. When she got there (across town) she was told that they made a mistake and that it WAS at the first place. She did not eat for over 24 hours. It was freezing out, she had no coat. Her hands and legs were full of blisters (not great for diabetics). Her shoulder was injured, etc. SHE COULD HAVE DIED. My husband called the station when we found out she was there and promised he would look out for her and make sure she was not detained long. BALONEY. She should have gotten $1 million…… She is a highly intelligent girl who will be a vet someday. She should not have been treated like some homeless person.
ANGRY MOTHER
I forgot to ad to my statement for my daughter that the police officer who arrested her and did these horrible things to her is now suspended for a dui in December.
He also refused a breatholizer. SO much for the NYPD.
He shouldn’t be suspended – he should be fired for costing the city the $$$$$$$.
Throwing and tackling? not a good idea. What happens when bleeding happens and the victim is HIV- POSITIVE? Pothead or not.
The money surely came from taxpayers so it is unlikely the police care much, but glad she got paid anyway….who were they protecting locking this girl up? …and even one night in jail is jail time
Check it.
http://www.drugwarrant.com/articles/why-is-marijuana-illegal/
bah…..This is a problem independent of prohibition since diabetics are not going to stop getting arrested if prohibition is lifted. Besides, this person was being stupid by knowingly and publicly breaking a law in an area that apparently is known for asshole cops. When one is being arrested, one needs to retain a calm tone with respectful inoffensive language, maintain as little movement as possible, and do what they say. In addition to this, I am willing to bet the perp was not the most cooperative upon arrest.
This person did not almost die unless she had been catatonic for multiple hours. I would bet she was still conscious when the ambulance carted her off. She is being opportunistic by asking for anything more than the cost of the hospital visit.
If she really cared about this, then she should pay those hospital bills and give the rest up to ending prohibition. Obviously, its more important to her to raise her status then to use this as an opportunity to contribute to ending injustice.
I bet you people wouldn’t be singing this tune if she had been under investigation for murder or something heinous.
The police here simply mishandled a medical condition. This is an issue that is independent of prohibition per se. Her getting all that cash is stupid. The involved authorities should have been fired and the department should redouble its efforts to implement appropriate medical observation. The hospital visit should be free.
“Yellow journalism won over medical science.”
[ Member from upstate New York: “Mr. Speaker, what is this bill about?”
Speaker Rayburn: “I don’t know. It has something to do with a thing called marihuana. I think it’s a narcotic of some kind.”
“Mr. Speaker, does the American Medical Association support this bill?”
Member on the committee jumps up and says: “Their Doctor Wentworth[sic] came down here. They support this bill 100 percent.”]
And on the basis of that lie, on August 2, 1937, marijuana became illegal at the federal level.
FEDS you’ve got some explaining to do.
Next you’ll tell us that our brain only uses 10% of us [pric]. Wait reverse that then continue. :]
Another great example of our failed govt treating us like nazis
Treating the jews. Sickening
Well let’s all look foward to 2012 and all the young people
Must come out to vote n really show the man who is boss.
The propaganda machine has aided the prohibitionists, including but not limited to media/select politicians/mega corporations, in outlawing cannabis long ago based on fallacies to enact personal gains. As real facts, to the positive effects/uses/utilization of cannabis as a commodity, surface and gain traction I believe that it will end in the demise (non-specific) of the corrupt who have instilled it’s image as a destructive purpose. You’ve done this to yourselves. Ironic isn’t it?
Check the “blind spot.”
Over kill, the crime has never fit the punishment. Complaints listed are never heard because of money pay offs to cops and Politicians, etc., etc., etc. How long must this bull go on till you get it through your little minds that there must be a real war fought to gain freedom, the freedom you dream of. Now that the system is designed to kill us a little at a time, how long will YOU take it till you take action?
Is this how some diseases get spread around? how sanitary are places of confinement from the world. The lack of ID, PLAIN CLOTHING might be part of the reason why disappearances and murder occurenses are executed and never discovered. We are all subject to this . Ignorance is DEADLY, not blissful. It is to my knowledge that anyone can be a slave to it, but can we master it? Time will tell.
#17 JC, the answer is NO, they can’t. It’s a shame. Maybe you or I could, though.
Do any of the inforcement agencies at least ask about health problems at all? like pregnancies etc.
CDXX Communion of 07.20.11
To my brethren of the Genesist Faith
Genesists believe that God [reaffirmed] the gift of Manna in Genesis IX: 3. Do you?
And God Said – Even as the green herb , I give you all things
3. And God said, every moving thing that liveth shall be food/meat for you; even as the green herb, have I given you all things.
Establishment Clause.
“Without exemption (circumscription – qualification) no person(s) shall make any law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Today’s Thanksgiving
Lord of both body and mind – Where the mind is – there is the treasure. We thank you for our treasures, and the many blessings that we have received through your immense unconditional love and generosity. “We count our blessings.” For every creature is good, and nothing to be refused if it is received [with] thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by your word.
The Bible [any Bible] – the Supreme Law of Creation – and – the Constitution – the Supreme Law of the Land – are the only to references I require.
“There were three bodies of testimony at the hearings on the national marijuana prohibition.”
It took 2 hours, that’s right people 2 hours, to completely sway the minds of representatives. Interesting to say the least.
Anyone care to take a guess who those 3 were? I’ll save you the time. Anslinger (at the time Commissioner of the FBN) reading directly from text by a DA (?Mr. Stanley?) from New Orleans. “Marihuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.” “That was the Government testimony to support the marijuana prohibition from the Commissioner.”
Next body came from an “Industrial Spokesman”/”Rope Guy”/”Birdseed” who represented certain industries. We know who these are don’t we? Research it.
Finally two pieces of “medical evidence.” A pharmacologist from Temple University who “claimed” to have injected the active ingredient of cannabis into the brains of 300 dogs, of which two died. “When asked by the Congressmen, and I quote, “Doctor, did you choose dogs for the similarity of their reactions to that of humans?” The answer of the pharmacologist was, “I wouldn’t know, I am not a dog psychologist.” “Well, the active ingredient in marijuana was first synthesized in a laboratory in Holland after World War II. So what it was this pharmacologist injected into these dogs we will never know, but it almost certainly was not the active ingredient in marijuana.”
Then Dr. William C. Woodward whom was also a lawyer and the Chief Counsel for the AMA testified. And I quote, “The American Medical Association knows of no evidence that marihuana is a dangerous drug.” “What’s amazing is not whether that’s true or not. What’s amazing is what the Congressmen then said to him. Immediately upon his saying, and I quote again, “The American Medical Association knows of no evidence that marihuana is a dangerous drug.”, one of the Congressmen said, “Doctor, if you can’t say something good about what we are trying to do, why don’t you go home?”
That’s an exact quote. The next Congressman said, “Doctor, if you haven’t got something better to say than that, we are sick of hearing you.”
“Now, the interesting question for us is not about the medical evidence. The most fascinating question is: why was this legal counsel to the most prestigious group of doctors in the United States treated in such a high-handed way?”
FEDS? Explain. If you can.
Thank you Mr. Whitebread for your analysis and in depth research on the topic from which the quotations derived from. Thought provoking isn’t it people?
Oh that right there be having say a lot to those polices. Be serving them right now we be having a leg to be standing on! They be thinking twice next time they be trying to munipulates the law… but ha ha like they always be doings.
I dont know how it be that they cans do that in NYC when it have been decrinization? How that be? Anybodies be knowing how that legal? What they be saying to arresten you? How thing be stinking…be I degress or what have you.
Ok then please legalize soons.
Why is someone with diabetes smoking dope? Surely having the munchies will cause consumption of high sugar foods such as mmmm…..chocolate and stroopwaffels etc 😉
Seriously though, the law sucks, including over here in the UK. In my job if one of the residents in the hostel I work at is even suspected of smoking dope we are supposed to call the police to search them and their room, which wastes everyone’s time and the taxpayers’ money, also keeping the police from attending at real crime scenes!
Jesus said to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, so it’s time to say a big THANK YOU to Governor Christie for opening up the mmj opportunity to the people of New Jersey. We can send Governor Christie an email at http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact/ and show him our support for this decision!
Hey, Norml- Where’s an article on the NJ MJ decision? 🙂
@44 Larz – You say: “It is time for the people to stand up and let our government know just how wrong they are in keeping the marijuana prohibition to continue.”
Do you have any specific suggestions as to what we can do that we haven’t already – without getting violent? I think most of us have written our leaders numerous times, participated in countless blogs where it is obvious the majority wants to end this prohibition to anyone paying attention, tried to participate in Obama’s townhall meetings… All to little or no avail… Back in the 60’s there were lots of people in the street protesting both marijuana prohibition and wanting an end to the Vietnam war. They failed and a great many of them suffered broken bones and worse by the law enforcement personel of that time. What can we do when they (people like John Boehner, Obama, and Lamar Smith) continue to ignore us? From what I can tell, if it were up to them, not only would they not end prohibition – they would like to see even more users getting busted and locked up.
This whole event can be attributed to 1 person. The cop who was so stupid as to jail her for this.
I hope the sob loses his job if he’s so dumb!
You take down cannibis and you take the cornerstone of they’re control of everything.Spreading the wealth across the Republic. Leavving them to their job description. Ok you know the Constitution.
Seems that the lack of wisdom is prevailing all over the governments on a global scale. When will you see this? Prohibition was used to keep attention off the real criminals. Still think it’s not a good idea to protect your family when being shot at? don’t get me wrong, it still not a good idea to retaliate but when given no choice what would you do if a stoned or worse policeman starts to tackle or shoot at you first ( plain clothes or not. ) I think reform is needed here as well.
Does politics understand people,at all? funny little word . Somebody needs to read its true meaning. Seriously!!!!
“Wherever freedom is at stake – a Genesist will be there.”
Do enforcement agencies have periodic drug testing? obviously not. Whose in charge of drug testing on them? If i refuse a breathilizer test what then? Do i get to be free to tackle without question or the watchful eye on me as well? alls fair , love and war, but for who. Who gets this freedom?
For 70 Don, Go back and look at # 17 JC. Why we don’t do this is beyond me. It’s how all the other special interest get things done, You know like the NRA, AARP, etc… As far as I know we only did this once in 2002 with Mr. Bob Barr.(google it) Tactic was runaway success, turned the worst prohibitionist in congress into a pro-pot lobbyest. So of course we then forgot about it and went back to begging. Go figure.
I am so gladd to hear about this judgment. I went through something very similar. I was arrested for growing cannabis in Mississippi (ten CLONES 5 INCHES tall). I had been prescribed fentanyl and zanax for treatment of spinal compression as a result of radiation damage, which was caused from treatment for cancer. I was locked up and forced to de-tox off of these dangerous medications, and almost died. If it werent for other inmates feeding me and giving me water I WOULD have died. While In jail I was given NO medical treatment so i was also in agony from the spinal compression. So yes, cannabis CAN KILL…not the plant, but the BEYOND DRACONIAN laws that restrict its use, and allow the police and jails to treat suffering patients with no regard whatsoever for their health. I am only here because of other “criminals” and the grace and mercy of God. I hope that this case will make it to the mainstream media, so these people who allow this to go on will think VERY HARD before cuffing and stuffing non-violent cannabis users…btw…while using cannabis i was able to reduce my use of fentanyl from 100 mcq patches down to 50 mcq…if that isnt medicine, then there is no such thing AS medicine…WAKE UP AMERICA!!!! turning our country around starts with ending a STUPID was against a PLANT!!!!
@77: I read #17 and agree absolutely 110% that if there was an online list of people who we need to vote in and vote out that it would be of immense help!!! In fact, I actually wrote to NORML about it about a year ago but as it turns out NORML can’t do it because of their legal status. It would be great if someone could and then let everyone in the country know who the prohibitionists are so we could all work together to vote them the hell out!
@78 Brian – I am so glad you survived your arrest. If you had died, your story would have been buried along with you. Our Govt and Law Enforcement prefer not to have this kind of information made public. I have to wonder how many stories like yours have been buried!
CDXX Communion of 07.21.11
To my brethren of the Genesist Faith
Genesists believe Ezekiel [the Prophet] 34: 29, 30, 31. Do you?
A plant of renown – Neither bear the shame of the heathen anymore – They are my people – And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men.
29. And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. 30. Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them, and that they are my people sayith the Lord God. 31. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, sayith the Lord God.”
Establishment Clause.
“Without exemption (circumscription – qualification) no person(s) shall make any law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Today’s Thanksgiving
Lord of both body and mind – We are thankful for the bond of family. There’s nothing more powerful in life than the bond of family. “The greatest thing we will ever learn is to love and be loved in return.”
The Bible [any Bible] – the Supreme Law of Creation – and – the Constitution – the Supreme Law of the Land – are the only to references I require.
There are incidents like this across America.
I suggest that:
1. When ever anybody hears of such a incident, they report it to NORMAL.
2. Eventually somebody will die and if they do, the settlement could be in the millions.
3. When the proper case is found, NORMAL starts a fund to collect gifts to prosecute the case.
4. Take the case to court and collect as much as possible for future cases.
It would be nice if these kind of actions could be done against the feds.
JMHO
Thanks 79. I’ve wondered about that for a long time, now I know.
CDXX Communion of 07.22.11
To my brethren of the Genesist Faith
Genesists believe Exodus 30:22-29. Do you?
Thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment It shall be a holy anointing oil – And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.
22. Moreover the Lord spake unto Moses saying, 23. Take thou also unto thee principle spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty sheckels, and of sweet calamus [kaneh bosem – cannabis] two hundred and fifty sheckels, 24. And of cassia five hundred sheckels, after the sheckel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: 25. And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be a holy anointing oil. 26. And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony. 27. And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, 28. And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and thee laver and his foot. 29. And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.
Establishment Clause.
“Without exemption (circumscription – qualification) no person(s) shall make any law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Today’s Thanksgiving
Lord of both body and mind – We recognize your inspiration and we give thanks for the joy and fulfillment in this life – “The Reward” – for Equilibrium of the Soul. We are thankful for the exaltation of our soul [Logos Nous].
The Bible [any Bible] – the Supreme Law of Creation – and – the Constitution – the Supreme Law of the Land – are the only to references I require.
You know its sad. When you hear people say “America, is the land of the free.” How is it the land of the free if We Americans are arrested and treated as criminals for using marijuana in our own homes? Especially for Medical purposes. I mean I really feel for this lady. Not only she got mistreated for smoking some pot, but because she could have lost a limb or something. I know quite a few people that have diabetes that even the minor bruises can be fatal for a diabetic.
Its time for Fellow Americans to step up and fight for this “Land of the free.” Spread the word and Help end this corrupt war on Marijuana.Don’t we waste enough money on something that has been used in our history for at least a 1000 years?
Fawk YOU, Joann…..don’t generalize homeless people like that!!! Unless you are ok with pot users being generalized….and judging from your daughter’s experience, you don’t. SO, DON”T!!!!!
@88 – What the **xk are you talking about? Have you been drinking? I read Joann’s posts and there is no mention of homeless. I feel terrible for her and her daughter. SAINT RICO – you are clearly not a saint in any way shape or form – you’re a jerk!
@62,79 Thanks for your replies, I am new to this and want to do more, so please excuse me if I state the obvious, or you guys have already tried these approaches. HR2306 specifically: currently has 8 co sponsors (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d112:6:./temp/~bdLdpE:@@@N) listed in this link from library of congress, if your rep is not on this list he or she is not informed or is opposed. I will be writing my reps with this specific question, and let you know their answers, let me know if anyone thinks this is helpful, or is their any other forum where we can keep track.
CDXX Communion of 07.23.11
To my brethren of the Genesist Faith
Establishment Clause.
“Without exemption (circumscription – qualification) no person(s) shall make any law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Religious Exercise means: 1.) any exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to a system of religious belief. 2.) any conduct protected as exercise of religion under the first amendment of the Constitution.
Free Exercise means: That portion of the first amendment to the Constitution that proscribes laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion and includes the application of that proscription under the 14th amendment to the Constitution.
Today’s Thanksgiving
Lord of both body and mind – We praise you [with jubilee] for all the heaven’s and earth’s array, the goodness of creation, and respect the Sixth Day as – A day of thanksgiving. We honor your will, word and blessing [with] fellowship, [in] CDXX Communion, [on] the Sixth Day – A day of thanksgiving.
The Bible [any Bible] – the Supreme Law of Creation – and – the Constitution – the Supreme Law of the Land – are the only to references I require.
82. Elmer Fittery
“Eventually somebody will die and if they do, the settlement could be in the millions.”
Elmer – Forget eventually – some have already died at the hands of law enforcement. Settlement will “eventually” come – but – it won’t be in the form of money – and – it may not be totally over cannbis – if you get my drif – it will be Aristocracy v. Prolatariat – Freedom v. Fabian Socialism – God v. Satin. There are a lot of pissed off puppies out there – and – “their fuse is lit.” When it starts the politicians will be running for shelter. It’s rumored that the gangs will start banging first. So! “we will wait – and – we will see.”
I know for a fact that cannabis can and does save lives. Im living proff. The rich man has kept it from us long enough from profiting off of big pharma stocks and we all know that the list also icludes oil companies the timber industries and it would take away the monies for the failed drug war. Im a 6 year Vet. and I cant beleive that the laws of an impeached Pres. like Nixion! Also its covienent to criminalize the sick and weak makes you look like a real big Brother to the rest of the world. Hoover and Asshinger was a mistake of our people at the time. 70 Yrs. is to long .
They ‘could have’ killed you over a joint? No. They ‘would have’ and afterwards, they would have slept like babies. The powers that be are one sick party of pathetic pups. They can’t last. Evil never does. Have hope brothers and sisters. They are few. WE ARE MANY.
and now someone has died
http://news.yahoo.com/florida-teenager-dies-jail-being-arrested-possession-marijuana-185653175.html