ebpda9
09-17-2002, 04:07 PM
"Santa Cruz is a special place, and today we're letting the world know how compassionate we can be," said Mayor Christopher Krohn. "We're taking a stand."
Krohn and his colleagues on the City Council planned to join workers from the local medical marijuana center at a pot giveaway for sick people today. Their goal: let federal authorities know that, in this town, marijuana is considered medicine for those who are ill.
Marijuana is illegal — as a medicine or as a recreational drug — under federal law. But state law, and county and city ordinances, say it's legal if recommended by a doctor.
In Santa Cruz, and many California communities, local law enforcement works closely with growers and distributors who help sick people obtain marijuana. Krohn said he and his colleagues don't plan to handle the marijuana, but will stand in solidarity with the clinic workers and users.
Solidarity Follows DEA Bust
The City Hall pot distribution comes less than two weeks after agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration arrested the owners of a local pot farm and confiscated 130 plants that had been grown for use as medicine at the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana.
DEA spokesman Richard Meyer said he was "appalled" by city leaders joining the giveaway, and would not discuss whether his agents would show up to make any arrests.
"Marijuana is an illegal drug in this country," he said. "Our job is to enforce the law."
Santa Cruz Police Chief Steve Belcher said his officers work closely with WAMM, and that they did not plan to arrest registered, legitimate members picking up their medicine.
However, he said, "This is not going to be a smoke-out at City Hall."
Not a Smoke-Out for Fun
People who show up to smoke pot for fun, without a doctor's recommendation, could face arrest, he said.
There is no official city sponsorship of the event — council members and medical marijuana advocates simply are acting on their own in a public space, said City Attorney John Barisone.
Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington also allow marijuana to be grown and distributed to people with a doctor's prescription. But the DEA has focused its raids on medical marijuana growers and distributors in California.
Community members in this liberal community repeatedly have supported medical marijuana. In 1992, 77 percent of Santa Cruz voters approved a measure ending the prohibition of medical marijuana. Four years later, state voters approved Proposition 215, allowing marijuana for medicinal purposes. And in 2000, the city council approved an ordinance allowing medical marijuana to be grown and used without a prescription.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/marijuana020917.html?partner=earthlink
Krohn and his colleagues on the City Council planned to join workers from the local medical marijuana center at a pot giveaway for sick people today. Their goal: let federal authorities know that, in this town, marijuana is considered medicine for those who are ill.
Marijuana is illegal — as a medicine or as a recreational drug — under federal law. But state law, and county and city ordinances, say it's legal if recommended by a doctor.
In Santa Cruz, and many California communities, local law enforcement works closely with growers and distributors who help sick people obtain marijuana. Krohn said he and his colleagues don't plan to handle the marijuana, but will stand in solidarity with the clinic workers and users.
Solidarity Follows DEA Bust
The City Hall pot distribution comes less than two weeks after agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration arrested the owners of a local pot farm and confiscated 130 plants that had been grown for use as medicine at the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana.
DEA spokesman Richard Meyer said he was "appalled" by city leaders joining the giveaway, and would not discuss whether his agents would show up to make any arrests.
"Marijuana is an illegal drug in this country," he said. "Our job is to enforce the law."
Santa Cruz Police Chief Steve Belcher said his officers work closely with WAMM, and that they did not plan to arrest registered, legitimate members picking up their medicine.
However, he said, "This is not going to be a smoke-out at City Hall."
Not a Smoke-Out for Fun
People who show up to smoke pot for fun, without a doctor's recommendation, could face arrest, he said.
There is no official city sponsorship of the event — council members and medical marijuana advocates simply are acting on their own in a public space, said City Attorney John Barisone.
Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington also allow marijuana to be grown and distributed to people with a doctor's prescription. But the DEA has focused its raids on medical marijuana growers and distributors in California.
Community members in this liberal community repeatedly have supported medical marijuana. In 1992, 77 percent of Santa Cruz voters approved a measure ending the prohibition of medical marijuana. Four years later, state voters approved Proposition 215, allowing marijuana for medicinal purposes. And in 2000, the city council approved an ordinance allowing medical marijuana to be grown and used without a prescription.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/marijuana020917.html?partner=earthlink