Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Charles Lynch

Savoy posted this on his blog and asked me to help spread the word so if anyone can help email Savoy at Love Systems.

Thanks,

S

In California, medical marijuana is legal. You see medical marijuana stores in strip malls, office parks, and even residential neighborhoods.

In the United States, medical marijuana is not legal. Distribution of marijuana remains a federal crime.

How does that work?

It doesn't. And it's more than an interesting anomaly in constitutional law. It's fucking up people's lives.



Check out the website for the Friends of Charles Lynch, who is currently awaiting sentencing on federal marijuana charges.

If you're too lazy to do that, I'm copying to copy the text of the front page here:

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Charles C. Lynch is the former owner and managing Caregiver for Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers in Morro Bay.

The dispensary opened on April 1 2006 with the blessing of the city and even joined the Chamber of Commerce. In July 2006 the dispensary was granted a Conditional Use Permit from the City of Morro Bay to include a Medical Cannabis Nursery at the dispensary.
The Dispensary operated for almost one year without any major problems or complaints to the owner. On March 29, 2007 the Local Sheriff and DEA agents raided the Dispensary and Home of Charles Lynch. Lynch was not arrested at the time and reopened the dispensary on April 7 2007 with the blessing of the City of Morro Bay.

On July 17, 2007 Lynch was arrested at his home and charged with Federal Marijuana Distribution. Now Lynch faces federal Prosecution for operating the Dispensary. His trial is scheduled to begin on July 22, 2008 in Los Angeles. Click here for more information.

On August 5, 2008 Lynch was convicted in Federal Court for operating the Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers. Supporters who wish to write a letter of support regarding sentencing should use the Letter salutation "Dear Judge Wu" and then send the letter to:

Reuven Cohen
Federal Public Defender
321 East 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012-4702

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As far as I know, Charles Lynch (who I've never met) has no criminal record before this. All he did was open a business with the approval of the city and state government that the U.S. government wanted to make an example of.

Whether or not you agree with medical marijuana is irrelevant. If the U.S. Government wants to overturn California law, it should do so through one of the many legal or political avenues available to it. The are over 150 years of precedent and case law since the Civil War that govern intergovernmental disputes and issues of jurisdiction. Bringing the weight of the U.S. government to arrest, prosecute, and imprison individuals caught in the middle is loathsome.

If you haven't done a good deed today, then stop reading my blog and any other dating science material for twenty minutes, check out Charles' site, and then write, print, and send a quick letter.

I'm looking into what else can be done, and will post updates on this blog.

10 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:10 PM

    I heard about this bullshit the other day. Got support in the MA, where we are currently trying to decriminalize marijuana!

    I don't think you put a link in your post though? What is the website this is from?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous7:43 AM

    Marijuana should be legal federally. End of story.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm definitely on the side of legalize that shit... I don't smoke, and smoking actually gave me some legal issues, but the only thing I can say to those who have not been busted is this... Until it is FULLY legal, don't mess with it. You have to spend your time working hard in the boundaries of the law instead of rebelling.

    I understand that California has legalized, but if it's still illegal Federally, people should push to get that law changed first before doing anything that could be considered illegal.

    It's a shitty situation because there is really little you can do without a great lawyer...

    Play by the rules to get the rules changed.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous11:26 AM

    I just wanted to share this with you guys;

    My problem is that you can go out to a "tobacco" shop and buy a bong, piece, spoon, bat or bubbler or even tobacco "blunt" wraps. The government obviously is allowing us to buy items designed for Marijuana use, otherwise these head shops would not even exist.

    But, can you go into a shop and buy a crack pipe or a syringe for injecting whatever? No. Therefore, I believe the government regulates the use of those drugs by not allowing you to effectively use them, but the government allows us to buy items that allow us to effectively inhale Marijuana (Vaporizers are a good example). It might as well be legal.

    I honestly believe that Marijuana has not been legalized federally because the government hasn't found a way to make profit off of it (I would just grow my own skunk). Also, the general American public does not like change. The American government has also made Marijuana seem bad for you when in reality it is actually healthy for you to take a rip or two now and then. (THC has been PROVEN to DELAY tumor growth so that you have more time to REMOVE a CANCEROUS TUMOR)

    On a side note, my renowned professor of substance abuse said that Marijuana AND LSD are HARMLESS. When I asked her why LSD was HIGHLY illegal (you can get in DEEP shit for having LSD/Acid) she told me that during the Vietnam war LSD was made illegal because of the "new age" movement (Hippies). The "hippies" who were taking LSD actually banded together in protest of the Vietnam war because they realized the war was a fucking waste. It made people THINK... HMM, there is nothing WRONG with that.

    The war on Marijuana is pointless. Although, I do agree with the war on drugs (PCP/Heroin/Cocaine).

    I just wanted to share my opinion because it is something I am passionate about.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous5:40 PM

    Rick James said "Cocaine...its a hellva drug."

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous11:08 PM

    >>>If the U.S. Government wants to overturn California law, it should do so through one of the many legal or political avenues available to it

    I hate to nit-pick, but I can tell you that the federal government doesn't have to 'overturn' any California law. The Constitution provides that federal law will be supreme throughout the land...it's called the supremacy clause in the Constitution. So in reality it is California that needs to petition for a change of law, not the "U.S. Government". This type of thing gets sticky because the states are not oblidged to enforce Federal law using their own police force - so most of the Cali. shops go unprosecuted. But don't mistake lack of prosecution for being legal - this type of thing is clearly, Constitutionally at least, not legal.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous8:16 PM

    Ana, would you please put your email address out there somewhere so people can reach you without blogging?

    ReplyDelete
  8. anonymous (8:16pm),

    My email address is anareneejones@gmail.com.

    However, I rarely check that email accounts since "Ana Renee Jones" is my pseudonym which I've mostly only used for the seduction community in the last 2 years.

    I enjoy my anonymity as it looks like you do.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous11:05 AM

    Actually, now that you mention it, Ana, I'd much prefer to be totally un-anonymous but I haven't yet cleared myself out of all my limiting beliefs about that so there are still traces of hesitation. There's definitely nothing to be embarrassed about being part of the seduction community. I think this community is helping the whole world to become more conscious and connected.

    I saw on your blog that you have chronic pain. There are non-medicinal ways to clear that kind of pain that many people don't know about. I used to be in constant pain until I found these alternatives. Was hoping if we connected, it might give you some relief.

    ReplyDelete