banning dispensaries

Upload: cannacoalition

Post on 29-May-2018

224 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    1/31

    Page 1 of 31

    Banning Dispensaries in Colorado?

    What Informed Citizens Need to Know

    By

    Lono HoalaBiochemist, Author, Patriot, and Kahuna Priest

    CopyrightLonoHoala-2010.

    Pleasegivecopiesofthisdocumenttoasmanypeopleaspossible.The

    preservationofourrightsdependsuponpublicawareness.Becausethisworkisintendedforfreeandwidespreaddistribution,noportionof

    thisworkmaybereproducedforsale.Noportionofthisworkmaybe

    distributedinanywaywithoutcreditingtheauthor.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    2/31

    Page 2 of 31

    AbouttheAuthor

    LonoHoalaisanadventurer,author,biochemist,

    teacher,andkahunapriestwhohasspenthislife

    masteringtheartofholistichealing.Overthelast25yearshehashelpedthousandsofpeoplemend

    theirbodies,spirits,families,andcommunities.

    Lonoisarecognizedexpertonthesubjectofwater

    andwatertreatmentissues.Heisaco-developerof

    capillarymembranetechnology,amethodof

    disinfectingwaterthatrequiresnopower,water

    wasteorhighwaterpressure.Forbesmagazine

    recentlyrankedthistechnologyalongsidethings

    likefuelcellsasoneofTenThingsThatWill

    ChangeOurWorldAsWeKnowIt.

    Lonocompoundsavarietyofnaturalmedicines,

    oneofwhichisabreakthroughforarthritis.Heis

    alsooneofthefirstpersonstodevelopawayof

    deliveringnutraceuticalsthroughtheuseof

    encapsulatingtheminliposomes.Liposomesare

    minutebiochemicalstructures.Theyhavethe

    abilitytoencapsulatemedicinesfortransportdirectlyintocellsinthebody,thereby

    bypassingthedestructiveeffectsofdigestionandeliminatingtheneedfor

    injections.AtEaglesNestWellnessCenter,Lonousesliposomestodelivertheactiveingredientsofcannabisdirectlytothecellswherepatientscanbenefitfrom

    effectivepainreliefwithoutgettinghigh.

    LonowasapersonalfriendofDr.W.CleonSkousen,authorofThe5000Year

    Leap.Thisbookisonceagainonthebest-sellerlistsbecauseofGlennBeckwho

    claimsthatfamiliaritywithitsprinciplesistheonlywaywecantakeourcountry

    backfromanout-of-controlgovernment.Concernedthatschoolswerenolonger

    teachingtheprinciplesbehindAmericasexceptionalism,LonohelpedDr.Skousen

    raisehundredsofthousandsofdollarstoputaHallofthePatriotscontaining

    copiesoftheDeclarationofIndependence,theConstitution,andbiographiesofour

    FoundingFathersinhighschoolsalloverthecountry.SincethattimeLonohas

    taughtAmericasfoundingprinciplestogroupsalloverthecountry.

    Asateacheroftheskillsofenlightenment,Lonoisaclearandgroundedsagewho

    canexpressprofoundspiritualtruthintermsthatanyonecanunderstand.In

    recognitionofhisspecialtalentshewasordainedakahunapriestbymembersof

    theMooclanontheBigIslandofHawaiiin1992.

    Lono Hoala

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    3/31

    Page 3 of 31

    BanningDispensariesinElPasoCounty?WhatInformedCitizensNeedtoKnowByLonoHoala,WhenhonestpeopleexaminethehistoryofhowmarijuanawasmadeillegalintheUnitedStates,whattheydiscoverisahistoryofpropaganda,politicalsubterfugeandcorruption,racism,bigotry,corporategreedandcoercion,andwhatourFoundingFatherstermedpriestcraft.Whattheyalsodiscoveristhatmarijuanaisnotthedevil-weedtheyhavebeenledtoexpect,butarelativelybenignherbthatisremarkablyeffectiveforawidevarietyofcommonailments.ApparentlythemajorityofColoradovotersaremoreinformedandhonestthanmanyofourelectedleaders.InNovemberof2000theyaffirmedapersonsGod-givenright

    tousemarijuanaformedicalpurposesbypassingAmendment20totheColoradoStateConstitution.Undeterred,marijuanasfoesvowedtocontinuetheirrighteousfighttoprotectusfromourselves.InspiteofAmendment20,between1990andtheelectionofBarakObamain2008,only7,500orsoColoradoresidentsavailedthemselvesoftheopportunitytobecomelicensedtolegallyusemedicalmarijuana.Thelownumberswerenotduetoalackofinterestoranunwillingnessofdoctorstowritetherequiredrecommendations.Instead,itwasbecausetheFederalgovernmentcontinuedtoviolatetherightsofColoradocitizensbyraidingbothcaregiversandpatientsinviolentswat-teamstyle

    raids,andpunishingthemwithdraconianprisonsentencesandfinesinspiteoftheirgoodfaithattemptstoliveincompliancewithstatelaw.

    VotersshouldnotoverlookthefactthattheseviolationsofColoradocitizensrightsoccurredwiththeapprovalofourstateAttorneyGeneral,certainstatelegislators,manydistrictandcountyattorneys,citycouncilmembers,countycommissionersandotherelectedrepresentativeswhosefirstdutyistoprotecttherightsofColoradocitizensagainstthemanyoverreachesofanout-of-controlfederalgovernment.WhentheObamaadministrationannouncedthatitwouldnolongerpursueapolicyofprosecutingeitherpatientsorcaregiverswhoareoperatinginaccordancewith

    statelaw,thenumbersofpatientsanddispensarieswantingtoservethatmarketexploded.Statesourcessaythatapplicationsarearrivingattherateofover1,000aweekandthatbytheendofthisyear,therewillbesomewherebetween100,000and150,000licensedusersofmarijuanainthestate.Thenumberofdispensarieswantingtoservethatdemandcorrespondinglyincreasedfromahandfultohundredsinjustalittleoverayear.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    4/31

    Page 4 of 31

    ThisproducedastateofaffairsthatjustifiablyconcernsmanyColoradoans.Evenindustryadvocatesfeltthattheproliferationofunregulateddispensarieswasaproblemcryingforaregulatorysolution.Thiswasalsotheopportunityforwhichtheprohibitionistshadbeenpraying.In

    responsetothiscrisis,whichhasbeenblowncompletelyoutofproportion,theycraftedaplanthatwouldnotrequireafrontalattackonAmendment20,whichwouldmostcertainlyfail.Instead,theirplanwouldresultinmedicalmarijuanaremainingtechnicallylegaljustunavailablethroughoutmostofColorado,especiallytothosewhowanttodothingslegally.Hereistheirplanrevealed:

    1. Thefirststepwastopasslawsthatpurportedtoregulatedispensaries.Itwas

    importanttheymakeitappearthattheintentoflawmakerswastoimplement

    aframeworkfortheregulationoftheproductionandsaleofmedicalmarijuanaforthebenefitofpatients.Thatishowthosebillswereadvertisedinordertogainvotersupport.Asisnowobvious,theirrealagendawasdifferent.TheplanwastotaketheindustryoutofthehandsoftheDepartmentofHealth(whereitbelongs)andputitundertheDepartmentofRevenuewhereaframeworkofregulationscouldbedevelopedthatwouldmakeitasdifficultaspossiblefordispensariesto0perateprofitably.Theyalsohadtomakesurethepublicbelievedthatoperatorsofmedicalmarijuanacentersweremakingmillions.Thatway,voterswereunlikelytopayattentiontothescreamsofdispensaryownerswhowouldmostcertainlycomplain.Theirgoalistomakeitasdifficultaspossibleforownerstomakethemoney

    necessarytopayfortheextensivelegalactionsrequiredtooverturnanyelementofthetheirplan.ThishasalreadyhappenedwiththepassageofSenatorChrisRomersHB1284andSB109andtheregulatoryframeworknowproposedbytheColoradoDepartmentofRevenue.Expertlycraftedinterviewsandarticlesarefindingtheirwayintothemediatomakeitappearthatdispensaryownersarerollinginill-gottenmoney,wheninfact,mostdispensaryownersarefindingitveryhardtosurvivegiventheextremeexpenserequiredtogetintothebusiness.

    2.Insupportof#1above,theyalsoneededtoplaceaprovisioninthelawtomakeitpossibleforcommunitiestobandispensariesoutright.Thegoalistopushthosebansthrough,firstinthelargestconservativefrontrangecommunitieslikeColoradoSprings,ElPasoCounty,DouglasCounty,andPuebloCounty,thenhopethatmanysmallercommunitieswillfollowthatlead.Thisishappeningnow.Again,thegoalistoseverelyreducethenumberofdispensariessoownerswillhaveadiminishedabilitytobandtogetherand

    payforthelegalactionsnecessarytooverturntheirplan.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    5/31

    Page 5 of 31

    3. Opponentsmustrepeatedlyexpressvocalsupportofthecaregivermodel

    astheydefineit(amaximumof5patients,etc.)inpreferencetothedispensarymodelasprooftoColoradovotersthattheyactuallysupportAmendment20wheninfacttheydonot.Thegoalistoappearonthesideof

    Coloradovoterstoavoidcreatingadangerousbacklashtotheirplan.

    4. Oncedispensariesandindustryadvocatesarenotinafinancialpositiontomountaneffectivelegaldefense,andtheproductionandsaleofmarijuanaismostlyinthehandsofsmallcaretakers,thenthegoalistolaythegroundworksowhenafutureadministrationreversesObamaspolicies,theycan supporttheDEAtoreinstituteitsreignofterroronthecaregivers,whowillbetoo

    smalltodefendthemselves.Viola!Goalaccomplished.Amendment20isonthebooksbutbasicallyirrelevant,andtheygettoblameitontheFeds.

    Onceagain,inthecreationofthisplan,thesefoesoftheindustryforcecommonsensetotakeabackseattobigotryandpoliticalopportunismastheycraftandexecuteaplantoreturnColoradotothegoodoledaysofmarijuanaprohibition.Step1isanaccomplishedfact.PushedbyColoradoDemocraticSenateMajorityLeaderChrisRomer,HB1284andSB109woefullymissthemarkofprovidingsafetyforeitherpatientsorresidentsofColoradocommunities.Witheachdaythatgoesby,itbecomesmoreevidentthatsafetywasnevertheintentionofthosebills.AsSenatorRomerisfamousforsaying:wearegoingtousethislawtoput80%oftheknuckleheadsoutofbusinesswhileremindingthosewhowouldbeleftthatwearegoingtosendinauditorswithgunswhoaregoingtobecomeyourbestfriends.

    TheproposedregulatoryframeworkthatisnowemergingfromtheDepartmentof

    RevenueissomethingonlyKimJongIlwouldbeproudof.Peoplewhohonor

    Americanvaluesshouldbeashamed.Mostdispensarieswillgooutofbusinessiffornootherreason,nopatientwillwanttohaveavideofeedofthembuyingmarijuanagoingdirectlyintotheDepartmentofRevenue.Confidentiality?SacredSpace?PersonalRights?Nothere,andnotwiththiscommunist-styleregime.Step#2isnowinfullswing.Usingaprovisionthatallowslocalcommunitiestobandispensaries,enemiesofmedicalmarijuanaarenowfullyengagedinanorganized

    andfocusedefforttobanmedicalmarijuanacentersalongthefrontrange.NotableparticipantsincludestatelawmakerslikeDemocratChrisRomerwho,alongwithRepublicanTomMasseysponsoredHB1284,RepublicanScottRenfroewhoadvocatedtheuseofthearmedmilitarytroopsagainstmedicalmarijuanapatients,andRep.MarkWallerwhorecentlystatedataRepublicanfundraiserthatpeopleinthiscountrygettheirrightsfromtheConstitutionandnotfromGod.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    6/31

    Page 6 of 31

    OnthelawenforcementsideitalsoincludesColoradosRepublicanAttorneyGeneralJohnSutherswhospearheadsacoalitionofanti-marijuanaactivistswhodontbelievethatAmendment20grantstherighttopeopletosellmedicalmarijuana,DenverRepublicanDAMitchellR.MorrisseywhofiledfelonychildabusechargesagainstaDenvercouplewhowerelegallygrowingmedicalcannabisinthebasementofa

    housetheyoccupywiththeirthreechildren,and4thJudicialDistrictAttorneyDanMaywhosebehaviortowardlegaldispensarieshasbeensooutrageousthatColoradoSpringsCityCouncilmanSeanPaigehasthreatenedtofileanethicscomplaintagainstMay.Variousdistrict,county,andcityattorneysaswellasjudgessupportthesepeopleacrossthestate.InElPasoCounty,thesepeopleincludepeoplelikeRepublicanDarrylGlennacitycouncilmanwhoisspearheadinganefforttogetdispensariesbannedinthemunicipalityofColoradoSprings,andRepublicanCountyCommissionersAmyLathen,WayneWilliams,andDennisHiseywhowantdispensariesbannedinthe

    unincorporatedareasofElPasocounty.Thesepeopleareusingtalkingpoints,tactics,andeffortsthatareobviouslycoordinated.Infact,theyusequotesfromeachothertobolstereachothersarguments.DisappointedthattheColoradoSpringsCityCouncilrefusedtoputthequestionofbanningcentersontheNovemberballot,MarkWallersupportedtheElPasoCountyCommissionerstoputtheissueofabanontheNovemberballotforresidentsthroughoutthecountyincludingtheincorporatedareas.Ifpassed,residentsoftheincorporatedareasincludingColoradoSpringswontbeaffectedbysuchaban

    directly.However,theycanstillvoteforit.However,ifthebandoespass,theCityCouncilwillthenbepressuredtobandispensariesnextApril.CitizensarenotsupposedtoknowthatthistacticactuallyviolatesColoradolaw.AsCityCouncilmanTomGallagherpointsout,thecountyhasnorighttooverrulethecityonthisissuebutthatiswhattheyaredoinginaverydeviousway.Toimplementthisplan,attheirAug.26thmeetingtheElPasoCountyCommissionersabruptlyreversedapreviouspositionthatinducedmanypeopletoinvesttenstohundredsofthousandsofdollarsinmedicalmarijuanafacilitiesinthecounty.InasurprisingmoveledbyAmyLathenandWayneWilliams,thecommissionersvoted4

    1toputtheissueontheNovemberballotwithoutaprovisionforgrandfatheringexistingbusinessesthathadcompliedwithcountyrulesingoodfaith.Thiswasparticularlydisconcertingbecauselawyersfortheexistingdispensarieshadbeenpromisedthattheycoulddraftthelanguageforsuchagrandfatherclause.Infact,withthecooperationoftheElPasoCountyAttorney,theydraftedthreeversions,whichweretheonlyonesontheagendaadvertisedforthemeeting.Butof

    course,theyneverhadanyintentionofgrandfatheringanyone.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    7/31

    Page 7 of 31

    Inspiteoftheirassurancestothedispensaryowners,Lathen,Williams,andHiseycompletelydisregardedtheentireeffortandcalledforthequestionofabanontheballotwithoutanygrandfatherclause.Thisisamovethatcouldbankruptthecountyifthelawsuitsthatarecertaintofollowprevail.Muchtohiscredit,Commissioner

    Bensbergwastheloneholdout.Asnormal,CommissionerWayneWilliamsjustifiedhisdecision,butnotwithanyformofwell-reasonedconsiderationoftheeffectoneveryoneinvolved.Instead,hearrogantlyevenflippantlytoldthemedicalmarijuanadispensaryowners(whoinsomecasesinvestedhundredsofthousandsofdollarstobuildouttheiroperationstomeetElPasoCountyrequirements)thattheCommissionersneverpromisedthattheirapprovalwouldbeanythingmorethantemporaryandthatdispensaryownersshouldhaverealizedtheriskasentimentechoedbyCommissionerLathen.

    Apparentlythisflippantattitudeappliesnotonlytothedispensaryownersbutalsotothecountyresidentsandtaxpayerswhowillhavetofootthebillifanyofthemanycominglawsuitsprevail.AsLathenandWilliamssaidmorethanonceduringthatmeeting:Forusthisisnotaboutmoney.Well,thatmaybetheonethingthatseemstobeabsolutelytruewiththesepeople.Itreallyisntabouttheirmoneyisit?Icanthelpbutwonderwhattheirattitudewouldbeifitwere?Votersshouldfindthisdecisionparticularlydisturbingbecauseatthatmeeting,TerryMaketatheElPasoCountySheriff,pleadedwiththeCommissionerstonotputthe

    issueontheballotatall.Hesaidhis20+yearsoflawenforcementexperience

    backedbycommonsensetoldhimthatallsuchabanwouldaccomplishistopush

    thecultivationandsaleofmarijuanaintotheresidentialneighborhoodswhereitwouldbeimpossibleforhimtoenforcethelawandguaranteethesafetyof

    neighborhoods.Asheputit:Theyre(marijuanagrowinganddistributionoperations)goingtoendupinourneighborhoods,andthatsthelastplacewewantthem. Maketaadmittedhisdepartmentcouldnotfindonesingleinstanceofacrimeassociatedwiththisnewwaveofdispensaries.HistestimonystandsinstarkcontrasttothatofCityAttorneyDanMaywhotestifiedtwoweeksearlierthatthecommunitywassufferinggreatlybecauseofalargeincreaseincrimeduetotheproliferationofdispensariesinthearea.

    Maketawentontoexplainthatmanydispensarieshavesecuritycamerasonpremisethatallowhimtomonitortheiroperationsatanytime.Thiscapabilitywasnotrequired,butofferedbydispensaryowners,whohaverepeatedlydemonstratedanattitudeofcooperationwithlawenforcement.Ontheotherhand,nosecuritymeasuresofanykindarerequiredofcaregiverswhocanlegallyoperateanywhereevennexttoanelementaryschoolordaycarefacilitywithimpunity.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    8/31

    Page 8 of 31

    Itiscuriousthatthecommissionerswouldsupportabanonmedicalmarijuanacenterswhenoneoftheirmostvocalizedconcernsistheneedtoprotectourchildren.Ifmarijuanatrulyposessuchanenormousthreat,thenwhatisthelogicbehindbanningdispensariesespeciallyinplacesliketheunincorporatedareasofElPasoCountywheredispensariesmustcomplywithstrictzoninglawsinfavorofa

    policythatwouldencouragegrowingoperationstomoveintoresidentialareas?AsarecenteditorialintheGazetteTelegraphnotes:Dothesenewretailersthreatenchildren?Itshardtounderstandhow.Onlyadultswithpermissionfromdoctorsareallowedtoshopatthestores.Ifanything,thestoreshelpchildrenbyeliminatingstreetdealerswhohavenocompunctionaboutsellingdrugstokids.Intheunlikelyeventtheprohibitionpeddlersgettheirbanontheballot(pleasedonot

    signthepetitions),themeasureislikelytofail.TheGazetteseditorialdepartmentperceivesoverwhelmingsupportforawell-regulatedandtaxedmedicalmarijuanatrade,probablybecauseitharmsthecriminalundergrounddealers. Readmore:http://www.gazette.com/articles/medical-101622-stores-marijuana.html#ixzz0y7HeiqymYet,typicalofthemindlessattitudessocommontothiscrowd,LathenandWilliamsareunimpressedevendismissiveofSheriffMaketasrequest.SoisStateRepresentativeMarkWaller.Thereasonisthatclosingdispensariesisanintegralpartoftheirplantomakemarijuanaunavailableinspiteofthevoterswill.

    ThetruthisthatMaketaisdeadright.Anybodywithalickofcommonsensecanseehowthedemandofmanythousandsofpatientscannotbemetbyahandfulofcaregiverswhoarelimitedtogrowingforamaximumof5patients.Withthedemiseofdispensaries,hundredsmorecaregiverswillberequiredtomeet

    thedemandjustinColoradoSprings.Thesecaregiverscangrowanddistribute

    marijuanafromtheirbasementsorbackyardsheds.BecauseofAmendment20,

    thereisnothingthatcanbeputintothelawtopreventthemfromoperatinginany

    oftheresidentialneighborhoodsofColoradoSpringsandunincorporatedareasof

    ElPasoCounty.Therearenorequirementsforsecurity,firesafety,andnowaytoknowwheretheyare.Theyarecompletelyunregulated.

    WhenconfrontedwiththisquestionCommissionerLathensresponsewasasimple:IdontthinkthatwillhappenasentimentechoedbyherprohibitionistbuddiesWilliams,Waller,etal.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    9/31

    Page 9 of 31

    Whywouldmedicalmarijuanaopponentsthinkitisappropriatetocompletelydismisstheadviceofthesheriffwhoisonthefrontlinesintermsofhisresponsibilitytoprovidepublicsafety?Thattheirpublicpositionmakesnosenseisevidentwhenwepayattentiontotheirstatedreasonsforhavingsuchanopinion.

    HereistheremarkablereasoningprocessusedbyourelectedrepresentativesLathen,Williams,May,Waller,andtheothermarijuanafoestojustifyignoringSheriffMaketa.TheysaythecaregivermodelworkedwellfromthetimeAmendment20passeduntiltheObamaadministrationcausedtheexplosionofmedicalmarijuanausersanddispensaries.TakingtheleadofAttorneyGeneralSuthers,theysaynothingintheColoradoConstitutionorAmendment20contemplatedthesaleofmarijuanathroughentitieslikeadispensary.(Whatistrueisthatthisisjustanopinionnotamatteroflaw.Theirargumentisthatoncewebandispensaries,thingswillreturntotheway

    theywerebeforetheexplosion.Really?Whatkindofreasoningisthis?Arentwemissingafewimportantfactshere?Whatistherealreason?ItisafactthatduringthetimetheyclaimthesystemwasworkingtheFederalDEAwasvigorouslypursuingcaretakersandpatientsinColoradoinadeliberateattempttocreateaclimateoffearamongtheusersandgrowersofmedicalmarijuana.TheextenttowhichthisfearworkedisevidentbytheexplosionthatoccurredwhenthethreatofDEAarrestandFederalprosecutionwasreduced.

    Itisalsoafactthatduetothatfeartherewerelessthan10,000licensesinallofColoradoduringthattime.Nowtherearebetween100,000and150,000withapplicationscominginattherateofmanythousandseverymonth.Finally,itisalsoafactthatcontrarytowhattheanti-cannabiscrowdlikestoclaim,thevastmajorityoftheselicenseesareNOTpeoplewhojustwanttogethigh.Theyarepeoplewithlegitimateillnessesandinjurieswholiveinchronicpain.Somehaveseriousillnesseslikecancer,multiplesclerosis,andmigraine.SomeareveteranswhosufferfromPTSDanddepression.Manyotherssufferwithchronicpain

    duetoarthritis,gout,orproblemswithdegenerationintheirspines,hips,elbows,andknees.Alargepercentageofthesepeopleareovertheageof55.Thesearepeoplewhowantnothingtodowiththemarijuanaculturethatevolvedbecausemarijuanawasmadeillegal.Allthesepeoplewantisaccesstoasafesupplyoftheirmedicine.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    10/31

    Page 10 of 31

    Becausemanyofthesepeopleareonlimitedretirementand/ordisabilityincomesandinsurancewontcoveritscosts,theyalsodontwantthepriceoftheirmedicinegoingthroughtheroof,nordotheywanttoseethesafetyoftheirsupplycompromisedsimplybecausesomearrogantpoliticiansthinktheyknowwhatisbestforthem.Thesepatientsareoutragedthatthesepoliticiansbelievetheyhavethe

    righttoinsertthemselvesbetweenthemselvesandtheirdoctors.Theyshouldbe.Thesimplefactofthematteristhatamajorityofpatientsusemarijuanabecausetheirdoctorsdontwantthemgettingaddictedtonarcotics.Marijuanaworksforthemfarbetterthananyothernon-narcoticoption.Whenpainforcesthemtotrymarijuanaandtheyfindouthowwellitworks,itdoesnttakelongforthemtotelltheirfriendsandneighbors.Thentheywantittoo.Therealreasontheuseofmedicalmarijuanaisexplodingisthatmarijuanaworks.Onlyafoolwouldbelievethatsuchanexplosionindemandcouldbecausedbythe

    methodofsupply.Thatisthedirtylittlesecretthattheanti-medicalmarijuanacrowddoesntwantthe

    electoratetoknowandwhytheyneedtoblametheproliferationofmedical

    marijuanainthestateondispensaries.

    ThehypocrisyexhibitedinthisprocessisabsolutelyshamefulespeciallyforRepublicansanditisbecauseofissueslikethattheTeaPartyisgainingsuchafootholdacrossthenation.Republicansconstantlypreachhowdemanddrivessupplynottheotherway

    around,andhowcompetitionandanincreaseinsupplyworkstolowerpricesandimprovequality.Theypreachabouttheimportanceofsupportingsmallbusiness.Theypreachhowimportantitistosupport2ndAmendmentrightstoownguns(clearlyfarmoredangerousthanmarijuanainthewronghands.)Theyconstantlytalkaboutrightsofcitizens,andtheissuesofstatesrightsvs.federalrights.Butallofasudden,whenitcomestomedicalmarijuanaandafewotherpetissuesthatdontstandthemusteroftheirso-calledRepublican/Christianvalues,alltheseargumentsgooutthedoor.

    OntheseissuespeoplearenowsaidtogettheirrightsfromconstitutionsnotGod,doctorsmusthaveabureaucratplacedinthemiddleoftheirrelationshipswith

    theirpatients,thefreeenterprisesystemcantbetrusted,supplycreatesdemand,

    businessownersmustwaivetheirconstitutionalrightstobeinbusiness,the

    governmenthastherighttovideotapeprivate,legal,commercialtransactions,and

    competitionistobesoregulatedthatitisdestroyed.

    Foratrueconservativelikemyself,thisissoshamefulitisutterlynauseating.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    11/31

    Page 11 of 31

    Whatisclearisthatwithoutthere-impositionofaregimeofterror,thedemandformarijuanawillnotceasejustbecausedispensariesarebanned.Toomanypeoplehaveexperienceditsbenefitsandknowthetruthaboutitsvalueasamedicine.

    ThatiswhythefoeswantareturntoaggressivefederalprosecutionofColoradocitizenswhousemedicalmarijuana.Itistheironlyhopetodriveitbackintotheshadowswherecriminalscancontinuetouseittoprovedrugsarentthatdangerousintheirattemptstogainthetrustofunsuspectingyouth.Thetruthisthatwhilemarijuanaitselfisnotasdangerousasthesepeopleportrayit

    tobe,whatisverydangerousisthatitisillegal.Thatiswhydruglordswantitkept

    thatway.Keepingmarijuanaillegalisanimportantpartoftheirtrade,and

    accordingtothem,theypayalotofmoneytoU.S.politicianstomakesureitstays

    thatway.

    Yet,accordingtotheirownpublicstatementsandinspiteofincreasingscientificevidencetothecontrary,thesepeopletheColoradoSpringsGazettecallsprohibitionpeddlersinsistonseeingmarijuanaasanevilandperniciousdrugthatbelongsontheFederalGovernmentslistofSchedule1controlledsubstances.Inspiteofbeingintelligentpeople,thesefoesseemtobelievethevastamountsofdisinformationthatisroutinelyputoutbyreligiousgroupslikeFoundationforaDrug-FreeWorldandothergroupsfundedbygrantsfromtheFederalgovernment.Thatisbecausethesegroupsrepresentaworld-viewwithwhichtheyareidentifiedandfromwhichtheyderivetheirpower.

    Thatalsoexplainswhytheseelectedleadersroutinelyrefusetoursofmedicalmarijuanadispensaries,presentationsbydoctors,anddontassociatewithpeoplewhousemedicalmarijuana.Theykeepthemselvesdeliberatelyignorantsotheycanbelievethatmarijuanaisadangerousandperniciousdrug,andthevastmajorityofmedicalmarijuanaissoldtopeopleonlyforthesakeofgettinghigh.Votersshouldrealizethatthiskindofunwillingnesstoelevateonesperspectiveis

    thehallmarkofbigotry.

    Forbigots,imageiseverything.Iffactsdontfittheimage,theymustbedisregarded.StateRepresentativeMarkWallerclaimstohisaudiencesthatthevastmajorityofmedicalmarijuanacardsareissuedforphonyreasons.Healsoclaimsthatmostrecommendationsarewrittenbyjustahandfulofdoctorswhoaregettingrichoffthepractice.Tomakehispointhelikestorelatestoriesabouthisvisitstocannabisdispensariesheclaimsarerampantwithcorruption.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    12/31

    Page 12 of 31

    Forexample,WallerlikestotalkaboutwhathappenedwhenhevisitedonecenterinElPasoCountyandvisitedwithayoungmanwhoidentifiedhimselfasabud-tenderthere.Heclaimsheaskedtheyoungmanifhewaslicensed.Thefellowaffirmedhewas.Wallerthenaskedwhy.WallerclaimedtheyoungmansaiditwasbecausehegotmigraineheadacheseveryWednesdaylikeclockwork.Wallerthen

    askedhimhowoftenhemedicated.Theyoungmansaideveryday.Somehow,thisstoryissupposedtobeproofoframpantcorruptionintheindustry.Whatactuallyhappenedappearstobesignificantlydifferent.Whenaskedwhythebud-tenderhadalicense,theyoungmanactuallysaidthathesuffersfromfrequent,severe,migraineheadachesandusingmarijuanaistheonlywayhehasbeenabletogetrelief.HewasalsointheprocessofexplainingtoWallerotherphysicalissueswhenWallerabruptlycuthimoff.Asisfrequentlythecase,thefactsdontsupportWallersstoriesorclaims.Whatis

    mosttroublesomeishoweasyitisforelectedofficialslikehimtosetthemselvesbetweenthedoctorandthepatient.Hearrogantlyclaimstoknowbetterwhatisgoingonforthesepatientsthantheirdoctors.Perhapsvoterselectedhimforhisomniscience.Thesepoliticianshavenoissuewithdoctorsroutinelyprescribingdangerous

    narcoticstopeople,butwhenthosesamedoctorsrecommendmedicalmarijuanato

    theirpatients,thedoctorisquicklylabeledasagreedypersonwhoisabusingthe

    law,corruptingoursociety,andmenacingourchildren.

    Whatalloftheseanti-marijuanazealotshaveincommonisacompletedisregardfor

    thesacredspaceofothers.PerhapsthatisbecausesomanyofthemarelawyerswhobelievethatpeoplegettheirrightsfromtheConstitutionasinterpretedbythejudicialsystem,andnotfromGodadiseasethatunderliesmostoftheproblemsfacingourcountrytoday.OverandovertheytalkaboutourconstitutionalrightsandhowAmendment20grantstherighttoColoradocitizenstousemarijuanaformedicinalpurposes.InthenextbreaththeysayhowimportantitisthatthiscountryreturntotheChristianprinciplesuponwhichitwasfounded.

    Howsadthatthesepeoplewhoclaimtoknowthesourceofourrightsdonthaveaclue.IchallengedMarkWalleronthisveryissueinfrontofagroupofinfluentialRepublicans.WhenIaskedwhatourFoundingFathersconsideredthesourceofcitizenrightshe

    quicklyansweredtheConstitutionasinterpretedbytheSupremeCourt.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    13/31

    Page 13 of 31

    WhenItoldhimthatourFoundersstatedthatwegetourrightsfromGodandthe

    Constitutionissimplyawrittendocumentthatguaranteesourrights,Waller

    couldntbringhimselftoagree.Instead,heaccusedmeofsplittinghairsinan

    efforttowinthepro-marijuanaargument.

    WhenIexpressedmyopinionthatanyrepresentativewhobelievesthatgettingourrightsfromGodandgettingourrightsfromtheConstitutionissplittinghairsisnotqualifiedtobeastaterepresentative,Wallerbecameincensedandfeltpersonallyattacked.Howsadnotonlyforhim,butforallofus.Howquickwearetoforgetthereasonsomanyfounditnecessarytofightanddietoprotectourrights.ThegeniusofAmericaisthatourFoundingFathersknewthetruesourceofourrights.ContrarytowhatmanyAmericansbelieve,mostoftheFoundingFatherswerenotChristianbutDeistswhowereproductsoftheFrenchEnlightenment

    movement.ThesemenincludedGeorgeWashington,ThomasJefferson,JohnAdams,BenjaminFranklin,JamesMadison(knownasthefatheroftheConstitution)andThomasPaine(whoalsoattributedmanyofhisideastotheIroquoisIndians.)AmericasFoundersrejectedtheideaofaChristiangod,Jewishgod,Muslimgodoranyotherproprietarygod.Tothem,therewasonlyoneGod,theGodofusall.Theywereextremelyconcernedaboutthebigotryandhatredthebelieversinsuchproprietarygodsweresopronetoworkupontheirfellowmen.TheirgoalincraftingtheConstitutionwastoprotectindividualrightsfromattackbypeoplewhothoughttheirvaluesweresuperior.

    AsThomasPaineopined:Theworldhasbeencursedwithtwogreatevils,kingcraftandpriestcraft.Kingcraft,inthiscountry,hasbeendestroyed;priestcraftremainsaparasiticarmypreyinguponourbodypolitic.Foundeduponfraud,theclericalprofession,withmanyhonorableexceptions,dependsuponfraudforitssupport.Hegoesontogiveanexampleofthatfraud:Andthus,recognizingthemagicinfluencethatagreatnamecarrieswithit,theclergy

    haveinscribedintheChristianrosterthenamesofhundredswhoweretotaldisbelieversintheirdogmas.Asthevendersofquacknostrumsattachtheforgedcertificatesofdistinguishedindividualstotheirworthlessdrugs,tomakethemsell,sothesetheologicalvenderspresentthemanufacturedendorsementsofthegreattomaketheirnostrumspopular.Jefferson,Washington,andFranklinhaveallbeendenominatedChristians,notbecausetheyweresuch,fortheywerenot,butbecauseoftheinfluencethatattachestotheirnames.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    14/31

    Page 14 of 31

    WhilenottechnicallyaFoundingFatheranothermanregardedasoneofthenationstwobestpresidentsAbrahamLincolnwasnotaChristianeither.Infact,likeThomasJeffersonandThomasPaine,hepubliclyrejectedChristianity,neverjoinedachurch,andlikeJeffersonandPaine,evenwroteatreatiseagainstreligion.Lincolnwasparticularlyupsetbythetendencyofzealousbelieverstoinflicttheir

    valuesonothersviaprohibition.InDecemberof1840heisreportedtohavesaid:Prohibitionwillworkgreatinjurytothecauseoftemperance.Itisaspeciesofintemperancewithinitself,forItgoesbeyondtheboundsofreasoninthatitattemptstocontrolamansappetitebylegislationandmakesacrimeoutofthingsthatarenotcrimes.Aprohibitionlawstrikesablowattheveryprinciplesuponwhichourgovernmentwasfounded.SomepeoplehavetriedtoclaimthatthereisnoproofLincolnevermadethatremarkbutitdoesntmatterwhetherhesaiditornot.Theideaistrue.Asmysystemof

    wisdomteaches:Thecredentialisinthemessage,notthemessenger.MypointisnottomakeChristianityresponsibleforthisbehaviorbecausetrue

    Christianitydisdainssuchfraud.Jesuswouldcondoneneitherliesnorbigotry.But

    thatiswhatthesepeopledowithoutasecondthought.Totheextenttheyneedtoberightabouttheirvaluestheyneedtomakeotherswrong.Theeffortisrequiredsotheycanjustifyviolatingthesacredspaceofthosewhosevaluesaredifferent.Thatthesepeoplecansoeasilyignorethepainfullessonsofournationspastisthegreatesttragedyaboutthiswholedebate.PeoplelikeSuthers,Romer,Waller,andMayareexpertsatparsingthewordsoutof

    whichAmendment20iscraftedsotheycangivethemselvesajustificationfortheiractions,buttheytotallymissthespiritofthelaw.IntheirzealousdefenseoftheirunreasonablepositionstheyforgettonoticethattheirdefinitionofcaregiverisnotcontainedinAmendment20,butratheraproductoftheirownprejudice.WhatAmendment20saysis:Primarycare-givermeansaperson,otherthanthepatientandthepatientsphysician,whoiseighteenyearsofageorolderandhassignificantresponsibilityformanagingthewell-beingofapatientwhohasadebilitatingmedicalcondition.

    NoplaceinAmendment20doesitstatethatacaregivercanonlyhave5patients.Noplacedoesitstatethatacaregivercannotsellmarijuanatothepatient.The5patientruleisanadministrativerulemadeupbytheColoradoDepartmentofHealthasaresultofpressureimposedbytheDEA,JohnSuthers,andtherestoftheprohibitionistcrowd.Itwasthrownout3yearslaterbecauseaDenverjudgeruledthattheBoardactedimproperlybecausetheydidntpermitpubliccommentbefore

    imposingtherule.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    15/31

    Page 15 of 31

    TheseprohibitionistslongforthegoodoledayswhentheDEAusedtoshowupatacaregivershomewithatankandswatteamsarmedwithmachinegunstobreakintothehomeatdawn,shootthefamilydoginfrontofthechildren,andarrestandhaultojailthosewhoaregrowingmarijuanaincompliancewithColorado

    Amendment20.Infact,theyevensupporttheideathatthechildrenofparentswholegallygrowmarijuanafortheirmedicineoughttobechargedwithfeloniouschildabuseandtheirchildrenplacedintofosterhomes.Thiskindoftyrannymustbestopped.SuchprohibitionlawsundercuttheveryprinciplesuponwhichAmericawasfounded.OurFounderswereclear.THEONLYRIGHTSTHEGOVERNMENTCANHAVE,ARERIGHTSTHATYOUFIRSTHAVE

    ASANINDIVIDUAL,ANDAGREETODELEGATETOTHEM.NOGOVERNMENTCANHAVEANYRIGHTTHATYOUDONOTPERSONALLYHAVE.TOARGUEOTHERWISEISTO

    ARGUEFORTYRANNY.

    Noindividualhastherighttotakeacarfromsomeonetheyfeelhastoomanyoftheminordertogiveonetosomeonewhohasnocar.Becausenoindividualhasthatright,neithercanthegovernment.Inthesamevein,Idonthavetherighttotellapersonsufferingfromthepainofarthritisthattheycantusemarijuana.IfIdonthavethatrightasanindividual,thegovernmentcanthavethatrighteither.VIRTUALLYEVERYONEOFOURNATIONSILLSCANBEULTIMATELYTRACEDTOA

    VIOLATIONOFTHISPRINCIPLE!ThesameRepublicanswhoargue(properlyImightadd)againstObamaspoliciesofredistributionofwealthcannotthenjustifytheprohibitionofmarijuanaandexpecttherestofustosupportthem.Botharefoundedontheexactsameprincipleinthatbothviolatethesacredspaceoftheindividual.Butthesepoliticalleadersmostofwhomarelawyershaveeitherforgottenthatprincipleorprobablyneverlearneditinthefirstplace.NeitherdotheyseemtounderstandthattheforemostresponsibilityofelectedleadersinaRepublicisto

    protectindividualrightsfromtheprejudicesofanyparticulargroup,aswellastheoverreachingofgovernmentnomatterhowrighteousthecausemayappear.ThatiswhyCommissionersLathenandWilliams,RepresentativeWaller,CityAttorneyDanMay,AttorneyGeneralJohnSuthersandtherestoftheanti-marijuanacrowdcantagreethatrightscomefromGodandnottheConstitution.Oncetheyagreethatweget0urrightsfromGod,theirargumentsfallcompletelyapartandthe

    hypocrisyandbigotryoftheirprohibitionistattitudesareexposedforalltosee.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    16/31

    Page 16 of 31

    WhenSen.ChrisRomerinsistsonputtingthelanguageinHB1284thatallowslocal

    governmentstobandispensaries,theeffectistosubjectaGod-givenrightto

    governmentapproval,whentheprincipalpurposeofguaranteeingtheserightsvia

    theconstitutionistoprotectunpopularminoritiesagainstthemajority.

    Theseself-righteousbigotsaretryingtoturnmedicalmarijuanapatientsintothenewdespisedminoritybyusingthesameoldtired,recycled,andfear-basedexcusesofdiminishedpropertyvalues,increasedcrime,andwemustprotectourchildren.Doesanyoneelsenoticethatnoneofthishasanythingatalltodowithbanningmedicalmarijuanacentersinfavorofcaregivers?ThesadfactisthathundredsofbillionsoftaxpayerdollarshavebeenspentoverdecadestoconvincecitizensthattheWaronDrugsrequiresthatwarbeprosecutedagainstmarijuanaandthosewhouseit.Mostofthismoneyhasbeen

    spenttoassociatemarijuanawithdrugslikecocaine,crack,heroin,andthelike,inacarefullycraftedcampaigninordertogetthepublictoassociatemarijuanawiththedangersofthosesubstances.Itisallalie.Thankfully,moreandmorepeoplearestartingtowakeuptotheideathattheonlypeoplewhowininthisgamearetheMexicandruglordsandtheirgangsterdistributors,themanypoliticianstheypayoff,thepeoplewhowanttojustifytheirimmoralviolationofthesacredspaceofothers,politicianswhowanttoamasspoliticalpowerbybeingpopularwiththeirgroup,thosepeoplewillingtoworkoutsidethelaw,andindustrieslikethepharmaceuticalcompaniesthatreaphugeprofitsbymakingmarijuanaillegal.

    GiventheimportanceofthisNovembersballottothecitizenryofColoradocitizensmustsendamessagetotheprohibitioniststheycanunderstand.

    VOTETHEMOUT!

    VOTEAGAINSTPEOPLEWHOWANTTHEDEATOREINSTITUTETHEIRREIGNOFTERRORAGAINSTCOLORADOCITIZENS!

    VOTEAGAINSTPEOPLEWHOWANTYOUTOACCEPTTHATTHEYHAVETHEPOWERTOVIOLATEYOURSACREDSPACEBECAUSEOFTHEIROWNPERSONALPREJUDICES!

    VOTEAGAINSTTHOSELEGISLATORSWHOTHINKTHATCITIZENSGETTHEIRRIGHTSFROMTHECONSTITUTIONINSTEADOFFROMTHEONEGODTHE

    GODOFWHICHWEAREALLAPART!

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    17/31

    Page 17 of 31

    VOTEAGAINSTTHOSEWHOWOULDARROGANTLYPLACETHEMSELVESINTHEMIDDLEOFTHESACREDRELATIONSHIPTHATSHOULDEXISTBETWEEN

    YOUANDYOURDOCTORANDPRESUMETOTELLYOUTHEYKNOWBETTER

    THANYOURDOCTORWHATKINDOFMEDICINEYOUSHOULDUSE!

    VOTEAGAINSTTHOSEWHOWANTTOBANDISPENSARIESTHATAREREGULATED,SUPERVISED,ANDTAXEDSOTHEYCANBEREPLACEDBY

    CAREGIVERSWHOWILLOPERATEOUTOFOURRESIDENTIALAREAS

    WITHOUTSUPERVISION,REGULATIONORTAXATION.

    VOTEAGAINSTTHOSEPOLITICIANSWHOWANTTOIMPOSESUCHABURDENUPONBUSINESSESTHEYDONTLIKETHATTHEYMAKEIT

    IMPOSSIBLEFORTHOSEBUSINESSESTOSURVIVE.

    VOTEAGAINSTTHOSEPOLITICIANSWHOWOULDASKCITIZENSTOWAIVETHIERRIGHTSINORDERTOBEINBUSINESS.

    THISISACHANCEFORYOURVOTETOMAKEAREALDIFFERENCE.THESEPRINCIPLESARENOTJUSTABOUTOURLOCALISSUEOFMEDICALMARIJUANA.THEYAPPLYTOEVERYLEVELOFGOVERNMENTWHETHERLOCAL,COUNTY,STATE,ORFEDERAL.NOWISTHETIMETOTAKEYOURPOWERASACITIZENBACKFROMTHOSEWHOTHINKTHEYCANCRAFTLAWSBASEDONTHEOPINIONSOFLAWYERSWITHOUTREGARDTOTHEMORALFOUNDATIONUPONWHICHTHOSELAWSMUSTSTAND.

    OURFOUNDERSSAIDTHATCITIZENSHAVETHEOBLIGATIONTORESISTIMMORALLAWS,WHICHTHEYDEFINEDASLAWSTHATDONTRESPECTTHERIGHTSINHERENTINTHEINDIVIDUAL.IFYOUAREAVOTERANDIGNORETHESEISSUES,YOUARERISKINGTHEFUTUREOFYOURCHILDRENANDGRANDCHILDRENTOAGOVERNMENTTHATISBECOMINGMOREANDMOREOUT-OF-CONTROL.THISISNOTAPARTISANISSUE.THEVIOLATIONOFYOURGOD-GIVENRIGHTSIS

    JUSTASFREQUENTLYJUSTIFIEDBYDEMOCRATSASITISBYREPUBLICANS.THISGOESTOTHEHEARTOFWHOWEAREASANATION.

    REGARDLESSOFYOURFEELINGSABOUTMARIJUANA,THESE

    PRINCIPLESCANNOTBEIGNOREDIFYOUAREACITIZENWHO

    VALUESGODSGIFTOFFREEDOM!

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    18/31

    Page 18 of 31

    BelowIhavetakenthetimetolistandevaluateafewofthemajorargumentsoftheanti-marijuanacrowd.Idontexpecttheseargumentswillchangethemindofbigotsbecausefactscantpenetratedeeplyenoughintoclosedminds.Instead,myaudienceisthefair-mindedColoradovoters,mostofwhomhaveopenmindsandahealthyreservoirofcommonsense.ThefactsIpresentcaneasilybecheckedsimplybyusing

    acomputerandaconnectiontotheInternet.IhumblyencourageyoutoreadALLsidesnotjusttheoneyouagreewith.Thatistheonlywaytorecognizethetruth.ISSUESSURROUNDINGCITIZENSRIGHTS

    Claim#1:Amendment20totheColoradoConstitutiongivesColoradocitizenstherighttousemedicinalmarijuana.Fact:AccordingtoourFoundingFathersthereisonlyonedefinitionofthewordGodthatcanmakeanysense,andthatisthatGodistheALLTHATIS.Bydefinition,

    thatmakeseachpersonapartofGodandinconsequenceeachpersoncomestothisworldwithsacredspaceorwhattheFoundingFatherscalledinalienablerights.AsThomasJeffersonsaidinhisoriginaldraftoftheDeclarationofIndependence:Allmenarecreatedequalandindependent.Fromthatequalcreationtheyderivetheirrightsthatareinherentandinalienable.Thetruthofthisstatementisself-evident,anditsviolationisnotonlyimmoral,butthesourceoftyrannyandlegallyprotectedbigotry.Accordingly,neithertheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,northeconstitutionofanystatecan

    trulybesaidtoconveyanyright.Constitutionscanonlyguaranteepersonalrightsagainstthebigotryofthosewhowouldinflicttheirgroupwillontheindividual.Inotherwords,yourrighttouseorrefusemarijuanacomesfromGodnottheColoradoStateConstitution.Claim#2:Amendment20limitscaregiversto5patientsandbansthecommercialsaleofmarijuanatoindividuals.Fact:Absolutelynottrue.Amendment20setsnolimitsonthenumberofpatientsa

    caregivermayhave,andsaysnothingaboutthecommercialsaleofmarijuana.The5patientrulewasimposedbytheBoardofHealthinresponsetopressurefromJohnSuthersandhisfriendsattheDEA.Thesesamepeoplearenowtryingtomakeitillegalforcaregiverstosellmarijuanatotheirpatients.Claim#3:Whenitcomestomarijuana,lawmakershavetherighttointerjectthemselvesbetweenthedoctorandthatdoctorspatient.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    19/31

    Page 19 of 31

    Fact:Absolutelynottrue.Ifyouneedanexplanationtosupportthis,youwilllikelybeverysupportiveofsocializedmedicinerightupuntilyouhavetolivewithit.Claim#4:Ifwhatyousayin#1aboveistrue,thenalldangerousdrugslikecrackcocaineandheroinshouldbelegaltoo.

    Fact:Thatisnottrue.BecauseIhavearighttopersonalsafety,Icandelegateauthoritytothegovernmenttomakeandenforcelawsagainstsubstancesthathavethedemonstratedabilitytoturnotherwiselaw-abidingcitizensintosociopathsunlesstheprohibitionofthatsubstancecausesmoreproblemsforthecommunitythanitsolves.Ifasubstancedoesnotcauseapersontobecomeasociopathgivenappropriateuse,whetherornotapersonusesthatsubstanceisamatterofsacredspaceandnotthebusinessofgovernment.Inotherwords,peoplehaveaGod-givenrighttodowhat

    theywantunlesstheyareharmingothers.Claim#5:Marijuanaisadangerousdrugthatfitsthatdefinition.Fact:Absolutelynottrue.Noseriousresearcherwouldagreewiththatclaim.EventheDEAsownAdministrativeLawJudgeFrancisL.Young,after15volumesoftestimonyonmarijuanaruledin1988that:Cannabisinitsnaturalformisoneofthesafesttherapeuticallyactivesubstancesknowntoman.Theevidenceinthisrecordasof9/6/1988clearlyshowsthatmarijuanahasbeenacceptedascapableofrelievingthedistressofgreatnumbersofveryillpeople,anddoingsowithsafetyundermedicalsupervision.Itwouldbeunreasonable,arbitraryandcapriciousfortheDEAtocontinue

    tostandbetweenthosesufferersandthebenefitsofthissubstanceinlightoftheevidencepresentedinthisrecord.FormoreinformationseeIssuesSurroundingtheDangersofMarijuanapresentedbelow.Claim#6:Alcoholcaneasilyturnpeopleintosociopaths,soalcoholproductionandconsumptionshouldbeillegalbyyourdefinition.Fact:Nottrue.Whilealcoholisinvolvedinmanyviolentcrimesincludingmurder,

    vehicularhomicide,rape,domesticspousalandchildabuse,andmanyotherseriouscrimes,prohibitionofalcoholcausedhugesocietalproblemsthatfaroutweighedthebenefitsderivedfromprohibition.Thatiswhyprohibitionended.Today,thepeoplewhowereoncecastigatedbyprohibitionistsasevil,denigrated,socialmisfitsformanufacturingand/orconsumingalcoholcanbuyaglassofwinewithdinneratalmostanyrestaurant,abeeratabaseballgame,andpurchaseliquorforuseathomeinliquorstoresinanyshoppingmall.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    20/31

    Page 20 of 31

    Muchtotheconsternationofalcoholprohibitionists,withoutthefearofrevenooersbreakingdowntheirdoors,destroyingand/orconfiscatingtheirproperty,andsendingpeopletojailforyears,alcoholhasbecomemainstream.Manypeoplenowtakepridemakingtheirownwineandbeer.ThereisevenacontestattheColoradoStateFairforthepersonwhocanmakethebesthome-madebrews.

    Withoutthetaxescollectedonthemanufactureandsaleofalcohol,manyvaluablepublicprogramswouldnotbepossible.Clearly,withtheabolitionofalcoholended,societybenefitedtoadegreethatfarexceededthebenefitsofprohibition.Becauseallempiricalevidenceandtheexperienceoftensofmillionsofusersdemonstratemarijuanatobeafarmorebenignsubstancethanalcohol,withafarlowerpotentialforabuse,thereisnoreasontoexpectthatsocietywouldnotsimilarlybebenefittedbytheoutrightlegalizationandsubsequentregulationofmarijuana.

    Claim#7:Prohibitionofmarijuanacantbecomparedtotheprohibitionofalcohol.Fact:Really?Ifthatistrue,thenwhatisthefundamentaldifferencebetweenthejustificationsofferedforalcoholprohibitionandthejustificationsthatunderlieourcurrentWaronDrugs?Theeffectsofalcoholandmanyoftheintoxicantsdeemedillegalbyourcurrentgovernment,aswellasthejustificationsusedtobanthemarenotfundamentallydissimilar(exceptperhaps,forthefactthatmarijuanaislessharmfulthanalcohol.)Therepealofprohibitionledtodramaticreductionsinviolentcrime,andby

    acknowledgingthesimplefactthatadultshavearighttodrinkiftheysochoose,thesensiblepoliticianswhoendedProhibitionallowedsocietytodevelopmoreresponsibleapproachestomanagingthesocialproblemscausedbyalcoholaddictionandabuse.Ourunderstandingofdrugpolicycouldbegreatlyenhancedifthepeoplewhostandagainsttheuseofmarijuanawouldbeintellectuallyhonestenoughtonotfallpreytothisunsubstantiatedidea,andavailthemselvesofthewisdomthatcanbegainedbylookingnotattheevilsofmarijuanabutratherattheevilsofprohibitionandhowprohibitioncausesgovernmentstooversteptheboundsofnaturallawand

    violatethesacredspaceofitscitizens.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    21/31

    Page 21 of 31

    ISSUESSURROUNDINGTHEBANNINGOFDISPENSARIES:

    Claim#8:Thetremendousincreaseinthenumbersofpeopleapplyingformedicalmarijuanalicensesisduetotheproliferationofmedicalmarijuanadispensaries.

    Fact:Absolutelynottrue.ItisclearthatthereasonfortheexplosioninthenumberofapplicationsforaColoradolicensetousemedicalmarijuanaisdueto1)theObamaadministrationspolicyofnotsendingtheDEAafterpeoplewhoarefollowingstatelawregardingitsuse;and2)thefactthatmedicalmarijuanaworks.Aspeoplediscoverhowwellitworks,theywantit.Claim#9:Banningdispensariesinfavorofthecaretakermodelwillhelpgetmarijuanaoutofourcommunities.Fact:Absolutelynottrue.Asmanylawenforcementofficershavestated,allabanon

    dispensarieswillaccomplishistherelocationofmarijuanagrowanddispensingoperationsintotheresidentialareasofourcommunities.Dispensaryownershavetogothroughanextensivebackgroundcheck,installandmaintainelaboratesecuritysystems,haveinsurance,bebonded,andarehighlyregulatedandsupervisedbytheColoradoDepartmentofRevenue.Theyarerequiredtocollectandpaytaxesontheirsales,andpaylargelicensingfees.Theyarefarlesspronetosellmarijuanatoanyperson,youthfulorotherwisewhoisnotproperlylicensedbythestatebecausetodosomaycausethelossoftheirentireinvestmentandsubjectthemtobeingbannedforlifefromanylegalopportunitytoworkinthemedicalmarijuanaindustry.

    Caretakersarenottaxednorsupervisedinanyway.Theycanoperatenextdoortoanyschool,daycarecenterorchurch.Thepeoplewhooperatethemarenotsubjecttoanybackgroundcheckorsupervisionofanykind.Theyarenotrequiredtohavesecuritysystems.Whywouldanysanepersontrulyinterestedinthesafetyoftheircommunitywanttobanmedicalmarijuanacentersinfavorofcaregiversoperatingoutofneighborhoods?Claim#10:Dispensariesareownedbypeoplewhoseonlymotivationistogetrich.

    Fact:Thereisnothingwrongwithwantingtogetrich.Mosteveryonewantstohavealifethatisabundantandrich.However,evendispensaryownerscantgetrichsellingmarijuanaiftheydontprovideaqualityproductatafairpriceinacomfortableanddiscretelocation.Anyonewhoknowsanythingaboutthefreeenterprisesystemcanknowthattheproliferationofmedicalmarijuanacenterscannotcontinueunchecked.Competitionwillweedouttheunscrupulousandinefficientoperatorsfasterthananylegislationeverproposed.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    22/31

    Page 22 of 31

    Allowfreeenterprisetooperateandthecustomerwillgetabetterproduct,abetterselectionofproduct,betterservice,andlowerprices.Communitieswillfindthemselvesenjoyingthetaxrevenuescollectedfromdispensariesoperatedbyhard-working,law-abidingcitizens.Freeenterpriseworksforeveryone.

    Draconianlegislationthatworkstobandispensarieswillonlyservetomakemarijuanafarmoreexpensiveforthosewhorelyonit,muchlesssafe,anddeeplyembeddedinplaceswhereitcannotbeeitherregulatedortaxed.Claim#11:Dispensariesareownedbydruggies,whoseonlyintentistotakeadvantageofthelawtoselldrugstoourkids.Fact:Totheextentthisistrue,freeenterpriseisthebestwaytodrivethesepeopleoutofbusiness.CommonsensewilltellyouthatIllpeoplewhopatronizeatruewellnesscenterstaffedbyhighlytrainedmedicalprofessionalssuchasmyEagles

    NestWellnessCenterinCascadeorthemanyothercomparablefacilitiesaroundthestateareunlikelytopatronizeafacilitywheretheyareservedbyastonedhippiecoveredwithtattooswhoseonlyadviceforapatientisthisisreallygoods__tman!Formoreinformation,seetheanswerto#9above.ISSUESSURROUNDINGTHEDANGERSOFMARIJUANA

    TherearesomanymythsthathavebeenperpetratedbytheFederalgovernmentandtheanti-marijuanacrowdthatitisimpossibletocoverthemall,sothislistisdesignedtocoveronlythemostcommonones.

    Claim#12:TheFederalGovernmentlistsmarijuanaasaScheduleIControlledSubstancebecausetheirresearchdemonstratesittobeaverydangerousdrug.Fact:Thecriteriausedtoplaceasubstanceonthislistisinthreeparts:

    (A)Thedrugorothersubstancehasahighpotentialforabuse.Foryears,theFederalgovernmentclaimedthatmarijuanawasahighlyaddictivesubstance,evenexceedingtheaddictivecapacityofdrugslikecocaineandheroin.Today,noseriousresearcherbelievesitiseitherappropriateorusefultolumpmarijuanainthatcategory.Whatwenowknow

    isthatmarijuanaisfarlessaddictivethannicotineandalcohol,andjustslightlymoreaddictivethancoffee.Whilemarijuanadoesnotdemonstrateahighpotentialforabuse,itisthemostwidelyusedillicitsubstancenotbecauseitisaddictive,butbecauseitisaeuphoricthatnotonlymakespeoplefeelbetter,butalsoishighlyeffectiveforpain.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    23/31

    Page 23 of 31

    (B)Thedrugorothersubstancehasnocurrentlyacceptedmedicalusein

    treatmentintheUnitedStates.Again,foryearstheFederalgovernmenthasclaimedthatmarijuanahasno

    placeasamedicineinspiteofthefactthathistoricallymarijuanahasbeenusedbymanyculturesforthousandsofyearsasavaluablemedicinalherb.ItwasconsideredanimportantpartofthepharmacopeiaofmedicineinthiscultureuntilWilliamRandolphHurstandHarryAnslingersucceededinmakingitillegalnotbecauseitwasdangeroustohealth,butdangeroustotheprofitsofHurstspapermanufacturingoperations.Today,manydoctorswhengiventhechoicewouldprefertheirpatientsusemarijuanainpreferencetoaddictivenarcoticsandotherpharmaceuticals

    becauseofitsdemonstratedeffectivenessandlackofdangeroussideeffects.Manydoctorsarestartingtorealizethatmarijuanaisthetreatmentofchoiceforpain,depression,PTSD,migraine,cachexia(thewasting-awaysyndromecausedbycancer),nausea,glaucoma,spasticityduetomultiplesclerosisandmore.Recentstudiesnowdemonstratethatmarijuanaisapotentanti-tumormedicationsomethingtheFederalgovernmenttoitsever-lastingshamehaskeptfromthepopulationfordecades.Becauseofitseffectivenessforsomanyconditions,theVeteransAdministrationrecentlyauthorizedmarijuanaasatreatmentforourveterans.

    (C)Thereisalackofacceptedsafetyforuseofthedrugorothersubstanceunder

    medicalsupervision.Noonecanrationallydisputethefactthatmarijuanaissaferthanaspirin,Tylenol,ormostover-the-counterremediesavailableatyourlocalpharmacy.Therehasneverbeenacaseofalife-threateningoverdosefrommarijuana.SkepticsshouldreviewtheFindingsofFactdecidedbytheDEAsownjudgeFrancisL.Young.Youcanfindithere:http://www.ccguide.org/young88.php

    Clearly,thereasonstheFederalgovernmentinsistsonkeepingmarijuanaonitslistofcontrolledsubstancesarepoliticalnotbecauseitissodangerous.Claim#13:Marijuanacontainsmoreofthedangerouschemicalsthatcauselungdiseaseandcancer.Becausetypicalusersinhalemoresmokeandholditlongerthantheywouldacigarette,smoking1jointistheequivalentofsmokingfivecigarettesandpredisposestheusertolungcancer,emphysema,bronchitis,andCOPD.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    24/31

    Page 24 of 31

    Fact:Itisabsolutelytruethesmokefromburningmarijuanaleavescontainsseveralknowncarcinogens,andthetaritcreatescontains50%moreofsomeofthechemicalslinkedtolungcancerthantobaccosmoke.Amarijuanacigarettealsodepositsfourtimesasmuchofthattarasanequivalenttobaccoone.

    Thatiswhyscientistsandresearcherssuchasmyselfweresosurprisedtofindthatanumberofverylargeandcarefullycontrolledstudiesfailedtodemonstrateanylinkbetweenchronicmarijuanauseandcancer.Onthecontrary,studiesnowrevealthatmarijuanausersarefarlesslikelytogetcancerbecauseTHCcausestheapoptosis(programmedcelldeath)ofthegeneticallydamagedcellsthatcausecancer.StudiesalsodemonstratethatmarijuanausersarenomorelikelytosufferfromCOPDoremphysemathannon-smokers,butdoexperienceahigherrateofbronchitis.

    Othermethodsofdeliveryincludingtheuseofinfusedproductsconsumedorallyandtheuseofvaporizerseliminateanyburdenonthelungsandarerapidlybecomingthepreferredmethodofingestion.Whatthismeansisthatevenifwearetoaccepttheideaofananny-statetryingtoprotectusfromourselves,inlightofthefactstheargumentisirrelevant.Claim#14:Studiesshowthatmarijuanadiminishesmentalfunction.Usershavepoorermemories,alowermentalaptitude,andalowercapacityforcreativethoughtthannon-users.Fact:Whileuserscanexperienceareductioninshort-termmemoryanddiminished

    reactiontimeswhileactuallyhigh,thereisnoprovencorrelationbetweenmarijuanauseandaloweredmentalaptitudeortheabilitytoperformcreativelyinspiteofthemanypamphletsthatarecirculatedaroundbytheanti-marijuanacrowd.Someofourmostaccomplishedcitizenshavebeenchronicusersofmarijuana.UndisputedusersincludepeoplelikeGeorgeWashington,ThomasJefferson,JohnF.Kennedy,WinstonChurchill,Zoroaster,AldousHuxley,AngelicaHuston,JulieChristie,BobDylan,CarlSagan,CaryGrant,DizzyGillespie,DukeEllington,ElvisPresley,ErnestHemmingway,ErrolFlynn,GeorgeBush,KirkDouglas,JulesVerne,JackieGleason,JesseVentura,JimmyDorsey,JoanofArc,JohnDenver,Louis

    Armstrong,MarlonBrando,JackNicholson,MartinSheen,MaryTylerMoore,NeilDiamond,PabloPicasso,theBeatles,OliverStone,OscarWilde,PhilDonohue,PeterSellers,QueenVictoria,Pythagoras,RamDass,RayCharles,RichardBranson,RobertMitchum,SalvadorDali,SigmundFreud,SonnyBono,StephenKing,TennesseeWilliams,VincentVanGogh,VictorHugo,WaltDisney,WilliamShakespeare,andWillieNelsonjusttonameaveryfew.Idoubtanyofthesepeoplecouldbesaidtosufferfromdiminishedmentalcapacity.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    25/31

    Page 25 of 31

    Claim#15:Animalsgivenmarijuanabyresearchershavebeenshowntosufferstructuraldamagetothebrain.Fact:Thisoften-repeatedstatementderivesfromanuglystudywhereresearchershookedmonkeysuptogasmasksandforcedthemtobreathconcentratedmarijuana

    smokeuntiltheydiedfromalackofoxygen.Itisaclassicexampleofhowmanyofthestudiesfundedbythegovernmentattempttoprovethatmarijuanaisadangerousdrug.Claim#16:Aquarterofamillionemergencyroomvisitsayearinvolvetheconsumptionofmarijuana.Fact:Themetabolitesofmarijuanaaredetectableinthebloodforweeksafteringestion.Therefore,sincemarijuanaissuchapopularsubstanceitisnosurprisethatmarijuanametabolitesarefoundinthebloodorurineofpeopleadmittedto

    emergencyrooms.Thisisnomorestatisticallymeaningfulthansayingaquarterofamillionemergencyroomvisitsayearinvolvetheconsumptionoforeganoorblackpepper.Claim#17:AccordingtotheDEA,40%ofthosearrestedforcrimestestpositiveformarijuana.Fact:See#16above.Claim#18:Nexttoalcohol,marijuanaisthesecondmostfrequentlyfoundsubstanceinthebodiesofdriversinvolvedinfatalaccidents.

    Fact:See#16above.Claim#19:THC,theactiveingredientinmarijuana,accumulatesinthebodyandcanremainthereforaslongassixweeks.Fact:Nottrue.Delta-9tetrahydrocannibinolbecomes11-carboxy-tetrahydrocannibinolandtheninactiveTHC-COOHwithin24hours.Thesecompoundsexistnaturallyinthebodyandnonegativehealtheffecthaseverbeenobservedorpostulatedasaresultoftheirpresence.

    Claim#20:Studiesproveaconnectionbetweenchronicmarijuanauseandtheincidenceofpsychosis.Fact:Absolutelynottrue.Themostrecentten-yearpeerreviewedstudyshowedabsolutelyNOincreaseinschizophreniaandpsychosis,evenwhentherearelargeincreasesinthepopulationsamplesthatengageinheavymarijuanause.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    26/31

    Page 26 of 31

    Claim#21:Marijuanaisagatewaydrugthatpredisposesuserstogoontoharderdrugslikecocaine,crackcocaine,heroin,methamphetamine,andmore.Fact:Itisnotmarijuanathatcausesthisproblem;itistheillegalityofmarijuanathatcausesthisproblem.Illegalmarijuanaisapreferredgatewayfordrugdealerswho

    usetheherbtoconvincepeoplethatotherdrugswillbeasbenignasmarijuanawhichtheyarenot.Ifwearetotrulyprotectouryouth,itisimportantforresponsiblecitizensto

    understandthedifferenceandremovemarijuanaasatoolusedbythedistributors

    ofhighlyaddictiveandtrulydangerousdrugs.

    Claim#22:Researchclearlyshowsthatmarijuanahasthepotentialtocauseproblemsindailylife.Accidentsintheworkplaceare50%higherandabsenteeismis75%higheramongcannabisusers.

    Fact:WhencomparingstatisticsforworkplaceaccidentsandabsenteeismbeforeandaftertheintroductionofmedicalmarijuanainstateslikeColorado,noevidenceofsuchincreasescanbedemonstrated.Claim#23:Marijuanaisadangeroushallucinogenthatcausespsychosis.Fact:Absolutelynottrue.Inthefirstplace,hallucinogensarenotdangerousper-se.Thereisalonghistoryofhumansusingnaturalentheogens(substancesthathelpapersonexperiencetheirconnectiontotheDivine)likePeyote,PsilocybinmushroomsorAyahuasca,withoutharmofanykind.Ontheotherhand,some

    chemicalentheogenscanbeverydangerous.Inanyevent,marijuanaisnotahallucinogen.Whileitcanalterperceptionoftimeandenhancetheexperienceoftastes,odorsandcolors,tosomedegree,itdoesnotpresentthevisionsanddistortionsofrealitythatarethehallmarksofdrugslikeLSDoreventheentheogensmentionedabove.Marijuanaismoreproperlyclassifiedasaeuphoriant,meaningthatitcausestheusertoexperienceasenseofrelaxation,peace,andwellbeing.Concernsabouteventsofthepastorfuturedangerstendtodissolveintoasenseofenjoymentofthepresent.

    Thisisanimportantcharacteristicofitsmedicinalprofilebecausepeoplewhoaresufferingfromseriousillnessesandchronicpaintendtobecomequitedepressed.Further,marijuanahasauniqueabilitytohelppeoplesleepwithoutinterferingwithREMsleepanddreams,whichisvitaltoasenseofawakeningrestedandavoidingpsychosis.TheprescriptiondrugsusedforinsomniainterferewithREMsleepandovertime,lackofREMsleepcanleadtodepression,irritability,andyespsychosis.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    27/31

    Page 27 of 31

    Claim#24:Marijuanacausespeopletobecomeanxiousandhavepanicattacks.Fact:Thisisabsolutelytrueandoneofthereasonsinexperiencedpatientsshouldalwayshaveaccesstoapersonwhocanguidethemalongtheirpath.Thisisoneofthebestargumentsforadispensarystaffedbyprofessionalsprovidingthemedicine.

    Therearemanyvarietiesofmarijuana,andmanywaysitcanbegrown,harvestedandprepared.Ifmarijuanaisallowedtobecomeover-ripe,thedegradationby-productsofTHCcancausetheexperienceofanxiety.Plantssprayedwiththewrongkindofpestcontrolagentscanalsodothesamething.Somepeoplearejustpredisposedtohavethatexperiencenomatterwhatkindofmedicinetheyuse.Peoplewhohavethisproblemshoulddiscontinuetheiruseofmarijuana.

    Claim#25:Marijuanaisnotharmless!Fact:Thisistheonethingthatisabsolutelyreal.Whileitistruethatthedangerofmarijuanasaddictivecapacityandlong-termeffectsonthebodyhavebeenhighlyexaggerated,itisalsotruethatmarijuanacancauseanxietyandpanicattacksinsusceptibleindividuals.Inthevastmajorityofcases,marijuanaisunsuitableforusebychildrenandyoungadults.Theaffectcannabisproductshaveondevelopingbrainsisstillamatterofgreatdebate,howeveronethingisforcertain,marijuanaisaeuphoriant,andyoutharestilllearningtheskillofself-discipline.Ifmarijuanaisavailableitisfartooeasyfor

    ayoungpersontowanttogethighratherthandotheirhomework,chores,orothertasksforwhichthemmayberesponsible.Thiscanhavelife-longconsequences.Theimmaturityofyouthalsopredisposesthemtousepoorjudgmentinotherways,likesmokingcannabiswhiledriving.Thatbeingsaid,itisuptoapatientsdoctorandparentstomakethatdeterminationnotlegislators.Ipersonallyhaveone14-year-oldpatientwhosedoctorrecommendedmarijuanabecauseshegetsseveremigraineseverydayandwasfailinginschool.Underthecarefulsupervisionofherparents,thisyoungladyusesmarijuanaeverymorning

    beforeschoolandnowisgettingstraightAs.Sheisnowontrackforcollegeasituationthatwouldnotbepossiblewithoutheruseofmarijuana.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    28/31

    Page 28 of 31

    PleasedistributecopiesofthispapertoeveryAMERICANcitizenyouknow.Itisavailableonlineat:

    www.eaglesnestwellnesscenter.com

    Thisisnotjustanissueaboutthelegalityofmedicalmarijuana.Thisisanissueof

    personalfreedom,theprotectionofyourrightstoaconfidentialdoctor-patient

    relationship,andtransparencyingovernment.

    TheConstitutionisnotaninstrumentforthegovernmenttorestrainthepeople.Itis

    aninstrumentforthepeopletorestrainthegovernment. PatrickHenry

    ALEGALDEFENSEFUNDHASBEENESTABLISHEDTODEALWITHTHISISSUE.

    WEASKTHATEVERYDISPENSARYOWNER,EVERYPATIENT,EVERYCAREGIVER,

    ANDEVERYCITIZENWHOCARESABOUTFREEDOMCONTRIBUTEGENEROUSLY.

    Makecheckspayableto:

    ColoradoMedicalMarijuanaDefenseFund

    Sendto:HoalaHunaFoundation8450WestU.S.Hwy24,CascadeCO80809

    orCall719-687-2928tomakeacontributionbycreditcard.

    TheHoalaHunaFoundationisa501(c)3tax-exemptorganization.100%oftheproceedsfromthisdrivewillbeusedinsupportofthisfight.

    WHETHERORNOTYOUCANAFFORDTOMAKEAFINANCIALCONTRIBUTION,DOWHATYOUCANTOSEETHATEVERYPERSONYOUKNOWGETSACOPYOFTHIS

    CALLTOACTION.

    THECONSEQUENCESOFLOSINGTHISFIGHTAREUNIMAGINABLE!

    MAKENOMISTAKE.OUROPPONENTSARESTRONGANDENTRENCHEDINTHE

    HALLSOFGOVERNMENT.THEYARECOORDINATEDANDFOCUSED.

    ITWILLTAKEUSALLSTANDINGTOGETH

    ER

    WITHEVERYFIBEROFOURBEINGS

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    29/31

    Page 29 of 31

    TOPREVAIL.

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    30/31

    Page 30 of 31

  • 8/8/2019 Banning Dispensaries

    31/31