Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 3:16 pm | By: Radical Russ
VIERA (Florida Today) — A Brevard County jury today convicted a 53-year-old man, who said he uses marijuana for religious and health purposes, of illegally harvesting more than 100 of the plants in his Palm Bay home.
It took a jury 14 minutes to convict self-proclaimed minister Steven Swallick following a two-day trial.
Swallick faces up to 10 years in prison following a conviction on one count each of possession and manufacturing of marijuana. He also was convicted on one misdemeanor count of larceny with relation to a utility fixture for tampering with electrical wiring in his home.
Circuit Judge Jim Earp wouldn’t let him testify about his use of marijuana for religious purposes.
But as part of a motion asking the judge to allow the evidence, Swallick testified outside of the jury’s presence that he is affiliated with the Hawaiian Cannabis Ministries, which mandates use of the drug.
This Hawaiian Cannabis Ministry will sell to you and anyone who logs on a “Sanctuary Kit” for just $250. This kit allegedly “provides you with proof of your legitimacy as a religious practitioner of Cannabis Sacrament.” They claim it provides a “successful religious defense to prosecution”.
Looks like it didn’t work for Rev. Swallick. Even if Judge Earp did allow Swallick’s religious testimony, if wouldn’t work andhasn’tworkedforplentywhohavetried. I wonder how much of Swallick’s and others’ $250 donations to the ministry will come back in the form of legal defense funds for an appeal?
I am all for religious use of cannabis and I believe many people’s sincerity when they call it a sacrament. I don’t think anyone should be arrested or locked up for any use of cannabis, whether you think it’s holy or whether you just think it’s gnarly, dude. But all the “it’s my religion” claim is ever going to get you in an American court is a nice quiet cell and plenty of time to read your holy book. I’m not saying that’s right, I’m just saying that’s the facts. Point to precedents over ayahuasca and peyote all you like, but no court is going to allow cannabis as sacrament because doing so undermines government’s compelling duty to protect the citizenry from the “evils” of legal weed.
Only full legalization for all people, even healthy atheists, is going to provide patients and practitioners their right to access legal medicine and sacrament.
Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 2:20 pm | By: Cannabis Karri
Happy ROctober Stashers! This is Cannabis Karri, digging up some vintage stash music and sneaking it on the podcast while Tam is getting ready for the 2010 MMAs. This tune hit the podcast in May of 2008 and it deserves a replay! Enjoy!
Today we have the AMPHIBEUS TUNGS with their feel good track, “Smoke that Feelen”. Maybe it’s because the Amphibeus Tungs are from Hawaii, but this hip hop track is as relaxing as Indica on a white sand beach. Or maybe it’s because this group has two Jays (two Jays are always better than one!). Founded by Beau Sun, Quest Eons and Doc. Platypus and welcoming turntabalists Pazess One and Jai Freedom Lewis with DJ Jay Peace Pipe and One Chef Strum, these guys groove just as much as they rhyme. I love the vibe that the Tungs lay down on this track, it is the perfect song to groove us through the week. This is one you will want to add to your basement party mix tape! Mahalo and Aloha!
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Monday, August 10th, 2009 at 12:37 pm | By: Radical Russ
(Honolulu Advertiser) Big Island resident Kimberly Reyes, who was diagnosed with Hepatitis in March 2008, had been told in July that she had less than 30 days to live. Her family claimed the Waimea resident had followed doctor’s orders, but her insurance carrier, Hawaii Medical Service Association, denied her coverage for a liver transplant she needed to survive because three toxicology tests showed trace amounts of cannabis in her system.
Kimberly Reyes died July 27 at Hilo Hospital, 16 months after being diagnosed. In the months after her diagnosis, she suffered cirrhosis of the liver, chronic Hepatitis infection, end-stage kidney disease and hepatorenal syndrome, which is caused by low blood flow to the kidneys due to liver deterioration.
Kimberly Reyes was twice denied her application for transplant by HMSA for “technical reasons,” such as missing required Alcoholics Anonymous meetings because she was too weak for doctor appointments, claimed [her mother]. However, on July 17, Reyes received HMSA’s approval for a liver transplant.
That approval signaled that the Reyes family and HMSA had apparently resolved compliance issues, [Reyes' attorney Ted] Herhold said.
Three days later HMSA denied the transplant approval after it received toxicology tests that showed cannabis in her system, Herhold said.
He claimed her marijuana use was “an indiscretion.”
She did not, according to her attorney and family, have a prescription for medical marijuana use.
Kuhns and Robin both claimed Kimberly Reyes had stopped smoking marijuana “years ago,” but took a few hits off a marijuana cigarette that day to relieve feelings of nausea, disorientation and pain.
How many transplant-eligible patients must die for their marijuana use before this needless cruelty is stopped? The reason Kimberley Reyes needed to attend those Alcoholics Anonymous meetings is because alcohol is hepatoxic (liver-killing) and we don’t want to give precious organ transplants to people who are just going to keep drinking and kill the new liver. But cannabis use has no impact on the survival rates for liver transplant, because cannabis is not hepatoxic! The drugs the hospital might have given Reyes for nausea, disorientation, and pain would have been far more dangerous to her liver than the joint she smoked.
This is nothing more than a death sentence for sick and dying people on the basis of morality alone.
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 10:34 pm | By: Radical Russ
Late breaking news from the middle of the Pacific…
Good News!
We just received word that both chambers have voted to override the Governor’s veto of SB1058 which sets up a taskforce to discuss changes in Hawaii’s Medical Marijuana Program. Thanks to all of you who made phone calls, sent emails and faxes.
When the official vote is posted, we will let you know who voted “no.” There were nine of them.
We will also ask you to thank legislators for taking this important action and later, we will need to keep pressure on the Dept. of Public Safety to be sure they convene the taskforce.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 10:20 am | By: Radical Russ
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle vetoed today four bills that are pre-empted by federal law or violate existing federal statutes. The Governor issued her vetoes to ensure that federal officials recognize that the State of Hawai‘i respects the individual role of states and the federal government in setting legal policy for our citizens.
SB 1058 SD2 HD2 CD1 relating to controlled substances. This bill attempts to circumvent provisions of federal controlled substances laws as enforced by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Portions of this bill may also violate Section 14 of Article II of the State Constitution regarding the scope of subjects each law enacted by the Legislature may encompass.
“I am concerned that the Legislature, in their efforts to address local concerns, may not have fully taken into account existing federal laws or requirements,” Governor Lingle said. “The State of Hawai‘i must abide by federal statutes when they prevail or pre-empt state action, as is the case with these four measures.”
Excuse me, Governor Lingle, but that is a huge steaming load of Kükae lio. The bill, SB 1058, didn’t direct Hawai’i to violate any existing federal statutes. What you vetoed was a task force to study medical marijuana issues:
“Examine current state statutes, state administrative rules, and all county policies and procedures relating to the medical marijuana program;”
“Examine all issues and obstacles that qualifying patients have encountered with the medical marijuana program;
“Examine all issues and obstacles that state and county law enforcement agencies have encountered with the medical marijuana program;”
“Compare and contrast Hawaii’s medical marijuana program with all other state medical marijuana programs;”
and “address other issues … the task force deems appropriate.”
You can’t seriously believe Controlled Substances Act prevents a state government from examining things, can you?
“Examine current state statutes, state administrative rules, and all county policies and procedures relating to the medical marijuana program;”
“Examine all issues and obstacles that qualifying patients have encountered with the medical marijuana program;
“Examine all issues and obstacles that state and county law enforcement agencies have encountered with the medical marijuana program;”
“Compare and contrast Hawaii’s medical marijuana program with all other state medical marijuana programs;”
and “address other issues … the task force deems appropriate.”
The task force will consist 13 members, including leaders from the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, the West Oahu Hope for a Cure Foundation, Americans for Safe Access, and a medical cannabis patient who is appointed by the Governor.
In 2008, Gov. Lingle vetoed <http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7648> a similar task force measure. That is why we are asking you to contact the Governor and urge her to support SB 1058.
For your convenience, a pre-written letter supporting this bill will be mailed to the Governor when you go here.
Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 11:39 am | By: Radical Russ
NORML is forwarding the following communication from our allies at the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii as a courtesy to our members.
Below are a list of several bills the DPFH is urging advocates to take action on. You can read more about many of these bills, and send a prewritten letter to your representatives regarding HB 1192, via NORML’s Capwiz Alert system here. You can also learn more about Hawaii’s reform efforts at the website of Democracy in Action here.
Thank you for your support of NORML and the DPFH’s marijuana law reform efforts in Hawaii.
WakeUpDead: @Russ, I dont think that wireless is going to work out for the show, it was choppy and studdered just like last week. Hardline may be the only way. Puff [...]
WakeUpDead: A MINI Spof, Lock up your Weed, in 18 years that is. Really Man congrats! Greatest days of my life when my kids were born, hell yeh, great news [...]
BenJaMin: Late night Stash!!!
SneakerPimp: heres a bong rip for spof
RevRayGreen: errr test over....
RevRayGreen: on hold..
RevRayGreen: @RR I'll try and lob a call to you.....
SneakerPimp: where is the first field of cannabis gonna be?
SneakerPimp: !
Radical Russ: Breaking News: MrSpof's wife's water just broke! A MiniSpof is imminent!
SneakerPimp: oh russ its not my fault that i dont understand choppy word:stoned:
SneakerPimp: @Mrspof congratulations tell us all about it tommrow
Radical Russ: OK, test over. Sorry. Only needed a half hour. Be back tomorrow afternoon.
slash5city: don't forget to watch CCS live on u-stream 8 pm west
thaistik: Local Crime Stoppers notice.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Pot shop burglars sought
Crime Stoppers is looking for information on the suspects who police say burglarized a medical marijuana dispensary and stole cash, drugs [...]
Marijuana-Related Health Costs Minimal Compared To Those Of Alcohol, Tobacco; California Medical Association Says Pot Prohibition Is A "Failed Public Health Policy"; Oregon: State NORML Affiliate Opens First 'Cannabis Café'. […]
American Medical Association Calls For Scientific Review Of Marijuana's Prohibitive Status; Dutch Marijuana Use Lower Than European Average, Study Says […]
"Truth In Trials Act" Reintroduced In Congress; Maine: Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Measure; Colorado: Breckenridge Voters Overwhelmingly Decide To End Pot Penalties. […]
Some of the nation’s top athletes discuss why today's pros are turning to cannabis — and away from alcohol and painkillers — off the field, and question why pro sports leagues are continuing to sanction those who do. Moderator: Steve Bloom, Author, Pot Culture; editor, celebstoner.com * Toby Grear, MMA fighter * Sean Neumann, Documentary Filmm […]
Cannabis Law Reform's Missing Link: Law Enforcement Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper; LEAP and NORML Advisory Board; Author of Breaking Rank Putting the Mexican Cartels Out of Business Mexican drug cartels now employ over 100,000 soldiers and are responsible for nearly ten thousand deaths per year. Their largest source of income is marijuana. […]
Jury takes 14 minutes to convict self-proclaimed pot pastor
“Smoke that Feelen”
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