An Open Letter A Long Fight

An Open Letter
To anyone and everyone here at Cannabis.com. Please take a moment to read this open letter from Ronnie Naulls, he is now counting down the clock until he goes to trial in Feb sometime, unless it gets pushed back for some reason. He needs our help, any support in the way of prayers, spreading his story, donations, or otherwise is greatly appreciated. I believe that this post is within the acceptable terms, hopefully, and thank you birdgirl. Even if all you do is read this and tell someone else about him that may be the help that he needs. Ronnie is being very maliciously prosecuted; I believe that it is primarily politically driven. I point to numerous other instances when the federal government has opted not to press any charges or arrest anyone while raiding clinics and stealing medicine as well as money and donations for other organizations i.e. March of Dimes. Yeah I am saying they were sure to take money out of a Donation Jar, multiple jars for different organizations, while at the same time being sure to break windows with broomsticks and break security cameras. It doesnâ??t sound like much but think about it for a second, the â??highest most professionalâ?� law enforcement agency in the nation, is in broad daylight with god knows how many agents, all creeping around with broomsticks breaking windows and smashing security cameras on the ceiling just for the sake of breaking stuff. AND AND, the funniest thing was that they were sure to do all that stuff, but they left hash in the display case!!! They left quite a bit of medicine in multiple forms that were obviously just out in the open!!! This was very telling to me as to why they were really doing what they did. It has nothing to do with marijuana itself. It really looked like a huge gang came in and robbed the place at night. Oh by the way they did the same exact thing to his home that he bought before he ever even considered starting that clinic. He had 2 other businesses that have since gone to hell.
Meanwhile this has happened, Ronnie is scheduled to appear in front of the city council the next day for a hearing to RE-NEW his business license that after initially receiving, and then having to go to litigation after a subsequent challenge and WINNING the decision, was up for renewal. It should be noted that the city of Corona has never ever not even 1 time, denied a business license renewal in itâ??s history. Once you read the letter you will understand why he couldnâ??t make it, what a coincidence. The Federal Government just up and decides to move forward with its case at 6 in the morning the day before he is to renew his business license. Well a couple things happen now, the city commissioners donâ??t have to DENY OR APPROVE any business license, since Ronnie was busy that day, therefore they donâ??t have to be accountable to ANYONE, not the people that thought Ronnie shouldnâ??t have been there nor to the people that thought Ronnie should be there. What they did allowed them to take care of a local political issue without having to piss off anyone one way or the other. Wow good for you, I am glad I live in a city where the â??majorityâ?� of the people that live here WANT people like that as their local government leadership. Wooohooo.
Right now the federal government is probably fairly confident that the intimidation tactics that it has used on Ronnie and his family might work. However Ronnie is not swayed, he believes he is right, he is very devout and has been long before this happened; he believes that god will see him through this. It is a race to do all the things necessary to prepare for what he needs to do. Know one knows what will happen. If he can get a â??realâ?� attorney that â??wantsâ?� to defend him then he has a huge potential for a few things to happen.
1. He would go to trial, and the federal government would lose the case with a â??not guiltyâ?� verdict which is a worst case scenario for them. It would set a new precedent on the federal level. Not good for them!!
2. The government would dismiss the case or drop the charges for fear of losing. After all they are trying to get a conviction in a place where the jury is made up of the actual people that live here, and not the minority that drive their agenda. They will likely lose.
3. They get conviction.
It is my gut feeling that the government has a very weak case and is banking on Ronnie taking a plea; however he is intent on fighting. While I canâ??t say for any of the other people that got arrested that day, (his was one part in a series of raids that day). The government has gone as far to release some video footage from an undercover that was inside the clinic, the video has clearly been edited for audio, and only has a handful of 2 to 3 second bits of Ronnie talking and saying some â??incriminatingâ?� things, I guess. Of course not all the audio is playing and what you do hear is grossly taken out of context, there is no perspective to draw on what is being said so you can draw your own conclusions. This is a glaring example of something the government has done that in my humble opinion tells me, if there case was open and closed, why would they go to the effort to do this? Itâ??s really funny that every Republican candidate is ok with what ever the states decide on abortion in the â??event that Roe vs. Wadeâ?� is overturned. After all thatâ??s just literally killing people, but itâ??s a â??states rightsâ?� issue. Unless you are talking about marijuana!! Then states arenâ??t smart enough to decide for themselves, and then also they are talking about money!! Money!! There is not any money in whether states allow abortion or not, but enforcing laws against marijuana is big money for the government! I donâ??t care how much you hear about tax dollars spent to enforce these laws, thatâ??s irrelevant. They probably turn a profit after taking into account all their seizures I am sure!!!

Again, itâ??s very disturbing personally to think that the federal government is trying to use this kind of a policy against its own citizens. 8 months ago I would not have believed it if you told me, Ronnie like myself, is a real conservative person. Not a republican as currently defined by all the current presidential candidates am talking more like AuH2O type of conservative, Goldwater. He is a true patriot, he is courageous and is doing what he believes and knows is right. He really is an amazing person and I have tons of respect for him, especially after seeing how he is dealing with all these things that are happening in his life. Go ahead give him a call and talk to him, give him your support, I havenâ??t included his contact info here in this post, but he isnâ??t hard to find. Thanks to everyone that has already shown their support!!!



To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Ronald Bradley Naulls, and I am fighting for my freedom, my livelihood, and my family. I am also fighting for my legal rights as a licensed medical cannabis patient and provider â?? as well as the rights of thousands of suffering citizens in my community and country just like me.

I am writing this letter because I need your help.

Iâ??m a 28-year-old happily married African American man and proud father of three beautiful girls Aaliyah, Amaiyah & Aryanna ages 5, 3 & 1. Until recently, I was an entrepreneur with my own IT Consulting company as well as a real estate property management company.

On July 17th, 2007, the Drug Enforcement Administration raided my residence and all my businesses. During the raid they confiscated our family vehicles and all of our savings and checking accounts. But most excruciating and unprecedented of all, they took my daughters and put them in the custody of Riverside County Child Protective Services.

I was indicted by a federal grand jury, arrested, and thrown into federal prison. My mother and father had to put up their home in order to bond me out of incarceration. In addition to federal drug charges against me, my wife also faces child endangerment charges, though we have not broken any state laws.

To give a little background, I became a medical cannabis patient in 2001 after a very serious automobile accident resulted in a clavicle bone fracture between my neck and shoulder. My family doctor at the time had recommended various types of prescription medicines and treatment including physical rehabilitation, which didnâ??t offer any relief or healing whatsoever. Consequently, I suffered from stomach lining infections from the various medications I was prescribed.

Shortly thereafter, I was regularly seeing a chiropractor in order to realign and adjust my bone fracture, temporarily easing the tension and pain, but relief was very diminutive and inadequate to the point where I was unable to work and provide for my family. My chiropractor told me some of his other patients were prescribed medicinal cannabis to provide therapeutic relief along with chiropractic treatments for their chronic pain and other back problems, and that I possibly should consult with my family doctor to see if medicinal cannabis would be an option. Totally unaware of the legalities, I inquired with my doctor and discovered that I was an appropriate subject for prescription medicinal cannabis. Upon receiving my doctorâ??s recommendation for medical cannabis I have been able to stop using other prescription medicines. Medicinal cannabis unequivocally provides me much relief to the point where I can actually work and provide a living for my family.

Although medical cannabis is legal in the state of California, I soon realized there were no options for availability in my county of Riverside and extremely limited and unregulated distribution options throughout the Los Angeles area. The hour or more commute (or longer with traffic) was totally unbearable and with petroleum costs rising astronomically it became very difficult and time consuming to acquire my medication.

The Department of Health in Riverside issues a state medical marijuana I.D. card for a fee of $100 for legal patients to identify their legal status with medicinal distributors and local law enforcement but does not provide guidance for where or how to acquire medicine. I found this to be totally absurd. Analogy would be like the government selling handicap placards to disabled people but providing no handicap parking.

After consulting with attorneys, I took it upon myself to open a pharmaceutical yet compassionate clinic in Corona, CA, called Healing Nations Collective, to serve the thousands of licensed patients here suffering from serious conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, etc. Healing Nations was a non-profit organization entirely legal under Californiaâ??s Proposition 215 law and Senate Bill 420 law passed in 2004.

We had a valid sellerâ??s permit from the State Board of Equalization and we were paying taxes on our gross sales just like any other business in the state of California. Records indicate about $123,070 in taxes paid to the state of California.

I am known throughout the community as a peaceful, law-abiding, churchgoing, local businessman and member of the Corona Chamber of Commerce. Healing Nations was a prominent contributor to the community via various charities and organizations including the American Cancer Society, Godâ??s Kitchen, and the Foundation in Corona, a local organization for the fight against breast cancer.

Because the federal government seized all of my assets, I lack the resources to properly defend myself. Iâ??m currently using a federal public defender that is totally unaware and maladroit on Proposition 215 and Senate Bill 420 or the relation of Californiaâ??s laws and implementation of medicinal cannabis dispensaries and their legality under Californiaâ??s laws.

The federal government is using strong arm tactics against me and my family, and I believe it's in part racially motivated: Other clinic owners and operators throughout the state have been raided but not arrested, prosecuted, or had their children taken away. These raids always end in closure of the facility with no arrests or property being seized. This is almost always the consequence because the facility operated inappropriately and unscrupulously outside of Californiaâ??s laws i.e. distributing to unlicensed patients and or operating for profit.

I am a political prisoner caught in a war between the state and federal governments over the legality of medical cannabis, and the federal government is trying to leverage my children in a cruel, cynical attempt to gain an advantage in their petty power struggle. Simultaneously, my wife and are financially, mentally, creditworthiness & backgrounds are ruined. I canâ??t for the life of my family acquire adequate employment as a Sr. Network Engineer, Systems Engineer or IT Consultant because of the pending charges that materialize from background checks, which was flawless before this catastrophe.

I can't win this fight without your help â?? be it in the form of contributions to my tax deductible legal defense fund or your legal counsel and advice. And it isn't only for the sake of me and my family; the federal government is systematically suppressing not only stateâ??s rights but human & civil rights as well. Tax deductible donations have been established for my family and I via the website listed below.

Green Aid: DEFENSE FUNDS

Sincerest thanks in advance for your time and assistance. I hope this letter encompasses all in good spirits, and I pray that my story and my plea for the sake of my family inspire you to join forces with me to stop the federal crusade against our rights. Lord Bless.

P.S. Please take a moment to view other editorial write-ups regarding my family & circumstances. Thank you all in advance.
http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.co â?¦ ry/61/120/
Fred Gardner: Psychological Torture in the Name of Family Values
http://www.hightimes.com/ht/legal/conte â?¦ &aid=3

Sincerely,

Ronald Bradley Naulls

Green Aid: DEFENSE FUNDS

Hey mods, could I possibly get this moved to the southern calif med section or activism section?

A very moving story, thankyou for sharing it kush. I am still perplexed as to what the charges brought against this seemingly nice, law abiding, devout and apparently 100% legal man.

Has he been caught selling to non medical marijuana users? If so, I feel it is still grossly negligent of the federal government to take such extreme action for a simple licensing violation.

No, I take that back, it's madness. Madness gone wrong.

I Wish him all the best,

Peace,
Denial

PS: two of the links you posted are not linked properly kush, maybe a moderator could fix that for you :thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by denial102

A very moving story, thankyou for sharing it kush. I am still perplexed as to what the charges brought against this seemingly nice, law abiding, devout and apparently 100% legal man.

---

Possesion, Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute, (something like that on the 3rd charge, comes down to the fact that he owned the clinic and employed people to provide the MMJ to patients as opposed to doing it all on his own.) He was not 100% legal, IT IS AGAINST FEDERAL LAW!!! He was 100% legal for the state of california, hence no local, county, or state charges, but there is no such thing as MMJ in the feds eyes. He was targeted because he was the only clinic operating, the city of Corona hated him because he beat the city in court when the city tried to shut him down. They were very helpful to the DEA and were there with the DEA at his home and at the clinic that day. Way to uphold you local laws local law enforcement!:thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by denial102

Has he been caught selling to non medical marijuana users?

---

Negative, in fact, the DEA had to get 2 agents to get med recs so that they could get the undercovers into the clinic to make buys and get "evidence" because you could not enter without having a valid Doctors Original Rec, AND have it verified on the spot. He actually had very strict rules, even to the extent that patients could not leave people in their vehicles waiting, he thought that would imply that patients were buying for non medical users. People were banned for this many times. His clinic also provided a high level of security for the entire shopping center which on many occasions other store owner's thanked him for. Even if there was a car with someone just sitting in it, security would ask them to leave and loiter somewhere else.:hippy:

Another reason to make sure we sit on juries. Do your civic duty. Its the only way to beat these crooked feds.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by killerweed420

Another reason to make sure we sit on juries. Do your civic duty. Its the only way to beat these crooked feds.

---

Absolutely!!!
This is the reason they are NOT arresting or charging owners in LA, because they know that in LA they will likely lose in a trial, they are gambling in Riverside County that they won't. I hope they are wrong, I hope people do the right thing in his trial and use common sense, however, I don't see how it will happen. Not being able to raise the Medical Marijuana Defense is tough, and the charges are going to be very easy to prove, what is really sad, the DEA could have just knocked on his door and talked to him and explained why they were there and what they wanted and he would have been very compliant. Instead they chose gustapo tactics. Despite this, Ronnie like myself is still a patriot, supports America, loves his country.:thumbsup: I believe he is a true hero.:)

Ahh man, I feel that contradictory laws, if not unconstitutional are plain and outright madness.

State laws seem to be becoming worthless.

Peace,
Denial

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by denial102

Ahh man, I feel that contradictory laws, if not unconstitutional are plain and outright madness.

State laws seem to be becoming worthless.

Peace,
Denial

---

That's the most disturbing thing. Everyone is focused on the "MMJ Fight", which is fine I guess. The problem is that as long as the debate is framed in the argument of Medical Marijuana, it can be debated up and down all day long until the end of time, with no progress. It's only good for the activist groups that make money under the guise of "Fighting for Medical Marijuan". The real debate should be more focused on "States Rights", as long as they keep debating the validity of Medical use, they don't have to acknowledge that our states rights are being compromised. If the debate were shifted into that direction, it would be open and shut. Ronnie and I both watched the GOP nominees state that hypothetically, if Roe vs. Wade were overturned that they would support states rights to ban or allow abortion regardless of their personal opinions. However when it comes to states legislating their own marijuana laws I guess it's different. Not alot of money in it for the fed when it comes to kiling babies, pot however is different. They already have plenty of incentives to maintain the current federal laws. A real "True Blue Republican" worth his spit, would denounce the federal raids, as they are obviously infringing on the states rights of California. I guess it comes down to political courage, while on the other hand, you have the dems that will say anything to get a vote and obviously they are just to gutless to admit they will do nothing, they even in fact lie about it. This is surely because they feel that supporters of medical marijuana MUST be liberals, which is the GOPs belief as well unfortunately. All in all, it really sucks. I don't forsee anything on the Federal Political Horizon that indicates anything regarding this issue will change, no matter who wins. What's even more frustrating is that the state of California is full of bed wetting libs that won't stand up for themselves. In general they welcome more and bigger government and are to distracted by "false" arguments to see the big picture. This is why I personally feel that the medical marijuana movement is a joke. It's worthless, and it's an "a" typical type of mentality among libs that only "special" people can have access to pot. Fuck that!!! Everyone should be able to use it! Freedom and Equality FOR ALL!!:jointsmile: It is a fact that current MMJ legislation is discriminatory, o, the unintended consequences.:(

Yes my friend this reminds me of supposed democratic and fair elections and an age old saying "if the lawyers ask the wrong questions how can we give the right answer?" - or "if all candidates are bad, how can we choose a good one?"

It's, such a shame :-( It really does seem to be about money money money.

Money breaks peoples sense of morality.

In a world where political parties discriminate against eachother, the supposed law makers and legislators, it is no surprise that law does the same thing accross the country.

The fathers would be sad to see things this way, in my opinion of course :-)


Peace,
Denial

Well Skush we finally found some common ground. Great post. I'll send them $20 and post the letter to my facebook.

This kind of thing just sickens me. You are right the fight SHOULD be for STATES rights and once again the feds are stomping all over our civil rights. Thanks for posting it good job. :thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by denial102

Yes my friend this reminds me of supposed democratic and fair elections and an age old saying "if the lawyers ask the wrong questions how can we give the right answer?" - or "if all candidates are bad, how can we choose a good one?"

It's, such a shame :-( It really does seem to be about money money money.

Money breaks peoples sense of morality.

In a world where political parties discriminate against eachother, the supposed law makers and legislators, it is no surprise that law does the same thing accross the country.

The fathers would be sad to see things this way, in my opinion of course :-)



Peace,
Denial

---

Yeah it's pretty sick, especially when you consider how much money Ronnie just gave to activists and their groups, how much FREE medicine he just gave away. Where are these people now, they are worried about where they will get weed. You really find out who your friends are when something like this happens.:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 8182KSKUSH

Absolutely!!!
This is the reason they are NOT arresting or charging owners in LA, because they know that in LA they will likely lose in a trial, they are gambling in Riverside County that they won't. I hope they are wrong, I hope people do the right thing in his trial and use common sense, however, I don't see how it will happen. Not being able to raise the Medical Marijuana Defense is tough, and the charges are going to be very easy to prove, what is really sad, the DEA could have just knocked on his door and talked to him and explained why they were there and what they wanted and he would have been very compliant. Instead they chose gustapo tactics. Despite this, Ronnie like myself is still a patriot, supports America, loves his country.:thumbsup: I believe he is a true hero.:)

---

I'm merely a patriot in the sense, of if my country was being invaded by a foreign country, I would join the armed forces immediately and defend my country.

However, the war that our government is waging on people who simply want their lives to go by every day, without suffering or being in pain makes me hate this country with a passion. Screw the constitution, we don't need it anyways! This country is fucking wack, where a person can do everything right, except for smoke marijuana and even if it improves their quality of life they're still a criminal. That is the worst injustice anyone could do to anybody, and the government is doing it to hundreds of thousands of individuals trying to make themselves feel better. I have no respect for the federal government. NONE.(period)

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." that definitely doesn't mean jack shit for shit anymore.

Location, location.....I used to live in Norco and my hubby in Corona. Neither being a good city to introduce something like mmj to the redneck crowd.....at least when I lived there 10 years ago.

Mark...yep this country has problems.....lots. But mj not being legal doesn't make us quite the insane monster you make us out to be imo.. How many countries is mj legal in vs not? And most countries laws are a LOT rougher than ours are in regards to sellng and using drugs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Weedhound

Location, location.....I used to live in Norco and my hubby in Corona. Neither being a good city to introduce something like mmj to the redneck crowd.....at least when I lived there 10 years ago.

Mark...yep this country has problems.....lots. But mj not being legal doesn't make us quite the insane monster you make us out to be imo.. How many countries is mj legal in vs not? And most countries laws are a LOT rougher than ours are in regards to sellng and using drugs.

---

I don't know, I'd say the US has one of the most punishing war on drugs...definitely unneeded casualties..

You wanna know the funny thing is I'll just about guarantee you if the US changed drug policy so would the rest of the world.

Efforts to curb citizens' drug use have existed almost as long as drugs have been used. One of the earliest recorded drug laws comes from 17th century Russia where Czar Michael Federovitch ruled that anyone caught with tobacco should be tortured until he gave up the name of the supplier. In more recent times, most countries around the world have established national drug policies. Between 1989 and 1999, official national drug policies were introduced in 66 countries and a further 41 countries were developing national drug policies or had developed such a policy more than 10 years previously.

Along with the rise in worldwide communication and trade, the use, manufacture and sale of drugs has become a global issue. United Nations work to establish an international system of drug control in which countries are obliged to criminalize all non-medical use, manufacture and sale of drugs. The US also pushes for international cooperation and direct action against drug production and trafficking. Yet illicit drugs play a major role in economies around the world and drug use continues to rise.
Treatment availability and policy focused on demand reduction rather than supply reduction is a growing trend in national drug policy, especially since intravenous drug users are at high risk of HIV/AIDS infection, however, criminal enforcement remains the central theme in world drug policy.

we started it, then we push for international cooperation..

And if you can see where I'm coming from, under the principle of federalism, the federal government should have no right to regulate drugs, because it's not listed in the constitution.

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

I don't see anything whatsoever about marijuana in the constitution, let alone other drugs...it shouldn't be their business. Maybe being in a non-medical state and going to jail and facing punishment for having merely a gram fuels my hatred for the way this country treats me a bit more than yours, weedhound?? In a state I might add, that a medical defense isn't even accepted as grounds for acquittal.

Our dis compassionate and idiotic government ran by big corporations, such as big pharmacy is the only reason marijuana isn't legal for medical benefit, and that the only place that can legally grow it in America is a DEA farm. They don't even care to let us know what this plant can do, because you can't charge $10 a dose. They're willing to punish me or force me to suffer, just because they can't make the money off of it. That's utter bullshit. That is why I dislike America.

I love you Mark. :thumbsup:

Tried to rep you but couldn't so must have done it recently. I see what you are saying and you are absolutely right in alot of ways. The states have their own laws and SHOULD....but somewhere there has to be the majority if all the states are going to live together as one country.

Sure this country is backwards in alot of ways......too many to count to be honest....but I'd still rather be here than any other country out there.

At least here in our country laws can be changed if folks like you are passionate enough, work hard enough and can convince enough of the majority to make that change. There are quite a few others places out there that don't have that option.

They're sitting on this guy because he didn't go down quietly. And....while I usually dismiss the racial aspect....in THIS case (having lived in that area) I think there may very well be a touch of truth to it.

I'll be cheering for this guy. Keep us updated. ;)

Riverside county is strongly against marijuana.... I live in riverside.. we gave it the name REFFERSIDE. So many people get busted for marijuana its rediculous.. just a few nights ago my friend got cought with 20 grams.. but they said he had 36 grams (guess they weighed all of his baggies). Since he had over 5 bags he got "intent to sell" He went to jail over night til his dad bailed him out for 6k & he's left with a felony on his record.
There has been so many raids lately.. tons of clinics and friends.

All in all riverside county is infested with cops!! And i'm sure if theres any statistics on county drug busts riverside county is at the top.

And when u fight against the federal government.. u wont win... they'll profit off u going to jail.

Wouldn't it be easy for them to stack the jury in Fed favor?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Weedhound

They're sitting on this guy because he didn't go down quietly. And....while I usually dismiss the racial aspect....in THIS case (having lived in that area) I think there may very well be a touch of truth to it.

I'll be cheering for this guy. Keep us updated. ;)

---

You know, he had mentioned that it may be the skin color issue, I really don't think that's it though. I think it had waaay more to do with the fact that the city of Corona really had a political agenda against him after they lost their first court case trying to revoke the business license that they had issued him.

Really interesting to note, the city of Corona has never in it's history denied renewal of a business license. Ronnie was scheduled to appear before the city to renew his business license the day after the raids happened. OOOPs, guess what, he couldn't make it sense he was sitting in a federal cell. Coincidence??? Probably not, since he could not appear, the city did not have to renew the license, and since his license expired the day of the raids, technically, he was operating without a business license. Also the city did not have to make a decision that may have angered people on either side of the issue. They didn't deny or renew it, so they get off scott free and don't have to be accountable to any of their citizens because, "It was out of there hands, Ronnie just didn't show up, oh well, no license I guess". What a chicken shit way to go about that. Least they could of had the balls to deny him, not let the fed be a scapegoat. What's even worse, the gutless wonders of the city council, all were very chumy with Ronnie, except for 1 douche bag, but at least he had the balls to do what he believed instead of smiling to his face and then stabbing him in the back. He knew all of them on a personal basis, they had nothing but positive things to say about him, until he was sitting in a federal cell. Then they acted like they never even met him. What cowards.:mad:

Let me put it this way.....i doubt the color of his skin is a plus in Corona CA. ;)(again....speaking from 10 years ago......)

I was watching a video someone posted on here yesterday about how drug task forces have no funding so they are completely funded by seizures from busts. I watched the pigs take $55 for a man that was smoking crack in an alley, and then they put him in jail and prosecuted him. What that man needs is help for his drug addiction, not to be robbed and locked up by the same people that are supposed to "serve and protect."

This kind of shit needs to end. What good is voting if it doesn't change anything? States that vote to legalize marijuana, whether for medical or personal use, still hold no weight? Since when!? The problem is the that people are afraid of the government, rather than the other way around. Either that, or people just don't know, or maybe they just don't care, but something is definitely wrong here.

People need to learn that marijuana was made illegal because of racism and mexican immigration in order to keep the mexican immigrants under control. Now, the War on Drugs has turned into a war on poor people. Until 1940, marijuana was listed in the pharmacopia as a legitimate medicine. Then, Harry Anslinger used marijuana to keep the Mexicans and blacks under control and demonized marijuana use. Since then, we have learned a lot about the realities of the plant.

Marijuana is a relatively harmless drug. Its technically not even a drug, its an herb that grows from the ground naturally, even without human interaction. True, some people may become addicted to marijuana, but it is less likely than getting addicted to drinking pop every day, which is actually worse for you than smoking weed! We need to legalize marijuana, regulate, and tax it in the same way as alcohol, and then use some of the money gained from taxing it to pay for drug addictions for REAL drugs that are a detriment to society. I know I'm preaching to the choir here but it seems like the people that know all the shit I'm talking about are the people that aren't speaking up! This needs to change if anything is ever going to be different. There is really no way you can rationally argue against marijuana when things like alcohol and tobacco are legal and killing hundreds of thousands of people annually while marijuana's death toll is still at zero since the beginning of recorded history. Drug abuse and addiction is a very real thing, but people with drug addictions don't need to go to jail, they need to get medical help for their problems. Taxing it and regulating it could easily pay for that help, among other things.

I think everyone that visits this board NEEDS to speak up! I'm not saying put on your marijuana shirt and go post flyers about the positive aspects of marijuana and start a cold call campaign, but when the topic comes up, inform people! Also, no one wants to listen to some kid in a tie-dyed shirt hitting a bong and waving the finger screaming "LEGALIZE IT!" We need to stay rational, informed, professional, eloquent, and most of all, strong. Don't back down or accept anything but the truth.

Until all that happens, expect more shit like this.

:stoned:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Weedhound

Let me put it this way.....i doubt the color of his skin is a plus in Corona CA. ;)(again....speaking from 10 years ago......)

---

You are probably right, I just hate to think that is true.:mad:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dejayou30

I was watching a video someone posted on here yesterday about how drug task forces have no funding so they are completely funded by seizures from busts. I watched the pigs take $55 for a man that was smoking crack in an alley, and then they put him in jail and prosecuted him. What that man needs is help for his drug addiction, not to be robbed and locked up by the same people that are supposed to "serve and protect."
:stoned:

---

Serve and protect seems reserved only for the innocent. heh. Before someone says.. no I don't believe that makes a country great. ;-)

It's good to finally see this thread has got some attention :thumbsup:

Just so it's clear, I don't think 8182kush's friend has done any wrong whatsoever. I think he is innocent, and in the very least it is his governments job to protect his freedoms until found guilty in a court of law.

Peace,
denial

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by denial102

Serve and protect seems reserved only for the innocent. heh. Before someone says.. no I don't believe that makes a country great. ;-)

It's good to finally see this thread has got some attention :thumbsup:

Just so it's clear, I don't think 8182kush's friend has done any wrong whatsoever. I think he is innocent, and in the very least it is his governments job to protect his freedoms until found guilty in a court of law.

Peace,
denial

---

Thanks for the support, and thanks to everyone here at Cannabis.com, I know in the political section I am kind of a dick, but really like someone else has said, "the tie dye hippie, government hating, stereotype that has plagued people that have our intrests has done nothing but hurt this movement." I am really happy that this thread is getting some attention, even if it only serves to tell a story, it's worthwhile for anyone involved to read. I almost think that if he was targeted to an extent because he was a threat. He is a man that does not fit the stereotypes, succesful, black, REPUBLICAN, conservative, church going, civics minded, formerly the owner of 2 other businesses that he started years before the clinic. I doubt the fed wants people to think that you could be all these things and use marijuana. He contradicted everything that the fed says about people involved with marijuana. Please, help after you read this, tell 4 or 5 people you know, the more that know the better!:thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by llama shack

Wouldn't it be easy for them to stack the jury in Fed favor?

---

Maybe in Riverside County, not in L.A..

Well, maybe he's not saying "go put on your marijuana shirt", I SAY GO PUT ON YOUR MARIJUANA SHIRT, AND CAP. We ended the WAR in Nam because we made our feelings known. I'm getting tired of fighting this WAR so politely. One thing you ALL need to remember, VOTE VOTE VOTE. Get registered, you only have to do it once, you get a new card every year for the rest of your life. GET OFF OF YOUR FAT LAZY STONER ASSES AND VOTE VOTE VOTE

Even if this crime was not racially motivated, playing the race card may perhaps be Ronnie's last hope of getting some justice out of this. Obviously the Fed does not give a shit that he is the model citizen, the succesful American dream.

Unfortunately the Constitution has this fool clause that whenever a state law conflicts with a federal one, the federal law is supreme. Because of this, MMJ states will never be safe. Even if these type of cases make it to the supreme court, there is little hope of interpreting that clause any different, as it is pretty much cut and dry. Unless the fed changes their law, cannabis is technically illegal everywhere.

This is so fucking sad.

Fuck regulating and taxing weed, it is a damn plant. It was here before we were. How can we make judgement on this superior elder?

Just let the shit grow and allow the free market to take over, no regulations or import or other special taxes. I don't get taxed on the fucking apple trees I planted in my front yard. And the only tax I pay on the apples I buy at Wal-Mart is sales tax.

So yea, they can sales tax weed for people buying it in stores. But if I want to buy an apple from a friend, I don't have to pay tax, so why should I if I buy weed off the street?

No regulation would also lower prices. Dealers would have to figure out how high their shit was priced before people just said screw it, I'll grow and the dealers couldn't sell for any more like they do now, as many are too scared to grow.

All of us need to meet out there in Riverside and blaze that shit up and protest like all the big protests for John Sinclair back in the day...

FREE RONNIE signs and everything.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by melodious fellow

Even if this crime was not racially motivated, playing the race card may perhaps be Ronnie's last hope of getting some justice out of this. Obviously the Fed does not give a shit that he is the model citizen, the succesful American dream.

Unfortunately the Constitution has this fool clause that whenever a state law conflicts with a federal one, the federal law is supreme. Because of this, MMJ states will never be safe. Even if these type of cases make it to the supreme court, there is little hope of interpreting that clause any different, as it is pretty much cut and dry. Unless the fed changes their law, cannabis is technically illegal everywhere.

This is so fucking sad.

---

I think you make a great point. I don't know how or even race will play, or if it will be remotely an issue, I suspect not.
You are so right about the "fool clause". It is shitty, Ronnie was very naive, he really thought that they fed would focus on the more unscrupulous clinics, and didn't take into account that they would go after "low hanging fruit". The really fucked up part is that there are "some" very shady places that do things that the vast majority of this community as well as any "law abiding" citizen would oppose, and they actually have a better chance of sustaining in the short term because they are more underground or under the radar if you will. Some don't even bother filing proper licenses, what have you. It's pretty damn easy to track you down when your name is on the business license issued by the city government, or seller's permit from the county, or whatever. Like I said, he had 2 OTHER legit businesses that he was running years before this even was a thought, so when he went to set this clinic up, (because no matter what you think it is a business) he did it by the book. This makes you low hanging fruit. If you are involved in money laundering, other illicit sales, then you likely aren't going to be as easy to track down, hence those operators continue to conduct their business. Yeah it's good because people can still get relief for what they need, but long term it will destroy the MMJ movement from the inside out, once all the low hanging fruit is gone, what will you be left with, the rotten fruit that fell on the ground.:( There will come a time while trapped in this "false MMJ Debate" that the fed will say "ok, everyone involved is .....insert bad things here......" And proponents on our side won't have good examples left.That is check mate for marijuana prohibition, (this mind you is all just my dillusional and paranoid opinion.) This in the long term will lead to patients again, not having "safe access" as well as anyone else that would choose to use marijuana. I think that the public in general has been baited and trapped into the "medical marijuana" argument, and unless we change gears, any percieved progress will be lost and it will be 1981 by 2012.:(

Now sure there will always be a handful of people that will continue to carry more than their fair share in providing for others, but in general, the perception will soon be that it is generally "bad guys" that are involved with marijuana. Kind of like how you never hear stories about how citizens carrying firearms come to the rescue and save lives, but you hear stories about Billy shooting himself in the teeth with Daddy's gun. I think it is this way to a certian extent all ready. It is sad.
If that sounded confusing then just hit whatever you have close and read it again, that post may require a translator.:D:stoned:

Thats the price you pay for having a high profile life that revolves around cannabis.

Unfortunetly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beefer86

Thats the price you pay for having a high profile life that revolves around cannabis.

Unfortunetly.

---

I wouldn't say he was "high profile" just because he was young and black and had a nice home and a nice car. He wasn't traveling the world or cruisin around in a Ferrari. He had the home that he is still in prior to starting the clinic. He didn't go buy a mansion or hide money in off shore accounts. But he always knew there were risks involved, he of all people doesn't blame America, nor the government, it's not like the law hasn't been what it is forever, but he is going to fight none the less, because he does not believe he did anything wrong.:cool:

some serious shit has to go down in the courts to change the federal governments outlook on the whole medical marijuana issue. i think there main thing is people are kicking back growing and selling weed getting rich as it is so easy for anybody in the state to obtain a medical card as long as they have a "justifiable" reason. i believe there are too many flaws with the current law as far as obtaining and the people who are opening the clinics. i saw that clip on 60 minutes i believe with that one rapper from the bay who claimed to be a legitimate business man, but in his videos he was protrayed as a drug dealing gangster.. theres too much to debate about with this issue, dont get me wrong im all for the legalization i just think people are going to continue to get fucked by the feds as they keep opening and selling to the public. i honestly dont see anything positive happening until somebody gets into office that is for medical marijuana, but then again whoever is pro cannabis is already frowned upon regardless.. we shall just have to see and try to push legalization nation wide. get up stand up for your rightz.:rastasmoke:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beefer86

Thats the price you pay for having a high profile life that revolves around cannabis.

Unfortunetly.

---

that's not a joke is it? The guy has done nothing wrong. The state permits MMJ; you say it's the price he pays? If anything it's the price WE pay for state law contradicting federal law, that's confusing. That's a "trap", most certainly thats not fair.


my 2 cents
Peace,
Denial

aye 8182KSKUSH i dident know where to tell you this so ill put this here im not taking this personal u must have misunderstood me but thanks for the negative rep for nothing but anyways what i was saying is in PERSON like face to face i tend to take things more personally not on the fourms no hard feelings man good talking with ya tho usually the things in person i get really angry is about the legality of marijuana and we see eye to eye on that so its all good bro

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by O. G. ganja smoker

aye 8182KSKUSH i dident know where to tell you this so ill put this here im not taking this personal u must have misunderstood me but thanks for the negative rep for nothing but anyways what i was saying is in PERSON like face to face i tend to take things more personally not on the fourms no hard feelings man good talking with ya tho usually the things in person i get really angry is about the legality of marijuana and we see eye to eye on that so its all good bro

---

Sorry, I completely took what you were saying the wrong way. My mind must have still been in combat mode from ol' blue. I thought you meant it in a menacing way like, "he he wait till I see you in person", I am an idiot. I do tend to get a little carried away in the political forum.:stoned:
P.S. ( When I started back there I was :stoned: too but like you sober by the time it was all over.:D)

Well things are looking better everyday.
Ronnie is on track to raising the money needed to pay for a real legal team as opposed to the public pretender, so that's good!

Apparently most of the former employees were released from their subpenas (sp) which I don't know, but might be a good sign. Hopefully the fed will see that they are going to have a fight on their hands after all and will motion to dismiss the case, but we'll see. He isn't due back in court until May, which was supposed to be Feb, but it got pushed back. Hopefully things will pan out for Ronnie. I will keep this thread updated. Thanks again to ALL the people that have taken the time to learn about this case and what has happened. Please continue to spread meaningful conversation about this and other cases, you never know who will be serving on a jury, and you never know whom you may impact from your own conversations. Thanks again!

any updates?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flyingimam

any updates?

---

Nothing to speak of, Ronnie is just waiting to go to trial, sometime in Oct. He really is very optomistic in the face of everything.
Thank you for asking!!
As soon as anything happens or changes I will absolutely be posting updated information!:)

Here's a really good page make everyone remember why they are here smoking pot as opposed to ..........well being dead.

Legality of cannabis :Use of capital punishment against the cannabis trade

sure our country sucks, but it sucks at the very top of sucking. Instead of sucking at the bottom .......

I feel for anyone subject to the retardation that is our federal gov.

I have friends in Europe who have warned me of where and where not to be caught, assuming your going to be there, doing something.

Because maybe you'll never get of jail, or maybe just executed.
We can't have good relations with every country you know.

But I wont point any fingers at who is to blame.

But that still doesn't cut it, this America, Land of the Free, Home of the Brave........ yet I feel very afraid. Something is wrong here, when will justice take a hint from lady liberty and remove the blind fold that blocks the view that is America.

I am an American, and like most American's I smoke MaryJane. As my right as a private citizen.

Or so I wish it :wtf: