Professor questions US monopoly on growing marijuana

[Anonymous]

Professor questions U.S. marijuana monopoly
Associated Press

WASHINGTON ? Put this in your pipe and smoke it: A University of Massachusetts professor says the medical marijuana grown by the federal government isn't very good. He wants a permit to cultivate his own pot, saying it will be better for research.


Lyle Craker, a horticulturist who heads the school's medicinal plant program, is challenging the government's 36-year-old monopoly on research marijuana. Craker's suit claims government-grown marijuana lacks the potency medical researchers need to make important breakthroughs.

"The government's marijuana just isn't strong enough," said Richard Doblin, a Craker supporter who heads the Massachusetts-based Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.

A hearing before a federal administrative judge at the Drug Enforcement Administration got under way Monday and is expected to last all week.

Craker's suit also alleges there isn't enough of the drug freely available for scientists across the country to work with.

The DEA contends that permitting other marijuana growers would lead to greater illegal use of the drug. They have also said that international treaties limit the United States to one marijuana production facility.

A lab at the University of Mississippi is the government's only marijuana growing facility.

DEA attorneys defended the government's marijuana, contending its Mississippi growing center provides adequate quality and quantity for legitimate researchers across the country.

"Whatever material is needed could be provided under (the) process that is already in place," said Mahmoud ElSohly, a research professor who runs the cultivation program at the school for government agencies, including a 1,200-square-foot "growing room."

The government's official stockpile at the facility is about a metric ton, he estimated.

"We have quite a bit of inventory," ElSohly said.

Most of it is stored in bulk in barrels lined with federally approved plastic bags.

The most powerful marijuana is stored in a walk-in freezer, part of the facility's storage vault, to maintain its potency.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse oversees the Mississippi facility.

Craker, who has been fighting the government for four years, did not attend the hearing. Doblin, whose group hopes to fund Craker's marijuana growing, said they have confidence in their case, which has the support of nearly 40 members of Congress, including Massachusetts Sens. John Kerry and Edward Kennedy.

"How do you defend the government's case against the public interest that there needs to be more research?" said Doblin, whose group aims to expand medical research on psychedelic drugs, including so-called "Ecstasy" or MDMA. Doblin said he believes there is great promise in the use of "vaporized" marijuana as a health aid.

There was a moment of levity in the DEA hearing room when ElSohly was explaining how the marijuana is sometimes rolled into cigarette form, asking the judge if she understood what he meant.

"I have no idea," replied DEA Administrative Law Judge Mary Ellen Bittner with a smile.

Both sides expect that a decision in the case is months away.

[try another castle]

In California, private growers are allowed to cultivate medical marijuana if they have a license. Marijuana clubs are also allowed to import from Canada, I believe. Or at least that was the case when I belonged to a club. I'm pretty sure I bought some Canadian Indica from those guys a few times.

In addition, people who belong to a club and are state approved for medical marijuana are allowed to have up to six female plants at their residence.

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[ This Message was edited by: sorry... try another castle on 2006-01-14 19:03 ]

[Antigen]

Yeah, that's so. However, the little Nazi tin gods still haven't got the message; at least some of them have not.

AGENTS RAID 13 MEDICAL POT DISPENSARIES IN S.D.  COUNTY

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1949/a06.html

This time, no pretend drug kingpins. Just yer good old fashioned, garden variety good ol'e boy harassment.

Law enforcement officials said the warrants were signed by a federal judge after undercover agents purchased marijuana without the paperwork required under state law, said Jack Hook, the DEA's acting special agent in charge.  

They were chust checkink to see zat zee paper werk waz in orter, you see. Please, Herr Hippy, you must understand...

"The bottom line is the prices that these people are charging is three to four times higher than you buy from a seedy drug dealer in a back alley," Hook said.  "These people are not helping the medically infirm.  They're out to make money."

"Hook said the task force had identified 29 dispensaries operating across San Diego County in recent months.  Of those, 16 went out of business during the investigation. "

No shit, shirlock! So long as trade in this business incurs a real threat of having a SWAT team show up, guns drawn, to cuff, sniff and beat down owners, employees and customers, the prices will remain sky high. Who the fuck would put up w/ that shit for less than a couple hundred grand a year?

But worse? Worst of all! It breaks my heart just a little more every time I see good Americans act like it's a crime to make a living. No kidding, they're doing it for the money. What made you jack-booted dunderheads get up this morning and put on your bullet proof vests? Altruism? Gimme a fuckin break! If you're doing this and you think it makes you some kind of hero? You're beyond stupid!  :roll:

According to Hook, the dispensaries pose a serious risk to public safety.  Several storefronts have been targeted by thieves because there are large amounts of drugs and money inside, he said.

Well now! We can't have people making money and tempting thieves like this, can we? Next thing ya know, people will be putting their money in banks, tempting poor innocent others to rob them! God, who writes this shit, anyway, Tom Cruise??

Even though investigators plan to scrutinize the patient records seized yesterday, the DEA said medical marijuana users are not targets of the ongoing investigation.  

Oh well then, carry on, carry on! We know you guys are above reproach and would never violate a trust of any kind. Never mind that Rodney King character. Wasn't he a petty thief anyway before he made himself a celebrity by provoking goot officers to violence and then shamelessly promoting it? We love you, we trust you, we know you won't abuse the authority given you, ever, cuz yer cops. Just like Tom Coleman, Texas Lawman of the Year.  :tup:

I don't think we're here for anything, we're just products of evolution. You can say 'Gee, your life must be pretty bleak if you don't think there's a purpose' but I'm anticipating a good lunch.
--Dr. James Watson, American biologist

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Drug war POW
Straight, Sarasota
`80 - `82

[Anonymous]

The government will not allow this becaues it would finally prove medicinal marijuana DOES have benefits and NO ill effects. They test 'street quality' mexi shit, with a THC level of no more than 5%. Today's medical marijuana standards are 20%+.

[Antigen]

The Government only has such power as we give them. There's a hole in this dyke. And the little Dutch boy is still sore from the last time he got a bright idea about what to do about it.

Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet.
--Napoleon Bonaparte, French emperor