Today's action item is a "Thank You" note to Charles Lynch's lawyers. They worked (and continue to work) very hard on this case. They seem like great guys. They have good temperaments and senses of humor. I mean they numbered the SB420 bill as defense exhibit 420. And they even wondered if the audience members got the cannabis reference. I could see myself medicating with these are guys. God bless them for their work.

They are Reuven Cohen, John Littrell, Mike Tanaka, and Guy Iverson and can be reached at:
Federal Public Defender
321 East 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012-4702


I'm sending them each beautiful cards.

[sandyacres]

Pardon my ignorance, Herbalicious, but Mr. Lynch was defended by attorneys from the public defender's office? I am a little surprised that there isn't a California Medical Marijuana Legal Defense Fund (or something like that) established for such exemplary cases as Mr. Lynch.

By the way, I don't discount or discredit the attorneys from the public defender's office. I'm sure they did "top shelf" work.

I'm just curious about the existence of a legal defense fund for these folks.

Peace and Love to all.

That's a good question and I don't have the answer. I'll check with Don Duncan & others and see if they know.

[Justonevoice]

Originally Posted by sandyacres

Pardon my ignorance, Herbalicious, but Mr. Lynch was defended by attorneys from the public defender's office? I am a little surprised that there isn't a California Medical Marijuana Legal Defense Fund (or something like that) established for such exemplary cases as Mr. Lynch.

By the way, I don't discount or discredit the attorneys from the public defender's office. I'm sure they did "top shelf" work.

I'm just curious about the existence of a legal defense fund for these folks.

Peace and Love to all.

Unfortunetly not. There is the Union of Medical Marijuana Providers which has a plan (that you contribute to monthly) that allows for consultation and discounted legal assistance. However there is no fund for us providers.

[sandyacres]

Originally Posted by Justonevoice

However there is no fund for us providers.

Unbelievable.

Originally Posted by sandyacres

Unbelievable.

If the law was change we would need such a fund. Laws change in Congress. Let your Senators and Rep's offices know how you feel about the subject. Tell them to support John Conyers Letter to the DEA asking for oversight.

[resipsa]

Actually, unless you're in a position to purchase a top shelf federal criminal defense attorney, having a federal public defender represent you is not a bad idea.

A huge amount of the advantage is that these people are in the federal courts every day, they know the judges, they know what's probably going to be on the table and they have working relationships with the prosecution.

Since you're not going to "win" (everything you did to provide safe access is illegal at the federal level) having someone who really knows how to negotiate everything down to the lowest possible sentence is helpful.

Private attorneys, on the other hand, particularly if they have little federal experience, may not fare as well, particularly if past performances have not endeared them to the judge or the opposing side.

Because ALL prisoners facing jail time who are indigent may have a public defender it's sort of short circuited any efforts to establish funds for the indigent.

I go back and forth about this, in the end I think it might be wiser to spend the money on changing federal law. If done correctly this would free EVERYONE not just one MM provider facing incarceration.

It would also make it impossible for the federal government to continue imprisoning patients.

Originally Posted by resipsa

I go back and forth about this, in the end I think it might be wiser to spend the money on changing federal law. If done correctly this would free EVERYONE not just one MM provider facing incarceration.

It would also make it impossible for the federal government to continue imprisoning patients.

and Hallelujah. Let's change the law!

I'm mailing my thank-you cards today.

[HairyKushna]

Originally Posted by Herbalicious

I'm mailing my thank-you cards today.

thanks herbie for stayign on top of things.. i cant check the daily updates.. but i have the BIG days marked on my calendars..

this sun.. is the movies still on?

and 10/6 is colored GREEN in my calendar:)











GREEN OUT