Federal Courts

Judge to Hear Medical Marijuana Case Against Wal-Mart

A federal judge on will hear arguments in the lawsuit on behalf of Joseph Casias, a 30-year-old cancer patient who lost his job after a routine drug screen found he had used medical marijuana. Casias was registered in Michigan to use it to treat pain.

Obamacare and the War on Drugs

Some conservatives outraged by Obamacareâs individual mandate had helped pave the way for it through drug prohibition policies. The Justice Department is defending Obamacare by asserting that a 2005 Supreme Court case about medical marijuana, Gonzales v. Raich, permits such a broad reading of the Commerce Clause that the federal government can tell individual citizens that they have to buy health insurance.

Fry, Schafer, and family at 2007 demonstration. (Image courtesy Indybay.org)

Dr. Mollie Fry's Medical Marijuana Conviction Upheld

The federal persecution of California medical marijuana providers continues. Now, upon losing an appeal, Dr. Mollie Fry and partner Dale Schafer are most likely headed for federal prison.

Senior US Appeals Court Judge Says Drug War 'Lost,' Country Should Try Legalizing Marijuana

U.S. federal appeals court judge Judge Juan Torruella says the United States should consider legalizing marijuana and perhaps other drugs as it is a better way to reduce drug abuse and crime.

Judge: State Medical Marijuana Law No Defense for Drug Charges

A Colorado medical marijuana grower trying a first-in-the-nation drug defense based on Obama administration memos about medical marijuana saw his case take a serious blow Wednesday when a federal judge felled the effort. Christopher Bartkowicz wanted to argue he shouldn't face federal marijuana cultivation charges because he started his basement medical marijuana growing business after seeing memos from Department of Justice officials indicating the U.S. government wouldn't pursue medical marijuana cases in states that allow it. But U.S. District Judge Philip A. Brimmer sided with federal prosecutors who argued the memos aren't the same as making medical marijuana legal under federal law.

Court Blames DEA Agentâs Road Rage in 2003 Beating

When Barron Bowling wouldnât let a car pass him from the right seven years ago, it sparked road rage that left him beaten and lying on blistering pavement. Bowlingâs attacker turned out to be federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent Timothy McCue, who was in an unmarked car with two colleagues.

T-Mobile Hit With Lawsuit for Blocking Marijuana Texts

T-Mobile "did not approve" of a company called EZ Texting, which does business with a website, WeedMaps.com, that provides information on the location of legal medical marijuana dispensaries in California. Today, EZ Texting sued T-Mobile in the U.S. District Court in New York City. EZ Texting says that on Sept. 10th, T-Mobile began "unlawful blocking" of its 313131 text service, which it offers to business and non-profits to help get their message to the public.

PROTEST (9/22): No Life in Prison for Medical Marijuana! (Action Alert)

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Sensible Colorado - working for an effective drug policy

Life in Prison for Growing Medical Marijuana?

Not in Colorado!

Dear MMJ Supporters,

Colorado caregiver Christopher Bartkowicz is facing life in federal prison for growing medicine for sick Colorado patients. We need your help in bringing attention to this government supported atrocity. Join us on Wednesday, September 22 at 8am as we rally at the Federal Courthouse in Denver. Then make your way inside to show support as Bartkowicz’s attorney makes the most important arguments of the case-- whether all charges should be dismissed because Bartkowicz was following Colorado law. Concurrently, the US Attorney will argue Bartkowicz should be prohibited from even mentioning the words “medical marijuana” at his jury trial scheduled for November 1st, 2010.

This is a crucial day for medical marijuana in Colorado, and we need your support to tell the feds we will not stand by as they attempt to destroy Colorado’s medical marijuana community!

WHAT: Protest to support Chris Bartkowicz and Colorado Medical Marijuana Patients

WHEN: Wednesday, September 22nd, 8:00-9:30am
WHERE: Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse (west entrance), 901 19th Street, Denver, Colorado 80294. MAP
WHY: No one should be sent to jail for growing legal medical marijuana.
WHAT TO BRING: Signs, water bottles, noise making devices

**Want to help Sensible Colorado continue fighting for sane marijuana policies? Donate Today!

Sensible Colorado | PO Box 18768 | Denver CO 80218

Lawsuit Filed in Camden Police Drug Planting Scheme

Drug prohibition has long been corrupting law enforcement in many ways. Now, the ACLU has taken Camden County and New Jersey officials to federal court on behalf of a man who spent more than a year in jail on drug charges, which were dismissed after the cops who arrested him were charged with planting evidence on him and many others.

Drug Raid: Oregon Utility Official Files Excessive Force Suit

An Oregon utility official, Eugene Water & Electric Board Commissioner JoAnn Ernst, has filed a federal lawsuit claiming that Eugene police used excessive force and violated her civil rights during a 2009 drug raid. The lawsuit claims the family was traumatized by "black-clad officers in riot gear screaming orders" and says Ernst's daughters are still afraid to sleep in their room.

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