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SuperD
Cacti junky



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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: Simisu]
#12980828 - 07/31/10 11:57 AM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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I was just kidding about the chopper thing. Though I wouldn't put it past them to waste taxpayer money doing so. It was a joke, but not something I'd be surprised about if it actually occurred.
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   D Manoa said: I need to stop spending all my money on plants and take up a cheaper hobby, like heroin. Looking for Rauhocereus riosaniensis seeds or live specimen(s), me if you have any for trade
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Sparkey_STi
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: Simisu]
#12980883 - 07/31/10 12:17 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Simisu said:
i'll ask again,
anyone know what happened in the end of this story or is it still in court or what?
Lol... Obv you didnt read this story very well. He had his face, name, and approximate location. You could have walked his street (they had it on camera) and found this guy. He couldnt have given much more about him out...
And read the second to last few pages it covers whats been going on.. Veggies had like 4 updates on the guy in here.
And P.S. - Look around google for "Cops get busted fake grow". Cops did just about what you were describing... only to walk into a camera with some pine trees growing... yea; they fucked that one up big time. I doubt they would do somethin like that again...
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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 17,504
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: Simisu]
#13079124 - 08/20/10 03:17 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Bartkowcz may not be able to use state medical marijuana laws in his defense August 20, 2010 - Westword
Chris Bartkowicz, the medical marijuana grower busted by the Drug Enforcement Administration in February after an on-camera interview with 9News, is hoping that a gaffe by the Associated Press isn't a foretelling of the future.
The online article, an update of an earlier piece that was picked up by several media outlets, including yesterday's Denver Post, incorrectly said that federal prosecutors had decided to not allow Bartkowicz to use state medical marijuana laws in his defense. Actually, prosecutors filed a motion on Tuesday that could limit Bartkowicz's defense, but Judge Phillip Brimmer has not yet made a ruling on it. Below is the text of the inaccurate AP story:
Quote:
DENVER -- A Colorado pot grower facing federal drug charges after he bragged about his marijuana business to a TV station won't be allowed to use the state's medical marijuana law in his defense. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer has sided with federal prosecutors in their case against Chris Bartkowicz (BART-ko-wits). Federal drug authorities raided Bartkowicz's suburban Denver home and he was indicted in May with a federal charge of cultivating marijuana. Bartkowicz says he was following state medical marijuana rules. Federal prosecutors said Bartkowicz had more plants than the state permits, but also said state laws on marijuana wouldn't matter in a federal court. Marijuana activists say growers are being targeted by federal authorities despite state laws
If the flawed article, which was pulled off the web yesterday, does come true, Bartkowicz says that his ability to have a fair trial is out the window. "It would be completely crippling to me," he adds. "As far as the feds are concerned, I have no legal ground to stand on. They are trying to separate what they see as the facts from what they see as public opinion."
His defense attorney has pushed for the trial to be dismissed for suppression of evidence, saying that the search and subsequent arrest were illegal to begin with. Bartkowicz also takes issue with the possibility of spending life in prison when suspected local drug kingpin Dan Tang received just an eighteen-month sentence.
Bartkowicz says he feels like he's been living in a "time vortex" waiting for his trial. "I went from having a normal life -- maybe even a bit better than average -- to everything being put on hold," he explains. "I've lost nearly every possession I owned except my clothing."
Ironically, Bartkowicz -- a medical marijuana patient for chronic pain from scoliosis and temporomandibular joint disorder -- says he hasn't been able to use marijuana in months.
For more from Chris Bartkowicz, check out Steve Elliot's interview on Toke of the Town. See Below ↓
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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: veggie]
#13079127 - 08/20/10 03:18 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Interview: Federally Charged Medical Pot Grower Chris Bartkowicz August 19, 2010 - tokeofthetown.com
A Colorado medical marijuana grower facing federal drug charges after he bragged about his cannabis business to a TV station may not be allowed to use the state's medical marijuana law in his defense.
U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer on Thursday morning was asked by federal prosecutors to block the medical marijuana defense in their case against Chris Bartkowicz of Denver, reports The Associated Press.
"The provisions of state law cited in the Government's brief demonstrate the quagmire of Colorado state law and its medical marijuana provisions, and further demonstrates that none of those provisions have relevance to the federal prosecution of the Defendant," said a motion filed Tuesday by prosecutors, reports Felisa Cardona at The Denver Post.
Prosecutors contended that Bartkowicz should not be allowed to use Colorado's medical marijuana laws as a defense, or try to argue that he was singled out or didn't know he would be subject to prosecution.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided Bartkowicz's suburban home in February after he did an interview with local TV station 9News about his marijuana growing operation. He was indicted in May with a federal charge of cultivating marijuana.
Bartkowicz said he was following Colorado's medical marijuana rules.
He faces up to life in prison because he has prior felony convictions.
"So because I have a past I shouldn't be allowed to medicate?" Bartkowicz said to Toke of the Town Thursday morning. "With all the dispensaries operating and the legislators telling us we have the legal right to do this -- why am I the only one on the stand?"
"Hundreds of others are doing bigger grows than I am," Bartkowicz told us. "Plus we, the voters, gave ourselves the right and the 10th Amendment is still in place. So how can this go forward without he jury hearing why I did this?"
"Feds can smear you and a person is left trying to defend themselves with the lies first to be undone," Bartkowicz told Toke of the Town.
"I agree I made a mistake doing the interview," Bartkowicz told us. "But hindsight is 20/20."
"The bigger issue," Bartkowicz said, "is do the taxpayers want to spend millions of dollars locking up a person who was helping sick people and not hurting anyone."
Bartkowicz's defense attorney Joseph Saint-Veltri would not comment on the government's motion until he had a chance to read it.
Saint-Veltri has filed his own motion to dismiss the case, arguing that his client didn't know he was breaking the law because the Justice Department instructed federal prosecutors to use their resources to go after drug traffickers and not medical marijuana users who are complying with state law.
The October 2009 Justice Department memo which instructed federal prosecutors to back off on medical marijuana cases is commonly referred to as the "Holder Memorandum" after Attorney General Eric Holder, who issued the statement.
"The defendant was acting pursuant to Amendment 20 to the Colorado Constitution and the so-called Holder Memorandum," the motion to dismiss says. "The defendant's good faith belief that he was complying with the law, as it was understood by him, should have been submitted to the Grand Jury, especially because, upon best information and belief, this is the first federal prosecution involving Amendment 20."
Saint-Veltri said the amount of prison time Bartkowicz is facing is "cruel and unusual punishment."
"A sentence of 10 years or 20 years or 60 years or, as the government propounds, life imprisonment is not only unconscionable but grotesque," Saint-Veltri wrote.
Federal prosecutors claim he had more plants -- 224 -- than the state permits, but added that state laws on marijuana don't matter anyway in federal court.
"The statement that I was over my plant limit is a lie," Bartkowicz told Toke of the Town. "More media spin by the feds to try and discredit me."
"Two hundred and twenty-four is not right because 105 were clones trying to establish a root system," Bartkowicz told us. "I had that many so that any that didn't make it would not affect the numbers I needed for my next round of veg. So only 119 were root bound, according to their numbers. Seventy of them were less than a foot tall. Only 40 were in bloom, which is right on track with me and my patients' needs."
"Any excess clones, once rooted, were gonna go to one of the dispensaries that I worked with," Bartkowicz said.
Marijuana activists say that medical cannabis growers are being targeted by the DEA despite state laws.
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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 17,504
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: veggie]
#13174803 - 09/10/10 11:10 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Medical-pot grower says DEA agents made him panic September 10, 2010 - Denver Post
Chris Bartkowicz, the Highlands Ranch medical-marijuana grower facing federal drug charges for his basement operation, said Thursday that he was panicked and scared when agents confronted him outside his house.
In the first time he has publicly said more than a few words about his February arrest, Bartkowicz said he was reluctant to talk to the Drug Enforcement Administration agents who would eventually arrest him and hesitant about letting them search his house. But, he said, he ultimately thought he could address their concerns.
"I believed that if I explained to them that I wasn't illegal, that I was compliant with state law, that they would leave," he said.
Bartkowicz's testimony came on the second day of a hearing over motions to throw out statements he made to agents, as well as evidence gathered during the search of his house. Bartkowicz's attorney, Joseph Saint-Veltri, contended that Bartkowicz was coerced into signing forms consenting to the search and waiving his right to remain silent. Saint-Veltri also argued that the agents illegally detained Bartkowicz before his formal arrest.
U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer denied the motions, saying he found no reason to believe Bartkowicz signed the forms against his will. Brimmer, however, did toss out statements Bartkowicz made to investigators before his signing the Miranda rights waiver.
Bartkowicz, who is charged with three felony counts related to marijuana possession and cultivation, was arrested in February after giving an interview to 9News in which he discussed his medical-marijuana growing operation. DEA agents said that interview — plus Bartkowicz's prior criminal record and his house's proximity to an elementary school — led them to target him.
But Saint-Veltri said the 9News story, which agents did little to corroborate before contacting Bartkowicz, wasn't enough to justify Bartkowicz's detention, calling it essentially "an unverified tip." If the agents illegally detained Bartkowicz, Saint-Veltri said, that tainted the rest of their interactions with him.
Assistant U.S. Attorney M.J. Menendez said agents acted properly throughout the investigation and never threatened Bartkowicz or tried to trick him.
Brimmer ruled that the 9News story was sufficiently credible for agents to act upon and noted they did some investigating to make sure they had the right guy before confronting Bartkowicz.
Bartkowicz's trial is scheduled to begin in November. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence.
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SuperD
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: veggie]
#13174864 - 09/10/10 11:32 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence.
FOR WHAT? Growing too many plants?
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   D Manoa said: I need to stop spending all my money on plants and take up a cheaper hobby, like heroin. Looking for Rauhocereus riosaniensis seeds or live specimen(s), me if you have any for trade
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Sparkey_STi
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: SuperD]
#13182643 - 09/12/10 12:08 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Whats that saying again... oh yea... LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS. Sucker gets whats commin to him. Shouldnt be within school distance ether. He did any and everything to get himself fucked like this... The DEA did just their job by making an example of this fool. Learn or suffer the same fate...
its funny - they're trying any and everything to get it tossed out. Even pathetic "Me going on TV and bragging what i made and about how much pot i grew, with VIDEO evidence, isnt credible to bust my dumbass"... how sad.
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SuperD
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: Sparkey_STi]
#13183708 - 09/12/10 09:50 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Make no mistake, he is an idiot for doing what he did. Does that mean he deserves jail time for his 'crime' though?
Let's consider this for a moment: Ham sandwiches are made illegal starting tomorrow. Tomorrow they bust a guy with a cart full of these sandwiches because his dumbass was bragging to the neighborhood how he had stockpiled all these sandwiches before they became illegal. Would you say this guy deserves jail time for possessing the sandwiches?
Just as in the case with the ham sandwiches, it's a silly law to begin with and nobody, no matter how dumb, deserves to be locked up for simply growing or consuming them. But but..he was eating that sandwich within a school zone! It still doesn't justify locking him up.
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   D Manoa said: I need to stop spending all my money on plants and take up a cheaper hobby, like heroin. Looking for Rauhocereus riosaniensis seeds or live specimen(s), me if you have any for trade
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Sparkey_STi
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: SuperD]
#13185073 - 09/12/10 03:03 PM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Why not? This is the problem with MMJ. People think its above the law. Federal law clearly states what you are allowed and not allowed to posess. Those laws have been in act for YEARS - so your ham sammish idea iisnt valid. Cause with that there would be a "Grace period" of getting rid of such illegal items. And if you're stock piling a mess of an item that's going to be illegal, yes... you should go to jail.
Ignorance is no excuse for the law. Federally - Everything he was doing was 100% illegal. So federally, he's fucked. He knows the law, risked going against it, and fucked up. And with state level, the idiot was STILL illegal cause you have to be X miles away from a school, and you can only have X plants. He was breaking both of those! How many laws does a person need to break before you should follow threw with the punishment?
What if this guy were a murderer... or had a meth lab. Then would it be ok? This seems to be the largest confusion on MMJ. While states are allowing it - its still fully illegal. The law is plain as day - DEA is proving it by making perfect examples of this idiot. You're not being punished on what you were doing, but what laws you were breaking. If he cant follow the super easy to follow rules for participating in MMJ, he deserves the fullest extent. He had bought that house for this reason... so he EASILY should have known not to put it that close to a school and such.
Saying "Oh, but its just weed" is like saying "Oh, but its just murder". Breaking the law is breaking the law, Doesnt matter what you're doing breaking the law is illegal. And when you get caught, you just have to deal. Cant or dont wanna do the time... dont do the crime. Just that simple. And if ya hate the laws and such... take you're buisness to another country and have fun or learn to respect the laws.
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SuperD
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: Sparkey_STi]
#13185232 - 09/12/10 03:27 PM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
How many laws does a person need to break before you should follow threw with the punishment?
I think you missed my point entirely with the ham sandwich metaphor. Forget mmj and recreational pot for once. Let's step back and look at the big picture here: This guy is facing a potential life sentence for growing plants. Why does it matter if he broke 1 stupid law, or 100 stupid laws all at once? A stupid law is a stupid law is a stupid law. You can justify spending your tax dollars to lock this guy up for life for growing plants, simply because he broke too many stupid and barbaric nonsensical laws? We'll have to agree to disagree on that. I'd like my tax dollars to be spent on locking people up who have potential to harm me or my loved ones. This guy poses no personal problem to me, nor do his 200 or 2,000 whatever plants.
Again I refer back to the ham sandwich metaphor. Just because a law says something is a criminal offense does not mean it is wrong. There's a world of difference between wrong and illegal. Possessing illegal drugs is illegal but not inherently wrong. Murdering someone is both illegal and inherently wrong. Possessing or eating a ham sandwich should be neither.
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   D Manoa said: I need to stop spending all my money on plants and take up a cheaper hobby, like heroin. Looking for Rauhocereus riosaniensis seeds or live specimen(s), me if you have any for trade
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Sparkey_STi
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: SuperD]
#13185559 - 09/12/10 04:30 PM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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I agree with you... and so does our government to a degree cause sandwiches arent illegal. But when you start factoring in "Wrong vs Right" on top of "Legal vs Illegal" you're adding in personal opinion on the matter and this isnt what its about.
Each person will have their own view on "Wrong vs right". Cause i agree, that much time for plants?! Shitty. But heres why im ok with it. It was illegal and he bragged about doing it. Had he kept quiet he wouldnt have this problem would he?
I'd rather my tax dollars be spent on a stupid grower who couldnt keep quite more so then a murderer or rapist. I feel it should be an eye for an eye. You kill someone, you get killed. It may be a victimless crime, but its crime still.
I get what you were trying to get at - But the fact is you're wrong. The courts arent for a system of "Right vs wrong". The courts are a system of legal vs illegal. I used to be like you and look at it as "Wrong vs Right"... well problem is, their wrong isnt going to coinside with you're wrong. But after going threw the court systems and was looking at a combined 10 years manditory... I learned how our system works and what they're after. I got lucky and they waived jail for more money from me. However the exchange is next time im busted, its Go straight to jail, do not college, no bail. Guess who learned their lesson and stopped breaking the law, or just learned how not to get caught.
You're not looking at the actual picture. You're looking at it threw you're eyes and how you feel the world should be. But thats not how it works. If you want a system based on "right vs wrong" and based on "character"... go to Japan.
The bottom line is here in the U.S.A., we have a set of "Rules" called "Laws". They come in two major forms, Federal and State. Federal overrides state. When you break those laws we have, you go to court. Not to discuss what the intentions were, or anything else - Its one thing and one thing only... Did he break the law. He did... and blantantly admitted it on video! The next step is then what should punishment be? It'd be one thing to go after him federally... might be a tougher case. But the fool couldnt even follow state law and keep it legal. If you cant do that, you're asking to get busted!
A good example would be in the workforce. At work, is it ok for you to come in late? No. The only excuse is when you have manager/boss approvial. But if you're approved to be 30 min late, and show up 2 hours later... Do you think you're boss is just going to turn the other cheek?
Now relate that to this guy. He got an ok from the boss to grow X plants X feet away from a school... And he still screwed up. You cant sit there and give a person that many chances... they have to learn. The only way he'll learn is sitting in jail. Not many people can learn from others mistakes... you just have to fuck up and then realize "Damn... maybe i shouldnt have done that."
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SuperD
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: Sparkey_STi]
#13186083 - 09/12/10 05:56 PM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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I'm not saying he shouldn't be punished at all, but...life..in prison? Come on now.
Would you have been ok with slavery in the 19th century simply because it was legal? Legal does not = OK, just as illegal does not always = wrong. Our laws are fucked up and are the root cause of all this bullshit.
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   D Manoa said: I need to stop spending all my money on plants and take up a cheaper hobby, like heroin. Looking for Rauhocereus riosaniensis seeds or live specimen(s), me if you have any for trade
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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 17,504
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: Sparkey_STi]
#13186120 - 09/12/10 06:02 PM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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I'm sure Mr. Bartkowicz will go to his grave regretting doing an on-air interview regarding what he still thinks was a legal enterprise.
Being stupid is not a federal crime and this case is not as simple as the law is the law therefore Mr. Bartkowicz deserves whatever the Feds give him up to and including life.
We do still have courts and people are still innocent until proven guilty and have a right to defend themselves, for the most part, unless the Feds step in and take away that right. Unfortunately in this case and hundreds/thousands like it, the defendant is not allowed to present the truth and an honest defense because he is unable to present the facts that he was growing medical marijuana for approved patients. Obviously, the Feds do not allow the truth to be presented because of the possibility of a not guilty verdict.
I hope it hasn't come to people blindly allowing injustices to occur simply because the law is the law and must be followed without question. When the concept of right and wrong, moral or immoral, is removed from the equation, we lose something very important and is a dangerous road to follow.
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Green_T


Registered: 10/02/08
Posts: 4,042
Loc: UK
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: Sparkey_STi]
#13186190 - 09/12/10 06:18 PM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Sorry, but I disagree with your position for several reasons...
Quote:
Sparkey_STi said: He had bought that house for this reason... so he EASILY should have known not to put it that close to a school and such.
It is extremely difficult to not live within 1 mile of a school or community center or whatever. Unless you live in the countryside, i bet you yourself live close to a school. Take a map of your town, and shade in all the areas which are within one mile of a school. Then look at the area from which you could choose a place. I bet it would be severely limited.
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Sparkey_STi said: Saying "Oh, but its just weed" is like saying "Oh, but its just murder".
No it isn't. Weed has never killed anyone, and all crimes aren't as equal. That logic implies the death penalty should be advocated for jaywalking.
Quote:
Sparkey_STi said: Breaking the law is breaking the law, Doesnt matter what you're doing breaking the law is illegal. And when you get caught, you just have to deal. Cant or dont wanna do the time... dont do the crime. Just that simple. And if ya hate the laws and such... take you're buisness to another country and have fun or learn to respect the laws.
Breaking the law is illegal, but the punishment should fit the crime. It is hard to respect draconian laws.
It is also quite difficult to just "move" to another country. In most places, you can't move there unless you have a set of job skills that aren't provided by the local population. And why should you have to move from your home country if you disagree with a law? Shouldn't you lobby to change it? And if it is a harmful and immoral, isn't it your DUTY to try to change it?
I don't understand how some people say "marijuana should stay illegal, because if it shouldn't, then they can always change the law" while other people say they can just "go to another country".
Next time you read an article about marijuana, put it in the context of masturbation - it is just as harmless. It just puts into context how ridiculous the laws are.
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"I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" - Thomas Jefferson Legalize Meth | Drug War Victims
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Cannabischarlie
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Re: [CO] Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [Re: veggie]
#13188081 - 09/13/10 04:50 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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I went to Sand Creek Elementary School from first grade to third grade. I turned 27 in July.
Yeah, Highlands Ranch pretty much looks like this.
I just think it is funny, because of the uptight yuppies here but otherwise very pot friendly.
Yeah, I think going on the news was just plain stupid. I mean I think it was a publicity thing, this guy can't be that stupid and I kind of wonder if he wanted to be martyred or something.
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we could all use a little more sunshine.
yeah, she's funny and somewhat interesting. not a beauty queen, but not bad lookin. i'd feel quite honored to fuck janine garofalo. -tiny_rabid_birds
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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 17,504
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: veggie]
#13221825 - 09/20/10 09:17 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Received from Sensible Colorado ...
Life in Prison for Growing Medical Marijuana? Not in Colorado!
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. 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!
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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: veggie]
#13237708 - 09/23/10 07:16 PM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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He's screwed ...
Chris Bartkowicz, medical marijuana grower, not allowed to use medical defense September 23, 2010 - Westword
High profile medical marijuana grower Chris Bartkowicz won't be able to use the state's medical marijuana laws as part of his defense in federal court, a judge ruled yesterday.
Bartkowicz was arrested last February after showing off his grow operation to a local television news crew.
He has been accused of illegally cultivating marijuana near a school. Since the beginning, Bartkowicz has contended that he was following state medical marijuana laws, and has been the unfair target of the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Federal district court Judge Philip Brimmer did note, however, that Bartkowicz would likely be allowed to reference the state medical marijuana laws if he takes the stand in the jury trial -- though only in the context of how he came to be cultivating such a large amount of marijuana.
Brimmer also shot down several attempts to dismiss the trial by Bartkowicz's attorney, Joseph Saint-Veltri. Among his arguments: that Bartkowicz had been unfairly prosecuted for expressing his First Amendment rights on television, and that Bartkowicz had been led to believe he was following the law based on formal guidelines issued by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General David Ogden that urged federal prosecutors not to go after medical marijuana growers in compliance with their state laws.
Throughout most the hearing Bartkowicz -- dressed in black slacks and a white shirt and tie - sat silently. When called to the stand to testify about his belief that he was following state laws, he spoke quickly and gave short answers.
One small concession for Bartkowicz came when prosecutors said they are currently only taking into consideration one of Bartkowicz's two prior state felony marijuana charges. Still, prosecutors said they have time to tack on the other felony, which would increase the mandatory minimum to sixty years -- which Bartkowicz had feared all along.
Either penalty carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Outside the courthouse, roughly two-dozen supporters, including Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente, SAFER's Mason Tvert and Colorado Colation for Patients and Caregivers' Robert Chase waived signs and chanted "DEA go away!" to passers-by.
"I fear for him, you know?" said Amber Courtnage, a friend of Bartkowicz, as she choked back tears. "He is just a good guy who was just trying to help people."
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Green_T


Registered: 10/02/08
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: veggie]
#13239268 - 09/24/10 02:59 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
two prior state felony marijuana charges. Still, prosecutors said they have time to tack on the other felony, which would increase the mandatory minimum to sixty years -- which Bartkowicz had feared all along.
There is no justice in Marijuana sentences.
MINIMUM of 60 years?
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"I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" - Thomas Jefferson Legalize Meth | Drug War Victims
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dwpineal
Psychedelic Artist



Registered: 07/20/06
Posts: 4,667
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: Green_T]
#13239401 - 09/24/10 05:06 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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This is just terrible, I feel so bad for this guy, life for growing plants
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SuperD
Cacti junky


Registered: 10/05/03
Posts: 6,648
Loc: The bridgesii bridge
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Re: Man interviewed on TV about his legal medical marijuana grow busted next day by DEA [CO] [Re: dwpineal]
#13239830 - 09/24/10 09:29 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Make no mistake, he was a complete idiot for going public with his grow. That still doesn't make him a criminal though, it just makes him a little dumber than the average Joe.
As veggie pointed out before, stupidity isn't a crime. Growing PLANTS shouldn't be either. Why couldn't I have been born just a couple hundred years in the future? My life was spawned in the wrong era of time. I see all this bullshit and it just makes me think of our own species as still extremely primitive. An advanced society would consider arresting someone for growing plants the real crime here, not vice versa.
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   D Manoa said: I need to stop spending all my money on plants and take up a cheaper hobby, like heroin. Looking for Rauhocereus riosaniensis seeds or live specimen(s), me if you have any for trade
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