If you could stop an Honorable Man from going to prison, would you?
Dear Freedom Fighters,
You can help save an law-biding citizen from going to federal prison by simply writing a letter to his judge and asking for leniency in sentencing which is scheduled to happen January 12, 2009.
Charles C. Lynch the former operator of the medical marijuana dispensary called Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers in Morro Bay, Ca. By some estimates Charlie faces up 100 years in federal prison. However, anytime behind bars would be a travesty of justice in this situation.
Charles did everything he could to follow the laws governing medical marijuana dispensaries in California. He called the DEA months before opening his location to inquire about the laws.
He worked closely with the city of Morro Bay and the county of San Luis Obispo to obtain a business license which clearly stated "medical marijuana dispensary" and a nursery permit to sell cloned medical marijuana plants.
He followed all his business license requirements, city regulations, county restrictions and state laws.
However, the local San Luis Obispo County Sheriff doesn't like medical marijuana and apparently doesn't like following California law and the local Sheriff called the DEA.
Together both law enforcement agencies forced their way into Charlie's house and place of business with para-military style actions, uniforms and weapons. At his home they forced Charlie to the ground naked and took all his money and medical marijuana. At his dispensary, they terrorized his patients and employees taking everything relevant.
Charlie was allowed to re-open his dispensary by local authorities but the DEA eventually sent a letter intimidating property forfeiture to the landlord of the location. The letter threatened to take all of the landlord's property away if he didn't evict the medical marijuana dispensary from the building.
CCCC was the only medical marijuana dispensary in San Luis Obispo County. Charlie was out of work and more than 2,000 patients with doctor's recommendation to use medical marijuana lost their safe access to medicine that helps their chronic conditions and terminal illnesses.
Drew Carey & ReasonTV did a video about this situation and have followed the story. Check out www.reason.tv for more.
If Charlie's bail amount seems excessive, that's because it is. Especially in comparison to the $5,000 bail set for one of the Deputies that investigated and testified against Charlie in a CHILD PORNOGRAPHY case and only faces 10 years in prison, while charlie faces from 5-100 years.
The disparity in these two bails and sentencing shows the grave injustice of mandatory minimums, sentencing guidelines, bail amounts and the federal government's civil war on drugs as opposed to protecting our children from REAL predators.
On August 5, 2008 Charles C. Lynch was found guilty of 5 cannabis-only felonies and faces 5-100 years in federal prison despite the Mayor and City Attorney testifying on his behalf as a law-abiding citizen.
We're hoping that public support can save Charlie from going to prison. Charlie's probation officers has recommended 5 years behind bars to "teach others a lesson" and because that's what others have received in marijuana cases. And I say, 5 years is 5 years too many. This man doesn't deserve to be behind bars.
The topic of the letters can be focused on educating the judge about drug policy errors, mandatory minimums, sentencing guidelines, prison life, the benefits of cannabis, the social harm of wasted tax payers' funds, etc. all with a plea for true justice & leniency. Form letters aren't as powerful as personal letters.
Supporters who wish to write a letter of support regarding sentencing should use the Letter salutation "Dear Judge Wu" and then send the letter to:
Reuven Cohen
Federal Public Defender
321 East 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012-4702
For a sample letter and guidelines go to Charlie's website: www.friendsofccl.com. All letters should have a professional tone. If you have a hard time figuring out what to say, just pretend that Charlie is one of your loved ones. What would you say to save his life and keep him from going to federal prison.
We often get overwhelmed trying to create positive change because there is so much to do. Writing a letter to Charlie's judge will help make a difference. Here are some other ways you can help make a difference in this situation:
Throw a Letter writing party.
Send Charlie an email.
Contact the media to tell them about this story and let them know how you feel.
Contact your congress people. E-mail, phone, write, and visit your Senators and your House of Representatives' offices.
www.senate.gov.
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Please Write Your Representatives.
The Fact Is that the entire Case is false because he listing of marijuana in schedule 1 is false, it no longer fits the statutory definition set by Congress as a requirement for inclusion in Schedule I. Since 1996 Federal Law has required Marijuana to be put on schedule 2-5 or removed from the schedules all together. Marijuana Has.."Accepted Medical Use" in the United States.
Forward this email to everyone on your email list. Repost this on facebook, myspace, craigslist, live journal, blogspot, and any other website or forum you frequent.
And, Let Barrack Obama's transition team know your vision of the future for Charlie's case, medical marijuana, and drug policies in America.
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One Voice, One Vision, One Love ~ Liberty.
Good Thoughts, Good Words , Good Deeds.
That is the Ron Paul rEVOLution Creed.
One Louv. ;-)..
The Drug War is one of many symtoms of Gov't corruption
Drugs are illegal for many reasons none of which are constitutional.
"Americans need to take a Democrap and wipe it's Republican from the history books of this once great Nation"
-Concerned Citizen
"The use of 'Conspiracy Theorist' or 'Truther' as a derogatory -- as an epithet almost -- is something the propagandists have perfected over the decades, and it's a useful tool for eliminating articulate dissent."
I love how out of one side
I love how out of one side of the mouth, people on this site say that the laws of this country MUST be followed, when it comes to immigration, gay marriage, etc.
But out the other side you people say that the laws are unjust and are the product of a totalitarian regime.
It can be valuable to hold our feet to the fire
if people here are inconsistent in defense of freedom. But this is not the first post I've seen from you lumping together all DP people as a group with those few who are inconsistent;also you seem to have a bit of a grudge that slants your reading of views expressed here.
Most people on this site want government totally out of the personal choices of citizens who should be able to live as they peacefully choose. People who believe in freedom accept diverse lifestyles as part of the package, no problem. It is consistently and almost universally expressed here and why you keep misreading it is puzzling.
There is probably less agreement about immigration than perhaps any other issue. It is not an issue I've heard adequately considered by any politician or party platform in the entire spectrum yet. But that's a discussion for another thread and will unlikely be settled any time soon.
The LAW Must Be Followed..
IT IS NOT...
The Controlled Substances Act and USC is very specific on the requirements for listing.
Marijuana MUST BE RESCHUDULED According to Federal Law.
It CANNOT BE ON SCHEDULE 1.
The Federal Government does not have Statutory Authority to Define Accepted Medical Use. That is Explicetly left to the States and Marijuana has accepted medical use in the United States.
The Arrest was Unlawful, the conviction is Unlawful and Unconstitutional.
Those In Charge Refuse to Follow the LAw and continue to keep Marijuana on Schedule 1.
THEY ARE THE CRIMINALS HERE...!!
The Man was within his rights, the law, and the constitution...
One Voice, One Vision, One Love ~ Liberty.
Good Thoughts, Good Words , Good Deeds.
That is the Ron Paul rEVOLution Creed.
One Louv. ;-)..
One Voice, One Vision, One Love ~ Liberty.
Good Thoughts, Good Words , Good Deeds.
That is the Ron Paul rEVOLution Creed.
One Louv. ;-)..
If people let government decide
"If people let government decide which foods they eat and medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny."
Thomas Jefferson
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Ron Paul Supporter Since 1997
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with” Ron Paul
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with.” Ron Paul
Marijuana has never killed a single person and
has more medical uses than any other plant which is why it is illegal. It is a threat to real drug dealers BIG PHARMA/BIG AGRI.
I guess you would side with Monsanto selling Terminator Seeds to developing countries as well? Did you know Monsanto Seeds are a mandatory part of the agreement between the US and IRAQ?
The laws are written by the Corporations and legislated through congress with blood money.
"Americans need to take a Democrap and wipe it's Republican from the history books of this once great Nation"
-Concerned Citizen
"The use of 'Conspiracy Theorist' or 'Truther' as a derogatory -- as an epithet almost -- is something the propagandists have perfected over the decades, and it's a useful tool for eliminating articulate dissent."
I am pro-Marijuana. No need
I am pro-Marijuana. No need to preach to the choir.
I'm a little bothered by something here.
Is Reuven Cohen a litigator in this case? Is having the attorney for the defense inciting public outcry for the purpose of influencing the presiding judge any way to run an airline? The Plumber
The Plumber
what????????????airline?
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Ron Paul Supporter Since 1997
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with” Ron Paul
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with.” Ron Paul
HEMP!
HEMP!
The only verdict is vengeance
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Thomas Jefferson
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." - JFK
“This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it.
Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can
exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary
right to dismember or overthrow it.”
{President Abraham Lincoln}{First Inaugural Address}
"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
Thomas Jefferson.
“A little rebellion now and then...is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government.” - Thomas Jefferson
"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.” V
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Ron Paul Supporter Since 1997
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with” Ron Paul
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with.” Ron Paul
The suggestion of a summary for folks who
don't have the time to read a very long post makes sense; but I very much appreciate your detailed post with clear suggestions for direct supportive actions we can take. Often we read posts that vaguely advocate action. Yours is motivating and actionable -- I hope it spurs lots of support for Charlie; a true hero in the struggle for freedom.
Those that care about health rights, the Codus...
Please Just Write the Judge..
The real injustice is that at the time the DEA was illegally arresting these people for selling a schedule 1 drug that does not meet the requirements for a schedule 1 drug according the the Controled Substances Act. The DEA, FEderal Government, does not have the authority to define Accepted medical use in the united states.
Congress explicitly left that up to the States. This makes it worse because Marijuana must be on a lower schedule or not included at all.
Also, the US government at this time Got a PATENT FOR CANNABIS..
As a nueroprotectant and for many other diseases. Patent #6,630,507
This is our Government. Dems are JUST as bad as the Repbulcians. It was Clinton who started arresting Doctors for prescribing Marijuana to sick people...
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Don't think of it as `gun control', think of it as `victim disarmament'. If we make enough laws, we can all be criminals.
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One Voice, One Vision, One Love ~ Liberty.
Good Thoughts, Good Words , Good Deeds.
That is the Ron Paul rEVOLution Creed.
One Louv. ;-)..
I'm thankful this holiday season that most of us are still free,
let's use that freedom well and help those good patriots who have been victimized by the government.
It could
be drug dealers don't like competition. I think he needs a really good lawyer.
Prepare & Share the Message of Freedom through Positive-Peaceful-Activism.
Very true.
Prohibition is not and will never be the answer to the drug 'problem'.
bump
But may I make a suggestion? Can you make a summary, in a few paragraphs, and then link to the whole story? A lot of people I could email will send a letter before they will read that long explanation. Also, a sample letter that can be clipped will increase participation immensely.
Thanks for taking this on, though. That is total BS.
Truth exists, and it deserves to be cherished.
bump
for freedom