From: NORML California <[canor m l] at [igc.apc.org]>
Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs
Date: 19 Oct 93 00:24 PDT
Subject: Medical MJ Patients Harassed

Jury Acquits Patient for Growing Medical Marijuana as 
Supporters Demand End to Harassment of Patients

      SAN DIEGO, Oct. 15, 1993: In the first medical marijuana case 
to be decided by jury trial in California, a jury acquitted Sam 
Skipper of growing marijuana for medical use.  Skipper, 39, who 
is infected with the HIV virus, invoked a medical necessity 
defense, saying that he needed marijuana to avert nausea and 
appetite loss from AIDS wasting syndrome.
      At least three other California patients have been raided for 
growing medicinal marijuana since August 26th, when the state 
legislature approved a resolution urging the federal government 
to legalize medical marijuana.  Victims have included:
      % David Peacock, 42, of Placerville, who had nine marijuana 
plants seized in an August 31st raid by El Dorado County 
narcotics agents.    Peacock, who uses  marijuana to relieve 
severe spasticity, arthritis, shingles and chronic fatigue 
syndrome, says sheriffs deputies were aware of his illness, but  
proceeded to take his medication, Medi-Cal coupons, keys, 
cellular phone, a gun collection and $4500 belonging to his 
brother, his girlfriend's rent money, and $145 cash from his 
wallet.  He is still awaiting to regain his property but has yet to 
be charged with a crime.
      %   In Marin, which last year adopted a medical marijuana 
ordinance,  Fairfax police busted Barbara Sweeney, 39, an AIDS 
patient, for growing two medical marijuana plants.   The district 
attorney  refused to prosecute the case, but police turned down 
her request to return the plants.  On Oct. 11th, the Fairfax City 
Council unanimously voted to adopt a resolution directing 
officials to support the availability of medical marijauna.  
      % In Santa Cruz county, which also approved a medical 
marijuana resolution, sheriffs raided the home of Valerie Corral 
for the second time in as many years on Sept. 21, destroying her 
five marijuana plants.  Corral, 41, who uses marijuana to control 
seizures caused by an auto accident, won dismissal from 
cultivation charges last year on grounds of medical necessity.  
After her dismissal, she resumed cultivating with no attempt to 
disguise the fact, but was busted after CAMP helicopters spotted 
her garden.  The Santa Cruz sheriff proceeded with the raid 
despite the fact that the district attorney had told him four days 
previously that he wouldn't prosecute.    Sheriff's Lt. Dennis 
Smith insisted the raid was needed to avoid "selective 
enforcement."
      "They just don't get it.  They don't understand.  Their days are 
numbered," said Juliana Humphrey, the public defender 
representing Sam Skipper, commenting on the recent raids.
      California NORML and other medical marijuana activists are 
calling on the government to change the law by rescheduling 
marijuana as a prescription drug and repealing the ban on home 
cultivation by bona fide patients.