Pubdate: Thu, 21 May 2015
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

ROLL AND STROLL

I like taking my medicine in the form of a joint while walking around 
the block. It gets me thinking, though: Is it legal to do that as 
long as I'm a patient? Where are places I can smoke if I can't smoke 
at my apartment?

- -Juan DeRoor

A little exercise, a little medicine. You sound like a health-minded 
person. According to California law, medical cannabis patients are 
allowed to consume cannabis anywhere tobacco consumption is allowed, 
except for a moving vehicle, so a walk around the block is a great 
idea. Be aware that some cities have designated entire areas as 
"smoke-free zones," mostly in the chichi downtown spots (looking at 
you, Walnut Creek), so if you aren't paying attention, you could get 
a ticket. But in general, although you may get a few odd looks and 
maybe a knowing smile or two, a good walk and a good weed go a long 
way toward creating a good day.

I hear the DEA has a new leader. What can you tell us about him?

- -Nan Cour d'Leon

Not much. Chuck Rosenberg is the new guy. He was in the FBI and he 
worked for the U.S. Department of Justice. All the reports say he's 
cool. We shall see what happens. I have many problems with the way 
the DEA goes about its business. Duh. Remember, if the DEA had heeded 
the advice of their own administrative judge, Frances Young, in 1988, 
we wouldn't be dealing with a lot of the bullshit we are dealing with 
today. Young's advice back then? "Marijuana, in its natural form, is 
one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By 
any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within 
a supervised routine of medical care. ... It would be unreasonable, 
arbitrary and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those 
sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence 
in this record." Drug abuse is a social-health issue, not a criminal 
issue, and the DEA doesn't have the desire nor the temperament to do 
anything other than throw people in jail to justify its $2 billion 
budget. I don't think Mr. Rosenberg, in his position as interim 
director (he is expected to serve until Obama leaves office) will be 
able to affect any great changes in the DEA's policy, although he is 
expected to ease up on cannabis law enforcement. If Mr. Rosenberg can 
get the DEA to stop going after medical cannabis patients, end the 
racial disparities in drug arrests and prosecutions and keep the DEA 
from obstructing medical cannabis research, I will buy him a beer. He 
will be in charge for about 18 more months. I wish him luck.

There's been a lot of talk about movies, but what about music? What 
albums do you love to smoke with?

- -Ant See

All of them. Come on. Good weed makes good music great, and bad music 
funny. I like Schubert's 8th. Heh.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom