Pubdate: Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2016 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact: http://www.newsok.com/voices/guidelines
Website: http://newsok.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Note: By the Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal

NAVY VETERAN TO APPEAL RULING ABOUT DRUG USE IN CHILD-CUSTODY CASE

TOPEKA, Kan. - Five of a Navy veteran's children were taken into 
state custody because of suspected drug use and neglect, not because 
of his admitted use of medical marijuana, a Kansas appellate court 
has concluded.

Rulings by a three-judge Kansas Court of Appeals panel determined 
"the children did not feel safe returning home" to Raymond and Amelia 
Schwab, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported.

Raymond Schwab, whose case has become a rallying point for marijuana 
advocates, said he has used medical marijuana to treat PTSD, even 
though Kansas has not legalized it.

The appellate court found that during a court-ordered blood screening 
last year, Raymond Schwab tested positive for methamphetamine, 
amphetamine, hydrocodone and the opioid tramadol.

Schwab, who later unsuccessfully sought to suppress results of the 
drug test, insisted Saturday that although he admits taking 
prescribed drugs, he denied testing positive the day cited by the 
appellate court.

Schwab said the Kansas Department for Children and Families 
"illegally kidnapped" the children a year ago, and that state 
agencies, judges and law enforcers are engaging in a plot to keep 
their children from them.

Schwab said he plans to appeal Friday's rulings.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom