This guy’s a genius
From the Times-Standard:
When drug enforcement agents began investigating Ryan Robletto, they looked him up on MySpace.
The first thing they reportedly found was a photograph of Robletto standing in a room, surrounded by marijuana plants. His name — viewable to anyone with a MySpace account — was “1cashcrop,” and he declared his heroes are, “The Farmers from Humboldt who give to the people …”
On Tuesday, the 29-year-old Robletto was one of 15 suspects arrested in a countywide raid conducted by Humboldt County Drug Task Force agents investigating an alleged commercial marijuana growing ring.
The Humboldt Herald often wonders at the embarrassing things young people post about themselves on the internet that may come back to haunt them in later years.
But it’s hard to find sympathy for the 29 year-old “1cashcrop” who advertised his activities online. Was it ego? Stupidity? A lack of common sense?
Maybe Jumbo would know.
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The Humboldt Herald 
I go with stupid.
Peace be with you
It sure seems that the pressure is being increased against pot growers. OK this guy’s stupid, but still between the “code enforcement open field warrants,” the feddy raid, and now a “countywide raid conducted by Humboldt County Drug Task Force agents.” We know for a fact that the code enforcers didn’t find any pot on several of their warrants, and that the feds busted innocent 215 patients, maybe we should look into our HCDTF’s activities.
The pot growers are being busted right and left, but the meth makers are just left.
love eternal
tad
Circle the date on the calendar! Use red ink! A post from Tad that didn’t include the words “nazi” or “quisling”. And Tad, please, someone as famously knowledgeable as yourself should be forthright enough to acknowledge that meth labs are a lot more difficult to locate than grows. First, they are/can be mobile (like in a bathtub or kitchen sink), there’s no “signature” like mega-wattage power use and heat output, and even the chemical smell byproduct is easier to conceal than the vented skunkweed smell that invades neighborhoods. Most importantly, those involved in the meth trade are too busy disassembling their laptops by the light of a cigarette lighter at 3:00 AM in the front seat of their Camaro to be posting on MySpace.
Peace be with you
Don’t make excuses for those nasi quislings at the HCDTF. They know where the meth houses are. I was at one meeting where at least a dozen different people were complaining their “meth house complaints” were being ignored. The drug task force was doing homeless sweep in Eureka, while that meth house was up and running.
love eternal
tad
anyone with half a brain should use google to make sure their ass is NOT hanging in the wind. Both regular google and google earth.
For the meth manufacturers, they are buying chemicals and not in 1 ounce containers so I would think that if enough complaints from neighbors who probably know meth users when they see them, would result in some sort of investigation for at least a “drug dealing” house. Manufacturers don’t just sell to street dealers but deal themselves usually. Lots of car traffic.
The marijuana grower was just plain stupid to post on the internet and not think that maybe with the drug guys in town that someone might just look him up. As far as “legal” 215 – there is no such thing with the Feds as all marijuana is illegal by federal law. Only in CA state where 215 was voted on is it maybe legal to possess and grow. Federal law rules over state laws when the Feds are involved. Some of the people that got arrested might do some serious time as they won’t be tried in Humboldt County court system.
to 9:47
…plus RICO is a big deal, and conspiracy charges seem to be the trend.
I wouldn’t neccessarily call someone “stupid” who believes 1) That his fellow citizens legalized marijuana for compassionate medical use, and 2) that he was growing this medicine within the legal constraints of the State of California, and that 3) he is willing to exercise his right of free expression.
Maybe “brave” is a better word. It is just another way of looking at it. I would have to know the person before I could call him “stupid.”
have a peaceful day,
Bill
It’s Darwin at it’s best, thank God. Culling the herd. Reminds me of the folks who went over the top in WW I. They were brave. But all it really meant was the Merchants of Death kept banking billions. All they got out of it was dead. Of the zealots who blow themselves up looking for 77 virgins. What they don’t understand was the corret reading is not 77 virgins, but a 77 year old virgin.
Yes well growing a plant is not quite the same thing as strapping a bomb to your chest and blowing yourself up, or raking your fellow humans with a machine gun, now is it?
Darwin works both ways, both for the brave and the stupid. Don’t forget that my friend.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
i say we let robletto sit in jail with thieves, rapists, molesters, and other sorts of people like that.
and instead of creating a economy around himself we can put him in jail with your tax dollars.
some people
legalize hemp, and recreational use. TAX TAX TAX and give more to the people of the bear state. dont tax the hemp though
He wasn’t reveling in his successful farming year, he was reveling in his outlaw status. Outlaws have to keep a low profile, duh!
I don’t understand why we have the 215-patient conversation or the hemp conversation on the same thread as the one where this kid got popped. He’s not sick and he’s not making rope, get real.
The fault with the men who went over the top in WWI trenches was the disconnect between their antiquated fighting methods and the new technology of the machine gun. They may have been brave, but from what I have read they were scared to death. They certainly deserve to be spoke and written about with respect.
Let me clarify that post. The fault did not lie with the soldiers in WWI but with their leaders, who did not adapt to the changes that the machine gun brought to warfare. Those men followed orders that they knew were insane, because to follow ones’s orders was the measure of the man. (If that doesn’t explain the insanity of war, I don’t know what does.)
it does not matter 215 or not i think marijuana is safe for some. Its never killed anyone, but people get shot over it cause its illegal just like people got shot when alcohol was too.
the most harmful thing about marijuana when it comes to your health is that its illegal. going to jail is the most harmful thing to your heart and mind. I would say that if anyone in this blog wants to see this man goto jail. your are the sick if you want this kid to sit in jail with real criminal that hurt. i like to see anyone come to his court case with a personal complaint. the fact is he did people right and did something that 40 perc ent of the citizens do here. give him a break he tips well im sure and he spend his money here in the community . or maybe we should just screw him over like some filthy criminal with no moral. He is brave and if all growers were this brave the laws would change so fast and all the haters of the growers would leave and goto idaho or somewhere where the majority looks at marijuana like coke or meth. legalize today and release all pot prisoners from jails and prison today
The owners of the rental homes he trashed were harmed, Matt. There was also heroin and an assault weapon seized, although they haven’t said which house they were found in. I fail to see anything “brave” about a pot / heroin cartel. It is people like him who are endangering access for real 215 patients.
The news is that the California Attorney General will make the finding that under 215 all growers/sellers for profit are criminals. That interpretation will eventually be decided by the judiciary.
All over the state there appear to be unintended consequences of prop 215 that are drawing the public’s attention. I’m unsure what the political consensus in California is as far as tolerating widespread marijuana use for theraputic purposes. But I think a large majority won’t accept the proposition that society/civilization is inherently toxic in a manner such that everyone can be benefited by using marijuana.
In the long run, I think people will decide whether to accept another societal “ill” in the interest of perserving “social harmony”. The choice will lie in weighing the benefits and costs on both sides.
In any event, I see continuation of the liberal desire to allow ill people who can personally benefit from marijuana to able to. And it would be OK if that requires controlling the production and distribution to prevent unauthorized use, as for many other products.
Respect, sure. All humans deserve that.
But as far as admiring them or emulating them, no thank you. It’s sad that they were used as pawns in a great global war perpetrated by elites who didn’t give a rat’s ass about the foot soldiers.
But allowing yourself to be used as a pawn, to the extent of committing mass suicide by running into machine gun fire for no good reason based on propaganda churned out by the elites in your country, and not paying attention enough to realize you were being propagandized…none of that is particularly admirable. Just sad.
NAN; Nothing is as it seems anymore. Marijuana is not illegal to the feds because of any health concerns but rather because in 1935 Hearst wanted to dominate the newspaper world and he joined with white supremacists who were freaked out because blacks and whites were smoking together and that led to making music together and actually developing communities that got along. These people convinced the government to make pot illegal and ever since the war on drugs in the 70’s the gov has been pouring billions into their trumped up war and would loose face if they admitted that they were wrong! And that is all there is to it! Oh well one more little thing….the gov doesn’t want any of us to medicate ourselves because they are so deep into the pockets of bigpharma that they would have drastic problems regrouping.
From what I’ve experienced and observed marijuana is a beneficial herb and deserves respect.
HEMP FOR PAPER
From what I’ve observed, marijuana affects many long term users negatively by sapping their initiative and causing them to confuse their euphoria induced perceptions with their non-euphoria perceptions.
Over time, some choose almost continuous marijuana euphoria, which manifests as lack of concentration and poor judgement. They are unaware of the effect it has, disregarding their perceptions when they aren’t stoned and the practical effects that the euphoric state has on their ability to meet their needs. They and their families are the immediate victims of marijuana.
I certainly wouldn’t want a truck driver, airplane pilot, surgeon, firefighter, or factory worker to have marijuana metabolites in their bloodstream while in the course of their duties. Nor would I want a judge, military officer, or political officeholder to be in a marijuana induced euphoric state when making decisions.
whats wrong with euphoric ?
maybe judges should feel it every now and then and i think a lot of judges police pilots doctors lawyers oh wait i’m starting to sound like peter tosh
got to legalize it
peter tosh
Yeah, after toking I can feel the warm love coming out of the radio. Its the energy chakra of the divine spirit within and all around us. But it all seems to go away if I don’t pay the PG&E bill. Smoke another bowl and I’ll find the spirit in that bag in the trash with a half eaten bagel in it. UMMM GOOD.
I am a retired truck driver of 40yrs and I smoked pot on every cross-country trip. Not one accident or speeding ticket. I was commemorated as one of the best drivers for that company. You need to realize that it is medicine for some. And for others its recreation. It seems to me you have a vendetta towards anyone that uses cannabis for what ever the reason… Whats the deeper issue here huh???? If you talk about it you might get through your bitterness
Michael Pollen has a chapter on pot in his book, Botony of Desire, Nan. I found it particularly insightful, the whole book actually.
Nice picture at the beginning of this post Heraldo, what a nice clean cut happy looking guy. All of us should be so happy!
I wanted a pic of one of those show-offs posing shirtless in their grow room but this was the best I could do.
Sure GearJammer and I’m an alcoholic neurosurgeon who performed thousands of brain surgeries with no complaints. Its all blog and all good.
Jane, Excerpted from a 2001 PBS interview:
GWEN IFILL: You come a little bit close to making a political statement about legalization of marijuana in this book, but you step right up to it and don’t quite go there.
MICHAEL POLLAN: Yeah, I’m not sure it’s a good idea. I’m very sympathetic to the fact that this is a human… This is part of human nature, the desire to change consciousness. That doesn’t mean, though, because it’s natural that we should all be doing it all the time. I think the Greeks had a very sane attitude about it. They worshipped Dionysus, they used wine a lot, but they also created a lot of controls and rituals. There were only certain times that you took drugs certain times of the year. So I think that, you know, drugs and alcohol can be a scourge or it can be a blessing. And so I’m not sure “anything goes” is really the right answer.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/conversation/jan-june01/botany_06-29.html
I have a complaint, Nan. Some limbautomized patients have been showing up here and I think some of them must be yours.
Yes, Nan. But also stuff about why people like it, himself included. The increased focus while cutting down the distraction from the extraneous (the reason for short term memory loss) increased pleasure (humor, food, etc :) )
Pot House Tour
KTNV/ABC13 Action News Las Vegas
July 15, 2008 10:15 PM
A guy busted for growing marijuana in his house talked only to Action News.
Ron Miller is not too shy about what he is accused of doing.
He says he is just a farmer, and police say he is just a criminal.
Action News reporter Heather Klein has the details behind the bust.
Henderson Police found out about the grow house and busted in early Tuesday morning.
Ron spent the night in jail, but he gave Action News his side of the story as well as a tour of his now former grow house.
“I am a farmer. I plant my crops, I harvest them, I put them for sale on the market, kind of like corn,” said Ron Miller.
etc…..
What the point Jane? Yes, people like the effect of marijuana. But that doesn’t make it good(beneficial) for them in any particular situation. Thats Pollin’s point. It can cut both ways. Its dangerous and that fact needs to be respected though “controls and rituals”. Banning it legally is a “form” of control.
What patients??
What the authoritarians here are failing to acknowledge is that We the People have the right to grow, possess, and consume both medicinal cannabis and hemp cannabis in whatever way we find beneficial to us. It is guaranteed in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
If you don’t like it it is just too bad. Please stop your armed gangs from bothering us.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Once you stop your armed gangs from oppressing us then we can grow our plants in gardens where they belong and people can live in houses where THEY belong.
STOP THE MADNESS!
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Better to argue your constitutional rights before the US Supreme Court. So far, they haven’t found the right you claim.
Perhaps, in a ganja stupor, you believe you are the sole and complete arbiter of constitutional law. A unitary judiciary. It makes perfect sense to you, but the rest of us aren’t tripping along.
If everyone who is arrested for marijuana simply asserted their constitutional rights this nonsense would be over with real quick. The courts would be overwhelmed.
If you have some Constitutional arguments to refute what I said then make them. Any anonymous coward can spew insults.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Sheesh Nan, your neurosurgery patients. Limbautomized….JOKE
Where specifically does the constitution and bill of rights guarantee the use of cannibis, Bill?
Who is domesticating whom?
“The Botany of Desire examines our species’ role in nature and challenges the idea that people are the sole drivers of domestication. Pollan looks closely at our relationship with the apple, the tulip, marijuana, and the potato, and shows how each plant has evolved to gratify human desires and thus has enticed us to help them multiply. Just who, he asks, is domesticating whom?”
“In the ’60s a neuroscientist identified THC, the chemical compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. In ’88 a researcher discovered the brain’s receptor for THC. Scientists explained the receptors by theorizing that the brain must manufacture its own THC-like chemical. In ’92 they found it: anandamide, the brain’s own cannabinoid. Its effects include pain relief, short-term memory loss, sedation, and mild cognitive impairment–perfect for helping people endure toil or childbirth.
Botanists theorize about why a plant would hold the precise key to unlock the neurological mechanism governing consciousness. Perhaps attracting human attention was the objective. After all, the plants that give humans the most pleasure produce the most offspring. What may have started as a biochemical accident became the plant’s coevolutionary destiny under domestication. In fact cannabis was one of the first plants to be domesticated (though probably for fiber first).”
OK, Guess I’m too drunk to have realized the joke. I’ll smoke a fatty and get small.
Isn’t that a fascinating concept Co-evolution? If you haven’t read the book I highly recommend it.
Hello Jane Doe,
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights guarantees us the right to use cannabis in all its forms right next to where it guarantees us the right to drink alcohol.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
That link that Co-Evolution posted is a wonderful synopsis of Botony and Desire. I really liked this, “We humans can’t seem to shake the false premise that we somehow stand outside, or apart from, nature. This book aims to put us back in the great reciprocal web that is life on Earth. Seeing plants as willing partners in an intimate and reciprocal relationship with us means looking at ourselves differently, too: as objects of others species’ designs and desires, as one of the newer bees in the garden.”
Whatever Bill.
“Thats Pollin’s point. ”
No.
Pollan‘s point: plants (including marijuana) have domesticated humans as much (and perhaps even moreso) than humans have domesticated plants.
“…they domesticated us as much as we domesticated them.”
The law isn’t a negative, its a positive.
If something isn’t prohibited in statute, it is automaticaly allowed(unless found to be prohibited through a legal decision). Alcohol isn’t prohibited(except in certain counties), so its use is allowed.
Marijuana is statuatorally prohibited (in certain ways), so its use is subject to that statute. Unless that statute is invalidated by a legal decision or repealed by the legislature, it is the law.
“Whatever” is not an argument in Constitutional Law, Jane. Just sayin’ :)
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Or unless the statute is unconstitutional, Not a Native Constitutional Scholar. You left that little detail out didn’t you?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Pointillism, review my 5:59 post. I was referring only to the PBS interview where Polllin explains his views on legalization of marijuana, not the entire thesis of his book.
Like I already wrote, So far, the US Supreme Court hasn’t found the right you claim. That’s the final word on Constitutionality. Don’t confuse the legal system with a religion that claims an absolute unchanging truth. The law is living, intended to be continuously analysed and interpreted. But as of this minute, the Federal marijuana statutes are constitutional, period.
Continuing to claim that the constitutions guarantees the right to use marijuana isn’t an argument in constitutional law either. You claim it is guaranteed in the constitution but have failed to tell us exactly where or to support that claim in any way. I can’t prove a negative.
Pollan
Not ‘Pollin’, ‘Polllin’, nor ‘Pollen’.
He makes no firm “point: regarding legalization.
“Yeah, I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
Do you think that you have the right to consume alchohol? That is one of the arguments. If you have the right to drink alcohol then you have the right to consume mariuana.
The right to consume alcohol IS implicit in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I remind you that it was necessary to pass a constitutional amendment to take away that right, and another to put it back. If you want to take away the right to consume marijuana then you must PASS a constitutional amendment to do so. Failing that, we have the right to use marijuana.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
“The law is an ass.”
Your logic is flawed, Bill. Alcohol and cannibis are no more the same than alcohol and opium or cocaine, both of which were legal at the time the constitution was written.
And what is the difference between marijuana and alcohol, Jane Doe, constitutionally speaking?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Alcohol prohibitionis not in the US constitution nor federal statute. It COULD have been banned by statute, similar to how it’ comerce is regulated right now by the ATF, but that wasn’t the strategy chosen by the prohibitionist movement(for political reasons).
There are statutory Federal laws controlling the use of marijuana. They get their authority from the health, safety and welfare and commerce clauses of the US Constitution. So, there are valid laws now restricting the use of marijuana.
If alcohol could have been prohibited by statute it would have been. It wasn’t. It required a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
You had better find a different argument NAN that one won’t even get you through a freshman law course.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Actually there is no constitutional right to consume alcohol as evidenced by the numerous counties that still prohibit it which wouldn’t be legal if it were a constitutionally guaranteed right.
Ah I see then why did we pass those Constitutional amendments and suffer through prohibition? If there are no constitutional rights involved I mean.
Jane Doe you are painting yourself into a corner, legally speaking.
And yes, those dry counties are unconstitutional.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Here is a map that shows the counties where alcohol is still prohibited
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_county
How can a county prohibit something that is constitutionally guaranteed?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_county
a map showing the dry counties.
To force states who didn’t want prohibition to go along with the majority, Bill.
But Jane Doe, that is the flaw in your argument. Constitutional rights have nothing to do with the will of the majority. Constitutional rights PROTECT minorities from abuses of the majority.
The use of marijuana is constitutionally protected activity even if the majority does not like it.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
The 21st Amendment
Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
No constitutional right to consume intoxicating liquors.
The Supreme Court has since ruled that congress has the authority to pass laws regulating lots of things like minimum wage and clean air, food and drugs, tobacco, etc.
And alcohol, btw
They call it ATF for a reason.
And you should know Bill, I am not opposed to legalization of pot. I am just trying to keep the discussion honest.
I am happy that you are not opposed to legalization Jane Doe.
I stand on my position. All people should exercise their Constitutional right to use and possess marijuana if they choose. You have given no evidence to the contrary, but you have mentioned some statutes.
The statutes are unconstitutional.
I remind you, when the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were ratified, marijuana and cannabis (hemp) were legal to use, cultivate and possess. Nothing has changed since then, constitutionally speaking.
Assert your rights, practice jury nullification.
We shall overcome.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
According to a website, alcohol is banned in 10% of the area of the US in which a population of 18 Million people live. There are also “Blue laws” banning Sunday sale of alcohol in other places and some states only allow Government stores to sell liquor. Some places allow only “near beer”(4% alcohol). There are many and various laws concerning alcohol use. So, use of alcohol is hardly unrestricted within the US.
The same was true about opium and cocaine Bill. And there were no minimum wage laws either. Congress’ authority has been supported by SCOTUS and your views to the contrary don’t change that. I pointed out specifically where the 21st amendment clearly shows that the right to consume alcohol is NOT protected in the constitution. This reminds me of the people who claim that income tax is unconstitutional. Say it all you want but that doesn’t make it so.
If it is legal, why is nullification needed? What is it that has to be nullified?
Oh yeah, there are laws prohibiting marijuana usage. Those laws.
The argument is whether or not we have a constitutional right to use marijuana, not whether or not we should have a few reasonable restrictions.
We have the right to keep and bear arms but we have some restrictions on what kind. We have the right to free speech but not to yell “fire” and so forth.
Keep your argument on point, NAN.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Jury nullification has always been the PEOPLE’s weapon against oppressive laws in English common law countries, but of course you know that NAN. You probably even fear it.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Jane Doe, of course you understand that I am a Libertarian Socialist. That means that you and I agree probably on things like single payer health care, progressive taxation, corporate personhood and lots of things.
I object to the authoritarian bent displayed by lots of Democrats and Republicans. That is the libertarian in me. Don’t take it personally, it is ok with me if we agree on most things and disagree on a few. I might even agree with Rose on a few things. Well maybe.
HumRob, probably not.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Now if you will excuse me I have to deal with Michael Savage the radio thug.
Since I am an aspie myself, I found his comments particularly offensive.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
jury nulification is the key
does anyone know when there was a trial for maryjane in this county?
i would nulify the robletto on all marijuana charges.
FYI: alcohol and heroin are closely related. The brain produces a substance when alcohol is consumed in the body that is organic heroin I think it’s called Tetrahydroisolyquinolydes or THIQ, that is what is so addictive about alcohol.
In The Declaration of Independence we are assured that we have the right to “…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…” farther along this declaration instructs us that it is our duty to abolish such a government that abuses the rights of the people. I dare say that our Fathers were looking out for us, knowing that such a day as has dawned upon us would arrive. WE SHALL OVERCOME!
In countries where alcohol is used as a part of the family rituals there is less alcoholism than in the US. I know people who raise their children to respect marijuana and all other substances and educate them TRUTHFULLY of the pros and cons so that they make intelligent decisions for it’s use. To say that marijuana is bad for you therefore it should be illegal is like saying hamburgers and fries should be illegal. Actually, big macs and milkshakes do more harm than pot ever did!
Also; laws are man made and are not alive, they are tools. Some are from hell itself and others are just plain stupid, very few really need to be written if we would only use our God given sense of wonder and awe at creation. Love is the answer.
kate i could not agree with you more
i hope you are being sincere
it really feels like this blog has change in the past few weeks
people talking bout human right issues, grassroot campaigns start big laws if there is a strong belif system that it will work
industrial hemp should be legal first of all to get money to those farmers all over the USA then legalize smoking marijuana for adults just like alcohol, heavy taxes for the growers of the smoked marijuna, just so they don’t feel like bragging on myspace, and then release prisoners who are guilty of possesion cultivation and sales.
were talking economy now
less violence too
Oh I’m sincere alright! I’ve watched enough people die because they were labeled a criminal for using “drugs” when those who are the real criminals, “bigpharma and their lobbyists”, are rich and laughing all the way to the bank! i went to college and studied chemical dependencies so that I could make sense of what was going on in our country and what I learned is that villifying drug “addicts” and their suppliers is a smoke screen to take the attention off the real crooks….if people would only realize that the “drug problem” is not going away, no matter how many billions is spent trying to get rid of drugs it hasn’t worked! Continuing like it is is insanity, doing the same thing over and over expecting different results, is the AA definition for insane. Knowing this I realize that while the gov isn’t stupid, I mean they are but they know the war on drugs isn’t working, so what is it that they are really doing? Exploiting illegal drugs for power!
Anybody read the lengthy New Yorker magazine article on the California Medical Marijuana scene? Both Ken Miller and Humboldt are mentioned.
amen kate keep it up
when you see your children dealing with social issues in 35 years from now i hope it won’t be over maryjane
my guess it will be over the environment.
Peace be with you
There is no constitutional amendment outlawing marijuana. All federal drug laws are illegal according to the US constitution.
As far as “income tax” goes read this and this.
love eternal
tad
The first rule of planting a patch is to keep it secret.
People need to teach their kids some manners.
Or kids need to get wise.
These kids yell on the cell phone in the grocery store about trips.
This is a major port city, a wonder of the world, we cant have barrels of thugs with guns and heroin all over myspace with huge fields of weed and piles of money. I am sure they are all nice people, good people do things that are bad for our community (especially in the name of “ambition” and even sometimes “family”) even though they have good intentions otherwise. This issue of housing being destroyed because its “cool” to have a grow house in our eco-groovy university town Arcata ?
Putting families on the street while you destroy housing is a crime.
All the diesel on the ground and in the river is a crime.
Stealing water from wildlife is a crime.
All that silt in the river is a crime…those logging roads are meant to be put to bed.
Being a patient myself I do not have to worry about staying out of it, they made sure that I was out of it by shunning me for being sick. There is no love for the patients in most of the grower world right now. People need to search inside and really take a stance. There are sick people among you who’s lives depend on it. You can still regain your ideals and recover the love. If you are making poison weed in diesel mansions you are part of the problem. Grandma needs it clean to help with her treatment.
“Anybody read the lengthy New Yorker magazine article on the California Medical Marijuana scene? Both Ken Miller and Humboldt are mentioned.”
Dr. Kush
How medical marijuana is transforming the pot industry.
by David Samuels
JULY 28, 2008
Women should not be allowed to smoke or vote!
If we went back to the original constitution we would have to wipe out all of the amendments including the first 10 (Bill of Rights), the 13th (abolishing slavery) the 15th (Blacks right to vote) and the 19th (women’s right to vote). Do you really want to smoke pot that badly, Tad and Bill?
Arcata Eye says #2 ONDCP guy was in town last week. Adamantly dismissed any notion of medical usefulness of marijuana. Says owners of dispensaries risk “losing their property” via asset forfeiture, which, he said, “I predict will happen soon.”
Jane Doe, I believe Tad was quoting the 10th Amendment, not discarding it.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, known as the Commerce Clause, states that Congress has the exclusive authority to manage commerce between the states.
That covers alcohol, tobacco, firearms, drugs, etc.
“Arcata Eye says #2 ONDCP guy was in town last week.”
Arcata Eye hoovered an exclusive interview.
The last gasp of a dying breed.
Obama “inhaled frequently.
That was the point.”
Obama will end DEA raids.
Obama went a step further in an interview in March with the Mail Tribune newspaper in Medford, Ore. While still expressing qualms about patients growing their own supply or getting it from “mom-and-pop stores,” he said it is “entirely appropriate” for a state to legalize the medical use of marijuana, “with the same controls as other drugs prescribed by doctors.”
In response to recent questions from The Chronicle about medical marijuana, Obama’s campaign – the only one of the three contenders to reply – endorsed a hands-off federal policy.
“Voters and legislators in the states – from California to Nevada to Maine – have decided to provide their residents suffering from chronic diseases and serious illnesses like AIDS and cancer with medical marijuana to relieve their pain and suffering,” said campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt.
“Obama supports the rights of states and local governments to make this choice – though he believes medical marijuana should be subject to (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) regulation like other drugs,” LaBolt said. He said the FDA should consider how marijuana is regulated under federal law, while leaving states free to chart their own course.
LaBolt also said Obama would end U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration raids on medical marijuana suppliers in states with their own laws.
Possessing, obtaining, and manufacturing marijuana is illegal under the Controlled Substances Act.
In the US Supreme Court, arguments were made to invalidate the CSA specifically for medical marijuana. They cited the Commerce Clause, the Due Process Clause of the 5th Amendment, the 9th and 10th Amendments of the Constitution, and the doctrine of medical necessity.
In June 2005, by 6-3 in Gonzales v. Raich, the US Supreme held that:
Congress’ Commerce Clause authority includes the power to prohibit the local cultivation and use of marijuana in compliance with California law.
This means that the Controlled Substances Act is constitutional and applies to possessing, obtaining, or manufacturing cannabis for personal medical use.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/03-1454.ZS.html
Sorry Not A Native, that decision does not address my argument that the People have the right to use and possess marijuana based upon the Bill of Rights and the Constition, primarily the Tenth Amendment.
The Tenth Amendment is frequently invoked to protect states rights, but as Tad has pointed out it’s main purpose is to protect the rights of the people from encroachment.
But you do point out why so many Democrats are frantic to avoid this line of defiense for marijuana users- it would weaken the thin constitutional pretense of some of the overreaching legislation that has been passed under the guise of “regulating commerce.” Yall are afraid that you will through out the baby with the bathwater.
And there are other arguments too that you might find troublesome. For instance, marijuana users have the right to privacy. It is the same right to medical privacy that is cited in Roe v. Wade to allow women to obtain legal, safe abortions. Medical privacy is inviolate.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Does congress have the power to regulate other prescription drugs Bill? Or is pot the only one not included?
Congress can regulate what it wants to as long as it doesn’t tell me what I can put into my body. I have the right to determine what I put in my body. If I don’t have that right then I am a slave.
A woman who does not have the right to determine what is done insider her body is a slave, therefore she must have the right to have an abortion if she needs one. That right is absolute – otherwise she is a slave.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
I’ll post it again:
The 10th amendment argument(along with others) was rejected by the US Supreme Court.
You can propose any other arguments you like on a blog. But unless the Court decides they are worth consideration, the Law of the Land is settled. You may(and are welcome to) have an opinion, but you don’t have the authority of the Court.
There are many things it is illegal to do with your body such as kill it, prostitute it, or put illegal drugs in it. You may think the laws should be different, but that doesn’t mean they are. Equating the use of restricted or prescribed drugs with a woman’s right to choose whether to give birth is insulting.
*proscribed, not prescribed.
I think it is insulting when you fail to recognize my constitutional rights that are identical to a womans right to reproductive privacy – which I wholeheartedly support.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Jane, thought I read once you were completely exasperated and weren’t going to respond again to highbold.
Were you one of my recent surgical patients, or just unable to resist temptation?
That was on a different topic but I see the problem is with all of his issues. I have never been limbautomized but a lobotomy might be fun. :)
It is this Stalinist oppressive nanny state mentality in the Democratic Party and the fascistic overthetop moralism in the Republican Party that is offensive.
We need a multiparty system.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
We have a multi party system, haven’t you noticed? That none but the 2 major ones can attract any support doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
Now, Jane Doe, you make a valid point. Yes there are small third parties, but none really since the Republican Party in the 1850’s has really managed to coalesce and that was in a period of extreme national division immediately preceding the War of Secession.
So it is a good question, why haven’t the Greens, the Libertarians, the Reformas and the AIP gotten more traction?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Of course being a constitutional scholar you realize political parties had no importance back when the constitution was written, right?
Now I am done playing with Bill. Substance abuse counseling would probably be of benefit but people are loathe to give up their drug of choice and can justify it endlessly.
Jane, you may be damn good, but you’ll never limbo (or lobot-amo) lower than the level these blogs get to.
Slandered by an anonymous coward. Good job. I won’t be able to sleep tonight.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Well stated, Bill. Which Bill is that, exactly? Sounds a little anonymous.
LOL Nan. I can’t limbo but I can get down and dirty with the best of them. Haven’t you noticed? Jane is a BITCH!
My comment is awaiting moderation again. Is anyone else having this occur?
Sorry Highbolt, its the US Supreme Court that has “insulted” you, take it up there.
Have you considered personally conducting a continuous protest vigil on the Courthouse steps in Washington D.C.? I’d be pleased to take up a collection for you to rellocate there.
thought we were talking about stupid people and Wanna be outlaws? anyway ………its good for u real outlaws…no in yur face tattoos, jobs(believe that shit), = longevity in the game…something these young pukes no nada about, man try being in that game for 17 years NO TICKETS, NO ARRESTS…NO NADA…if a dude is gonna flaunt shit in peoples face and believe his persona is really the shit…then he desreves what he gets..be respectfull polite and as noticable as a dog turd on the front lawn….
Hello Friends and Family, I’ve known Ryan personally over about 15 years now and It’s B.S. That All The News Papers are making it sound like he is the King Pin of Some Conspiracy. No, The Heroin was not his and none of the guns where his either. It’s sad that because he was friends with other growers in the apt complex that he is being blamed for all this mess. Definitely not the criminal this is making him seem like. Ryan is living a normal Humboldt Life like everyone else is and was compliant with Ca Prop 215 to grow his medicine and care take for those who needed it as well. People just need to step up to the plate and not let Ryan go down for everything. It’s crazy that after losing is fiance Crystal and Unborn just months ago that this could happen to such an active, upfront, and honest Humboldt County community member. Yea Shouldn’t Have Put The Pics Up On MySpace but live in learn ~ JD
Jury nullification
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Jury nullification means making a law void by jury decision, in other words “the process whereby a jury in a criminal case effectively nullifies a law by acquitting a defendant regardless of the weight of evidence against him or her.”[3]
Jury nullification is more specifically any rendering of a verdict by a trial jury, acquitting a criminal defendant despite the defendant’s violation of the letter of the law. This verdict need not disagree with the instructions by the judge concerning what the law is, but may disagree with an instruction, if given by the judge, that the jury is required to apply the law to the defendant if certain facts are found.
Although a jury’s refusal relates only to the particular case before it, if a pattern of such verdicts develops in response to repeated attempts to prosecute a statutory offense, it can have the practical effect of disabling the enforcement of the statute. “Jury nullification” is thus a means for the people to express opposition to an unpopular legislative enactment.
The jury system was established because it was felt that a panel of citizens, drawn at random from the community, and serving for too short a time to be corrupted, would be more likely to render a just verdict, through judging both the accused and the law, than officials who may be unduly influenced to follow merely the established law. Jury nullification is a reminder that the right to trial by one’s peers affords the public an opportunity to take a dissenting view about the justness of a statute or official practices.
Despite perceived righteous applications of jury nullification, this verdict anomaly can also occur simply as a device to absolve a defendant of culpability. Sympathy, bias or prejudice can influence some jurors to wholly disregard evidence and instruction in favor of a sort of “jury forgiveness.”
“ I consider trial by jury as the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution. ”
—Thomas Jefferson, 1789 letter to Thomas Paine
“ The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy. ”
—John Jay, first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court
Historical examples include American revolutionaries who refused to convict under English law,[1] juries who refuse to convict due to perceived injustice of a law in general,[2] the perceived injustice of the way the law is applied in particular cases,[3] and cases where the juries have refused to convict due to their own prejudices such as the race of one of the parties in the case.[4]
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Oh yeah, jury nullification, that’s real good advice. I’d like to see if you take it.
It takes a unanimous jury to find a verdict in federal court. Almost no one facing less than a life sentence gets to that point, because they prefer pleading guilty with a plea bargain.
Take the chance every juror will nullify or else get an extra 10 years in prison? Ryan Robletto won’t do it and I wouldn’t deceive him into thinking he should. Despite what TV dramas portray. In a trial you can’t argue that a law isn’t valid.
The practical consideration for defendants isn’t jury nullification, its whether you have the personal fortitude, confidence and resources to go through a trial, and subsequent retrials. And whether you want to risk getting a maximum sentence. Like Dirty Harry said “You got to ask yourself one question ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do you, punk?”
All it will take is some education and we will return our country to real justice, and away from the fascism that elitists like you prefer, NAN.
Jury nullification is as American as apple pie, maybe you missed the quotes from, who was that? Tom Jefferson and John Jay?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
free ryan
He doesn’t belong in jail, brother (or sister.)
He is not a criminal. The people who put him there are constitutional criminals.
Get on the jury and vote innocent. The laws against pot are unconstitutional. Learn about jury nullification. Learn about English common law. Learn about the Magna Carta.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
“Get on the jury and vote innocent.”
Please share recommendations on how to “get on the jury”.
Peace be with you FatChance
If you can’t bring the Jury to Mohammad, then bring Mohammad to the Jury. Educate people about the fourth branch of government, without which no other branches exist, and holds veto power over the rest – the people. If you don’t like a law you can hang a jury, if enough people don’t like a law then every jury can be hung. And when enough people say, “yep, he done it, but we find him not guilty any-damn-way,” then we get our country back. The teachers don’t tell you this, the judges don’t tell you this, the press don’t tell you this, and the politicians don’t tell you this. So, that means it’s your responsibility to tell people this. Bill did a good job of telling people this, and so can you.
Another move that would help those in Ryan’s position is if everybody who plea bargained wouldn’t. Right now it is like a market dealing in human misery. You go through the system, get a “record” and a probation officer. If nobody stood for that, then many cases would not be prosecuted in the first place. Those that were prosecuted would all of a sudden be separated by seriousness, and real danger to the community. Gandhi said, “withdrawal of support of evil requires complete abstention from violence. Non-violence implies voluntary submission to the penalty for non-co-operation with evil.”
love eternal
tad
I hate to be the one to have to drop this particular turd in the punchbowl, but jury nullification has been used mostly for evil in this country, namely in cases of lynchings where the racist murderers who carried out the lynchings were then found not guilty by all-white juries, despite incontrovertible evidence of their guilt.
Nullification has been used for evil reasons but not “mostly” for evil reasons. For instance, it was used by anti-slavery activists in the Northern States before the War of Secession when the LAW required the return of runaway slaves.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
I prefer the rule of law over mob rule. If you can educate people about why laws shouldn’t be enforced you can educate them to get the laws changed.
Well, at least we’ve stopped the crazy claims that the controlled substances act is “unconstitutional”. I’d say that’s educational progress.
Now, will any of the newly informed put down the bong, enroll in law school, and pick up a book?
You can move Mohammad to a stone mountain but you can’t make a stoner move.
And while elite is an intended slur, its literal meaning is quite complementary. But whats in a name? The last refuge of scoundrels(or the antonyms of elite) is to cast aspersions.
elite
adj
Definition: best, first-class
Antonyms: common, low-class, lower, lower-class, ordinary, poor, worst
You haven’t made any constitutional arguments that display any real grasp of constitutional principles, “Not a Native” all you have done is to reaffirm that you are a cowardly anonymous internet troll.
When confronted with real argument you resort, as always to abusive and slanderous posts.
So what is your excuse “Not a Native” for dancing around the ballroom wearing that mask?
You see if you had the courage to stand by your ideas, then we could decide for ourselves your qualifications.
Maybe you are an elected official or a lawyer, perhaps that would explain your behavior.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Gee Highboldtage, you sound just like Rose. That isn’t a compliment.
You sound just like a sock puppet and that isn’t a compliment either.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
I’d rather sound like an intelligent liberal sock puppet than a ignorant right wing rose.
Yes well Rose isn’t circulating a petition to raise the minimum wage for the working poor is she? And what have you done for the workers lately, anonymous “liberal” sock puppet? Besides running your mouth that is?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
commendable. if minimum wage is raised will you try to get a job?
I get it, you are workin’ hard on helping the poor, but your work is so important that you can’t tell us what it is.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
so the answer is no, you don’t plan on getting a job.
Peace be with you
love eternal
tad
Absolutely. You haven’t demonstrated that the laws against drugs are unjust because they apply to everyone equally. You also haven’t demonstrated a willingness to accept the penalties.
And what do cowardly anonymous cyberpunks do for a living these days? Being paid to disrupt internet discussions? Does that pay minimum wage?
I worked – ON THE BOOKS – for 28 years, paid my taxes and my FICA all those years, before I was deemed disabled by a federal judge.
So now my brave friend. There ya go. What about you? How do you make YOUR living. Put up or shut up.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
I have a job like most people do. Telling you what I do might tell you, or others, who I am so I prefer to keep that my little secret.
Since when is having an opposing and demonstrably valid opinion disruption? When it disagrees with you?
It is possible that anonymous comments have validity. But when anonymous trolls make personal attacks then they have to start answering to higher standards.
Poor baby, don’t want people to know who you are. LOL.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Its hard for you to understand because you don’t have an income that would be negatively affected by anyone knowing who you are. You have nothing to lose so your identity doesn’t matter.
You lost any credibility long ago.
Actually,
The phony “war on drugs” is NOT being equally applied to everyone is it? But of course you paid LIARS know that.
The truth is that people of color are much more likely to be stopped, profiled, harassed, arrested, convicted, and sentenced far longer than any white suburban kid.
So give up the “fair application” argument, troll, it doesn’t even befit a shill like you.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Anonymous Says:
July 23, 2008 at 8:21 am
Absolutely. You haven’t demonstrated that the laws against drugs are unjust because they apply to everyone equally.
you are insane
Peace be with you
What kind of jobes would “have an income that would be negatively affected by anyone knowing who you are?” I bet it is a jobe where you pretend to be honest. And if people knew you how dishonest you really are, then it would effect your ability to pretend your honest at your jobe. Is that pretty close? Could it be a politician, a preacher, or most likely a baby citizen cane?
Just because our government violates the constitution does not mean it isn’t unconstitutional. Preemptive wars, torture, and suppression of the Bill of Rights, are just the tip of the illegality of our modern neo-liberal government. We could write a dissertation about all the ignored, violated, and non-ratified changes to our constitution that have taken place in this country for the last 150 years, but it would surpass everything ever written on Heraldo’s blog, comments included. If your are so asleep, or so indoctrinated, as to think that what we have, as a form of government today, anything but a tyranny of militarized oppression, you really serve no purpose in this discussion.
love eternal
tad
Bill –
don’t let the ad-homs. get to you. You have them! that’s why the personal slanders, they couldn’t keep up with you –
remember ms. doe yesterday, once she was bankrupt, she accused you of substance abuse. How inane.
power to you!
–virgil
Thank you Virgil.
I am counting on the idea that courage is contagious.
How can someone claim to be living in a “free country” if they are afraid to simply express their opinion without fear of reprisal?
The answer is: They can’t.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
“Get on the jury and vote innocent.”
“So, that means it’s your responsibility to tell people this.”
“But when anonymous trolls make personal attacks then they have to start answering to higher standards.”
“I’d rather sound like an intelligent liberal sock puppet than a ignorant right wing rose.”
“Telling you what I do might tell you, or others, who I am so I prefer to keep that my little secret.”
“Since when is having an opposing and demonstrably valid opinion disruption? When it disagrees with you?”
The drug war is silly. And, those who support it have something to fear from refroming even those aspects of it which cannot be supported – like marijuana prohibition.
–virgil
A consenting sock puppet still has a hand shoved up his ass.
Assuming that people who say there is no constitutional guarantee for pot use means they oppose legalization, support the drug war or the prosecution of people for its use is idiotic. Facts don’t become false because you wish they weren’t true. If you can’t argue with facts rather than wishful thinking you will never accomplish a thing.
We Spend Billiions on Marijuana Interdiction.
Who’s going to tell me that using marijuana is/has been worst than the effect it’s prohibition has had?
It’s Marijuana! The crime it creates is that related to it’s prohibition!
We are insane to put marijuna users in jail! We are insane to allow our local, state and federal law enforcement communities turn our neighborhoods into zones of surveillance because of marijuana. We have allowed our national forrests to be turned into quasi-war-zones in which our media are all to happy to film police dressed like G.I. Joe repelling from helicopters to chop 10,000 marijuana plants with a whopping street value of whatever!
–virgil
What’s your source?
if you want to follow MLK’s example then go light up joints in front of the congressional building in Washington, DC. They have the power to change the law.
What is the budget for the Humboldt County Drug Task Force?
Does anyone know? -the annual budget for the HCDTF.
The task force is made up of local, state and federal law enforcement authorities. We know what the budget is for the Eureka police department. But I can’t find the numbers for the HCDTF.
–virgil
I think the Sheriff Dept got over $350,000 from the feds for meth eradication alone last year.
Money for nothing, crank for free.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
don’t people also have a constitutional right to use meth?
Bill –
Off your back and mine. The amount spent to “keep drugs off the street” in the end does not do much. Keeps alot of people employed – big industry. You think? And, for something like marijuana. It’s not really meth, either. Who in their right mind would try that shit more than once?
–virgil
Peace be with you
That is a good question. The HCDTF is headed up by state cops. They run the show, and have the budgets. The individual cops come from all the Humboldt law enforcer gangs. Each cop shop put one or two thugs into the HCDTF and they do everything from under cover stings to bust homeless on the plaza of Arcata, and just last year they did a “homeless drug sweep” in Eureka.
Humboldt County Proposed Budget,Item H, Sheriff,
“1100-222 Cal-MMET
California Multi-jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team – $378,946
Drug Enforcement Unit “conducting year round investigations of major illegal commercial marijuana growing operations” – $218,000,”
page 20.
love eternal
tad
See, Bill, if you say ANYTHING that they don’t agree with you become a right-winger. That’s how it works. In any other county you would be far to the left. But not here. Now you’re a Republican. That’s what you get for stepping out of line and asking questions.
Ain’t it great?
Who’s they? Anyone you don’t agree with?
Why, no, heraldo, the one’s attacking Bill.
Phew. I knew I wasn’t a republican.
Rose, there are abusive morons on both sides of any issue that is true, and many of them hide under the veil of anonymity, but it is also true that the PAID disrupters and disinfo artists are almost always in the employ of the fascist corporate right wing.
You will find that people who I disagree with but do have the courage to stand up with their own names will be treated with far more courtesy by me than the anonymous trolls. Even anonymous trolls that disagree with me are ok for the most part but when they get personal I will continue to call them what they are – cowards.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
The hidden persuaders vs. the naked society.