Monday, January 28, 2008

Municipal Civil Disobedience In Berkeley

We need to see more of this. From Saturday's Contra Costa Times:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_8086310

City considers aiding marijuana patients
BERKELEY: Resolution would declare area a sanctuary for medical pot users and distributors

By Doug Oakley
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 01/26/2008 02:59:19 AM PST

Berkeley is considering a plan to help get medical marijuana to patients if the Drug Enforcement Administration shuts down any of the city-permitted cannabis clubs.

The plan by City Councilmen Darryl Moore and Kriss Worthington already has drawn fire from the Berkeley police, the city manager's office and the DEA.

The resolution before the City Council on Tuesday night declares Berkeley a sanctuary for medical marijuana users and distributors, and says "the city itself shall ensure a continuum of access to medical marijuana" if the DEA moves in.

Whether that means the city selling marijuana itself or helping another distributor get started is up in the air at the moment, Moore said. He wants the police chief and city manager to come back with suggestions.

MORE...
Three cheers for Berkeley, and boo hiss for the California Supreme Court, deciding last Thursday that employers can fire MMJ patients:
http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_8073837

Medical pot use can get you fired
Thadeus Greenson The Times-Standard
Article Launched: 01/25/2008 01:27:41 AM PST

A California Supreme Court decision Thursday allowing employers to fire workers for using medical marijuana has some local attorneys disappointed and scratching their heads.

"To me, it's an absolute travesty that patients who receive doctors' recommendations to use medical cannabis are discriminated against in the workplace," said Greg Allen, a local attorney with experience handling marijuana cases. "I'm pretty appalled at this ruling."

The high court upheld a Sacramento telecommunications company's firing of Gary Ross, who flunked a company-ordered drug test but had a medical marijuana card authorizing him to legally use marijuana to treat a back injury sustained while serving in the Air Force.

The company, Ragingwire Inc., successfully argued it rightfully fired Ross because all marijuana is illegal under federal law, which does not recognize medical marijuana laws in California and 11 other states.

MORE...
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