xxdr_zombiexx

Busted!: Young Medical Marijuana user in Serious Trouble.
August 9, 2004 | from personal e-mail.

Hi, Dr. Zombie—

I am hoping you have access to information that might help a friend of mine.

My dearest friend is a man in his mid-20's from an affluent (but not wealthy) middle-class family somewhere in Kansas.

He is a chronic severe depressive, and antidepressant drugs have had little benefit for him. Since he was about 17, he has “self-medicated” with pot. He is, in fact, quite dependent on it, and cannot go for long without it. He has quit on a few occasions since I have known him (we’ve been friends for six years), but he always ends up going back to it because of the depression.

He also has been suffering from severe gastrointestinal pain, so that the weed is almost the only thing that makes it possible for him to eat most of the time. (He has recently been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome.) Obviously, a sane society would allow him to medicate himself with the only drug that gives him enough relief to eat. (He has lost 35 pounds over the past few months with this syndrome.)

A year ago he was arrested for possession of under an ounce. In Kansas, this is a misdemeanor for first-time offense. He entered into a diversion, but after a few months he started smoking again.

Unfortunately, he smokes on and off pretty much all day, and since he delivers sandwiches and fast food for a living (he is too depressive to hold down a “real” job). This means he is out driving around with weed in his car all the time.

Recently (this year), he was picked up again for possession while on the job. He has 2 court appearances later this month. One will be to revoke his diversion (which he was within just a couple of months of completing when he was picked up again), and the other will be for the new charge.

As I understand it, a second offense of possession in Kansas is a felony, and he will probably either have to serve time or do probation for it.

He is scared and very depressed, as you can imagine. He is afraid to talk to his parents about it, though they are usually pretty supportive. Although he is in his 20's, he lives with them because, as I have said, his depression makes him unable to manage by himself.

He had a lawyer last time, who helped him arrange the diversion. But he didn’t know whether the lawyer was any good or was overcharging, or what. He needs a lawyer again, but he wants to find someone who is very good in marijuana-related legal issues.

Here is why I am writing to you: from your posts, I have gotten the impression that you are fairly active on the marijuana legalization issue. I was wondering whether you know of organizations in the Kansas City, Kansas, area that offer legal advice or lists of expert lawyers for people charged with marijuana possession. He needs to find a good, knowledgeable and sympathetic lawyer very soon. Do you have any advice about how he can go about this?

Thanks for your time--(Name withheld for privacy)


[zombienote: I got this e-mail from my presence on another website and as a professional helping sort, I felt compelled to broadcast this case description and ask people for - specifically - a competent, aggressive lawyer (yet with something like a "reasonable fee" - he will likely pay for this himself to keep his parents out of the loop), in the Kansas City area to help in keeping him from being another medical marijuana user from becoming America's next Reefer Madness Political Prisoner.

Please feel free to send referral suggestions to me by "Private Message", by e-mail xxdr_zombiexx@yahoo.com or by posting outright in the commentary section. I will take responsibilty to see that the writer recieves the information, if any.

This appears serious and is an opportunity to do more than just vent frustration about the system. I have already advised the writer to contact Drug Policy Alliance and NORML legal resources.

Thanks, in advance!]

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JTP

I don't know if I buy this. He has "self-medicated" weed since he was 17 for depression?! This same depression that he has (successfully?) combated with marijuana has prevented him from maintaining a "real" job and forced him to continuing living with his parents.

Are you sure this is for real, kind of sounds like one of those anti-pot commercials come to life. I am thinking of the one where the kid is talking about his brother who just sits in the basements on the couch…

cassiusclay

Hey JTP, I guess if this kid had a friend like you, he wouldn't need any enemies. You're about as sensitive as a dry corn cob, fella.

JTP

<gasp> Was that a personal attack?

Get over yourself. I am sorry my heart doesn't boil over here. I thought I was rather nuetral in my post. If you can't see the obvious contradictions in the post that is your problem.

I guess I needed to throw in some "stupid drug warriors pickin a poor depressed kid" or "but he is so DEPRESSED, I can't believe the evil druuuug thuuuugs would keep him from his medicine" or "just another poor misunderstood victim of the WOD" before I am considered sensitive enough for you?

From the posted email:

Since he was about 17, he has “self-medicated” with pot. He is, in fact, quite dependent on it, and cannot go for long without it... Unfortunately, he smokes on and off pretty much all day, and since he delivers sandwiches and fast food for a living (he is too depressive to hold down a “real” job)... Although he is in his 20's, he lives with them because, as I have said, his depression makes him unable to manage by himself.

So, he's been smoking 24/7 since he was 17, is depressed, delivers lunch for a living and lives with his parents. Sounds like the stereotypical pothead poster-boy for the antis.

I know a couple of alchoholics that swear booze makes them feel better about themselves as well.

And the "irritable bowel syndrome", puleeze. Hardly a crippling illness if my father and uncle are any example.

If I were really as "sensitive as a dry corn cob" I would suggest he clean himself up, get a "real" job, move out of his parents house and perhaps he wouldn't be so depressed.

Lothar121

I don't know enough about this case either way. Anyone can become depressed by just delievering food all day, being in there mid 20's living with parents, etc...

There is no reason for him to be persecuted, I agree with you. But smoking chronic amounts of weed everyday for long periods of time can effect some people in a negative way.

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xxdr_zombiexx

Simple recap: The person is having serious difficulties and being ruined finacially and /or going to prison for WEED is not going to help him one little bit. It's not going to help the Government, either, but government is too stupid to figure it out.

he is too small of a fish for a DA to use as a resume builder, and hardly an arrest for an officer to brag about (Yeah-boy! I saved America from this terrist! Mary-ju-wanna smokers is all terrists, ya know....) he is just somebody to be thrown away, basically.

It looks "wierd" to pull up this story - on Marijuana.com - and see the guy denigrated because Americans - at least some of them - constantly think everybody is lying to them and or running a scam (except that small-brained mafia thug of a president we got stuck with, of course - he wouldn't lie at all).

He ain't asking for money, just assistance getting a lawyer that can help.

So much suspicion and division in this country - even among stoners.

Tolerance4all

cassiusclay "Hey JTP, I guess if this kid had a friend like you, he wouldn't need any enemies. You're about as sensitive as a dry corn cob, fella."

First of all, if you really believe in Cannabis reform you both should refrain from personal attacks! It won't help the cause for some curious citizen to come check this forum out and see these kind of posts.

We have not heard from the subject of the email. It was written by a friend.
Only he knows what truly is going on.

Reguardless of this young man's reason for Cannabis use, he does not deserve to go to jail!

By the way I use Cannabis for IBS symptoms. Without it, IBS is crippling at times. There are different degrees of symptoms. Thank God for Cannabis I now can go out without worrying to much about accidents.

Peace & Love

Admin, why isn't the entire post quoted including where JTP quoted cassiusclay?

Higher Logic

Perhaps your father and uncle have a not-so-extreme case of IBS. Coming from someone who USED TO SUFFER from IBS before I started smoking, it is a crippling thing. It's also much different for women, and there are other GI issues like Crohn's which are similar to IBS. Your statement just angers me because I know what it's like to suffer with IBS, and it IS something that truly sucks. Thank God I smoke cannabis though, because Western Medicine sure couldn't "cure" the IBS I had, not even after numerous tests, pills, medications, and whatnot.

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JTP

Glad it worked out for ya. I know several folks who have also benefited from the bud in this respect. Still doesn't change the fact that IBS is all in your mind. Neither does it change the realities of the dude’s situation as presented in that email.

ccc

Ha ha... thought I was the only one scratching my head..... like, is this for real?... get a job!!

Ha ha
ccc