Plainsman1963

DEA Raids Small Medical Marijuana Collective -- Puts Patient in Hospital; Advocates Protest Excessive Force, Intimidation
03-14-06 | USNewsWire.Com

Contact: Hilary McQuie of Americans for Safe Access, 510-333-8554

PALM DESERT, Calif., March 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Despite assertions from federal officials that they would not be going after medical marijuana patients or small cooperatives, DEA agents, along with Riverside County Sheriff's officers, this morning raided a small medical marijuana collective cultivation outside of Palm Desert that had recently been pictured in the press, injuring a 53 year old medical marijuana patient.

When the DEA knocked on the door, Gary Silva went to let them in. As he was unlocking the door, DEA agents proceeded to kick it in, dislocating Mr. Silva's shoulder, cracking a bone, and causing lacerations to his face.

"Everything I was doing was within California law. I grew for myself and a few other patients, and donated the excess to a nearby dispensing collective. There was no need for our California sheriffs to call in federal agents to injure me and harass my family," said Mr Silva after his release from the hospital for treatment of his injuries. Mr. Silva cultivates and uses medical marijuana for degenerative disk disease and nerve damage.

Agents confiscated less than 80 plants and dry medicine, which were grown for several patient collective members. Patient records and equipment were seized as well. No arrests were made. DEA agents repeatedly told Gary that they would not be arresting him, and that he would only be arrested if he grew again.

"This sounds like pure harassment by the DEA and by a local sheriff that isn't happy to uphold state law," noted Rebecca Saltzman, Americans for Safe Access Field Director. "It was just a matter of time before a patient would be injured from a federal raid, and if this hostility by the DEA continues, it's going to happen again."

Some members of Congress are also questioning the federal actions taken to prosecute medical marijuana patients. By the request of Americans for Safe Access, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) this week led a group of lawmakers in calling for a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation of how much money the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) spent each year over the past decade to enforce federal medical marijuana laws. (The request may be viewed at http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3142

Medical cannabis supporters plan to rally in opposition to this latest DEA raid and violent attack on a California-legal medical marijuana patient at noon on Thursday, March 16th in front of local federal buildings and DEA offices. So far, protests are planned in Austin, TX; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA; Missoula, MT; Riverside, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Washington, DC. Please check our web site www.safeaccessnow.org or call the ASA office (510) 251-1856 for location updates and other information.

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A national coalition of 25,000 patients, doctors and advocates, Americans for Safe Access is the largest organization working solely on medical marijuana. To learn more, see http://www.SafeAccessNow.org

BigBudMC

Those DEA agents should all be thrown in jail. Just because they are federal officers doesnt mean they have the right to assault people whenever they feel like letting off some steam. Maybe if they smoked allittle of the stuff they are sooo afraid of they wouldnt be so voilent. This post has hit me very strongly and because of it i think i will be attending the protest in Denver,Co since i live there.

dedbr

that something more serious than this is going to happen. Not all medical users are going to quietly walk over and open the door. Someone is going to start popping caps on these fools, and then whats going to happen?

Ya know what? Thats their plan I bet. If a grower or dispensary owner starts a shooting war, they have fodder for their propaganda machine to spit out and then they can say, "See, we told ya, poor agent Hucklebuck, shot in the butt while he was pulling down that chronic plant that hippy was growing. Their all the same, just a bunch of damn drug dealers like we said..."

Then they have a chance of getting their agenda thru. We loose because we are defending our rights. Now it makes sense. Now I know why they aren't arresting anyone when they pull these raids, their waiting for someone to go "Rambo" on their sorry asses so they can beat our propaganda.

I hope the DEA is reading this. Were wise to you, skunk farts. Go be manly somewhere else and leave our people alone.

I know it's futile, but at least I tried. They won't arm wrestle for the whole deal so it's the best I can do for now...Ded

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Buzzby

Who was "assaulted"? We may not like it, but the Gonzales v. Raich decision clearly gives the DEA the authority to arrest medical marijuana patients for federal marijuana law violations. Pursuant to such an arrest a person unintentionally got smacked by a door. In any other venue this would be called an "accident".


They'll get shot and probably killed, a fitting end for anyone stupid enough to shoot at armored SWAT-type LEOs armed with M16s and MP5s. It would be good for the gene pool, but bad for the marijuana legalization movement.

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andy at niu

They're all puppets controlled and manipulated by a higher figure in government, but they're all playin the same game. I agree with never pointing a weapon at swat/whatever, thats insta-death. Just as to be pre-caution, post up "No trespassing" signs on your private property in direct view at any entrance. Probably wont do shi*, but i've seen stranger things happen. Let mechanics do the work for you: boobytraps. You dont even have to be there when/if they go off. Just think of all those guerilla warfare tactics used in nam. Send a message to both sides: Encourage all growers to use and maintain boobytraps and let the gov know we are not going to give up no matter how much force and control they attempt to use. Freedom fighters unite!

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Buzzby

Entering your premises with a warrant is not trespassing, so such a sign would be totally irrelevant.


Legally, this would be premeditated murder if anyone was killed by your traps. If you ever want to breath free air again it is not a good idea to commit first degree murder, especially if your target is a police officer.


This is one of the more moronic ideas I've ever seen posted on these boards, and that's saying a lot. This is exactly the kind of stupidity that the DEA would love to see. They love to portray marijuana users/dealers/growers as dangerous, violent criminals.

andy at niu

You seem to take everyones comments about an article a personal matter. Im not trying to attack, hurt, offend, or degrade you in any way. Instead of commenting everyone on their opinion, comment on the article. If i wanted opinions about me and my comments i would have posted an article about it.

got paranoid?