And Drew Carrey called it right, Jurors were not allowed to heart that Charlie Lynch ran a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. They weren't told that Owen received his Medical Marijuana for Cancer Treatemnet, the DA made it seem he was dealing to kids.

Shame on the Sherriff from Morro Bay! Pulling an end run for his vendetta against Charlie Lynch by using the Federal Government and the DEA.

The evil is not the illegal Drug Industry, the evil is that there is such a thing as The Prohibitionist Industry. Corrections and Incarceration Systems are making some people very, very rich. Doesn't anybody worry about the number of Private Super Jails, and that more and more are being built? Take all of that $$$ being spent in the Criminal "Justice" System, and build Super Schools instead. Use that money for Job Creation in the Industrial Hemp Industry, Affordable Housing, Universal Health Care for everyone., and Lower University Tuition.

If there is anything I am certain of, it is that the very notion that Prohibition is the proper Law of the Land is 100% impossible. Anyone who believes they can stop anyone from making their own personal decisions is living in an unrealistic Dream World. Humans instinctively act on their own Free Will – if someone truly wants to do something, they will do it. We act according to our emotions – and not because someone wrote a rule down in a book.

And of course, I haven't even touched on the fact that Prohibition was born of Racism and DuPont Corporate Greed, with Big Pharma jumping on the Cannabis Prohibition Bandwagon. If we can cheaply grow our own medicine that helps millions of people for hundreds of Health Conditions, that's gonna put a dent in their bottom lines.

I think this just turned into a Blog Post…..

Thanks for posting this Jim. Brilliant as always.

I love your blog! Great insight and openminded, things I very much appreciate!
Peace & Bright Blessings,
Pam

Thanks so much for taking the time to review the post and to respond. Prohibition doesn't work and failed miserably for alcohol. Humans are partakers of mind-altering substances, the historical and scientific records are solid on this point. Let us hope that rationality and compassion prevail in this ongoing issue.

Who is behind this very well organized Legalize Marijuana effort. It is a very effective blitz of the internet, from digg to twiiter to every blog and comment section on the net. nicely done.

I served 8 years in the US Military supposedly making the world safe for freedom. Just to see my own government walk all over peoples liberties such as the story above. Disgusting. I turn my back on my nation.

Thanks for commenting, Sailor. I agree this is a tragedy. Thank you for serving our country. Now, our nation needs you at home, so please don't walk away when Americans need you to fight the good fight here for our civil liberties.

Thanks for commenting. The massive attention and publicity surrounding the marijuana legalization efforts at the federal and state levels is RISING UP from the people, by the people, and is for the people.

This is something that should have started a long time ago, the government needs to realize that marijuana was here before they were and they cannot control the peoples actions and the government is supposedly "for the people". There out to make money for themselves they dont care about the people or the nation for that matter, lets hope this uprising of the people forces them to come to the realization that legalizing marijuana will not only help the economy but also help thousands of people with cancer and other ailments to cope with their daily lives. Loved the video by the way.

Unfortunately, no matter what evidence is brought to the table in favor of marijuana, it will not change anything due to the older generation still controlling most of the power. The older generation was corrupted with false information given by the government about the positive effects of marijuana. It will be several years still until the newer generation starts moving into seats of power in Washington so that we can look at the facts in an unbiased manner. See the truth.

Legalize marijuana seems to be one of the hardest proves for us as society. I think that we must be ready to accept this challenge and use it for the good of mankind. Obviusly this subject isn`t that easy but some people just can't trust in the power of education and freedom to choose what we think is best for us, we must act as grown ups not as childrens. (from Mexico, hope you can understand my poor english)

It was great to hear Carey call out Obama on this. I really hope legalization happens here in California and help fix this economy.

if this crap doesnt change by the time obama leaves the white house im movig to canada…dea can suck my balls

I was on the other side of the drug war in the 80s. Prohibition never has worked and it never will. You cannot legislate morality or human behavior. To keep it simple for those who have less gray matter to work with, "People gonna do what people gonna do".

As one commenter said, marijuana is just a scapegoat for the biggest conspiracy ever perpetrated on mankind. Hemp was the most valuable commodity in the world for thousands of years, it was put here for a reason. There are over 50k uses for it. Anyone who thinks that acres of asphalt and petrochemical plants is better for the earth is out of their mind.

Here's a link for a very lengthy report on the conspiracy and the conspirators if you want to know the truth:

http://www.worldaudit.org/The%20Elkhorn%20Manifes...

Teahupoo

Prohibition didn't work for GOD. And he only had 2 people do deal with. How does the government think they can handle all of America?

Tabacco has move problems with the cause of cancer but are they getting rid of it because of the nicotine? No, take marijuana and legalize it and then it can be used for the good of patients. I have seen so many people that have used it for a medical reason and they are able to live a some what better life before they die. Wouldn't the police or DEA really use it if they were in that position, I bet they would. They aren't clean either. Having a prescription from a "Medical Doctor" should allow the dispensing of it. Getting arrested becuz the police don't want it in their county is not a reason to arrest people. The transmitter to his leg, that doesn't even have enough cord for him to get to the bathroom, is something I think the law enforcement should go thru, before putting a "human being" thru it and not themselves.

He needs to change "help control the pet population…" nonsense with "Help eliminate the national debt, legalize marijauna"

What a great little documentary. Glad that you were able to get this to the FP of digg…. this is an issue that needs more exposure.

Please don't group all older people together.I am 64 and I donate to Norml and am for legalization , so there.

Great video! Thank you Drew Carey for taking a stand on this. This family should not be treated as criminals. I am so disappointed by how dismissive the President was regarding marijuana. Almost everyone I know, regardless of age, thinks it should be legal and most of these are folks who have never smoked it.

So the judge gets to tell you your defense?

On Day 1, are you just handed a script by the judge of what to say?

This country has become a mockery of reason and sanity.

Thanks for commenting, finkydink. I think that's a generalization that may be inaccurate. I know numerous elders who knew the propaganda was originally false or who have learned better through life experience that marijuana is not harmful and has many beneficial uses. As a Boomer (I'm 55 in April!), virtually every one of my friends and acquaintances is in favor of legalization.

Thanks for commenting Lori, please see my response to finkydink above.

Thanks for commenting, Mark. I think with jury nullification, juries can literally create law by rejecting an unjust law. Jury nullification is the great hidden secret of judicial law in the USA and has great potential to reshape contemporary jurisprudence if used wisely by jurors.

Prohibition was not ended based off the merits of alcohol. 4 years into the great depression money talked and the preachers of BS were forced to talk a walk. Tax was the incentive. Funny how more and more rational thought on this subject is taking place during some pretty awful finacial times.

Wow. This is a disgrace. I have hashimotos disease and suffered a gun shot wound when I was 19. I have to sneak around a buy from strange people just so I can get the relief I need. Marijuana is not for everyone , but it sure beats what the Dr was prescribing me. They wanted me to take oxycontin, I refused it. Not everyone who use marijuana is a dope head. I am a Christian, and that adds extra stigma to my treatment. I just pray that God helps me stay out of trouble.

well put

A guy dies and goes up to heaven and talks to God. He says, "God, life was really hard, I worked 60 hours a week to get ahead so that I can be cranky when I got home to my wife and kids. Most of my life I was stressed out …..only to die an early age from a heart attack! What gives? God said, "Didn't you find the weed?"

Come on people…..call the White house, send letters and let you voices be heard! That's the only way we are going to change it. The government is happy to push the pills down throats and put their citizens in jail for smoking a stress reliever herb. I am not a criminal I just smoke pot. …….You know like the last three Presidents have.

Thanks for dropping by and for such a FAB comment!

Pretty shocking story and where are the courts that allow a sheriff and the feds to run amok like this? Marijuana has legitimate medical uses but can also be harmful as well. We shouldn't have to have the government making decisions for us in this regard. I watched a black male serve 2 years in prison for having 2 joints in his car while a white who was embezzling funds, passing bad checks and using meth walked free. De-criminalization would go a long way in sorting this our. Let the government sell marijuana, tax it and educate users as to its limits. We would take the criminal element out of the equation and leave citizens to make the right choices for themselves.

Don't turn your back the nation, just some of the leadership. BTW – A thank you! for you time served.

I know Owen personally and I’d like to point out that while this is an excellent video that highlights some very valid information regarding Charlie Lynch’s case, and that it is pertinent to the discussion our country is (or needs to be) having about marijuana…

Furthermore, though Charlie has been convicted, his sentencing has thankfully been delayed pending policy clarification from the Justice Dept. Find out how you can support people like Charlie Lynch at http://www.friendsofccl.com

Jesus made marijuana and saw that it was good