The Debate On California's Pot Shops

Morley Safer Reports On Proposition 215

(CBS)  Cities around the state have been tightening the rules.

A city council hearing on limiting the number of dispensaries in West Hollywood was typical: activists and dispensary owners were out in force, as well as people who said they rely on medical marijuana for relief from serious ailments.

An AIDS patient said, "Medical marijuana equals life. My life." A man with vascular deterioration argued, "I have a deformity here, and a great deal of pain and discomfort. They help me with that."

There's a growing number of local laws limiting the number of dispensaries in a given area and the hours they can operate. But American ingenuity will always find a way.

Kevin Reed was forced to shut down his San Francisco dispensary because of complaints from neighbors. So he simply went into the delivery business.

Reed is up every morning, turning out a new batch of cookies laced with pot, part of a delivery menu that includes marijuana strains for every taste: "Snow White," "Super Girl," "Afghan Dreams," and "New York Diesel."

"If you smoke something like this, it’s gonna lay you on the couch. And you really won't be able to work for the rest of the day," Reed says.

Like many in the business, Reed is both caregiver and patient. Smoking marijuana, he says, for pain relief. "If I don't smoke marijuana, then the arthritis in my back starts to inflame. You know, it starts out mildly but gets worse and worse," he explains.

His couriers fan out across the city, delivering their wares.

In theory, all the medical marijuana sold in California is grown by the patients themselves.

"We're a collective. And what that means is our members grow it, they bring excess medicine here and we provide it back to the other members. That way we have no entanglement with the illicit market," Don Duncan explains.

But skeptics say it doesn't always work that way, and that old fashioned pot dealers can easily get a compliant doctor to make them patients and caregivers too.

"Most of these cannabis centers are buying their marijuana off the black market. They’re dumping millions of dollars into the criminal black market," Imler says.

"Marijuana - what? Coming in from Mexico or wherever?" Safer asks.

"Some of it is," Imler says. "Some of these places sell hashish, which comes in from the Becca Valley in Lebanon."

"What you're suggesting is that the traditional black market or part of the traditional black market is now legal?" Safer asks.

"Yeah. That's essentially what's happened," Imler agrees.

Imler believes there are well-meaning dispensary owners doing their best to help the seriously ill. That, says Don Duncan, is his goal.

"We just wanna serve our patients and be discreet. Obviously federal law is still a challenge for us. Because until federal law changes, we're at risk from the DEA raiding our facility, confiscating our medicine, even arresting people," Duncan says.

Duncan acknowledges they, the Feds, know where he is and that they could on a whim bust him.

They could, and they did. Not long after Safer's interview, the DEA raided one of Duncan’s dispensaries, arresting no one but confiscating the marijuana. Don Duncan got there in time to watch with pro-pot protesters outside.

"They smashed the doors and they ransacked the building and took all the medicine from the patients and left the place in shambles," Duncan says.

As for Luke Scarmazzo, rapper and businessman, he goes on trial soon on drug conspiracy charges in a closely watched case. In his video, he wins over skeptical authorities with his music and his charm. But real life in federal court could turn out differently.

Asked if he's worried, Scarmazzo tells Safer, "Worried would be an understatement. I mean, I'm facing a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison."

And looking back on a decade of controversy, Rev. Scott Imler concedes that good Samaritans with good intentions weren't enough. He argues it's time for the federal government to step in and legalize and properly control medical marijuana.

"Until that happens, we’re gonna have what we have now, which is chaos," he says.

[AB390]

Californians have an historic opportunity to legalize pot in our state. Attorney General Eric Holder has said he will only prosecute those who break both federal AND state marijuana laws. Assemblymember Tom Ammino introduced legislation in February that would legalize marijuana for adults.

If you live in California and favor legalizing marijuana for adults, <b>YOU</b> can make a difference. Tell your state representatives to support California Assembly Bill 390. It's easy. Visit yes390.org

Our state representatives WILL support this bill if we can get enough people to contact them. Tell your friends. Post the yes390.org link on your Facebook page. Print it on handouts and leave them in cafes. Let's start a grass roots movement!

[erasmus6]

"Perhaps if you are too stoned,"

should read: "Perhaps if you are NOT too stoned."

[erasmus6]

"I told her she could make that choice when she was grown up, and that was that." posted by amaterasu101

If you really believe that, after seeing you with marijuana, alcohol or whatever, that she is going to wait till she is grown up, you are a moron.

[erasmus6]

"What dangers are your neighbors posing?" posted by amaterasu101

You must be in a smoke filled haze right now. Obviously you can''t read.
I never said anything about there being a danger. I asked some questions. Perhaps if you are too stoned, mayby YOU could answer them? Of course I already know what the answer will be, from a pot smoker.

[amaterasu101]

Oh, and BTW, erasmus6, I am curious... What dangers are your neighbors posing? And if it smells like skunk...then it''s likely DAM'' fine weed! LOL!

[amaterasu101]

erasmus6, my child, you are funny!

Yes, as one who, rather than come home from work and pour alcohol into my system in front of my child, I ingest marijuana. Now, just because I do that does not mean she cannot make her own choices when she is an adult. She expressed interest once, I told her she could make that choice when she was grown up, and that was that.

THEN you imply that my use of the term "medicated" means I wan''t even on topic! LOL! I meant, of course, MEDICATED WITH MARIJUANA. (Let''s not go into the semantics of "medicated" vs. "high" here.)

AND, the blood tests are a positive/negative. This gives NO information about one''s current mental state.

Best of luck to you in any efforts to dictate what other can and can''t do based on your personal feelings.

[erasmus6]

"I know one thing post does not smell the same as it did when I smoked it, now it smells like SKUNK." posted by ME

"post" should read "pot"

[erasmus6]

Posted by amaterasu101 at 05:22 PM : Jan 02, 2008

I have done my research and we are not talking about medication. I find it funny how everyone brings stuff that isn''t related into the conversation. Must be because they can''t find fault with anything I have said but because they are on the defensive they have to come up with something even though it doesn''t apply.

And I already said that it wasn''t worth them doing the bloodtests. And just because the pot stays in the bloodstream for awhile does not meant they can''t use that. Obviously if the person had smoked it that day the concentration of it in the bloodstream would be more than if the last time they smoked it was a week ago. And if the person is acting stoned and the accident is there fault and it does show up in the blood stream then they CAN use it. I don''t know how things operate in your country but in mine that is how it works.

[erasmus6]

I have a question for you rushman and brian, just curious.

Would you make a ceremony out of and "introduce" pot into your kids life, like klingon69?

Do you let your children see you smoking pot?

To me that is being irresponsible. I did not tell my children that I had smoked pot. I wanted them to grow up and make that decision for themselves NOT because mommy and daddy did it. No matter what you think about pot,it is a drug and I am not going to be responsible for introducing them to any drug.

Also, I have neighbors behind me where the kids are 16 and 17 and they along with their parents go in their shed and smoke it. They smoke it before school/work and then when they come home and off and on for the rest of the night. And in the summer they were smoking it all day long. My question is do you think that it is right that I can''t go out and sit and enjoy my yard without smelling the stench? In fact I can smell it in the house with the doors and windows closed. Do I have the right to be able to breath clean air in my yard and in my house?

I know one thing post does not smell the same as it did when I smoked it, now it smells like SKUNK.

[amaterasu101]

I shake my head... "Ah, erasmus6, dear." brianbwb said, "...accident statistics show accidents related to marijuana consumption to be almost non existent."

And you said, "They just don''''t know the accident was related to marijuana consumption because they rarely do blood tests to find out."

It turns out that, a) doing a blood test is irrelevant since the drug will show up a week, two weeks, even a month after use. So doing such a test is a waste of money. It can prove nothing. So OF COURSE they''re not "doing a blood test."

and b) there have been a number of tests/studies done with medicated drivers and "sober" drivers. Though the results showed no *statistical* difference in scores, the *actual* difference usually shows the medicated individuals as doing slightly better.

Do your research.

[erasmus6]

"But you say that it is harmful. You really need to do some research. Even officers know the facts relating marijuana to alcohol and other drugs. Here in Texas, since September 1, 2007, if you are caught with 4 oz. or less of pot, all the officers can do is give a citation. HMMMM....I wonder why?????" posted by rushman71

It has nothing to do with whether it is harmful or not. Cigarettes are harmful and they don''t do anything about that do they?

You are the one that needs to do the research, I already have.

Are you saying that smoke is good for your lungs?

Are you saying that smoking pot doesn''t affect your memory?

Are you saying pot doesn''t make depression worse?

Are you saying that pot doesn''t affect peoples driving?

If you are, then you are an idiot and there is no point in discussing anything further with you.

And those things I just listed are only a few of the things that it does. They are finding more and more everyday. Remember, years ago they didn''t think that it was possible to land on the moon. We didn''t have antibiotics. As years go by we find out more and more new things. Just like how cell phones alter your cells in your head and are causing more and more brain tumors. But the people who are addicted to having the phone glued to their head 24/7 can''t do without it.:)

[erasmus6]

"Your description sure sounds more like LSD. But whatever it is, that sure is not what pot does to you." posted by rushman71

Okay obviously you haven''t smoked pot then because anyone that has knows that food tastes so much better. Why do you think they give it to people that have had chemo? So they will EAT. In fact the downfall to smoking a joint all the time is because most people over eat! That is a well known fact. Ever heard of the MUNCHIES? GEEZ

Now I and my husband smoked pot for years. I, not everyday but my husband did and believe me he and everyone else that I knew that did had one hell of a time stopping. In fact the only reason he did was because once our kids got to the age that they were questioning our behavior etc, I demanded it stop. And please do not tell me it doesn''t change your behavior or I will definitely know that you are an idiot.

[rushman71]

erasmus6: The main reason why pot is illegal is because of it''s production. The government can''t control it. But you say that it is harmful. You really need to do some research. Even officers know the facts relating marijuana to alcohol and other drugs. Here in Texas, since September 1, 2007, if you are caught with 4 oz. or less of pot, all the officers can do is give a citation. HMMMM....I wonder why?????

[erasmus6]

"erasmus6: thanks fo rincluding yourself" posted by bks59

I don''t live in denial. I live in reality. But then I like reality over lala Land. But then I guess if you have a life that SUCKS I guess maybe I can see why someone would feel the need to smoke it everyday.

[ianlou]

"...I am not talking about smoking pot once in awhile or just on the weekend, I am talking about EVERYDAY."
Posted by erasmus6

Lots of people are hellbent on slowly killing themselves. Their suicide weapons range from Drugs to Alcohol to Fast Food to Little Debbie Products to excessive Marathon Running.

The main problem with Pot is, in some, it kills ambition.
In the grand scheme of things, this should land fairly low on the list of addictive poisons.

I don''t want my government baby sitting it citizens, I guess you do.

[rushman71]

"And you have seen them when they have had to go without? Or have they EVER gone without? And you are telling me that when they have run out they aren''''t cranky and in a massive hurry to get out there and get some more?" Posted by erasmus6

Again, as I stated before, these are the conditions of people on crack and/or meth. All the people that I know that do smoke pot CAN handle life without it.

"You obviously don''t know much about mental dependency. Take smoking cigarettes, it is both a mental and physical addiction." Posted by erasmus6

Now, I do smoke cigarettes and do know that I am mentally and physically addicted to smoking them, because of the drug nicotene that is within them. Nicotene is the MOST addictive drug on this planet!!! But it seems to me that YOU don''t know a thing about mental addiction when it comes to marijuana, because it ISN''T ADDICTIVE!!! The only way you would know is if you done it yourself!!!

[erasmus6]

"there is not one statistic of an individual dying from marijuna overdose..." posted by bks59

I don''t think there is a question about that is there? Has anyone ever said there was a problem with that?


My discussion is NOT about whether it is worse than crack or alcohol cause we all know it isn''t. We know it isn''t physically addictive. My discussion is about whether or not it is at all harmful. The answer is YES it is. NO not harmful in the way that alcohol and other drugs are but it still can be harmful. They are finding out more and more about it everyday. But the pot smokers don''t of course want to believe it. Hmmm, I wonder why?

There is no question that it is safer but it still can be harmful. Smoke PERIOD is harmful. It affects the memory BIGTIME. And if you are driving under the influence it can be just as deadly. It also is a well known fact that it makes people with depression, worse. How do we know that the worsening of depression caused by it hasn''t contributed to someone committing suicide?

[bks59]

erasmus6:
thanks fo rincluding yourself.

[erasmus6]

I can see that there are a few of you here that must be in major denial.

[bks59]

there is not one statistic of an individual dying from marijuna overdose, yet every day some body dies form alcohol poisoning, and then there is the devistation of years of drinking where there is multi-organ failure, 150 proof alcohol is toxic and does kill, yet it is leagal!