Collective/Patients Rights Win Big

Temecula, CA – After reading Nick Biddle and Jeff Horseman yesterday, it was time to see how another citizen led dispute was coming along as these last noggy days of Christmas descend upon us. Besides, it may be awhile before those two realize they are suffering from the La Mancha Complex and have been ever since Naggar said all the “city is getting was chicken feed,” sack in hand. C’mon guys, wake up and smell the pizza. Your pocket’s been picked, your vote’s been slicked, and your cause has been dicked. Time for you and the S.O.S. bunch to putdown that puppy. That dog race is over. With Karie Reuther gracing the cover of Country Review it’s clear who’s ‘in’... now some other winners.

The quandary over the quarry isn’t the only question parts of the public are querying. Most of you out there know my ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ connection to the MMJ (medical marijuana) group, The Human Solution (see recent Joe Grumbine/Willow Springs stories). THS is made up of patients/activists who represent various areas of So Cali. One such person is Lanny Swedlow, a registered nurse who also runs a collective clinic and hosts a weekly radio/internet show about cannabis. Hardly a ‘pothead’ wouldn’t you say?

It seems however, that Riverside County lumps all people who smoke pot aka cannabis as just such people. Recently the see-saw battle in the courts of the city/county’s right to ban/zone collectives and such, the PTB (power that be) chose to try and shut down Lanny’s THC clinic which serves 6000 people. From being in these circles as a social butterfly covering the inside story gonzo style, these 6000 people aren’t potheads. If you passed any of these people on the street you would have no outward indication that any of them smoked pot. These people are not potheads, they are people who medicate using pot to relieve ailments that they suffer from. MMJ people don’t ‘get high’, they get normal when they smoke or medicate.

The most recent court action to close the clinic, just in time for the holidays thereby increasing the misery during the roughest time of the year typically, was stayed as the original argument moves through the system. This is great news for all 6000 MMJ patients but let’s let Lanny tell you in his own words.

“Hi Everyone,

I am ecstatic to report that the 4th District Court of Appeals has stayed the injunction issued by Judge Molloy which means the Health and Wellness Center Collective will stay open and continue to provide its member patients with medicinal marijuana. This is a major victory for the rights of patients to obtain their medicine through local medical marijuana collectives.

The stay will be in effect for the duration of the appeal process which could easily take one year. This makes the Health and Wellness Center the only collective in the Inland Empire that has a court order protecting its operation and blocking the actions of any local officials to close it.

Although this bodes well for the Collective’s case, it is not a foregone conclusion that they will win. The collective’s attorney, J. David Nick, is optimistic that this case can come down on the side of medical marijuana patients, but that will only happen through diligent legal work that presents thoughtful and convincing arguments to the court.

This email is not long on detail or analysis. That email will be forthcoming in the next day or so, but in the meantime, the members of the Health and Wellness can breathe easier knowing that their collective will remain open.

I am sure you all know that legal and court costs in a case that will most likely go all the way to the California Supreme Court are significant. The Health and Wellness Center is shouldering these costs entirely on its own with no financial help from any of the other collectives out there although every single one is benefiting from its recent victory and will benefit enormously if the collective is successful in getting the court to rule that bans are illegal.

So what are you doing for New Year’s Eve? You can help the Collective raise legal defense funds and be at the best New Year’s Eve party in the Inland Empire all at the same time. With music, dancing, party favors galore, delicious munchies and so much more, the party on Friday, Dec. 31 is going to be the Cannabis Culture event of the year as well as a very special way to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

You can help with the Collective’s legal costs by attending the best New Year’s Eve party in the Inland Empire. The donation requested for this special New Year’s party is only $20 and if you are low income, it’s only $10. For those of you who attended last year’s New Year’s Eve party and Ronnie Naulls fundraiser in Palm Springs, you know just how much fun these cannabis events are. If you have not made plans for New Year’s, start making plans to attend this very special party. If you have already made plans, you might consider canceling them so you can join with your friends, fellow patients and advocates in welcoming in the New Year and helping to protect your right to safe, reliable and local medical marijuana access.

The party happens Friday, Dec. 31 with doors opening at 9 p.m. and is being held at the THCF Medical Clinic, 647 Main St.,#1B, Riverside 92501. For more information and to purchase advance sale tickets, contact the Health and Wellness Center at 951-782-8400.” – Lanny