Pubdate: Thu, 24 Jun 1999
Date: 06/24/1999
Source: Our Times Santa Monica (CA)
Author: Robin Givens
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n653.a08.html

Let me see if I got this right. Joe "Hemp" Kidwell was convicted for
illegally cultivating 14 marijuana plants. At the same time Judge
Albert Matthews recognized Kidwell's Proposition 215 rights by
ordering him to only use his legal medical marijuana at home.

Matthews has me confused because patients entitled to use medical
marijuana at home or anywhere else are also legally entitled to grow
cannabis under the terms of Proposition 215. For Judge Matthews to
make these contradictory rulings defies all logic. Obviously, Kidwell
was wrongly convicted of the cultivation charges if he has a
Proposition 215 right to use marijuana for medical purposes.

Matthews reveals his Reefer Madness prejudice when he attempts to
restrict Kidwell's free speech rights to oppose lunatic marijuana laws
that haven't had one iota of truth behind them since they were passed
more than 60 years ago. Petitioning the government to change policy,
redress grievances and repeal laws is a Constitutional right even in
Santa Monica.

Judge Albert Matthews has substituted his own agenda for the rule of
law and he should be removed from the bench forthwith.

Robin Givens
San Francisco