Pantagraph.com | News | Prosecutor disturbed that supporters see swim school owner as victim

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

turnleftandgasit wrote on Apr 20, 2008 10:15 PM:

" Thanks for the correction, but it was just a typo, as I had been trying to post off my phone for several days and was unable to do so. I have been a member for 4-5 yrs, and just let my fingers run instead of think. "

PK wrote on Apr 19, 2008 6:46 PM:

" to Townie: Yes, he really has AR, a crippling and painful disease. And yes, he got "a note from his doctor" that the ADA and judge seemed to believe. Things are sometimes fishy if you don't know all the details. Most of the 79 plants were barely above ground, but that is all that is needed for it to be called a plant. They were locked in a room in the locked basement. (Still a bad choice.) Hopefully, he had learned from this and will pursue more "legal" means to control his pain in the future. "

ONLY IN AMERICA wrote on Apr 19, 2008 10:10 AM:

" In today's ultra-liberal society we live in wrong is right and right is wrong. The bible tells about it. So many liberal bleeding hearts crying for so many " victims" it's a wonder there's even a justice system left in America.

THE DUMBING OF AMERICA CONTINUES DAILY "

chales55 wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:07 PM:

" "In any civilized society, it is every citizen's responsibility to obey just laws. But at the same time, it is every citizen's responsibility to disobey unjust laws."
-Martin Luther King Jr "

420 man wrote on Apr 15, 2008 6:13 PM:

" To: Turnleftandgasit & Jimmychoogirl

Just so you both know, it is NORML not NORMAL and it is a very good group to join. I am a proud member. I did not want you or anyone else to google the wrong name. "

sully wrote on Apr 15, 2008 1:05 PM:

" I shall elaborate as so sarcastically requested by 110100100, as some of my terms were admittedly subjective and unclear. "Serious weed dealer"... I'm talking about border smugglers, truckloads, and other stories that hit the major liberal media. You'll see metric tons of marijuana, coke, and heroin all being brought across together. You've been smoking too much of your own stuff to say there is no association between marijuana and other drugs. It's all about where the money is for dealers. Legalizing marijuana and government regulation would do little to end street dealing. Guess what, all those painkillers and other FDA-approved drugs are government controlled now - and that's one of the highest new areas of drug abuse and illegal dealing according to Office of National Drug Control Policy. If there's money to be made and pharmacies to burglarize, it'll still be out there illegally. "

Townie here... wrote on Apr 15, 2008 12:18 PM:

" Let me apologize for sounding callous in my previous post. It's not how I intended it to sound. I don't "Hope" he's sick but I hope he's not a recreational user who got busted and blamed it on a medical reason if there's no medical reason. It's hard enough pushing for the legalization of weed when it's got a bad rap, but it seems accepted when it's used medicanally. I would hate to see that even the medicinal users have to endure the criticism if someone poses to have an legit illness if they don't.

Also, to everyone else out there...keep on loving it...you're not harming anyone...just don't grow it at your business!! :o) "

middle of the road wrote on Apr 15, 2008 12:04 PM:

" thats OK Mr prosecutor, i am just as disturbed that you still feel pot smokers are criminals that harm society "

Townie here... wrote on Apr 15, 2008 11:54 AM:

" I have NO problem with the legalization of this drug. I do have a problem about lying as to why you're growing it-is he really crippled with rheumatoid arthritis? It just seems fishy to me. I completely understand the use of it for medicinal purposes. So, where's the doctor's note? As it is still a controlled substance but available medically, wouldn't he need to get that authorized? I tried googling stuff, please someone direct me to something that would indicate that Illinois DOESN'T prescribe this medically... My problem is with Rob's character. He's growing 79 (I don't toke, but that seems like a bit much eh?) plants in the dank basement of an indoor pool building. Having swam there (Rob used to be my highs chool coach at Normal West for a year) that's a neat old building...what would he have done if one of his students wondered and found it instead of the police? I don't know...just seems weird. Sorry Rob, but till it's legal, you're busted. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Apr 15, 2008 11:38 AM:

" Just a heads up, it's NORML (no A) and you should all also check out DPA (Drug Policy Alliance). They are a group that will notify you of any bills currently in the house or senate and which elected official to contact, as well as providing letters that you can edit to your specifications and send to these officials. There main belief is to eliminate this wasted tax dollars on the losing war on drugs and treating addicts as addicts not criminals. Keep on fighting remember "God made it, men use it, the gov't puts people in cages for it." "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 15, 2008 9:39 AM:

" turnleftandgasit - I am sorry for making light of smoking weed for recreational purposes. I realize there are people that truly need this for medicinal purposes. I have never heard of NORMAL but I am going to google it now and see if/how I can support it. My grandfather resorted to smoking after losing his appetite and being in pain from bone cancer. It gave him extra time on earth and he was not in as much pain as he was before. It completely baffles me that marijuana is not legal for medicinal purposes but addicting pain killers with horrible side affects are. I hope and pray that someday people like your wife and my grandfather can get the help they need without sneaking around like criminals and having to feel shame. "

turnleftandgasit wrote on Apr 15, 2008 8:48 AM:

" All the people that support the coach need to take the effort and support NORMAL (the group not the town). We need to legalize cannabis for medical purposes, and let the people of Illinois see what this god given plant can do for people that spend hundreds of dollars on scripts. My wife used to consumes 120 mg of oxycontin a day to control pain related to MS. Yes her legal drugs controlled the pain, but the tradeoff was being a zombie. Now with the addition of cannibis she is down to 20-40 mg a day and her quality of life is 10 fold better. She has lost 2 doctors over this. Both showed support of our decesion to add our pain relief drug, but soon after dropped her after making her take a drug test. One of these doctors wasn't a great loss to us, but the other was the best doctor we had ever been associated with. It has ruined her trust in the medical service field. AGAIN support NORMAL and lets get something done for the people that need a safer, cheaper, and less mind altering choice in medicane. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 15, 2008 8:29 AM:

" hahahaha!!!!! Ahh that was so funny! Good one 110100100!!! "

110100100 wrote on Apr 15, 2008 7:51 AM:

" Do elaborate. First off, I doubt you know many 'serious' weed dealers. Your extensive experience probably ends when you turn off spike tv. I've been smoking for a decade and gone through about 5 different guys, and most of them have never even tried anything else, let alone peddle it. So since you don't buy the “victimless excuse”, tell us who the victim is. That being said, I agree it worked out pretty well for this coach. Growing near kids was probably a poor choice, but beyond that the guy did nothing wrong. You're right about the “gateway” part too. One time after smoking too much, I tackled an entire box of Eggo waffles. * sobs * I just couldn't help myself! "

sully wrote on Apr 14, 2008 11:37 PM:

" Punishments need to be "so much less"? What more could you ask for than to get probation for having a pound of weed and 79 plants growing around a bunch of kids? In case you forgot or had the munchies, that's what this story is actually about. No weed dealer goes to prison (unfortunately) unless we're talking about a career criminal and some major drug ring. Smokers may stick to weed and not "gateway" to other drugs in all cases, but no serious weed dealer stops there in my experience. There are always other crimes involved, so I don't buy the "victimless" excuse at all. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 14, 2008 8:58 AM:

" I don't care if they keep it illegal or make it legal...but if they keep it illegal, the punishments should be so much less than they are now. I mean people sell pot and are in prison longer than child molesters. Something is seriously wrong with that. But seriously, keep it illegal so I can keep buying it when I want at the price I want. : )

"

110100100 wrote on Apr 13, 2008 11:34 PM:

" And what's been gained from this decades old 'war on drugs?' Do you have some sort of delusion that the world is a better place because of these foolish laws? Do you really think any of it has made a difference? Are arrests and incarcerations some sort of measure of progress? A lot has changed in 40 years. 12/50 states already have medicinal marijuana laws. California has vending machines for the stuff. The DEA likes to run their mouth about federal laws trumping state laws, but the reality is they're not about to start arresting people who have prescription medication their state allows. Your description of marijuana as a 'debilitating drug' is also inaccurate. Try researching current studies, not 40 year old ones. The American Medical Association would be a good starting point for this topic.

One should also consider what our 'war on drugs' has done to on the global level. Mexico's government is virtually powerless to stop the drug cartels who feed off our prohibition. "

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 13, 2008 10:25 PM:

" Flex, seeing that your still around...

Please consider answering my questions?
I would greatly appreciate it.
TIA "

flex remmington wrote on Apr 13, 2008 7:01 PM:

" To pseudo-intellectual

Thank you for another voice of reason. "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Apr 13, 2008 2:24 PM:

" I guess I shouldn't be amazed that people keep responding to stories like this, clamoring for their "right" to consume debilitating drugs. But if you're waiting for the laws to change, don't hold your breath. I remember an episode of the Dragnet tv series in the late 1960s, where Joe Friday (Jack Webb) is being taunted by a teenager, as to how his generation was goimg to make marijuana and LSD legal. Well, 40 years later, it hasn't happened, except in a few isolated places- and even there it is still illegal, federally speaking. We've had baby boomer presidents and Congressmen for years; some are so old they've retired from politics. And the use of drugs is still illegal, and hopefully will remain so. "

110100100 wrote on Apr 12, 2008 6:43 PM:

" Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance. ~Woodrow Wilson "

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 12, 2008 4:26 PM:

" Flex, you said:
"More than anything, I support democracy."

What are your thoughts on the tyranny of the majority?

How do you feel about a liberal democracy, in which individual freedom trumps the will of the majority?

What is individual freedom without tolerance for non-violent, consentual acts? "

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 12, 2008 3:07 PM:

" flex remmington,

Flex, you said:
"People who want to change the laws need to vote, or wave a sign or get petitions signed. That’s how its done here in America."

Flex, How do you interpret the spirit of the Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights?
Do you think it is merely about gun ownership, or do you think it is about the duty of citizens to resist unjust laws?

Why does the Fourth Amendment provide privacy protections? If everybody lived according to the letter of the law, there would be nothing to hide, right?

Certainly, the will of the majority should guide the path of economic policy, foreign policy, punishment for violent crime, etc. However, the will of the majority steps into the realm of tyranny when it imposes itself on liberty: on non-violent, consentual acts. It is fact that without limitations, a democracy allows for a majority to oppress any minorities. For example, without protection from the majority, a State Religion would soon be the law of the land.

Flex, without tolerance, what is liberty?
"

flex remmington wrote on Apr 12, 2008 2:00 PM:

" “Juxtapostle”
What have these people done? Freely admit to breaking the law is all. People who break the law should be punished. That is what keeps society safe and just. More than anything, I support democracy. And the way this country works is that people vote and put other people in office who make the laws. People who want to change the laws need to vote, or wave a sign or get petitions signed. That’s how its done here in America. If you say that does nothing to change things that is because it is the will of the majority of people that marijuana should stay illegal. The end of the ban on marijuana will be similar to the ending of prohibition, if it ever comes. When the true will of the people of the country deems it to be necessary, it will happen. And when that day comes I will support it. For example, I am strongly morally opposed to abortion, but courts and democracy have determined it to be legal, so I support a womans right to choose.
"

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 12, 2008 10:52 AM:

" flex remmington,
Does the work 'gestapo' mean anything to you?
Does the First Amendment break your heart?

What have these people done to you that gives rise to your determination to see them incarcerated?

Have a little respect for the liberty of your fellow man!
Shame on your intolerance! "

110100100 wrote on Apr 12, 2008 10:35 AM:

" Aw! What's wrong 'flex'? People demanding their right to personal freedoms are so annoying yes? And you DO have the opportunity friendo! You can move to China, and feel comfortable knowing there are sniffers on every switch port and firewalls blocking any opinion that might differ from yours. People arguing against archaic and counter-productive legislation will simply disappear! Don't worry! With people like you around, we won't have to go to China to experience totalitarianism.

On a non-cynical note, there was another article yesterday about two other growers who got probation. It's good to see these judges wising up and ignoring these stupid laws. END THE PROHIBITION!! "

Michael wrote on Apr 12, 2008 8:24 AM:

" it is a race thing, otherwise, they would just let him go or give him a ticket...my opinion! "

flex remmington wrote on Apr 12, 2008 2:59 AM:

" What is going on in the comment screening room? Are you guys high? All the comments talking about growing and smoking their own pot or the price of good dank should never have gotten through. They have nothing to do with the story. I would go beyond that. If I had the opportunity I would be recording people’s comments and IP addresses and turning them over to the police. "

lauren wrote on Apr 11, 2008 10:57 PM:

" Some explain how they think the street value is $79,000? $1000 per plant? I know some plants can be over 5 ft. but come on sounds a bit over estimated. "

PK wrote on Apr 11, 2008 3:30 PM:

" What disturbs me the that the reporting here isn't accurate. I was there. There was ONE letter from a child, that portrayed Morger as a victim. The adults did not portray him as a victim, but as someone who was a friend that they wanted to support as a friend, not because they thought he was a victim. The prosecutor was able to come up with only one letter, and no witnesses that said Mr. Morger ws a victim. Mostly because none of us thought he was one. He made a choice. It was not a smart choice, and we all knew he had to pay the price. "

94mustang5 wrote on Apr 11, 2008 11:10 AM:

" Put me on the jury. NO WAY I would convict on pot possesion. "

The Cats wrote on Apr 11, 2008 10:04 AM:

" Too bad the prosecutor felt that way. I can understand a radical right winger such as are our prosecutors would feel that way. One more reason for the legalization of pot. A victimless crime to be sure. What a waste of time and money. Our jails our filled with non-violent drug crime felons for absolutely no reason except this silly notion of a war on drugs. It is 100% clear that legalizing most drugs would reduce violence by taking away the sources of income for street gangs. It would cut our prison population by 40%, and would generate millions in tax revenue. It cannot happen until the radical right understands (?) that their drugs of choice (caffeine and alcohol) are not the drugs of choice for all. Maybe we should make them illegal and see what happens. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 11, 2008 9:20 AM:

" Nolongertowny - So that's why I'm lazy! *L*

And thank you, I do consider myself pretty fabulous! haha. :)

"

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 11, 2008 9:17 AM:

" Okay so I sorta "fibbed" about growing my own...the person I get my dank from grows their own. But the usual commerical I buy is random so I might be smoking lead. *L* Just wanted to clear that up since I first said I grow my own, then I said it's hard for me to get dank. I'm not a liar usually, so please forgive. *L*

And bluntsworth - I would love to toke it up with you. :) "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 11, 2008 9:10 AM:

" Yay it is almost 4/20 - I forgot. *L*

You guys are right about switching back & fourth between dank & commerical. Only problem is, I have to drive over an hour to get dank so that's the cost of gas and the higher price for the dank. Please feel bad for me. *L* I really need a dank hookup here in town but I don't know a lot of people here so I'm forced to smoke commerical most of the time. Luckily for me it's pretty highscale commerical, or at least I tell myself it is. haha. But yes I'd prefer some white sativa, blueberry, amnesia, oh boy I could go on forever. : ) "

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:56 PM:

" hey, good call 420man! "

whatevercple wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:35 PM:

" other then the smoke from smokin marijuana this is a drug of witch helps many different illnesses. If they would make it legal it could be given in a pill and much more effective, people would not have to use it improperly. I see nothing wrong with given him probation and helping the man out. Its evident that the man was no buying or selling and has no criminal priors. He simply grew and smoked for what he thought was improvement to his own health. The children, and parents in the past and even current all seemed to have no problems with the work this man done. Fine him and move on. it would also be nice to come up with legalization, but then people could grow there own medication and there goes the economy some more! "

420 man wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:33 PM:

" it is almost here 4/20!!! I feel ya bluntsworth!!! "

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:17 PM:

" CBS and WebMD have the wit to print this worthless filth:

>> QUOTE from:
cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/10/health/webmd/main4005638.shtml?mpid=1732
"Smoke Pot, Get Lead Poisoning?"

Here's yet another reason to "just say no" to drugs: Smoking marijuana could lead to lead poisoning...
"

NoLongerTowny wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:21 PM:

" To JimmyChoogirl- The problem with going from dank to commercial is that you really can't get high off the commercial. You kind of get huh....instead of high. The best bet is to switch between different types of dank, maybe a sativa to an indica. This way you are still enjoying quality highs all the time, just different ones. Highs you get from commercial bud makes you more lazy and lethargic as opposed to your top quality buds that have different types of highs that are typically for me, more energetic. Plus, commercial bud tastes and smells much worse. Give me some AK47 or Northern Lights!! BTW, there are websites where you can buy seeds that describe the kind of high it produces, some for pain, anxiety, and others for euphoric experiences. Also, you sound like a cool chick! "

110100100 wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:15 PM:

" re: juxtapostle

Good reason not to buy pot from Germany, or toys from China. Even more of a reason to grow your own. "

C. Bluntsworth wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:25 PM:

" JimmyChooGirl - wanna smoke? haha

They don't call me Bluntsworth for nothin ya dig?

I'm gonna have to disagree with the switchin back and forth from dank to commersh. I try to stay on the dank, it's a way better experience for me. Regs get me high for like, 15 minutes. But with dro, you never know! It gets expensive though for sure.

Ya everybody, i smoke weed! i've never done anything other than that, and drink beer, and i never plan too. Just because i'm a weed smoker doesn't mean i'm doomed to live a crack or meth addicted life somewhere down the road.

So all my smokers roll one up and do what you do. Don't let these "perfect" people get you down. 4-20 is coming soon... ARE YOU READY? "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:58 PM:

" juxtapostle - thanks for the lead warning. Good thing I grow my own and know that it is 100% pure herb. : )

G. Larson - you are right on about cannabis being far less enjoyable if used constantly. The solution - switch it up, dank, commerical, dank, commerical and so on...it's still constant but different effects. : ) "

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:31 PM:

" content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/358/15/1641
QUOTE FROM The New England Journal Of Medicine" (4/10/2008)
...
The current working hypothesis of the police is that because of its high specific gravity and inconspicuous grayish color, lead was used to increase the weight of street marijuana sold by the gram and thereby to maximize profits among dealers. In the material that was obtained, the lead content on average was 10% by weight, which translates into a profit increase of approximately 1,000 euro ($1,500.00) per kilogram of marijuana. Lead particles smoked in a joint, which can have a core temperature of 1200°C,2 are very effectively absorbed in the respiratory tract. The medical community, including pediatricians should consider adulterated marijuana as a potential source of lead intoxication. "

G. Larson wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:00 AM:

" sully: I must've missed this indisputable evidence that he was in fact "under the influence" at any time while "at work". There's really no reason whatsoever to assume that he was. The vast majority of cannabis users I know are extremely selective about when and where they use it. I would argue that recreationally, cannabis is far less enjoyable when used constantly. Medically, its no different than any other prescribed drug with marked side effects. If a person is prescribed an opiate painkiller, they are not to operate machinery immediately after taking it (but certainly not NEVER, as they aren't constantly under the influence of it), you are to take it with food, you are to not mix alcohol or other drugs with it, and so on. In no way should this have to be any different. In fact, I feel it would be harder to suggest that it is any different. If a person is using medicine to make their lives BETTER, then they will use the medicine, for the most part, in that very fashion, to make their lives better and not worse. The only issue here is irrelevant and archaic laws. The scientific community would generally agree. "

dipip wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:41 AM:

" legalize it, control it, tax it, arrest those not following the laws "

110100100 wrote on Apr 8, 2008 4:38 PM:

" re sully:

From a medical perspective, any prescription painkiller is going to have side effects such as you've described, probably worse. Most pain relievers carry warnings not to operate machinery or drive until the patient becomes familiar with the drug's effects. This coach ran a successful business for years despite his painful affliction and need for medication. And many eager parents stepped forward to testify their confidence in his judgment and abilities as a coach.

From a recreational perspective, I agree that people should be required to smoke responsibly just as they are required to drink responsibly. This means if you can't pass a field sobriety test, you have no business driving a vehicle. A breathalyser is usually only needed after a person shows signs of intoxication and fails several coordination tests. These test apply to people under the influence of pot as well. People do occasionally get weed DUIs. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 8, 2008 3:21 PM:

" Sully - also you compare robbing and murder to smoking weed and growing plants. Just because all those things are illegal doesn't make them the same...

MORALS!!! "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 8, 2008 3:19 PM:

" You know what drivers scare me? The ones leaving the bars and the ones talking on their cell phones and texting. They don't even bother to use turn signals because they aren't paying attention to the fact they are turning because they are busy talking on the phone. They just cut right on over. So say what you want! "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 8, 2008 3:17 PM:

" Sully When I am high, I drive just as well, if not better than when I am not high. It makes my concentration about 100 times more effective because the fact that I know I'm high. Also, even though I never have anything on me, if a cop pulled me over he would see red in my baby blues so I am super paranoid to never get pulled over...therefore I do not speed, I check all mirrors constantly, wear my seatbelt, etc. I know many people will have a problem with this and that is fine with me. I would never endanger the lives of others and will continue not to do that. Let me also point out that I have been smoking for 8 years and have never once been in an accident or gotten a ticket of any kind.

You can sit outside any bar in town and see people getting in their cars & driving away - What do you do at bars? Exactly!

I work hard, pay my bills, give to charity and yes I smoke weed and yes I drive while stoned.
"

sully wrote on Apr 8, 2008 12:28 PM:

" Plenty of folks' right ARE infringed upon, by someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs who is in contact with others. Marijuana may not make someone as reckless as alcohol does to a sloppy drunk, but this man should not be interacting with children in a potentially lethal setting (the swimming pool) especially not in a professional sense! How can I be the only one that sees this? The guy was driving cars full of kids to swim meets on the weekends too, under the influence of marijuana every day BY HIS OWN ADMISSION. It's not like I'm making this up. Any pot smoker knows that getting "high" alters your mental status and judgment, and if Morger needed marijuana daily then he was obviously high most of the daylight hours. "

110100100 wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:55 AM:

" No one is arguing that the law does not exist. That's painfully obvious and the very point of the argument. Laws in democracies are not meant to be static. They are also meant to protect people's rights, not take them away. Marijuana prohibition serves absolutely no purpose except to satisfy the intolerance of the self-righteous. The only thing that makes a justice system look like a circus would be throwing someone in cages for the equivalent of gardening or brewing beer. Why should we the tax payer have to pay for that? Our government has no right to tell people how to eat or treat their ailments or relax on the weekends so long as no one else's' rights are infringed upon. "

sully wrote on Apr 8, 2008 9:17 AM:

" Most of you don't seem to understand the benefits of a society with LAWS. I'm sure marijuana has its benefits in a medicinal realm, I'm not going to disagree with that or fault anyone with terminal cancer for using it in their final months. But to use that as an excuse for anything that ails a person is ludicrous, and that fact that Morger still gets probation after already flunking a drug test makes our "justice" system look like a circus. If we can break this law, then why not break every other law that we don't feel like obeying? Maybe I think speed limits and heck even robbery and murder are okay, so I do those too? Of course not! There is a process and a system for changing laws, and it DOES happen over time. It doesn't mean Morger or anyone else should be able to cry themselves out of the consequences for breaking current laws. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 8, 2008 9:17 AM:

" For all of you that say marijuana should not be legal, do you think we should change the laws and make alcohol illegal then? It's so much worse in so many ways. I don't know a single stoner who beats his wife or has unprotected sex with strangers and blames it on pot. Can you say the same about alcohol? And lets's get rid of prescription medication too because it's used for pain but comes with so many side affects like OVERDOSE & ADDICTION. But oh no we need pills for pain, funny marijuana also helps with that there is just not as many side affects, none lethal! DOH! "

mdorf4 wrote on Apr 7, 2008 6:19 PM:

" Marijuana should not be legal, although I don't have a problem with medicinal use. I spent a few years high, so I am familiar with the effects of it. These are my reasons why:
-If 1 in 3 wants it legalized, that means 2 in 3 don't. Democracy at work.
-I don't know of any effective way to test for whether someone is under the effects of marijuana. The only tests I'm aware of just show if it's in your system, which could be a month after use. It may not impair you as much as alcohol, but on pot you're in a somewhat euphoric state and concentration isn't real high. I went through some stop signs while high,etc...
-same problem for employers. I wouldn't want someone operating heavy machinery while high. If you can't test it, how do you know. If you think no one would do that, then you are the one that's high.
I enjoyed my time when I used to get high, but that's not enough of a reason to want it legalized. "

110100100 wrote on Apr 7, 2008 4:25 PM:

" Marijuana prohibition is archaic, counter-productive, and needs to end. People who support its criminalization generally know absolutely nothing about it and are left bitterly repeating “it's illegal” rather than explaining why it is illegal. You never see them citing the American Medical Association or countless research studies by universities, they just wag their fingers and mutter phrases they heard on Law and Order the night before.

What's even more concerning is that nearly every claim that supports marijuana prohibition is a lie. It is not a gateway drug, it does not turn people violent or predispose them to criminal activities, it is not physically addictive, and it does not make minorities lust for white women (as the champion of marijuana prohibition, Harry Anslinger claimed). So why the need to lie? Why the need for propaganda? We're supposed to obey laws that are built on the foundations of racism and deception?

“I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.”
-Thomas Jefferson "

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 7, 2008 3:29 PM:

" *rolls eyes* - China IS Prison. Why? Intollerance.

So, go ahead, choose another country. America has a much higher rate of incarceration. Neat magic trick, huh?

~theme to Europe's 'The Final Countdown' plays in background~ (arrested development) "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 7, 2008 3:15 PM:

" Thanks Mule - I don't know why (or how) I get that mixed up all the time. : ) "

*rolls eyes* wrote on Apr 7, 2008 3:07 PM:

" To Justxtapostle - a little reality check. . . America has a larger prison population than China for two reasons. Firstly, many prisoners in China are never reported. They're just disappeared for having the wrong views/opinions. Your letter for example is no doubt one that if we were living in China, you'd be thrown in jail for. Secondly, China doesn't incarcerate for nearly as many crimes as we do. Instead they execute. If this were China, this guy would have been shot in the back of the head by now and buried in an unmarked grave. If you want to live in China you're welcome to it. Just consider yourself lucky that you don't. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Apr 7, 2008 2:20 PM:

" TO: JIMMYCHOOGIRL

Slight correction, the males have no buds. The females do. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Apr 7, 2008 2:20 PM:

" TO: PSEUDO-INTELLECUAL

79 plants spread out over their gestation period isn't that many. It takes anywhere from 2-8 months to grow a plant from seedling to mature plant (depending on the grow method used.) Then when planting you have no way of telling how many will be male, so they will grow until they are determined whether they are male or not and the males removed (so roughly half) so now we have 40 plants (give or take) If they are cycled to mature at different times (assuming 8 months to grow) that's 5 plants a month (not counting the ones that die along the way). 5 plants can produce MAYBE a pound (usually 1/4 pound) each. If he is in as much pain as he claims and is used in the proper manner (eaten, which uses more pot than smoking) then it doesn't really make up that much pot. Hope this helps, but i encourage you to not take my word for it, but reesearch it yourself. You'll be amazed at how quickly you realize you're being lied to by your gov't. "

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 7, 2008 2:19 PM:

" "despicable weed"

Probably the sentiment of a Christian (or Muslim, Jew). Funny how their god is greatly to be praised, but he made this terrible devil weed. Satan must have brought it from heaven during his fall.

7 is considered a sacred number by many Christians.
7 is the leaf structure of a typical cannabis leaf.

all meaningless, I know, ridiculous even.

Imagine Tolerance in the Middle East.
Imagine Tolerance in the U.S.A. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 7, 2008 1:39 PM:

" Not an addict but...79 plants seems pretty reasonable. Depending on how experienced of a grower he was, some of the plants could have been female in which case no buds are going to grow on it. Some of the plants might not make it full term, etc. So he was probably just making sure he's going to have enough to last him a while. : )

And no way is marijuna 10 times worse than alcohol or will you see 10 times the bad affects of that of alcohol. You obviously don't know that much about pot. I would rather my children be under the supervision of someone stoned out of their gord than BUZZED off alcohol anyday! "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Apr 7, 2008 12:01 PM:

" Excuse me- I don't think this guy needed 79 plants for his own use. That seems like an awful lot of this despicable weed for just one person. Perhaps one or more addicts who have commented on this story will be able to set us straight. It always cracks me up when I hear people complain about alcohol being legal and marijuana and other drugs illegal. Do you want to multiply, perhaps ten times, the bad effects of alcohol? I think the drugs you are taking have already gone to your brain. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:50 AM:

" TO: FLEX REMMINGTON

Small point of order, Marijuanna is only illegal IF you do not have the Marijuanna Treasury Tax stamp, you can only get the Treasury Tax stamp by presenting the Treasury Dept with the marijuanna you plan on growing, at which time you will be arrested for growing or buying marijuanna without a tax stamp (the gov't, after making this law, has never created one marijuanna Tax Stamp, and they never had an intention to do so). It is an intentional Catch 22 the gov't instilled to attempt to outlaw marijuanna they way Thompson machine guns (tommy guns) were outlawed. Just another example of the feds stepping on the states right to choose. Does anyone else realize we have a medical Marijuanna law on the books? All we need is a Gov or LT Gov to sign it. "

fluffyduffer wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:42 AM:

" I'm now going to send my kid to his swim school just because of this. He sounds like an okay guy to me. And his swim classes are near my house : ) I really do not care if he was growing pot. "

Jud wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:18 AM:

" I'm not sure the prosecutor doesn't it. His comments might have been just to appease the newspaper and the uppity-ups who think it's wrong. Also he's just doing his JOB. Or possible the fact that it was being grown where kids were. The real ones who don't get it is the politicians. The ones who keep voting "NO NO NO. WEe can't allow that in our state. It's bad. We need to find one who is opened minded about it being legal for medicinal use and support him 100 percent intead of just sitting around and talking about how helpful it is for some people. Bur it's going to have to been done on a federal level as well as state level. It's legal in California but you still can't use it legally. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 7, 2008 10:57 AM:

" Think to exist - you are right...but the law is wrong. No one should go to jail over pot, growing it, smoking it, selling it. It's God's plant, not man's drug. :) "

Great Responsibility wrote on Apr 7, 2008 10:53 AM:

" I doubt the "legalize it" crowd would be pushing so hard if there was a breed of pot that had pain relief properties but none of the THC high.

Pain relief is a red herring for the real issue. "

think to exist wrote on Apr 7, 2008 10:20 AM:

" This is crazy! What is the difference between this guy growing weed in a SCHOOL AND the teen agers smoking it on the streets. Oh! PROBATION VS JAIL TIME!!!! "

FYI wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:56 AM:

" Of course the prosecutor doesn't get it. He doesn't want to listen to the people that we are sick of this losing war on drugs that's killing America...not the drugs, the people. Maybe he should read some history on prohibition. Mr. DA: we will bury you! You will NEVER win. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:52 AM:

" I'm so glad he doesn't have to do any time! My grandfather died of cancer but had some good (last) days thanks to marijuana. He had no appetite at all and we all no you have to eat to live. His doctor recommended he try smoking pot to get his appetite back. He was reluctant but was able to get some from a family member. The hardest part was trying to inhale because he didn't have much energy but once he got it down, I saw him eat and eat and eat. If someone would have tried to put him in jail for doing something illegal, I would have had a major problem with that. Legal and Moral are two different words and mean two different things. RIP Grandpa and keep on tokin Robbie.

P.S. I am healthy as a horse but when I have a headache, I'm not reaching for my Tylenol. :) "

Marsh wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:30 AM:

" What is with all the whining prosecutors? They don't want anyone to disagree with them now? It's the friends and parents fault for not condemning him? I thought the prosecutors preferred to blame the judge when they did not get what they wanted? So now they are blaming anyone who does not ostecize the person that they think did something wrong? "

happyinillinois wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:27 AM:

" This is happy ending to a sad situation....Should he have been growing marijuana at a swim school where children attend, NO, but what this man does in his own home is HIS business....He obviously ran a well respected business, was a family man, and wasn't hurting anyone.....And the problem is...Oh yeah, marijuana in our conservative country is still "illegal" however certain states will allow use for medical purposes....Gee must be terrible if it helps ailing people with pain and nausea...Leave this man alone and let him serve his probation...I'm glad he was not given time over this....No one should over Pot "

wewest wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:14 AM:

" If you have never had pain like this man has then you really should have nothing to say.Also,I have been to many parties around this area and have seen some upstanding people get a buzz. "

who cares wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:12 AM:

" i can't believe it's still illegal.there are no stats.on people that die from pot use.alcohol kills 150,000 every year and i'm not talking about drunk driving,just the health issues connected to it. "

Lawndale Reader wrote on Apr 7, 2008 8:52 AM:

" The reason marijuana is still illegal is because the government has not figured out a way to tax the @*#%! out of it and the pharmaceutical companies can't make money off of it. "

Jud wrote on Apr 7, 2008 8:39 AM:

" Also I might add that there was another article in the paper today about overdosing and mistakes when giving medication. That happened to him also when his medication was mixed wrong and they put in 100 times to much of one of them. His nervous system began shutting down and he almost died. Now every time he has his pump refilled we worry that it might not be mixed right. Would that have happened if it were marijuana? I doubt it. "

Jud wrote on Apr 7, 2008 8:31 AM:

" I pray that one day soon "pot" will be legalized for medicinal use. Maybe then my husband would beable to get relief from some of his pain. He is in pain 24-7 day in and day out from injuries suffered in a construction accident. We've done the rounds of pain clinics and pain medicines and had a pain pump put in with heavy doses of narcotis and still not much pain relief. Other than he is now addicted to their "legal" drugs. So what's better for him, legal drugs because he has a prescription for them or that nasty, nasty stuff callled "pot". Addiction is addiction, no matter if it's legal or not. But they don't call it that, it's called dependance! "

Neves wrote on Apr 7, 2008 5:53 AM:

" To Juxtapostle: preach on my friend! I like your view. "

myopinion4u wrote on Apr 7, 2008 3:40 AM:

" The prosecuter is disturbed huh? I bet that prosecuter enjoys a drink every now and again, maybe even drives after having a beer with a buddy after fighting senseless laws. Alcohol kills more, and injures more than marijuana ever will. It is a safe form of recreation, and is medically accepted for pain relief. Time to stop this nonsence that marijuana is so evil. Give it up already! "

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 7, 2008 3:31 AM:

" okay flex, he grew cannabis, so he is implicity guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of every child who swam in his pool.

Nice world you live in.

Unjust laws BEG to be broken. "

flex remmington wrote on Apr 6, 2008 11:17 PM:

" Yeah, I'm pretty sure we still arrest people for commiting crimes in this nation. In case people have forgotten, growing marijuana is a crime and until that changes people deserve to be and will be arrested for it. I think they should have thrown the book at this guy. He shows "Michael Vick like intelegence" with his choice to continue to somke and test positive even after entering a plea.

This guy is lucky that nothing has happened there like happened at the YWCA. Parents and others might be singing a different tune if a child drowns under his supervision and he is then found to have drugs in his system.

"

jway wrote on Apr 6, 2008 11:09 PM:

" He *was* the victim! What people choose to put into their bodies is none of the Government's business.

It was not "wrong" what he did, it was illegal. "

libertarian viewpoint wrote on Apr 6, 2008 10:01 PM:

" This entire debacle is a travesty! Those who prosecuted this man should be put in jail in my opinion. This is an outrage both as an American who loves freedom and a taxpayer who has to pay for this. I am sure there are many cases such as this across the country that happen all the time which is why this entire war on drugs has to stop. I mean we might as well be living in China or Russia if this kind of prosecution is allowed to go on. I hope that in my lifetime people will wake up and end this madness! "

juxtapostle wrote on Apr 6, 2008 9:55 PM:

" Sad is this guys CYA kissing up to the judge.
This is bad law.

It is very bizarre that 1 in 3 people in America are in favor of cannabis being legal, yet so many people are being incarcerated and abused by the law. What magic number of tolerance is required? 1 in 2 people? A majority?

Any 'free' nation should have an established Legal Level of Tolerance for non-violent acts of consent. An established legal level of tolerance is a much needed means to protect the freedom of a minority from the will and intolerance of the majority.

America has the largest prison population in the world (even China). Massive incarceration is not indicative of a free nation, and is a toxic symptom of severe intolerance. "

c.a.t.s. wrote on Apr 6, 2008 9:34 PM:

" here it is sunday eve. and this story is still running. (3days now) but yet the coliseum making only 2k for feb. is sent to the archives after only 1 day. i guess the pantagraph thinks that someone growing weed for thier own use is more news worthy and worth blogging about than the city of bloomington lieing to its taxpayers.. hope your fines are light MR. Morger and i hope that this is legalized soon for your sake and mine. i too use it for pain... "

Redbeard wrote on Apr 6, 2008 8:58 PM:

" We're still arresting people for this? "

chickenman wrote on Apr 6, 2008 8:54 PM:

" The ways of the wicked weed. "

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