Posted on 02/28/2013 10:18:49 AM PST by Lexington Green
One of the suspects in this case is dying.
She is in her 60s, and confined to a wheelchair.
One of the other suspects is her caretaker.
Related News/Archive Roll call of some who died in 2012 Tampa Bay area has a long history of violent, heinous crimes Panhandle Tasering and rogue deputy hold lessons for current Pinellas Sheriff's Office troubles A young woman struggles with oxy addiction and recovery The girl in the window
He is also in his 60s, and a disabled Vietnam veteran.
This husband-and-wife crime wave were at their home in Parrish, just across the Sunshine Skyway bridge in Manatee County, when deputies arrived Monday afternoon.
It seems a real estate agent had been checking out a house next door when she spotted marijuana plants growing in the back yard of Bob and Cathy Jordan.
Several deputies, detectives and undercover narcotics cops in ski masks later, two mature plants and various seedlings were confiscated, and the case was turned over to the State Attorney's Office to determine if charges are to be brought against Ma and Pa Jordan.
This would almost be comical if Bob was not worried it might lead to his wife's death.
Cathy Jordan has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) and has depended on marijuana to combat the progressive nature and many of the symptoms of her disease.
"I know it's against the law, and I know the cops have a job to do. But I have a responsibility, too, and my responsibility is taking care of my wife,'' said Bob Jordan, a retired steel worker. "They don't have to tell me this is serious. To us, this is life-and-death serious.
"I'm not backing down. If I have to go to jail, I'll go to jail. Just because something is illegal, doesn't make it morally wrong. My wife is dying! She's dying, man.''
Unbeknownst to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, the people they were investigating have been leaders in a push to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes in Florida.
On Wednesday afternoon, two days after the incident, Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, filed the previously planned Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act (SB 1250) in the Senate.
Clemens has filed similar bills the previous two years in the House and has essentially been ignored by his fellow legislators.
Even though 18 states have passed medical marijuana laws, and recent polls indicate Florida residents are overwhelmingly in favor of it, Clemens has little faith that his legislation will pass this year. His hope is that it will at least be discussed in a workshop and pick up momentum for sometime down the road.
"What is the public purpose of this policy? Is this the best way to use law enforcement resources?'' Clemens asked. "We are spending billions of dollars investigating, arresting, prosecuting and then housing people for small-time drug offenses. It's mind-boggling.
"The hope is that by regulating medicinal cannabis we can at least eliminate the senseless cases like this one in Manatee County.''
In the meantime, the Jordans are talking to an attorney and hoping the State Attorney's Office decides this is not a case worth pursuing.
They're also worrying about Cathy's health because they say cannabis is the only drug that has alleviated her depression and muscle issues while also helping with her appetite.
"This is her medicine. It's that simple,'' said Bob Jordan. "The problem is people are prejudiced against cannabis because of the tie-dye, hippie, bulls--- image.
"They don't have a cure for this. And none of their legal drugs ever did a thing for her.''
Both points already addressed in the post you replied to:
"for certain patients, such as the terminally ill or those with debilitating symptoms, the long-term risks [of smoking] are not of great concern. [...] it will likely be many years before a safe and effective cannabinoid delivery system, such as an inhaler, is available for patients. In the meantime there are patients with debilitating symptoms for whom smoked marijuana might provide relief. [...] Until a nonsmoked rapid-onset cannabinoid drug delivery system becomes available, we acknowledge that there is no clear alternative for people suffering from chronic conditions that might be relieved by smoking marijuana, such as pain or AIDS wasting." ( http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=6376&page=7 and page 8)
Unbeknownst to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the people they were investigating have been leaders in a push to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes in Florida.
I wouldn’t want to bet on that.
By your logic no narcotics should be controlled or banned.
If tobacco was classified as a schedule 1 narcotic like pot the R&D that made those patches and pills never would have happened.
Can't speak for him but it's pretty much mine.
I love to read these WOD threads, they’re almost as sad as the “War Between the States” threads.
No I dont think they should be banned. There is nothing as intoxicating as alcohol when it comes to drugs allowing you to do crazy things. If that is allowed in society I dont understand why drugs arent allowed. If people are thinking about their children then they should do a little parenting instead of letting a law decide what they can or cant do. The same rules can be put as the ones currently in place with alcohol, court mandated rehab etc.
I seriously think it is a massive waste of time and taxpayer money to jail thousands of drug abusers.
No licensed pharmacies, pharmacists or regulation of pharmaceutical companies? Just have a buyer beware society?
Are you expressing an opinion based on personal experience or do you have a credible source for that claim?
Yeah, 'cuz some politicians somewhere said it was illegal. So, therefore, I can't have it and must live my life as my betters think I should. Think for a minute and attempt to expand your thought to guns.
If they're illegal, do you just roll over?
And don't go all 2nd Amendment on me, either. The Constitution protected all rights -- even those not mentioned specifically. Your comment shows a great respect for the rule of laws but not too much for liberty.
Maybe privately certified pharmacies by something like Underwriters Labs that does it with other products, but no government granted monopolies.
It can’t be all that hard. It was all legal and over the counter 100 years ago and there wasn’t mass murder and mayhem in the streets. Time to take a page from our great grandparents who had the character to ad mid they made a mistake with their prohibition and correct it.
Who regulates, certifies and controls the ULs?
Time to take a page from our great grandparents
Shall we re-institute slavery also?
Reputation does all the control needed for grown ups. People trust ratings from organizations like UL and consumer reports because they earned it not because some political hack gave them a badge and a gun.
And I’m not sure how old you are, but my great grand parents weren’t alive in the 1860s. But nice try at diversion.
UL is one of several companies approved to perform safety testing by the US federal agency, OSHA. Are you claiming that they cannot be influenced by money?
And I’m not sure how old you are, but my great grand parents weren’t alive in the 1860s.
I'm old enough to know that many people here had great grand parents who were alive in the 1860s.
When they made dog fighting illegal, did you just roll over?
With statements like that and the sheer hyperbole like comparing pot with bringing back slavery, is there a doubt in your mind that you're talking to a progressive? You'll get nowhere arguing the Constitution with any progressive.
Why not advocate legalizing the plant-based drugs, cocaine or heroin too?
***************************************
You’ve had cocaine before at your dentist (that Lidocaine injection) ,, and opiates many times ... after knee surgery perhaps .... why don’t you distill your argument down to “recreational” drugs .. that would be more accurate.
Sure they can. But after a few people get burned their reputation is trashed and no one will take their recommendations seriously. Think of Jim Cramer for example. People who follow his advice, well...a fool and his money were lucky to hook up in the first place.
I'm old enough to know that many people here had great grand parents who were alive in the 1860s.
Good for them.
I know. I’m waiting for the appeal to authority very soon.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.