You know I am really passionate about my cause and I feel I am justified in my support of the medical use of cannabis. However, there are many members of this site who are not so sure about being open for fear of repercussions. I just wanted to express myself of this subject and I may be way off base but again...this is an opinion article lol. Ok, so the way I see it MMJ is gaining massive support not only in NC but all over the US. At the core of a lot of this is the fundamental belief by most of the people that use cannabis that they have a right to do so. They feel a right to ingest whatever substance they see fit to help with the problems they are having. I see no crime in this as man has been doing that for thousands of years and it was accepted as medicine then, and should be more so now with the scientific evidence. I think personal liberty is really what is at question for most people. Do we really need the government to hold our hand and tell us what is good for us? Personally, I have enough sense to stay away from drugs that I know may adversely affect me life. I have a feeling most of you are the same. If heroin were legal tomorrow how many people would go out and use it? Probably no more than if it were illegal.

I guess what I am really trying to understand is the organization wants me to be open and honest about how I feel about cannabis but what happens if the local police become interested? What then? I don't have the funds or anything to go to court for this cause. I guess I have seen a lot of people I know get in a lot of trouble over this simple plant. Personally I refuse to spend years in prison for it. Does everyone on this site refuse to let them throw me in prison? I guess that is the real core of my question. What kind of support can a member expect to get if arrested by the police. Will our members hold a rally for them or at least openly protest the arrest? I think myself and many of our other members are really looking for someone to say its ok. Well, personally I will be there if I am needed. And I hope everyone else can say the same. Just like the law enforcement and politicians bind together to support their agenda we must do the same thing. Especially now that most know the government's agenda doesn't care about the citizens. I want to extend my hand to everyone on this site that has the right intentions. You may accept me as your brother and my word is my bond. Nobody said it would be easy but I want to know we can stand together.

Howard, I hear you loud and clear and understand what you are asking. I am not sure what county you are from, but, I would be there to help you even if it is to help start a campaign to get info out there on your case if you were to get in trouble. Now I do hope we are talking about a minor offense and not something that is too big to help you with. From what I understand and please anyone correct me if I am wrong, but, I believe it is only a minor offense if you get caught with 1/2 oz. (according to Kirk at the Statesville meeting) I thought it was a 1/4 oz but he said no it is a 1/2. So you may want to check to make sure. But it is also only a $250.00 fine for first offense. that I read and it may have changed. You know how quick and quietyly they can change the rules. So, my friend and compadre, "I'll be there to help you out on a misdemeanor offense". B

I don't know Beccie... not sure how much help someone needs with a misdemeanor charge. Usually they don't even go to jail. Anyway, what does it matter what kind of charge it is? If the law is unjust and criminalizes someone wrongly should we not protest that? Are you saying I deserve to go to jail if the police call it a felony? I am not sure I understand the logic behind this. Maybe I am just prone to think I am right for what I do. I gave this country 6 years of my life that I regret every day. But I stuck to my commitment. Now all I want is to enjoy the rest of my life without someone trying to incite violence against me for use of a plant....

Maybe, I really am a little over the edge but it's ok, I like it out here...

I wld gladly protest to help a fellow nccpn member hell id protest for neone who gets sent to jail for pot. Like howard said it doesnt matter if its a misdameanor or 10 felonies wats right is right!

Great point, man. All members need to consider this and proceed with caution. Being vocal about your support for medical cannabis does not necessarily mean incriminating yourself. Just keep in mind that you don't really know anyone from the internet. If/when you meet other members in person, use your best judgement. Speaking out is not illegal. While being active with NCCPN could eventually lead to unwanted attention, that act alone is not enough to warrant an investigation on anyone. As long as members are not admitting illegal activity on this site or in person, then they should have little too worry about.


Beccie is correct, less than 14 grams is considered a misdemeanor. It has changed several times over the years. But bear in mind, if you just got two different strains, and they are in two different jars, then that's possession with intent to sell, as far as the man is concerned. The cops don't care if you only have a half gram of each.

Here are few simple things all members should keep in mind in case of legal problems:

-"I do NOT consent to a search of my person or property" - remember these words. continue to repeat them. without a warrant, they need YOUR CONSENT to search... so don't oblige.

- you have the right to remain silent. use it. if you get arrested... the only words you should say are "i don't wish to make any comments without an attorney present"

-Never take the deal. Go to trial. They will charge you with everything they can, hoping you'll plea it down and still get stuck with a couple of charges. Don't do it. GO to trial. It's your right as an American to be tried before a jury of your peers. said peers are much more likely to be lenient on your case than the DA who's charging you.

-Juries may not be punished for their verdicts. If you feel the defendant is innocent... stand your ground. They can't convict without a unanimous verdict.


I know that a majority of the folks here on this site would be quick to pass the proverbial hat around if another member needed it... but let's hope it never gets there. Be safe y'all.

I can't be 100% open because I work with a cop from my town. He is a rookie and seems to be brainwashed about these things.
I've heard him say "they don't make the laws,they just inforce them".
Also he is very young 21 yrs old. He has not lived life like most people yet.

He patrols my street also:( I almost feel I have to clean house before too many people know. Bummer
Would he narc me out to get up the latter? I don't know and don't wanna find out;)
But I am working on this;) He is a nice guy he just don't have a clue about "right and wrong" on medical cannabis.

Bubbles

If we all work together and get everyone we can involved and organized we can get medical marijuana legalized in NC. To everyone that is doing their part you have my sincere thanks. I and many others here are putting forth a lot of time, money, effort, etc... and make no mistake - we will win - it's just a matter of time... Keep up the good work everyone!

Howard - I don't know about other people in the organization but say a member gets caught with his medication, of course he/she has to go through the whole process but in the end when the fine is paid I will donate 25 dollars to that member to help them pay their fine. We are all in this together and to allow one member to absorb the entire cost of an unjust law is humanly wrong in my book. We are here to support the cause and each other. I challenge everyone to make a committment to the cause and each other and should this happen we help each other out.

I don't think it is the financial burden that worries me Chipper. Only the fact I may sit in a jail cell for something harmless. But if I do get in that situation I want to know that the organization would come together to morally support me more than anything. That is a hard road to travel alone i think. We must tell all the officials involved htat what they are doing is wrong in the eyes of the people of NC.

We should all have each others back,im onLy one man but i diffently will help as much as i can if anyone here gets POINTED OUT,,,first rule ya learn as a kid ,,,,TREAT PEOPLE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED ,,,,,,,

Maybe we should raise money for a legal fund? We could all donate to it and then find a lawyer that is pro medical marijuana legalization that will also discount their fees. This way its all set in case anyone should get arrested.

Howard, I for one will back you with everything I have both socially and monetarily. I think that our rights are being taken away everyday and one day (actually it's already happened) we won't have a bill of rights anymore. I see this government as imploding and I don't believe it will be long before the people restore the government we started with. Who has the right to tell me what to do with my own body or what I choose to put in it. How asinine is that?

I will HELP anyone out if they get Busted for MMJ

Howard my friend, you are right. YOu wouldn't need help with a misdemeanor, but, I was not sure what kind of trouble you were referring to. I think I was acting out of truth instead of just saying I would help you. the point I think was I was scared to make an envelope plea to help. I only know you from here, and you have been a great asset to our site and our family. So don't think I don't care. But, if you were someone out there, that was involved with cartel or had a gun on you and you already had some hidden charges we didn't know about, let's just say worse case scenario, well I guess I would have to think twice and know all that surrounded the case. I would want to know what I was putting myself out there for. Does that kinda make sense. Hey I'm just being honest. And with a misdemeanor, would you need a lawyer and other expenses incurred like the fine of $250.00. If that were the case I would be all in to helping out my fellow patient. I hope I did not offend you. I myself am all about principle and have gotten into trouble more than once for standing up for what I believe is right and true. Just like being gay, I will stand firm for my rights to pursue my choices in life and will also take on my consequences.

Cottle, hey I want to thank you for clarifying about having the 2 different strains. Now does that go for in the persons house or out on the road. I am interested in more info on this and appreciate what you did inform us on. So thank you. I guess what I want to know is, if they had a search warrant and I let them in the house and they found 2 buds of different strains, could they then say trafficking, or is it only being in a car or having it on your person?

I love this site, and the family I have come to know and to learn from. Thank you all for being so forthcoming with sharing info and being out there for the sake of our rights. Thank you. B

What thewalrus said. Koo koo ka choe. I'll be there Howard. It might get ruff cause they know they are losing. Bring it on.

@Beccie, my knowledge of the law is limited, so please don't take anythinmg i say as fact without corroborating it. When you say two buds of two different strains.... the deciding factor is if it's in two different containers or not. As i understand it, more than one bag = inent to sell. a good lawyer (or a jury) would get the intent charge thrown out, as soon as they understood that it's like red vs. white wine.... different strains for different pains. . As far as the trafficking question... I *think*, that they don't use the term trafficking unless you're in posession of more than five pounds. the average patient would never have to worry about a trafficking charge. Caregivers and growers could be another story.

Most lawyers will give you a free consultation. You can always call one up (canna-friendly lawyers can be found on norml's website) and just ask some what-if questions.

norml.org/lawyers/nc

here's that list of attorneys... I'll save you the search.

1/2 oz or less is fine & court cost unless you are driving/in a vehicle then they will make it a dui; if minors are present more charges and then you will have social services to deal with; if you have a pipe or other smoking device then it is also a paraphernalia charge which will be worse than the cannabis charge; if you are caught anywhere near a weapon then you have big troubles (a weapon being mainly a gun of any type but could also include taser, large or unusual knife, various oriental martial arts weapons etc at law enforcement discretion; growing or attempting to grow or being in someones place that is a grower in which case you will need very good attorneys. So basically go quietly get your meds, put in trunk if using a vehicle, head home, enjoy alone in the privacy of your home. do not answer the door for any one. rid your house of any of the above mitigating issues.

cottle wrote: becairful with these lawyers a friend got one from there in 07
sent them $3,000 and 2 weeks later his lawyer got busted with 3 oz of coke
I am just saying

We can vouch for Ben Scales at least. He helped pen 577, and is involved w NCCPN. Beyond that, caveat emptor.