From: neptune@wt.net   
      
   I would like your assistance on a Medical Marijuana issue.   
      
   We wish to organize a non-profit to resolve the conflicts   
   associated with providing marajuana for medial purposes. To this   
   extent we need to recruit individuals to serve on the Board of   
   Directors, the Board of Advisors and our Activist Council.   
      
   Instead of being yet another political advocacy group we would   
   take action. We acknowledge that the eventual solution will be   
   the result of a political consensus for the simple reason that   
   the best care is provided locally, but our effort to shame the   
   government into meeting our demands will help the overall issue,   
   and save a few lives in the interim.   
      
   We propose establishing a hospital ship off Galveston, Texas   
   where the use of medical marijuana and other unlicensed drugs   
   would be legally permitted. This would involve much more than   
   merely anchoring a ship offshore, since a normal commercial ship   
   can be searched and seized.   
      
   Day to day operations, fund raising and other issues would be   
   handled by a paid staff. The personnel we wish to join us can be   
   from all over the country. Since we would be based in Houston,   
   local individuals can help the most, but advice and assistance   
   can come from other Texans as well as from other states.   
      
   Why Galveston. Many reasons; we are part of one of the largest   
   metro areas in the country, we have a major medical complex in   
   the metro area, the 45 foot water depth at the territorial   
   limits is ideal for temporary positioning on the seabed, and of   
   course some of us live here. This does not mean however that we   
   are restricted to one location. After getting established we   
   could place other hospital ships in other areas that are not as   
   attractive for operations.   
      
   Our objective is to change political minds, and local "in your   
   face" examples on TV would be fine for DC. Currently the only   
   solution is for the wealthy to visit other countries for   
   treatment or for the patients to act as criminals. But those   
   solutions are invisible. A ship serving as a sanctuary just   
   offshore in plain sight of TV cameras, with real patients does a   
   great job of illustrating the problem with existing laws.   
      
   To this end, I would appreciate it if you could forward a copy   
   of this letter to individuals you know who would be an asset in   
   the formation and running of the project.  If you would like to   
   directly assist in the project please email me.   
      
   Earl Smith   
   Stoneship Design, Inc   
   Houston   
   neptune@wt.net   
      
      
      
      
      
   Project epoH   
      
   Objective   
   The project proposes to build and legally operate a hospital   
   ship in International Waters to provide a location for treatment   
   of conditions requiring the medical use of marijuana and other   
   restricted drugs. In addition the site would provide a location   
   for conducting drug trials and research that would not otherwise   
   receive licensing as well as independent academic studies on the   
   effects of marijuana.   
      
      
   Drug Status   
   Through the efforts of the US, the UN has classified the   
   cannabinoids as Class III drugs, having no perceived value. In   
   spite of this position several major nations have shifted to now   
   permitting use in medical treatments and even recreational use.   
   The efforts to legalize medical use in the US met with sizable   
   majorities in the few states where votes were permitted.   
   Subsequent court cases have basically voided these changes by   
   allowing Federal regulators to override local opinions.   
      
   At this point the only way to force medical approval would be to   
   change the mind of the regulators and Congress. Since the issue   
   does not have a major national following of activists, the only   
   ways to get the attention of Congress would be massive campaign   
   donations, to threaten their power, or to embarrass the   
   government.   
      
   The threat to the power can be done by extending the work in the   
   individual states. Although there would seem to be little   
   benefit in getting state approval now, it can be easier to get   
   one state at a time rather than a head on contest in Congress.   
   In addition to getting state restrictions removed, a motion   
   should be prepared in which the legislatures petition Congress   
   to convene a Constitutional Convention to consider drug laws and   
   medical policy. This is an alternative method of drafting a   
   constitutional amendment which has never been used. The threat   
   comes from the fact that Congress must follow the wishes of the   
   states in convening the Convention, and that there are no limits   
   to the changes that could be submitted for ratification. This   
   "throw the bums out" attitude is how we got our present   
   government after the last Constitutional Convention. To avoid   
   this obvious threat to federal supremacy, it would be expected   
   that Congress would simply alter the laws to remove the issue   
   prior to receiving the requisite petitions. The problem would be   
   solved prior to the messy task of constitutional change.   
      
   A second approach would be to shame the government into enacting   
   the requisite changes. This could occur by a public relations   
   campaign pointing out that the laws are harmful to US citizens   
   and that they can be evaded legally by the rich, powerful or   
   lucky. With some medical use already legal in Canada and United   
   Kingdom, it is possible to take a trip across the border for   
   medical reasons and get some care. Because of the disruption and   
   distances involved only a few would benefit.   
      
   If, however, a local patient could take a trip 12 nautical miles   
   from Galveston and receive any needed access to marijuana or   
   other unapproved drugs for cancer treatment, a muck raking TV   
   journalist would be presented with an ideal story. Pictures,   
   patients fleeing the US for medical care, and salvation just   
   across the border. The only thing missing from this replay of   
   "Uncle Tom's Cabin" would be the hounds and ice; and Homeland   
   Security can be counted on to contribute its officious   
   bureaucrats.  All within sight of a man standing on the Seawall   
   in Galveston. Rather than continue to appear the cruel, cold,   
   heartless individuals that they are, the politicians would pass   
   legislation showing their concern just before elections.   
      
      
   Freedom From Drug Searches   
   UN treaties and agreements between nations allow the Coast Guard   
   and Navy to stop and search ships suspected of smuggling drugs   
   or even the catch haul excuse "suppressing the African Slave   
   Trade". If contraband is discovered, the ship can be arrested   
   and escorted to a US port where the ship is seized and   
   auctioned, and crew charged.   
      
   But like all laws, some individuals are more equal than others.   
      
   Generally in relations between nations there are 3 classes of   
   individuals. The common man is subject to the full force of   
   local laws, military forces are partially immune depending on   
   Status of Forces treaties, and foreign government personnel are   
   treated with Diplomatic Immunity.   
      
   Similarly, ships fall into 3 classes. Commercial ships are   
   subject to the laws of the country whose territorial limits (12   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)