Chris Bartkowicz medical marijuana protest rally photo gallery: "No Prison For Pot"

• Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the gap between the notes and curl my back to lonesomeness.

• thank you anonymous.

• http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spleen Definition of SPLEEN: 1 a highly vascular ductless organ that is located in the left abdominal region near the stomach or intestine of most vertebrates and is concerned with final destruction of red blood cells, filtration and storage of blood, and production of lymphocytes 2 obsolete : the seat of emotions or passions 3 archaic : melancholy 4 feelings of anger or ill will often suppressed 5 obsolete : a sudden impulse or whim : caprice sounds about right. spleen, you are not useful and appear to have suppressed feelings of anger and speak on impulse. closet beligerant asshole and apparent spineless weasel. ROFL http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/page/asshat-22713.jpg

• Robert "Kathleen Chippi came, and she used to own a small dispensary, but she definitely does not represent the industry." There was no one there representing the 'industry'(MMC's) as the 'industry' chose not to stick up for their constitutional rights by instead signing away their constitutional rights to apply to become (unprotected by the constitution) MMC's. I defiantly don't represent the industry or any part of it in it's current state. I represent no group, only freedom in the USA. And to all you haters of the people who actually show up to stick up for everyones rights, (even the rights of a**holes like Spleen) where were you? If you don't like the representation, show up and represent. No ones holding you back. I know it's much easier to talk big online without even posting your real names. No one's impressed. Harshing on people who alter their workday to stand up for YOUR RIGHTS is asinine.

• Don't you get it? The issue of FREEDOM from federal prosecution affects EVERYONE involved in the medical marijuana program. Thats patients, caregivers and hopeful MMC owners. Too bad the (hopeful to be approved) MMC owners don't get it. According to Matt Cooks rules and regulations all it takes to shut you ALL down (and put you in the same situation as Chris) is an anonymous phone call reporting you of anything.

• Spleen "Every time the issue comes up in coversation I have to defend myself because of the public image created by asshats like Wayward Bill. It pisses me off to no end that he is one of the single most prevalent spokesperson for cannabis legalization in the state of Colorado." where the fuck were U? Defend yourself by showing the f up, you prick. With a tie and a car, you must have soo many friends who should be there too.

• Joe Walsh, I 2nd that! Wayward Bill is a pioneer at activism for marijuana/cannabis and It was an honor to pose for a picture with him at the rally yesterday(page 3)! Why is it,that a lot of people talk a mean fight on the WW blogs and we never have a turn-out at these rallies that they deserve??? I know,it because people take for granted that we are always going to have medication and other people problems are not important enough to show up! Even if you believe that Chris Bartkowics is guilty for stupidity or whatever;it doesn't matter! The movement IS what's important and we should unite as one voice to show our government that we are not going to stand for a corrupted DEA and law enforcement agencies to abuse there authority when it come to MMJ in any capacity! If I can show at 8:00 am to support the cause;you bet I'll be there and so should the rest of you BIG TALKERS! Remember action speaks louder than words. "RJM"

• To the SPLEEN: Were you at the rally?!?!?! How dare you disrespect Wayward Bill for showing up to give his support when you didn't even have the courage to come for yourself. SHAME ON YOU! and SHAME on EVERY DISPENSARY OWNER WHO THINKS THAT THIS CAN'T HAPPEN TO THEM!!!! YOU'RE NEXT!!!

• http://www.mpp.org/news/press-releases/federal-medical-marijuana-prog.html Actually it still exists, but is being phased out. Yet, apparently there is some truth to cannabis having medical benefits...

• The feds are even violating international treaties/guidelines.... the United Nation's "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" which outlines basic fundamental rights for all people of the world states "Article 10 - Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him." -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights the "International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights" multilateral treaty the United States Senate ratified the in 1992 which includes rights to: "procedural fairness in law, in the form of rights to due process, a fair and impartial trial, the presumption of innocence, and recognition as a person before the law (Articles 10, 11, 14,15, and 16)" -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Covenant_on_Civil_and_Political_Rights

• Why is it ok to deny someone a fair trial? "The right to fair trial is seen as an essential right in all countries respecting the rule of law." -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_a_fair_trial

• crandle, you're welcome! Anonymous, your invective is more than a little misdirected. For 8AM on a weekday I'd say we did pretty damn well. Those there were patients and advocates. Kathleen Chippi came, and she used to own a small dispensary, but she definitely does not represent the industry. We all might well take umbrage at dispensary (now MMC) owners in general, who were not represented at this rally for a caregiver. Their absence creates an (extremely unfortunate) impression that MMCs now feel they have no common interest with the very class which provided for the legal justification for their existence. I strongly urge solidarity upon everyone in the industry and the community in general. Dispensaries must become responsible to patients and to caregivers' political and legal needs. If they don't, patients themselves should boycott them (and they can start by calling those dispensaries still advertising in the Denver Post and demanding that they stop). P.S. I am reminded of Carroll's opinion piece regarding the injustice of Bartkowicz' prosecution, but remember also that the Post's last editorial position on the subject of caregivers was in favor of the five patient per caregiver limit. The way the caregiver issue is playing out is unacceptable: caregivers are constitutionally protected, but Judge Loeb's incorrect finding that they have mulitple, unspecified responsibilities beyond the provision of medicinal cannabis, the unconstitutional imposition of the five patient limit by our worthless General Assembly, the abandonment of caregiving by the greedheads, and illegal interference in caregiving by rogue local governments all leave caregivers crying out for relief. Sue the State NOW!

• some people don't get it. i do not know bartkowitcz and only know of him what i've seen in the news. his fate is not for me to decide so i will not pass judgment. bartkowitcz is obviously guilty of stupidity for thinking our society had progressed passed mmj raids but he should have the right to defend himself in court. this is about "truth in trials" -- i doubt there would be such an outrage with mmj advocates if the defendant were able to present all evidence to the jury. the fact that a medical marijuana patient or caregiver can be arrested and tried in federal court, prohibited from being able to present a medical defense or even mention state medical marijuana laws is scary. something is not right when prosecutors need to suppress evidence to win a case. Ask your congressman to support H.R. 3939: the Truth In Trials Act - help medical marijuana patients present an affirmative defense in federal court. Currently, patients using marijuana legally under state law cannot defend themselves in federal court. http://www.mpp.org/federal-action

• I have to agree with the two apparently legitimate patients here. Those of you who are being intellectually dishonest in this debate are exactly what the other side needs. Most people who don't sit around wishing they could take a legal mid-day bong rip don't care if stoners have ready access to weed.

• it bothers me to see such personal, unprovoked attacks posted against the individuals that attended. the people that protested should be commended for taking time out of their lives to selflessly help someone. while i sit at my computer, concealing my identity, helplessly bitching about the flaws and injustices that exist in the medical marijuana system, these guys are actually going out and trying to do something about them ... in person! i wish i lived closer to denver so i could be more involved but even so, at this time in my life i could not do what these people do. like many, i'm a closet medical marijuana patient, fearing persecution from my family, friends, employer, neighbors, even though my debilitating medical condition is well known. these guys give up their privacy to protect ours! i don't know any of the protesters personally, but THANK YOU for representing those unable to represent themselves.

• I won't go as far as to call wayward bill a loser, but it's not hard to figure out why much of the public views us as a bunch of goofy stoners, when that is what they see when they drive by.

• Spleen, I brought my megaphone and was by far the loudest mouth present. It is not the most satisfactory way to communicate with the public, but it is all we can afford. We do get a positive response from many passers-by.

• Well, Spleen, NOW you sound like you have a functional brain:). I'm glad you understand my point. Though, pointing out my use of "cliches" doesn't make you any more right, so just tweak this small problem and you'll be well on your way to seeming intelligent and credible. I feel so excited about the progress you're making here! It's all good! :D

• I'm the mom that was at this rally with my baby boy... It seems that the majority of people I speak with every day are for legalization and regulation of marijuana yet they will only support it under their breath or when it's convienent. The truth is, it's up to us, if we don't unite - Prohibition will Never End! It's only the beginning of mainstream middle class america coming to the defense of this wonderful plant...

• oooo, please tell us about your nice car Spleen. what a jackass. From your postings it appears that you're a chronic pain in the ass so it's hard to believe anyone would converse with you. Maybe if you weren't such a dick, you wouldn't have chronic pain. Please, call me an asshat. It's so 2006.

• Yeah, you are "just sayin'"? What other cliches do you have for us today? Is it "all good"? Should I chant stupid slogans and yell at cars to achieve change? Loudmouth protestors like Bill have tainted the movement and made it even more difficult for poor and sick people to legally obtain the safe, natural medicine they need. Wayward Bill does much more damage to the cause than good. The people who have helped him along the way have been stabbed in the back over and over. And yes, I do have a fully functioning brain and work hard to contribute to my community. I wear a tie to work, drive a nice car and use cannabis to control chronic pain. Every time the issue comes up in coversation I have to defend myself because of the public image created by asshats like Wayward Bill. It pisses me off to no end that he is one of the single most prevalent spokesperson for cannabis legalization in the state of Colorado.

• Spleen, inflammatory and abusive language doesn't offer much credibility either, nor does it suggest that your "fully functioning brain" is all that big. Just sayin...

• I see Wayward Bill is still doing his part to discredit the movement. Smelly hippies suck and should be destroyed. Get a haircut, loser. At the very least, a few of these protestors were intelligent enough to dress and act like mainstream, employable citizens with fully functioning brains. We need much more of that.

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