A Corrector reader pointed out this video on Youtube where Speaker of the House Bob Bergren, D-Havre was speaking at last summer's Hempfest in Missoula.
The Speaker spends a portion of his speech thanking various people for their hard work on the issues and in particular thanks event coordinator Angela Goodhope. Ms. Goodhope, who works for the Montana Hemp Council, also is a major advocate for medical marijuana legalization throughout the nation. We at the Corrector also enjoyed Ms. Goodhope's "legal" discussion in this video about standing up for your rights to possess cannabis by following the three rules. 1) Don't consent to a search, 2) Don't speak, 3) Ask for a lawyer. While all three of these rights are as Ms. Goodhope pointed out afforded each and everyone of us by our founding fathers, it is interesting that people who are not breaking the law have to invoke their 5th amendment rights against self-incrimination if they are not doing anything illegal. Our understanding is that possession of hemp is not illegal in the United States and why would someone carry industrial hemp around in their backpack? Could it be you are referring to the other cannabis plant? We think so.
Check out the other related vids posted on Youtube related to Ms. Goodhope, they are a hoot.
Bergren was speaking about the benefits of hemp for Montana's economy. While we at the Corrector acknowledge that there are many economic benefits to allowing the free cultivation of hemp, we do wonder what Speaker Bergren's thoughts are on the related medical marijuana discussion. Since most advocates of hemp also advocate for medical marijuana. I find it laughable that the Speaker asks people to call Baucus, Tester and Rehberg and demand that they get off their #$$^S and respond to the people. What have you done Mr. Speaker about the medical marijuana mess that the Montana Legislature left for local government to deal with?
What say you Mr. Speaker?
The HDC said: " While all three of these rights are as Ms. Goodhope pointed out afforded each and everyone of us by our founding fathers, it is interesting that people who are not breaking the law have to invoke their 5th amendment rights against self-incrimination if they are not doing anything illegal."
ReplyDeleteWhat, exactly, is your problem with people exercizing their constitutional rights? How incredibly un-American of you (o.k., that was a little strong, how about "how revealing of your mind set"?)
Surely you are missing our point. The point is not that people are unable to exercise their Constitutionl rights, far be it from that, no we are attemptint to point out that possessing hemp is not illegal in the U.S.; marijuana on the other hand is. Also why is someone carrying around industrial hemp in their backpack and why would they need to hide it from the police. See here's the slippery slope as we see it, hemp is not the real topic here marijuana is the prize for these advocates, not hemp. If we legalize one we should legalize it all the way. We want to know what Speaker Bergren's views are on the subject. Ms. Goodhope's discussion is just icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteWhatever is in my backpack is NONE of their business.
ReplyDeletePesonally I think it would be much better if these resources were spent pursuing actual crimes (Like getting the Walleyes Unlimited sign back)
The HDC said: "Surely you are missing our point. The point is not that people are unable to exercise their Constitutionl rights, far be it from that, no we are attemtint to point out that possessing hemp is not illegal in the U.S..."
ReplyDeleteNo, I didn't miss your point, I just didn't find it worthy of comment and instead questioned a specific question within your post.
Again, I ask what your problem is with people exercising their rights? You infer that only a guilty person would invoke their rights. It's your words, own them.
You goons would defend anybody! Why can't you all just find the humor in this? Bergren in shorts at the Missoula Hempfest.
ReplyDeleteThis whole world has gone to hell of late and all we can argue about is some potheads constitutional rights. The Constitution which I no one reads anymore and everyone portends to understand protects your rights against unreasonable search and seizure. If an officer has probable cause and suspects illegal activity it is not unreasonable to request a search. It does not mean your guilty it just doesn't add up.
Let's stop trying to one up the other on who can read the law faster and more accurately than the other and get back to the humor of the site, gossip, gossip, gossip.
What story are you referring to DeCon? I think I missed that one. altogether.
To NOAM its week people like you that have this country in the mess it is in.Why don't you and the HDC stop by the police station everyday, and take your familys, and have them strip search you,you know you're not doing anything illegal but you may as well comply,because afterall they are the police and they must be right.
ReplyDeleteTO HDC;You say that advocates for the hemp market also advocate medical marijuana,i'd sure like to see the stats on that one.Thats the same as saying Idaho potato farmers advocate getting drunk on vodka everyday.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fedup for reminding me to stop by and check with the cops, I just want them to know I am not breaking the law!
ReplyDeleteIt's not that I don't see your point here, standing up for our rights and all, but let's be honest with ourselves, it's not my fault that our rights have been eroded over the years it's because of people who constantly take advantage of our rights in this country. Quite frankly it has been discribed as the price of freedom. In my mind (as warped as it might be) if the behavior is illegal, it is illegal and I am sorry, but I do not agree with you that this permits you to hide behind the 4th and 5th amendments. You can try and the cops can just simply get a warrant.
Also while all of you people on this blog express outrage by my suggesting that a search may actually be reasonable, I find it interesting that you have no trust in law enforcement, but nearly every comment on here about medical marijuana says let the cops deal with it.
Just how in the h.e. double hockeysticks do you expect them to that when the law disallows them probable cause to search when a green card is involved. I mean NEO darn near had a heart attack over on the other post about the cops arresting anyone selling. Sorry NEO, but they have the right to sell in Montana and they are protected from prosecution, it is right there in the statute under affirmative defense.
So I have to agree with the HDC on this one, as sorry as it must seem to all of you, the legislature created this mess, they need to fix it.
Wow, talk about mixed messages!
This movements sole purpose is the complete legalization of pot, this is just a means to get it done. Fed up please do some research on this organization, every media piece they do talks about it. If you think Ms. Goodhope's efforts are so honorable take a look at her you tube speech at Seattle Hempfest 2008. I for one will take a stand against pot, I'm old and I can out work a pot smoker anyday it does make you lazy and God knows we have enough of that in our country already. Just as alcohol, prescription drugs, we need to send a message to those around us, our children and those you care about to want more for their lives. I by the way think that is the only solution for this because all are here its what we choose to do with them. Bob Bergrens involvement in this movement is way more involved than supporting farmers efforts, just ask him. I for one am disappointed in his all out support of this movement, and it will make a diffence to me.
ReplyDeleteNAN:I could care less about Ms Goodhope and her stupid rants,all i am saying is there are hemp growers all over the U.S.who's agenda are not legalization of pot.Hemp is a great cash crop that support many families,Just because you have a nut ranting and raving about the establishment don't mean you can throw the farmers in her basket.and i can also believe you are from the old school(continued below)....
ReplyDeleteand have a good work ethic as i do,unlike the lazy kids of today,AND don't blame pot for their laziness,i'm afraid you and i are to blame for that,but medical marijuana is a very real need for the truly sick.
ReplyDeleteFed up, I washed my hair this morning with Hemp shampoo and have
ReplyDeletesome wonderfully comfortable clothing made out of Hemp. This movement is not about helping farmers out, Opium is a big cash crop in many countries, don't suppose you support that one. This movement is all about the total legalization of pot. I think the people I used to go to school with that were the heavy pot smokers and still are, are a piece of poo, and haven't done much with their lives. Its no different than the people that have to pop a pill for everything, or can't put down their beer when it negatively effects their familes and their work. My kids work hard, they are expected to, and moreover they get satisfaction out of their accomplishments. We again have to send the message for people old and young alike that to go through life high is a poor choice and, to be high on life and family is a better decision. Montana must have got hit with a terrible disease if all the 100's signing up every week in the state are in such pain they need to medicate with pot, or any other substance. I voted against this when it was on the ballot because I knew what it meant for our state. It is here to stay in whatever form it takes and I for one will do anything I can to encourage people to make healthy choices. I don't agree with Bob's decision to support this organization and it will effect my support for him.
to Nancy;You are catagorizing people again.you say all of schoolmates who smoked pot were pieces of crap and didn't do anything with their lives.That don't mean all pot smokers are lazy worthless people.heres a few examples.John F.Kennedy,Ted Turner,Newt Gingrich,Thomas Jefferson,George Washington,John Denver,Jimmy Dorsey,Bill Gates and the list goes on.seems to me they were pretty focused and ambitious.Also the next time you wash your hair and put on your nice clothes that are hemp made,remember the money you spend on them MAYBE financing the legalization of marijuana.
ReplyDeleteThis vid just shows that anyone can be speaker of the house. Now bergren is termed out he wants his buddy Jack trethway to take his place so he can run for senate.
ReplyDeleteIf you think this is what represents most Montanans, by all means vote for them
I am done with bergren and his handpicked replacements
Just knowing that one of our high-ups in the State Government is involved with this is appalling. Bob is so out of touch with the main stream Montana citizen. I am sure some will defend him but not everyone here thinks an old guy that should be smarter than a highschooler is making any points by hanging out at a festival glorifying pot (and please don’t try to tell me it is just for hemp) The only thing cool Bob lacks in this video is one of his “honeys” that he philanders with hanging on his arm while his sweet wife awaits him back home.
ReplyDeleteThis video makes my skin crawl.
I wonder why we haven’t heard from Bob at any of the Havre medical marijuana meetings sticking up for his grower constituents. I bet he wasn’t aware anyone had a tape of him making a speech at a pot heads convention, LOL. Maybe he should just come out and advocate for full scale legalization instead of hiding
ReplyDeleteNoaI mean NEO darn near had a heart attack over on the other post about the cops arresting anyone selling. Sorry NEO, but they have the right to sell in Montana and they are protected from prosecution, it is right there in the statute under affirmative defense.
ReplyDeletem,Noam,Noam...tsk,tsk,tsk...
I know that when all is said and done! Oh I'll give it about 6 months time....That U will be Kissing my ass and how sorry U are that U are so Ignorant!...U'll promise to change and blah,blah,blah....see ya in 6....ROFLOL,,,,
ReplyDelete