The Compassionate Coalition

On July 17th, 2007 , Charles C. Lynch was indicted for operating the Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers in Morro Bay . The only medical cannabis dispensary on the Central Coast was operating legally under city, county and state law. Perhaps the law enforcement’s press release regarding the arrest identifying the dispensary as a “marijuana store” offers a window into the true conflict of the case. Federal law prohibits the distribution of marijuana for any purpose, while, after Prop 215 was adopted in 1996, and Senate Bill 420 adopted in 2003, California made it legal to distribute marijuana for medical purposes. At the heart of the issue is the 10th Amendment of the Constitution’s Bill of Rights which states, in part, that the powers not designated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. After California passed Prop 215, county and state officials began issuing medical marijuana ID cards though out the state. The people of California have exercised their power to govern themselves, but law enforcement and federal courts continue to prosecute medical marijuana dispensary patients, owners and their employees.

The Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers dispensary in Morro Bay stringently followed the state, county and city regulations to the letter and spirit of the law that we, the people of California , voted in. Precautions were taken to inform CCC’s patients regarding the restrictions that applied to them by attaching a copy of the rules and regulations governing medical cannabis to their package upon receipt. Picture IDs were issued to prevent fraud. Not only were the letters of recommendation verified, they also looked up the doctors on the California Medical Board’s web site to make sure that the doctors were in good standing. The Morro Bay dispensary added video surveillance and a metal detector to further the safety of its patients and to discourage misuse. For the year that the CCCC was open, there were no problems or complaints reported to the dispensary. In fact, employees of neighboring businesses were dismayed to see them raided by law enforcement.

The medicinal properties of cannabis are not new to medicine. In fact, cannabis has been used therapeutically from the earliest record of 5,000 years ago to the present day all over the world. Physicians in the United States began prescribing medical cannabis in various forms around 1860. It was first used for its antiseptic and analgesic effects to treat burns and aid in pain relief. As other products were discovered, cannabis, in its many forms, was used treat an array of illnesses such as the effects and treatment of tetanus, convulsions from rabies, epilepsy, appetite stimulation, nausea, glaucoma, depression and anxiety. In addition, medical cannabis became an important tool in treating the withdrawals from addiction. The development of other drugs caused physicians to decline its use. Later, concerns about its intoxicant effect surfaced and in 1937, The Federal Anti-Marijuana Law was passed. Cannabis had lost its image as a medicine and was left with the disputable reputation as an intoxicant.

While the argument goes on and on, there is an innocent, law abiding, compassionate man caught in the middle. He has been defamed in the press, media and council meetings and on the web by Law Enforcement calling him a drug trafficker, money launderer, uncompassionate danger to society, preying on the people of the community and providing to under aged children all of which is not true. Charles C. Lynch was providing safe and legal access to medical cannabis at a state sanctioned as allowed by the City of Morro Bay and California State Law which grants exceptions to Federal Laws based on the 10th Amendment of The Constitution of the United States of America . He was providing a much needed service to our community and Federal Charges against him should be dismissed immediately in the name of justice. This computer program analyst turned compassionate caregiver has lost nearly everything through his fight to help others and now he needs our help. At the present time Charles C. Lynch has a public defender. What he really needs is a medical cannabis lawyer. An account has been opened in the name of Friends of Charles C. Lynch Fund at The Bank of America - contact us for more information. Any donation you can make will be greatly appreciated. Anyone wanting to help can contact Gina Armstrong at (805) 288-4000.

Thank you for all your continued support and encouragement!