Blogging for Freedom

Medical marijuana patient, Christine Baggett is 66 years old with impaired vision, two kinds of arthritis and a chronic ankle injury which forces her to use a cane. In August 2006, Christine purchased an ounce of marijuana which she claims eases her pain. She cannot take prescription narcotics because of the side-effects.

As she and her supplier were sitting in her van in her own driveway, the police (who were there seeking a neighbor) approached and, according to police records, they thought the man in the passenger seat had a weapon between his legs. “Fearing for their safety” they ordered the couple out of the van and searched them. Trying to cooperate, Christine told them that she was a medical marijuana patient, she’d bought the ounce for her own medicinal use and she had just given a few buds back to her supplier for his troubles.

For that “confession” Christine Baggett has been charged with felony drug dealing by gung-ho Spokane Deputy Prosecutor Dianne Dougherty who has apparently made stamping out the evil weed in her jurisdiction a top priority. Her friend, the “supplier” has been charged with misdemeanor possession of a small amount of a controlled substance.

Heroin junkies, crackheads and meth addicts are responsible for rising crime in our communities and increased nuisance in our neighborhoods. Alcohol is responsible for the majority of fatalities on our highways. Alcohol toxicity kills. Kids are taking more prescription drugs for kicks and recreation, regardless of their lethal consequences.

By charging her with dealing, Deputy Prosecutor Dougherty is trying to circumvent medical marijuana legislation which allows Christine to possess a certain amount of cannabis for her own medicinal use. Even though the facts are clear that Christine wasn’t “dealing”, this felony charge prevents her from participating in drug court. Instead, she is facing a criminal trial which may very well result in a prison term for this ill, elderly grandmother with no criminal history.

To help Christine Baggett with her legal expenses, contributions in her name may be sent to Frank Cikutovich, her attorney, at 1408 W. Broadway, Spokane, WA 99205. She lives on a fixed income, cannot work and has medical bills and now legal bills. She needs help from all of us.

Even if you can’t donate funds, please write a letter or card of support. It will show her she is not alone in her struggle and that there are lots of us out here who will do what we can to keep her OUT OF PRISON. Also, please pass Christine’s story around. It could very well be happening to other patients.

Thank you everyone in the community.