ALEXIS BORTELL V. JEFF SESSIONS; FEBRUARY 14, 2018 AT 11:00AM.
Why risk everything in court instead of moving to Vancouver without a fight? This. This is medical cannabis. This is us. I am one of millions of faces not ‘the one face’. In two days they have to listen to ALL of us. I will go to the Supreme Court if I have to. #IStandWithAlexis . #AlexisBortell
Alexis Bortell
56 mins ·
Hearing is now moved up to 11 a.m. tomorrow. Please let everyone know. Thanks!
Alexis Bortell
JEFF SESSIONS SUED IN LANDMARK LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT
“Beleaguered” Attorney General Jeff Sessions was named a defendant today in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Controlled Substances Act as it pertains to Cannabis/Marijuana. In a 90-page Complaint, attorneys representing five plaintiffs maintain that the CSA, in classifying Cannabis as a “Schedule I drug,” is so irrational that it violates the U.S. Constitution.
In their Complaint, plaintiffs demonstrate that the Federal Government does not, and could not possibly, believe that Cannabis meets the definition of a Schedule I drug, which is reserved for the most dangerous of substances, such as heroin, LSD and mescaline. By way of comparison, cocaine and crystal meth are considered Schedule II drugs and are thus considered less addictive and less dangerous.
To be classified under Schedule I, a drug: (i) must have a high potential for abuse; (ii) must have absolutely no medical use in treatment; and (iii) cannot be used or tested safely, even under strict medical supervision. The plaintiffs point out that the Federal Government knows that Cannabis does not meet these requirements, especially given that, among other things, the Federal Government: (a) obtained its own medical patent based upon the Federal Government’s assertion that medical Cannabis is a safe and effective treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and HIV-induced dementia (among other conditions); (b) established a national policy to refrain from investigating and/or prosecuting medical Cannabis businesses and users in the 29 States and three other areas under American jurisdiction (including Washington, DC) that have legalized Cannabis for medical and/or recreational use; (c) provided instructions, through issuance of the FinCen Guidance, on how financial institutions can bank Cannabis business; and (d) admitted that Cannabis does constitute medicine, including through statements by the U.S. Surgeon General and a Federal Administrative Law Judge.
“The record makes clear that the CSA doesn’t make any rational sense, and the Federal Government knows it,” says Michael Hiller, lead counsel in the case. Hiller went on to explain that, “if the Federal Government doesn’t believe in the rationality of its own statute, it’s unconstitutional to enforce it.”
Among the other claims in the lawsuit are that the CSA: (i) was enacted and implemented in order to discriminate against African Americans and to suppress people’s First Amendment rights; and (ii) violates plaintiffs’ constitutional Right to Travel.
The plaintiffs include:
• retired professional football player and Super Bowl Champion, Marvin Washington, who desires, but is ineligible (due to the CSA) to obtain grants under the Federal Minority Business Enterprise program, to open a business that would allow professional football players (among others) to treat with medical Cannabis to reduce opioid dependency and addition;
• an 11-year old girl, Alexis Bortell, who moved to Colorado from Texas so that she could treat her intractable epilepsy with medical Cannabis;
• a six-year old Georgia boy suffering from Leigh’s Disease, Jagger Cotte, who has been using medical Cannabis to lengthen his life and control his otherwise excruciating pain;
• disabled military combat veteran Jose Belen, who uses medical Cannabis to control his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and
• the Cannabis Cultural Association, whose membership includes many People of Color who contend that the CSA was enacted and has been enforced in a discriminatory manner, rendering them unable to participate in, among other things, the Cannabis industry.
Lauren Rudick, a member of Hiller’s firm representing Cannabis businesses, observed that, at present, “more than 60% of Americans live in a jurisdiction in which medical Cannabis is legal.” She also remarked that a “4/20/2017 Quinnipiac poll found that over 90% of Americans support the use of medical Cannabis – and it’s near impossible to get 90% of the Country to agree on anything.” These numbers led Joseph Bondy, a federal criminal defense attorney and legalization advocate working as co-counsel with the Hiller firm on this case, to “question the agenda of those who continue to push for enforcement of the CSA, given its unlawful and discriminatory impact and that so few in America support such an effort.”
The defendants in the case are Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Acting Administrator of the DEA Chuck Rosenberg, the Justice Department, the DEA and the Federal Government. Co-counsel David Holland, a litigator and longtime advocate for legalization of Cannabis, noted that the “the efforts to criminalize Cannabis are relatively recent and were largely underwritten by racial and ethnic animus.” As reflected in the Complaint, African Americans and other Persons of Color are four times as likely to be arrested under the CSA than white Americans, even though Cannabis is used equally by People of Color and Caucasians.
Contact: Michael S. Hiller (212) 319-4000 x. 308 and (646) 408-5995
Lauren Rudick (212) 319-4000 x. 319 and (917) 405-4206
Joseph Bondy (646) 335-3988
David Holland (212) 842-2480 and (917) 861-2678
#ForAllPatients #AlexisBortell
*Picture Originally shared by Mr. Clark.
CONTINUE READING AND TO SOURCE
Video: Girl taking medical marijuana sues Jeff Sessions and DEA
https://mjbizdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ECF-Version-of-Complaint.pdf
Kathy Inman Great Work!!⭐️
⭐️
⭐️
⭐️
⭐️
LikeShow more reactions
Rick Donaldson Alexis, would it be of any benefit to get more people to sign on with these attorneys, to increase the sound/impact of this suit ?
LikeShow more reactions
Jared Jennings Do you have a link to the initial or amended complaint? I’d love to read it.
LikeShow more reactions
Alexis Bortell It is on the Pacer system for New York courts we are told.
LikeShow more reactions
Loretta SBuster I love y’all im a Texan illegally trying to heal….
LikeShow more reactions
Samantha Macaluso You’ve brought me to tears of joy! So happy that there’s a group of people willing to take a stand! I am praying for your continued healing with cannabis and for your lawsuit! May GOD be with you every step of the way!
LikeShow more reactions
Crystal Ramos She stands for freedom and for us all thank you Alexis
LikeShow more reactions
Trevor J Jacovino You’ve got so much support Alexis!!! Keep up the good fight, we are here for you!!!
LikeShow more reactions
Pat Warren WOW !!! the courage of an innocent child …… we should all take lessons from Alexis …..
LikeShow more reactions
Leslie Henson Lindsey How the crap can you place a patent on a plant. ? God owns all the “patents “
LikeShow more reactions
Michele Ruscitti Here we go!!! Let’s hope they stay the coarse get all this foolishness out of the way!
LikeShow more reactions
Cindy Ann Trimble God gave us the garden and all within it!
LikeShow more reactions
Pamela Bourque Alexis for president!
LikeShow more reactions
Teddy Vas Way to go Alexis!!! God Bless you!!!!!!!
LikeShow more reactions
Jordan Watts Huge step toward legalization!
LikeShow more reactions
Kristy Nicole Hendricks Go Alexis Go!!! ~hugs from your hometown in Rowlett
LikeShow more reactions
Steve Minton Ha ha, another nail in the coffin of quivering theocratic fascist and stone-cold racist Jeff Sessions. Trump’s earliest supporter, he’s now finding out the hard way that if you play with the fire of an abusive psychopath like Trump, and defy the will of the people, you get burned.
LikeShow more reactions
Mark Redhawk Nelson Government and fda has zero control of herbs. Thats why there isnt a huge market for them. And they dont usually command a premium.
But there is money to be made. And they have a criminal institution to prifit from. They dont want to lose tgier inco…See More
LikeShow more reactions
David Smith How do I get in on this as a plaintiff – to recoup all the money and stress damages from having to move my elderly mom to live with me in CA, where I am a patient, because of Texas prohibition?
LikeShow more reactions
Annette Anderson Alexis Bortell, I am so proud of all the great things you have already accomplished and look forward to the amazing things from you in the future. Would love to meet a fellow Texan MMJ refugee but either this us you have planned, you’ll be very busy. I…See More
LikeShow more reactions
Amber Michaels I’m with you Alexis!!!!! I may have epilepsy too which more and more docs think I do but to get to Denver to see a neurologist is gonna be the downside!!!! Gotta have a babysitter and got to have a car that’s been checked out before going the drive!!!!…See More
LikeShow more reactions
Elaad Teuerstein Good luck with the lawsuit. It’s about time the world got rid of this rediculous ban on MJ. It’s not just the US that tightly controls use of the plant but most countries around the globe have followed suit out of fear of confronting the US about it or…See More
LikeShow more reactions
Terry Odom Good luck in the fight. It’s such a screwed up system. The government is completely irrational in their logic. And , seriously, it’s always been here, they’re not ever going to eliminate it. Total waste of time, resources, and lives.
LikeShow more reactions
Krizzy Carter Alexis, I have finally moved back to TX and am finally home. My biggest wish is that you can be too one day. All the love and support… from Plano! ❤️
LikeShow more reactions
Ben Morris Your family is brave and inspiring. Any way to get cannabis legal federally and give access to medicine for kids should be celebrated
LikeShow more reactions
Karen Lockwood Awesome! Alexis, you’ve got a lot of people on your side of this issue. Let the battle begin!! Keep us minions updated, we’ll do whatever it takes to support this battle and fight for the win!
LikeShow more reactions
Michelle Williams GOOOOOOO, ALEX!!! Giv’em hell girl!!!
I was living in Plano when u and ur family lived in Frisco, and then made the heartbreaking decision to leave friends, family, ur school to move to Colorado. Ive been with u since then! I commend ur bravery and pray one day this will all be a fading memory!!! Keep up the avocation and I’ll definitely be behind u will ALL my support!!!
LikeShow more reactions
Sharon J. Tucker My family and friends all support medical cannabis. We all have family and friends in desperate need of medical cannabis. We are tired of begging for this much needed medicine. Veterans too.
LikeShow more reactions
Clarke Bohorfoush Alexis!! Our prayers are with you and you have our full support!! You’re an incredibly brave young lady and your courage will change this country and the world!!
LikeShow more reactions
Samantha Macaluso Everyone please reach out to Sessions before his meeting on Thursday with DEA! Your voice matters!!!https://www.justice.gov/contact-us
LikeShow more reactions
Casey Langham Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness….. this plant represents all of these things …. thank you for fighting the good fight
LikeShow more reactions
Darcelia Coleman Haney Get ’em! Politics having way to much power regarding medicinal use.
LikeShow more reactions
William Joey Dorsett I hope we win, I hope they end up having to pay, having the rescedual, and having to release people from jail…
LikeShow more reactions
Suzanne Wall Thank you! I am praying for God to give victory to all of you!! Us!!
LikeShow more reactions
Emma Lee You go girl!! All it takes is one strong will to change the world We’re all behind you cheering!
LikeShow more reactions
J D Goodwin Children of the cannabis are coming for you Jeff…be very afraid.
LikeShow more reactions
Jason McCathern Ya I knew ole Jeff Sessions was gonna be trouble for us weed smokers from the get-go!
LikeShow more reactions
LikeShow more reactions
Rob Taft Sign me up www.420central.org is behind you
LikeShow more reactions
Pat Trahan If you need help please post. Good for you, many thanks!
LikeShow more reactions
Shirley McNeal You go Alexis, send them back to school so you can teach them a little more
LikeShow more reactions
Mary Hartman The fact that there is even a prescription drug named Marinol negates the fourth paragraph!
LikeShow more reactions
Ingrid Joiya-Warrick FANTASTIC! This should slow Sessions happy ass up until Trump dumps him.
LikeShow more reactions
Rob Paulk jeff.sessions. wud die from brain cancer if he only had a brain
LikeShow more reactions
Luis Castellanos Padilla Fight the good fight
Alexis, Wisconsin,God,&90%of Americans,are with you,!!!
LikeShow more reactions
Adam Cericola Wow Alexis Bortell go get em! Prayers for you and your family.
LikeShow more reactions
D Ronald Dudding Jr. Bob Goodlatte won’t get on board with nothing but heartless politicians we are seeing a change in Virginia his approval rating has dropped and that’s my opponent in 2018
LikeShow more reactions
Lisa Reichenbach What an amazing girl you are! Thank you from so many of us to you and your family for all that you are doing!
LikeShow more reactions
Alexis Bortell
8 hrs ·
It is almost time. Tomorrow is our day. All of us…
I am not suing for money. All I want is freedom to live my life where I want and for the government to get out of MY way. We are standing against medical tyranny. http://ow.ly/Q3tz30in80R #IStandWithAlexis #AlexisBortell
Lawsuit Takes Aim at Trump Administration Marijuana Policy
In a sprawling complaint citing the benefits of pot reaching back 10,000 years, the suit seeks to decriminalize the drug under federal law.
nytimes.com
LikeShow more reactions
1.1KJames Meissner, Steve Jones and 1.1K others
Comments
Write a comment…
James Meissner U go Alexis Bortell !! #WakeUpWorld #LifeOverLaw #EndTheWarOnPeople #EndTheDrugWar #OnePlant united! Its time!
LikeShow more reactions
Robyn James When we have to fight the government, to treat our illness with a plant, the government is corrupt and needs to be overthrown!! Taking our power back one trial at a time!
LikeShow more reactions
Alexis Bortell
51 mins ·
Hearing is now moved up to 11 a.m. tomorrow. Please let everyone know. Thanks! #IStandWithAlexis
LikeShow more reactions
Comments
Write a comment…
Penny Webb Ransom Will have you and the others in my thoughts and prayers.
Tom McCain will peach-tree norm be following this or GA care?
LikeShow more reactions
Robin Hurshman Praying for you Alexis! We will be there with in spirit! Much love and support for such a strong young lady.
LikeShow more reactions
Alexis Bortell
Why risk everything in court instead of moving to Vancouver without a fight? This. This is medical cannabis. This is us. I am one of millions of faces not ‘the one face’. In two days they have to listen to ALL of us. I will go to the Supreme Court if I have to. #IStandWithAlexis . #AlexisBortell
LikeShow more reactions
1.1KJindřich Bayer, Robbie Robinson and 1.1K others
Comments
Write a comment…
Kyle Young Two more days I will be praying for you Alexis. AG Sessions needs to eat his words and do what the American People WANT!!!
LikeShow more reactions
Denise Chuck Schrader because marijuana should be the American peoples right…. it shouldn’t have anything stopping anyone that has tried it and it has helped…. #yougotthisgirl #IStandWithAlexis <3
LikeShow more reactions
Alexis Bortell shared their post.
2 more days until our day in Federal Court! Here is the original post with the two images if people want to change their profile picture to show support for the case.
Many Alexis Bortell page friends will be there and we advise people to arrive early as it is going to be busy.
We have heard there are no phones or cameras allowed in the court room but we haven’t spoken to the courthouse security directly yet to confirm. If someone confirms first, please let us know.
… See More
Alexis Bortell added 2 new photos.
Here are two images people can use if they want to as their profile pictures to support our case and the hearing on Feb 14th. Your support means a lot to all o…
LikeShow more reactions
460James Meissner and 459 others
Comments
Write a comment…
LikeShow more reactions
Dan Drouin I do hope they at least allow TV cameras in there
LikeShow more reactions
Alexis Bortell In front they will
LikeShow more reactions
Alexis Bortell shared OneLuv Organics‘s post.
I get asked by lots of people if they can sell our soaps in their businesses. Yes, you can and we put a post out about it this morning on our OneLuv Organics page.
Quick summary: You can email support@oneluvorganics.com subject “Reseller” and we will send you details .
It is very easy.
… See More
Three questions we get often are:
1. How do we join your reseller program and is it hard to join?
To join, email support@oneluvorganics.com subject “Reseller …
LikeShow more reactions
Comments
Write a comment…
Alexis Bortell
By using code ‘HHLEX’ you save $10 per bottle of Haleigh’s Hope (they make my medicine) and they donate to my ‘Patches of Hope’ feed the hungry program. This has already raised almost $400 for Patches of Hope. Thanks! http://ow.ly/h0Gl30ik6ig My Soap Store: http://ow.ly/j9gG30ik6eJ
LikeShow more reactions
Comments
Write a comment…
Alexis Bortell
4 more days and WE WILL have our day in federal court. Article: http://ow.ly/JER830ik184 Attached is the form with the court information if you want to attend. They are expecting LOTS of people inside and outside the courthouse because it is open to the public. #IStandWithAlexis
LikeShow more reactions
779Rebecca Forbes, Ale Stefanini and 777 others
Comments
Write a comment…
Netha Morgan Alexis, gold star mother here, all of our ancestors that have gone before us including my son specialist David John Badie U.S.ARMY(k.i.a.8/1/08) are with you stand strong along with all of those Warriors they will hold you they will guide you and they will help to kick sessions ass good luck my little sister
LikeShow more reactions
Alexis Bortell Thank you.
LikeShow more reactions
Jennifer Leigh Scott So my son is 12, this is what I’m gonna need from you. I’m gonna need you to marry my son when you grow up because I cannot imagine having a more bad ass daughter in law than you! ❤️
#IstandWithAlexis
#MyIdol
LikeShow more reactions
Alexis Bortell Um, lol.
LikeShow more reactions