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Peter McWilliams

Post 1

Redbeard (Thanks to all who supported The Celery!))

Peter McWilliams, best-selling author, medical marijuana advocate, and passionate defender of individual freedoms, died on June 14, 2000 at the age of 50.

His books, which included 'Ain't Nobody's Business if You Do: The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in Our Free Country' are all available to read for free at his website http://www.mcwilliams.com/ along with the unfinished 'A Question of Compassion'.

During his last few years, McWilliams was fighting Cancer and AIDS, and used medical marijuana to control nausea caused by the medicines. In his home state of California, USA, medical marijuana is legal, but the federal government does not recognize its legality. When McWilliams started to write about medical marijuana, the federal government arrested him for 'possession with intent to sell'. Because the federal government does not recognize any valid use for marijuana (its classification is controlled by the Drug Enforcement Agency) and this was a federal trial, McWilliams was not allowed to even mention the medical use of marijuana in his trial (despite the fact that his own state recognizes it). He was forced to plead guilty and was awaiting sentencing, confined to his home, and also denied the medicine that controlled his nausea.

On Wednesday, he was found dead, having choked in his own vomit. The cause of death was listed as asphyxiation. It appears that he was alone, vomited, and was unable, in his weakened state, to clear his airway.

Peter spent his life working for personal liberty. His passion for that often seemed more important to him than his own life. Up until the end, he kept a journal on his web site detailing his trial and his political battles. His case was profiled on ABC's 20/20 one week before he died.

McWilliams particularly fought for the compassionate use of marijuana for medical use and for the end of the War on Drugs. There is no doubt that his great wish would be for others to continue the fight that he championed now that he is gone.

His passion and voice will be sorely missed.


Peter McWilliams

Post 2

John the gardener says, "Free Tibet!"

Thanks Redbeard. The absurdity of legal attacks on marijuana becomes especially poignant when they directly result in the death of the accused.

JTG


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