Dave, your article sucks.
You make zero distinction between recreational consumers of marijuana, and those who GROW it (aka, 'manufacture).
The people in Spokane were MANUFACTURING medical marijuana. The Feds stepped in. "seizing 44 pot plants." A quick google search reveals that one plant can produce between 1 ounce to 18 pounds of usable
marijuana. Safe to assume the Feds will 'assume' the maximum potential when they look at a grow operation, making this a lot bigger bust than some kid walking on Capital Hill holding a few grams. The crime is elevated to 'manufacturing and distributing' rather than simple possession. The two Federal crimes are fundamentally different.
Citizens who simply possess marijuana (less than 1 ounce) for personal consumption are highly unlikely to draw Federal scrutiny. It would either bankrupt the Federal courts and prisons, or it'd make a bunch of companies that run private prisons really rich. But to heck with facts, you gotta pay the bills with sensational articles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kids_for_cash_scandal
Mentioning the Oregon ruling might have been nice too, since this whole issue is about State rights versus Federal authority.
Also, not being able to bring a competent defense in Federal law is a shame on the legal system. Medical necessity is base fact surrounding the events, and no court should bar it if they want to honor justice and human right. Unfortunately the Feds have the power to game the system, and have done so with impunity since the start of states legalizing MMJ -- making this entire Spokane incident surprisingly, not really news.
And once you make talking about Jury nullification illegal, then outlawing other inherently lawful and legitimate defenses becomes par for the course.
I really dislike hypocritical, anti-freedom, gun owners. INALIENABLE Right. Every convicted felon who had finished their sentence could own firearms prior to 1968. Marijuana was legal prior to 1970. This country should really be ashamed of how they twisted and abused our Rights -- and maybe gun owners who just fight for the Rights of some should deserve to be disenfranchised themselves. It's those gun owners that keep giving in and adopting anti-gun beliefs over time.