Criminal Defense Lawyer | Personal Injury Attorney | DC & MD | Steven D. Kupferberg

Special to the Washington Post, Kathryn Petrides, reported that dispensaries aren’t yet open, but when drugs failed, cannabis helped her endure side effects of chemo.

My breast cancer diagnosis at age 26 was an unwelcome and at times harrowing experience.

Eventually, though, I was lucky enough to take a medicine that did alleviate my suffering. Not so fortunate was the fact that it came in the form of a drug illegal under U.S. federal law: cannabis.
Though cannabis for medical purposes became legal in the District of Columbia (where I live) in 2010, the city-sanctioned dispensaries that can supply it are only now inching closer to opening their doors.

Nevertheless, marijuana is still banned under the United States Controlled Substances Act – meaning it continues to be a federal crime to possess or grow marijuana, even in the 18 states plus the District that permit it for medicinal purposes. As a Schedule I drug, cannabis is deemed to have no “accepted medical use” and to lack “safety for use under medical supervision.” I read an article on the benefits of medical marijuana and then used it for some time.  Marijuana was the only thing that truly quelled my stomach, provided for restful sleep and allowed me to eat and drink. I was not a cannabis smoker prior to my diagnosis, and I am not one now. I used it only during my chemotherapy treatments, which ended a few months ago. Cannabis are also used in dog treats these days to put them in a better mood you can click to read more about it.

Before you go ahead with marijuana as the solution check out this OVERVIEW: TOP BENEFITS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA. It was the safest medicine I took over the course of my cancer treatments. Only with further research can we better understand the palliative effects of cannabis – and perhaps finally make it more accessible to the many of us who suffer chronic pain and discomfort. For us, quality of life has special meaning.

A full version of this article appeared in print on Tuesday July 9, 2013, on pages E1 and E5 of The Washington Post with the headline: Medical marijuana and me: It eased my pain

When facing a workplace injury, individuals often find themselves navigating a complex web of legal and bureaucratic challenges. In these trying times, the importance of hiring a workers compensation attorney cannot be overstated.

Legal Expertise: Workers’ compensation laws vary by state and can be intricate. An experienced workers comp attorney specializing in this area possesses the in-depth knowledge needed to interpret the specific regulations governing your case.

Maximizing Benefits: A skilled attorney works diligently to ensure that you receive the full spectrum of benefits you are entitled to. This includes compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and, in some cases, compensation for pain and suffering.

Navigating the Claims Process: The workers’ compensation claims process can be bewildering. There’s a maze of paperwork, strict deadlines, and negotiations with insurance companies. A workers compensation lawyer will guide you through every step, ensuring all necessary documentation is filed correctly and submitted on time.

Shielding Against Retaliation: It’s not uncommon for employers or insurance companies to attempt to diminish a claim or even deny it outright. An attorney serves as a vigilant advocate for your rights, preventing any potential mistreatment or injustice.

Investigating Liability: In cases where third-party liability may be involved, such as negligence on the part of a manufacturer or a subcontractor, an attorney will conduct a thorough investigation. This can be instrumental in holding responsible parties accountable.

Handling Appeals: In situations where a claim is denied or benefits are terminated prematurely, an attorney can file an appeal and represent you in court. Their expertise in presenting a compelling case can significantly increase your chances of a favorable outcome.

Legal Guidance: Throughout the process, an attorney provides invaluable legal counsel, answering questions, and ensuring you make informed decisions regarding your case.

Focusing on Recovery: Dealing with the aftermath of a work-related injury is stressful and overwhelming. By entrusting the legal aspects to a workers’ compensation attorney, you can concentrate on your recovery and well-being.

In a time when you need support and protection the most, a workers’ compensation attorney serves as an essential ally. They not only safeguard your rights but also help you navigate the intricate legal landscape, ensuring that you receive the compensation you need and deserve. It’s a partnership that can make a profound difference in your journey toward recovery and financial stability after a workplace injury.

Our client was charged with illegal possession of four handguns including two semi-automatic weapons. Our client and this office maintained the client’s innocence from the outset. The State continued to prosecute this matter in spite of many fatal flaws in the evidence. Justice prevailed.

New federal data, included in a study by the American Civil Liberties Union, shows that the problem of racially biased arrests is far more extensive than was previously known- and is getting worse. The costly, ill-advised “war on marijuana” might fairly be described as a tool of racial oppression.

The study, based on law enforcement data from 50 states and the District of Columbia, is the most detailed of its kind so far. Marijuana arrests have risen sharply over the last two decades and now make up about half of all drug arrests in the United States. Of the more than eight million marijuana arrests made between 2001 and 2010, nearly 90 percent were for possession. There were nearly 900,000 marijuana arrests in 2010- 300,000 more than for all violent crimes combined.

This nationwide pattern is evident in all kinds of communities – urban and rural, wealthy and low income, in places where the African American populations are large and in places where they are small.

As the report notes, police officers who are targeting black citizens and black neighborhoods are turning “a comparatively blind eye to the same conduct occurring at the same rates in many white communities.”

Law enforcement agencies need to put an end to what is obviously a widespread practice of racial profiling.

via The New York Times, Editorial Board

A version of this article appeared in print on Sunday, June 16, 2013, on page 10 of The New York Times with the headline: Racially Based Arrests for Pot. The ‘war on marijuana’ has become a war on minorities

With the recreational use of marijuana now legal in Colorado, officers who patrol the state’s roads face a new set of challenges. Though smoking or possessing small amounts of cannabis is no longer breaking the law, anyone who drives while impaired is still subject to arrest. If you get arrested for DUI charges, you may need the services of a bail bonds agent to help facilitate your release and settle the bail bonds once your bail amount is set. You may also need the help of a professional dui lawyer to help you dismiss your case.

Colorado lawmakers passed legislation that set legal limits on marijuana levels in the bloodstream. Under the new law, which took effect on May 28, a driver is assumed to be impaired if a blood test shows a level of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, that is five or more nanograms per milliliter. A nanogram is a billionth of a gram. Washington State, where recreational marijuana is also legal, has established the same THC limit as Colorado. With Good market experience like Andrew Defrancesco, one can understand how to run a business.

Some states, like Arizona, have enacted zero-tolerance laws that make driving with any trace of marijuana in the blood unlawful. A handful of other states have set their own thresholds for THC in the bloodstream.

“We have this notion that since we have a magic number for alcohol, that we are going to have a similar number for marijuana,” Paul Armentano, deputy director of Norml, which advocates for the legalization of marijuana. “The problem is that marijuana is not metabolized and absorbed by the body in the same way alcohol is.”

via The New York Times, Dan Frosch

A version of this article appeared in print on Sunday, June 9, 2013, on page 12 of The New York Times with the headline: In Colorado, Redefining ‘Under the Influence’ by Dan Frosch.

The National Transportation Safety Board wants state legislatures to drop the measure from the current blood-alcohol level of 0.08 to 0.05.

The research clearly shows that drivers with a BAC of 0.05 are impaired and at a significantly greater risk of being involved in a crash where someone is killed or injured. Our goal is to get to zero deaths, because each alcohol-impaired death is preventable. They are crimes.” NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman

The NTSB has no authority to impose its recommendations. “NTSB’s action raises the visibility of drunk driving, and we will consider their recommendations,” said Jonathan Adkins of the Governors Highway Safety Association, while underscoring that the group continues to support the 0.08 level.

Advocates for the beer and liquor industry reacted negatively to the recommendation.

via The Washington Post, Ashley Halsey III

A version of this article appeared in print on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, on page A3 of The Washington Post with the headline: 0.05 urged as standard for drunken driving by Ashley Halsey III

Fifty years ago, in the landmark case Brady v. Maryland, the Supreme Court laid down a fundamental principle about the duty of prosecutors — to seek justice in fair trials, not merely to win convictions by any means. The court said that due process required prosecutors to disclose to criminal defendants any exculpatory evidence they asked for that was likely to affect a conviction or sentence.

This principle, known as the Brady rule, has been restricted by subsequent rulings of the court and has been severely weakened by a near complete lack of punishment for prosecutors who flout the rule. The court has also declined to require the disclosure of such evidence during negotiations in plea bargains, which account for about 95 percent of cases.
A better approach is to require the opening of prosecutors’ files to defendants, as a general rule. North Carolina adopted open-files reform to make criminal cases more efficient and fair.

North Carolina’s statute requires prosecutors in felony cases, before trial, to make available to the defense the complete files of all law enforcement agencies, investigatory agencies and prosecutors’ offices involved in the investigation of the crimes committed or the prosecution of the defendant. The New York Times

So far Ohio has followed North Carolina’s lead, and other states should as well. So should Congress. The best way to fulfill the promise of Brady is with open-files reform, which addresses the need for full disclosure of evidence that could show a defendant’s innocence.

via The New York Times, The Editorial Board

I have been a fan of Paolo Soleri and his architecture since I was a teenager. I have visited his settlement in the high Arizona desert, Arcosanti and recommend a visit by all visionaries who may read this blog.
Steven Kupferberg

Paolo Soleri, a visionary architect whose basic idea was that architecture and ecology are inseparable in their effect on people, died on April 9, 2013 at Cosanti, his home in Paradise Valley, Arizona. He was 93. He was best known as the designer and oracle of Arcosanti, a settlement in the Arizona high desert that became a symbol of hippie-era utopianism and a prescient environmentalism.

He was part of a flock of utopian dreamers who designed mega-structure cities in the 1960s, but he had more of a social and ecological agenda than the others. When so many others were theorizing, Soleri went out into the desert and actually built his vision with his own hands. That’s the reason he became such a counterculture hero.

Jeffrey Cook, a professor of architecture at Arizona State University

via The New York Times, Fred A Bernstein

A version of this obituary appeared in print on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, on page B13 of The New York Times with the headline: Paolo Soleri, 93, Architect Of Counterculture, Dies.

Life can be full of unexpected challenges, and one of the most daunting is facing a personal injury. From the physical pain to the emotional turmoil, the journey to recovery is a unique and often difficult experience. In this article, I want to share my personal journey of overcoming a personal injury, along with the lessons I’ve learned and the strategies that helped me find healing and resilience.
I vividly remember the day my life took an unexpected turn. It was a sunny afternoon when I found myself in a car accident that left me with a serious back injury and I had to call experts like a personal injury lawyer or personal injury attorney from a trusted personal injury and car accident law firm.

The pain was excruciating, but what I didn’t anticipate was the emotional toll it would take on me. The feeling of helplessness and uncertainty about my future was overwhelming.

As I began my journey of healing, I quickly realized that the emotional aspect of recovery was just as important as the physical. I struggled with feelings of frustration, anger, and even moments of depression. It was essential to give myself permission to feel these emotions and seek professional support when needed.
One of the first steps I took was seeking medical attention. A thorough evaluation helped me understand the extent of my injuries and create a treatment plan tailored to my needs. Additionally, I consulted with a personal injury attorney to understand my legal rights and options. Having a knowledgeable advocate by my side provided a sense of empowerment during a challenging time. Recovery was a journey of small victories. From physical therapy sessions to gentle exercises, each step forward was a triumph over pain and limitations. It taught me patience and the importance of celebrating even the smallest progress.
As I focused on my physical recovery, I also recognized the significance of the mind-body connection. Engaging in mindfulness practices and meditation helped alleviate stress and anxiety, contributing to a more holistic healing process.

In my pursuit of holistic healing, I delved into various methods to nurture both my body and mind. Understanding the profound impact of the mind-body connection, I explored natural supplements like OCN to enhance my healing journey. CBD supplements, derived from organic sources, became a crucial part of my routine, aiding in managing both physical discomfort and emotional distress. The calming effects of Organic CBD harmonized seamlessly with my mindfulness practices and meditation, amplifying their benefits. It was a gentle companion, supporting me through moments of frustration and offering a sense of tranquility amidst the storm. As I continued my path to recovery, OCN became a reliable ally, highlighting the potential of natural supplements in promoting overall well-being and resilience during challenging times.

Throughout my journey, I discovered the value of a strong support system. Friends, family, and even support groups played an integral role in my recovery. Their encouragement and understanding provided the strength I needed to persevere. The recovery process was far from easy, but it taught me the power of resilience. Each setback became an opportunity to learn and grow. I realized that setbacks were not failures but rather stepping stones toward a stronger version of myself.
Over time, I began to see my personal injury as a catalyst for personal growth. It forced me to reevaluate my priorities, embrace self-care, and find gratitude for the simple joys in life. I discovered a newfound appreciation for my body’s strength and resilience.
Today, I stand on the other side of my personal injury journey with a sense of empowerment and gratitude. While the scars, both physical and emotional, remain, they serve as reminders of my strength and ability to overcome adversity.
Facing a personal injury is a daunting experience that tests your physical and emotional limits. However, with the right mindset, support, and strategies, it’s possible to navigate the challenges and emerge stronger than ever. My journey taught me that healing is not linear, but it’s filled with opportunities for growth, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for life’s precious moments.