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The state of California had been planning to increase the fees that it charges to organizations that it licenses to issue medical cannabis ID cards on March 1st. However, at the last minute, the Department of Health announced that the fees would be raised by $66 on April 1st, rather than by $142 in March. The new fee for Medi-Cal patients will be $33 dollars, but people such as seniors and veterans will still have to scramble to pay the more expensive fee because they receive federal- rather than state- benefits. Americans for Safe Access says, "It is important now to encourage Boards of Supervisors in counties that have not yet implemented ID card programs to implement (them) immediately, so that there is equal protection across the state regardless of where one lives."

On February 12th, a DEA judge ruled that it is in the public interest to end the federal monopoly on the supply of marijuana that can be used in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved research. The American Civil Liberties Union applauded the ruling, which was issued by Judge Mary Ellen Bittner. The ACLU represented University of Massachusetts-Amherst Professor Lyle Craker, who had petitioned the DEA for a license to grow research-grade marijuana for use in studies to develop the plant into a legal, prescription medicine. The DEA now has the option to accept or reject the court’s recommendation. The DEA has 20 days to file a reply, then the pro-cannabis side will respond, and then the agency has time to consider the response.

For years, the DEA has been demanding controlled, FDA-approved studies showing efficacy of medical marijuana. This week, Dr. Donald Abrams of UCSF published the first study of this type in two decades, in the journal Neurology. The study shows that marijuana is effective in reducing pain from HIV-related neuropathy, as patients have long reported. Researchers reported that inhaling (smoking) low-grade cannabis three times daily reduced patients' pain by 34 percent. The study is the first of a dozen clinical studies sponsored by California's Center for Medical Cannabis Research to reach publication

Axis of Love San Francisco is calling for medical marijuana patients, disability activists, HIV/AIDS activists, and other allies to protest the huge increase in the fees for state medical marijuana cards. The protest took place at 12pm on Wednesday, February 14th at San Francisco General Hospital's "Love Statue." Photos and Report The state plans to increase the fees that it charges for the cards by 1000% on March 1st. Americans for Safe Access has called for people to tell Governor Schwarzenegger and CDHS Director Sandra Shewry how outraged they are about the proposed fee increase for Californians' access to their medicine.

On Monday, January 22nd DEA "Pill Bottle Dump" actions were held at local federal buildings around California. Events were scheduled for 12pm at federal buildings in cities such as Sacramento. In San Francisco, protesters gathered at 12pm at 450 Golden Gate, and then marched to City Hall. The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has raided a number of California dispensaries and grow facilities in the last two months. This has limited safe access to cannabis for bona-fide patients statewide. Americans for Safe Access is demanding an end to DEA raids on patients and providers who are abiding by state law.

On Wednesday, January 17th, the DEA raided some 11 dispensaries in the Los Angeles area, primarily in West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. ASA is calling on patients, advocates, and city officials to protest the attack on safe access. In San Francisco, patients and their supporters gathered to protest the raids at 12pm on Thursday at the Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate Ave. Advocates for medicinal cannabis will protest the recent raids at the Sacramento Federal Building at 5th & I Streets on Tuesday, January 23rd.

Medical cannabis patient and provider Stephanie Landa turned herself in to federal authorities on Thursday, January 4th, 2007. HempEvolution.org, Axis of Love, and Patient Advocacy Network sponsored a rally and protest just before Ms. Landa "surrendered" herself. Many participated in a campaign of sending faxes to Judge Alsup and the US Attorney's Office in San Francisco, demanding that Landa's sentence be vacated. Report Supporters have been asked to send letters and cards to Stephanie, who is in the Santa Rita County Jail.