ASA Alert: HHS Action Postponed Until October 26th

We have decided to postpone the HHS rescheduling action and to spread
actions throughout the country at HHS regional offices. This decision
has been made for two reasons:

1) Activists around the country are eager to coordinate local actions.
Several patients cannot make the long trip to DC due to health and
financial concerns, and we wanted to create a space for them to get
involved in the rescheduling campaign.

2) The HHS is under pressure for its response to Katrina. We want to
show respect for the victims of the hurricane and do not want our
messaging to get lost in the media. This has prompted us to postpone the
action by three weeks. October 26th is a significant date because it is
thirty days after HHS is due to respond to the Data Quality Act petition
and it begins the thirty day countdown until we pursue legal action.

Please read on to find out the details about these actions and to get
involved. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact
Rebecca at 510-251-1856 or rebecca [at] safeaccessnow.org

We hope this change does not cause any inconveniences, and we appreciate
your understanding.

Time's Up:
Take Action to Demand HHS Reclassify Marijuana Now!



Download this flyer as a PDF
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/HHScalltoaction2.pdf> or Word
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/HHSCalltoaction2.doc> document.

*October 26, 2005*

*Washington DC & Ten Regional HHS Offices*

ASA logo ASA Protesters at HHS hold a banner: HHS - Reschedule Medical
Marijuana Now! Red cross and marijuana leaf


TIME IS UP: WE NEED OUR MEDICINE NOW!

*WHAT*: RALLY FOR RESCHEDULING MARIJUANA

*WHERE*: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS), WASHINGTON DC, BOSTON, NEW
YORK, PHILADELPHIA, ATLANTA, CHICAGO, DALLAS, KANSAS CITY, DENVER, SAN
FRANCISCO & SEATTLE

*WHEN*: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2005 - 12 NOON

*WHO*: PATIENTS, DOCTORS, ADVOCATES & YOU!

*WHY*: MARIJUANA WAS WRONGLY PUT IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS HEROIN AS A
DANGEROUS DRUG WITH NO MEDICAL VALUE. WE ARE CALLING ON HHS TO LISTEN TO
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND RECOGNIZE MARIJUANA AS MEDICINE!


WHAT IS IT?

In 2002, Americans for Safe Access as part of a larger coalition
submitted a formal petition demanding marijuana be rescheduled. Last
year, ASA activists gathered at the Health and Human Services building
in DC to turn up the heat. ASA simultaneously launched a Data Quality
Act petition requesting HHS make corrections to published administrative
statements regarding the accepted medical value of marijuana. HHS
continues to drag its feet. It's time to turn up the heat: Another year
is too long for patients to wait!


WHY HHS?

To ensure safe and legal access for ALL patients, marijuana must be
rescheduled. In order for rescheduling to occur the federal government
must acknowledge marijuana's accepted medical value. In 2001 HHS ruled
that marijuana had, "No currently accepted medical use in treatment."
They did not, however, address the mountain of data that recognizes
cannabis as a useful treatment, by itself or as an adjunct to other
therapies, for a variety of chronic conditions. Some of these conditions
include cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis,
osteoarthritis, glaucoma, and migraines but this is not an exhaustive list.


WHY OCTOBER 26^th ?

On September 26^th , HHS is set to issue a response to the DQA petition.
Over the past year, they have delayed again and again. October 26^th
marks a thirty-day countdown until we will take legal action against
HHS. We will not wait any longer . it is time to turn up the heat!


WHAT SHOULD I DO?

1. *ORGANIZE A REGIONAL ACTION:* We need local organizers in DC and
the ten HHS regions to coordinate an action at each of these
offices. The goal is to increase the pressure on HHS: Time is up -
we cannot wait for our medicine! Click to find your local HHS
office <http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2564>. Please
contact Rebecca if you're interested in organizing an action:
(510) 251-1856 or rebecca [at] safeaccessnow.org
<mailto:rebecca [at] safeaccessnow.org>
2. *ATTEND A REGIONAL ACTION:* Patients, doctors and advocates are
invited to join us at each of these actions. To find out who is
organizing each regional action, contact Rebecca at (510) 251-1856
or rebecca [at] safeaccessnow.org <mailto:rebecca [at] safeaccessnow.org>
3. *SIGN AND CIRCULATE THE PETITION FOR RESCHEDULING:* Sign the
petition online
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/hhs_petition_online%22> or download
the petition
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/HHS%20Grassroots%20Petition.pdf>
to circulate in your community. Please collect these and send them
to the ASA office no later than October 17th:

Americans for Safe Access
1322 Webster Street Ste. 208
Oakland, CA 94612


WHO ARE WE?

Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national grassroots
coalition working to protect the rights of patients and doctors to
legally use marijuana for medical purposes. Our mission is to ensure
safe, legal access to marijuana for all who are helped by it. We provide
legal training for lawyers and patients, medical information for doctors
and patients, media support for court cases, activist training to
grassroots organizers, and rapid response to law enforcement encounters.
We work with local, state and national legislators to raise awareness of
issues concerning medical marijuana patients. Our successful media and
legal campaigns have resulted in important court precedents, new
sentencing standards, and more compassionate community guidelines.

--
Rebecca Saltzman
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
p (510) 251-1856
f (510) 251-2036
http://www.safeaccessnow.org