Weekly Alert: Court Support, Council Mtgs & Legal Training

We have another busy week coming up. Cynthia Blake and David Davidson
need your support in court this Tuesday! Later in the week, you'll have
a chance to learn about your legal rights at the ASA Legal Training in
Berkeley. The pace of new moratoriums and bans on dispensaries is
picking up - there are two hearings next week, and I've included an
updated list of local moratoriums, ordinances and bans. If you have any
corrections or updates to this list, please let me know.

FYI - Brian Epis's sentencing has been pushed back to November. He is
still asking for patients and supporters to write letters on his behalf.
Updated information about upcoming court cases can be found at
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=45

1) Tuesday, Sacramento: Cynthia Blake & David Davidson Pre-Trial Hearing
2) Tuesday, Union City: City Council to Vote on Extension of Dispensing
Moratorium
3) Tuesday, San Francisco: Drug Policy Alliance Forum: "Is San Francisco
Going to Pot?"
4) Wednesday, Davis: City Council to Vote on Banning Dispensing Collectives
5) Next Saturday, July 30th, Berkeley: ASA Legal Training
6) Update on Local Dispensing Moratoriums, Ordinances, and Bans

****

*1) Tuesday, July 26th: Court Support for Cynthia Blake & David Davidson
in Sacramento*

Cynthia and David, both medical marijuana patients, were raided at their
homes in 2003 and were originally brought up on state charges. While
both sides were negotiating in their state case in judge's chambers,
federal agents came in and arrested them on federal charges. They are
now facing manufacturing and conspiracy to manufacture more than 1,000
plants. Cynthia & David are the only known medical marijuana patients
yet to be tried in federal criminal court.

Pre-Trial hearing at 8:30am before Judge Morrison England
U.S. District Court
501 I Street
Court Room: No. 3 - 15th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

****

*2) Tuesday, July 26th: Union City to Vote on Extension of Dispensing
Moratorium*

We encourage all Union City residents and all other supporters to attend
the City Council meeting there this coming Tuesday, July 26, at 7:00
p.m. City Hall is located at 34009 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City,
California, telephone (510) 675-5348.

It is highly important that everyone who is able to do so attend that
meeting and urge the City Council of Union City NOT TO EXTEND THE
MORATORIUM ON MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARIES.

****

*3) Tuesday, July 26: "Is San Francisco Going to Pot?" Forum*

On July 26, from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Jewish Community Center of San
Francisco (3200 California St. @ Presidio), Mayor Gavin Newsom and Drug
Policy Alliance director Ethan Nadelmann will tackle the controversial
question, "Is San Francisco Going to Pot?" This lively forum,
co-sponsored by the Drug Policy Alliance, the Office of the Mayor, the
San Francisco Medical Society, and the Jewish Community Center of San
Francisco, is free and open to the public.

For more information and/or to reserve a space, contact the Drug Policy
Alliance at (415) 921-4987 or email seldredge [at] drugpolicy.org

****

*4) Wednesday, July 27: Davis to Vote on Banning Dispensaries,
Collectives and Caregiving

*On Wednesday night, the Davis City Council will vote to ban medical
marijuana "dispensaries", which would also ban any caregiving or
cooperatives which may fall under their broad definition of "dispensary".

Davis residents, please show up and speak up! So far, no Davis
residents have spoken to the council on this issue; please show up this
time! Patients are depending on you!!

When: Wednesday July 27th at 7:00 PM.
Where: Davis City Council Chambers, 23 Russell Blvd., Davis, CA.

****

*5) Saturday, July 30th: Berkeley Legal Training for Patients*

Although medical marijuana is legal under state law, some law
enforcement officers still harass patients. Our Know Your Rights
training will cover various police encounters and teach you how to
exercise your rights as a patient. This training is free and essential -
snacks will be provided.

Saturday, July 30th
4:00-7:00 p.m.

Berkeley Patients Group
2747 San Pablo Avenue
Between Oregon & Ward
(510) 540-6013

****

*6) Update on Local Dispensing Regulations:*

Since I sent out this list a couple months ago, a lot has changed. We
now have nearly 50 moratoria and several new bans. It is more important
than ever to lobby your city council and board of supervisors to draft
reasonable regulations for medical cannabis dispensing. Please download
our advocacy materials at:
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=154

We update this list of regulations weekly. You can find an updated list at:
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2208

*Cities with Moratoria (45)*

Albany
Antioch
Arroyo Grande
Clovis
Davis
El Cerrito
Elk Grove
Emeryville
Fairfield
Fremont
Galt
Grover Beach
Hercules
Lake Forest
Lompoc
Long Beach
Manteca
Mill Valley
Mission Viejo
Modesto
Newport Beach
Oakley
Ontario
Pasadena
Pinole
Pismo Beach
Pleasant Hill
Rancho Cordova
Redlands
Rohnert Park
San Francisco
San Leandro
San Luis Obispo
San Pablo
Santa Maria
Santa Rosa
Sausalito
Sebastopol
Simi Valley
South San Francisco
Temecula
Truckee
Ukiah
Union City
Willits


*Counties with Moratoria (6)*

El Dorado
Los Angeles
Merced
Sacramento
Sonoma
Sutter


*Cities with Bans (9)*

Costa Mesa
Fresno
Lincoln City
Murrieta
Rocklin
Roseville
San Rafael
Susanville
Yuba City


*Counties with Bans (1)*

Amador


*Cities with Established Ordinances (15)*

Angels Camp
Berkeley
Citrus Heights
Dixon
Fort Bragg
Hayward
Jackson
Martinez
Oakland
Placerville
Plymouth
San Jose
Santa Cruz
Sutter Creek
West Hollywood
*
Counties with Established Ordinances (3)*

Alameda Co.
Santa Barbara Co.
Calaveras Co.

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