HELP ASA STOP DEA RAIDS!

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Americans for Safe Access

1322 Webster Street, Ste. 208
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-251-1856
Fax: 510-251-2036
Email us! <mailto:info [at] safeaccessnow.org>

* May 17, 2006


HELP ASA STOP THE DEA RAIDS!

This June Congress will decide how much federal tax-money should be used
next year to raid medical marijuana patients and caregivers across the
nation!

But before Congress votes, they are going home for Memorial Day Recess.
While your Representative is home, take action! Help ASA put an end to
federal raids!

Since last June when the US Supreme Court handed down their decision in
/Gonzales v. Raich/, the federal government has raided more than twenty
collectives and dispensaries across the state of California and is
seeking to prosecute more than three-dozen licensed medical cannabis
patients and care providers.


Why You Need to Take Action:

Congress will soon debate the Hinchey Medical Marijuana Amendment to the
Justice Appropriations bill. The Hinchey Amendment prohibits the U.S.
Department of Justice -- including the Drug Enforcement Administration
-- from using any appropriated funds to interfere with the
implementation of medical cannabis laws in the 12 states that have
approved such use. If you haven't heard about the Hinchey amendment, you
can read last year's news articles on the Hinchey amendment
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2320> on ASA's website.


What You Can Do:

Please read on to find out how to plug in to ASA's five step grassroots
strategy to pass the Hinchey amendment. Also look out for upcoming
alerts that will feature templates for letters, sample letters to the
editor, and scripts for phone calls. Feel free to also peruse the new
Hinchey section of our website
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=229>.


1) Meet with your Congressional Representative May 29-June 2, 2006

Congressional representatives return to their home states for Memorial
Day recess during the week of May 29 - June 2. Please schedule a meeting
NOW to ensure an opportunity to speak directly with your representative
or a member of their staff. To contact your representative's local
office, visit the House of Representatives website
(http://www.house.gov/) and search for your representative by zip code.


Scheduling an appointment

It is much easier for legislators to arrange a meeting if they know
who you are, what you wish to discuss, and what your relationship is
to the area or interests represented by your legislator. Also,
scheduling an appointment will help gain your legislator's full and
undivided attention. Simply call your legislator's office and ask to
schedule a meeting. Make certain you identify yourself, note that
the purpose of your meeting is to discuss an upcoming vote on an
amendment to the Justice appropriations bill related to medical
cannabis, and whether other individuals, other than yourself, will
be in attendance. Even if you can't meet directly with your
legislator, you can schedule an appointment to meet with their staff
person. For further information about setting up and completing a
meeting with your congressional representative, please read ASA's
guide to citizen lobbying
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3432>.

Please contact Rebecca at ASA to tell us that you've secured a meeting:
Rebecca [at] SafeAccessNow.org <mailto:Rebecca [at] SafeAccessNow.org> or
510-251-1856 x 308. Once you have scheduled an appointment, ASA can
provide you with materials and tips to help make your meeting a success!


2) Pass city and county resolutions supporting the Hinchey
amendment.

Last year, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/SFResolution-05.pdf> urging
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to support the Hinchey amendment and
to rally Democratic votes. We are calling on activists nationwide to
secure similar resolutions from local government officials. Please
download template resolutions for medical marijuana states
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3435> or non-medical marijuana
states <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3436>.

Please contact Rebecca at ASA to tell us if you're working on passing a
local resolution: Rebecca [at] SafeAccessNow.org
<mailto:Rebecca [at] SafeAccessNow.org> or 510-251-1856 x 308.


3) Send letters to your Congressional Representative.

If you cannot meet with your Congressional Representative, please send a
letter. You can find out how your representative voted last year on
ASA's website <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2284>.

If your Representative voted for the Hinchey amendment last year, thank
them for that action. Remind your legislator that Congressman Hinchey
plans to reintroduce the amendment again this year and that you will be
taking this vote into consideration when you go to the polls in
November. Please download and edit a sample thank you letter
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/Thank%20You%20Letter.doc> to
send to your Representative.

If your Representative voted against Hinchey last year, use this
opportunity to start a dialog. Explain why patients need medical
marijuana and present the scientific research that supports the medical
use. Please download and edit a sample dialog letter
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/Dialog%20Letter.doc> to send to
your Representative.


4) Send letters to the editor to your local newspapers.

As the vote approaches and media picks up the story, make your voice
heard! Respond to articles by writing letters to the editor. Please
visit the ASA website for tips on writing letters to the editor
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=310> and for sample letters
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=388>.


5) Call your Congressional Representative again before the vote.

In the final days before the vote, it is extremely important to call
your Representative. His/her staff will be tallying calls and informing
your Representative on the opinions of his/her constituency. Look for an
email from ASA with a sample phone script and tips for calling your
Representative.