MMJ Gaining Congressional Support...

Dear Friend,

Americans for Safe Access (ASA) just finished a successful campaign in
Washington, D.C. on an appropriations amendment introduced by U.S.
Representatives Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) to
stop the federal government from conducting raids, arrests, and
prosecutions of patients and their caregivers in the 11 states that have
passed medical cannabis laws.

While the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment did not pass this session, it
earned a record number of votes - 163 - on the House floor, and ASA's
strategy in 2006 has helped create a base of support that will lead to
future victories.

ASA's strategy included the following tactics:

Congressional Visits
. 27 meetings by ASA teams of patients, doctors and researchers with
Congressional offices that have previously voted "No" on the
Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment.
. More than 60 drop-in visits where information was left with
Congressional staff requesting support of the Hinchey-Rohrabacher
amendment.
. Talking points and research provided to the amendment supporters to
help them develop their floor debate.
. Creation of visual aids and graphs to be used during the floor debate.

Media Strategy
. Creation and placement of a full-page advertisement supporting the
amendment in Capitol Hill's leading newspaper "Roll Call."
. Production of a Video News Release of our patient, doctor, and
researcher visits that was distributed to more than 2000 media outlets.
. More than 100 personal outreach calls, e-mails, and faxes to media.
. Creation of permanent video clips for wide distribution of patients,
doctors, researchers and alternative delivery devices such as
vaporizers, edibles and tincture.

Coordination of Grassroots Campaigns and the D.C. Campaign
. More than 500 e-mails and phone calls from ASA members urging Congress
to pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment.
. Targeted constituent calls to "fence-sitting" Representatives.
. Grassroots advocacy training for Congressional lobbying and first time
personal introductions of medical cannabis patients, physicians, and
researchers to many members of Congress and their key staff.

With your help, ASA will continue to work on this important measure
until it passes and patients in medical cannabis states can be safe from
federal prosecution.
Please stay tuned for upcoming action alerts.

Thank you for your tireless dedication to medical cannabis. Go and
celebrate your Independence!

Steph Sherer
Executive Director
Americans for Safe Access
http://www.SafeAccessNow.org <http://www.safeaccessnow.org/>