ASA CA Weekly Alert

*Weekly Roundup*

1) ASA Speaks on DPA Panel, North Hollywood Victory & Statewide ASA
Conference
*
ASA Chapter Meetings*

2) Saturday, September 16th, Hollywood: Los Angeles ASA Meeting
3) Thursday, September 21st, Fullerton: Orange County ASA Meeting
4) Thursday, September 21st, Guerneville: Sonoma ASA Meeting
5) Tuesday, September 26th, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting
6) Wednesday, September 27th, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
7) Thursday, September 28th, Sacramento: Sac ASA Meeting

*City & County Hearings*

8) Monday, September 18th, Pomona: City Council to Vote on Granting
Exemption from Moratorium for Dispensary
9) Thursday, September 21st, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Planning
Commission to Hold Hearing on Dispensary Ordinance
10) Tuesday, September 26th, San Diego: Patients Speak out at San Diego
City Council Hearing!
11) Tuesday, September 26th, Fairfield: Solano County Board of
Supervisors to Review Implementation of State ID Card
12) Tuesday, September 26th, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Board of
Supervisors to Vote on New Plant Guidelines
13) Tuesday, September 26th, Riverside: Riverside County Board of
Supervisors to Review Dispensary Ordinance
*
Court Support
*
14) Tuesday, September 18, San Diego: Court Support for Ocean Beach
Dispensary Defendants
15) Wednesday, September 20, Victorville: Barth Leight Preliminary Hearing
16) Tuesday, September 26, Fresno: Joe Fortt Trial before Judge Anthony
W. Ishii in U.S. District Court

*Special Events*

17) Sunday, September 16th, CNN Headline News: Dr. Marion Fry to Discuss
Medical Cannabis
18) Monday, September 18th, San Francisco: The Cannabis Comedy Festival
ASA Benefit
and
Tuesday, September 26th, Sacramento: The Cannabis Comedy Festival
ASA Benefit
19) Thursday, September 21st, Oakland: The San Francisco Bay Area
Premiere of /Waiting to Inhale/
20) Saturday, September 30th, West Hollywood: 1st Annual LA County
Medical Marijuana Exposition & Patient's Rally

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*Weekly Roundup*
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*
1) ASA Speaks on DPA Panel, North Hollywood Victory & Statewide ASA
Conference*

On September 12th, ASA Executive Director Steph Sherer spoke at a
community meeting hosted by Drug Policy Alliance Souther California. In
the context of 10 years of medical marijuana law, she talked about the
growing movement of patient activists and the importance of creating
pressure from the federal level down to the most local
For the full story, click here <http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/091306la.cfm>
*
*The Mid-Town North Hollywood Neighborhood Council approved a resolution
on September 13th calling on the City Council to adopt regulations for
medical cannabis collectives expeditiously. A few days earlier, the
neighborhood had been plastered with flyers denouncing dispensaries as
contributing to crime and soliciting high school and college students.
The flyer placed the blame on Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for ordering
law enforcement to stop citing and closing local dispensaries. LA ASA
members attended the Neighborhood Council Meeting and presented a
cohesive message to the fence-sitting council, resulting in a positive
step forward for the patient community in the city of Los Angeles.
Officer John Smith, a local officer who has quickly become an
anti-medical marijuana crusader, together with other LAPD officers has
used dubious code violations and intimidation to close at least two
collectives.Officer Smith was not present at the meeting.

Calling all medical marijuana activists in California! ASA is hosting a
statewide medical marijuana conference for activists across the state
on October 21st-22nd in the Los Angeles area to share skills and
strategies in implementing the state's medical marijuana laws. Workshops
will include Strategic Planning, Action Planning, Media Trainings and
more! Further details will be available next week. Please save the date.

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*ASA Chapter Meetings*
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*2) Saturday, September 16th, Hollywood: Los Angeles ASA Meeting*

Join the LA ASA chapter to celebrate their 1 year anniversary!

Topics to be discussed include:
-How to respond to a very inflammatory flyer recently distributed in the
North Hollywood area
-As regulations approach, bringing dispensing collectives into their
community
-Getting patients more positively involved in their community

1pm - 3pm @ California Patients Group
6208 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90038
For more info, please call LA ASA: (323) 464-7719

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*
3) Thursday, September 21st, Fullerton: Orange County ASA Meeting*

7:00 p.m. @ 1520 W Commenwealth Ave, in Fullerton
Please come to discuss local law enforcement problems and campaigns to
address this and other issues!
For more info, please call Adam: (949) 246-9395 or email
adamwithasa [at] gmail.com

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*4) Thursday, September 21st, Guerneville: Sonoma ASA Meeting*

When: Thursday at 7:30pm
Where: Marvin's Gardens 15025 River Road (towards Guerneville)

Come check out Sonoma's chapter of American's for Safe Access. We've got
a lot to go over this month, dispensary
regulations and plant guidelines are being discussed county wide.
Patients, supporters, caregivers and friends are
welcome to come share their opinions on what should happen locally. More
info 707-332-6556

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*5) Tuesday, September 26th, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting*

Info TBA.

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*6) Wednesday, September 27th, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting*

Join East Bay ASA to make strategic plans for the rest of the year to
ensure safe access in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties! We will be
discussing local and national issues and need your participation in the
chapter.

Please join us and make your voice heard! Refreshments will be served.

* Wednesday, September 27th @ 7 pm*

Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative
1734 Telegraph (back entrance), Downtown Oakland
Just a couple blocks from the 19th Street BART station!

For more information or to get involved, contact Rebecca:
Rebecca [at] SafeAccessNow.org or 510-251-1856 x 308

Please spread the word and pass this on to your East Bay neighbors!

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*
7) Thursday, September 28th, Sacramento: Sac ASA Meeting*

Sacramento ASA has begun meeting again and they're busy strategizing on
ways to effect local, state and national policies.

The Sacramento medical marijuana community was once extremely active
with Americans for Safe Access. Sac ASA met
regularly, organized a huge rally for Bryan Epis at the Capitol, and did
all they could to protect patients' rights. Patients and advocates in
the Sacramento area are coming together again to reinvigorate ASA.
Please join them at their bi-weekly meetings:

Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
!Pura Vida! (next to the Capitol Wellness Collective)
2400 14th Street, Sacramento

All are welcome. This is a great opportunity to get involved with ASA
and to work on both local
and national campaigns.

For more information, please call 916-325-9000.

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*City & County Hearings
*
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*8) Monday, September 18th, Pomona: City Council to Vote on Granting
Exemption from Moratorium for Dispensary*

Farm Assist Caregivers, a dispensary in Pomona, has asked the city to be
exempted from its dispensary moratorium. Please attend the city council
hearing and stress the important of safe and local access!

6 p.m at th City Council Chambers located between City Hall and the
Library at 505 South Garey Ave

Please download ASA talking points
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=212> on dispensary
regulations, moratoriums & bans.

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*
9) Thursday, September 21st, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Planning
Commission to Hold Hearing on Dispensary Ordinance*

A message from Jane Riley, AICP, Planner III, Sonoma County PRMD

As outlined in the staff report memo, the draft ordinance
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/Sonoma.2006-09-21stfprt.pdf> has
been revised to reflect the direction provided to staff by the Planning
Commission at their July 20th meeting. The next meeting, where the
Planning Commission will discuss the revised draft, is scheduled for
1:05 PM at the PRMD Hearing Room on Thursday, September 21. While it is
an open public meeting and everyone is welcome to attend, please note
that THE PUBLIC INPUT PORTION WAS CLOSED at the end of the July 20th
meeting. This means that you should not count on being able to speak at
the meeting. If you wish to submit comments to the Planning Commission
after reviewing the revised draft ordinance, please do so in writing or
by responding to this email prior to September 20th. (Please send emails
to JRILEY1 [at] sonoma-county.org)

Speak out ahead of time and attend the hearing to secure safe access in
Sonoma County!

1:00 p.m.at Permit & Resource Management Department meeting room, 2550
Ventura Ave., Santa Rosa

Please download ASA talking points
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=212> on dispensary
regulations, moratoriums & bans.

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*10) Tuesday, September 26th, San Diego: Patients Speak out at San Diego
City Council Hearing!*

As members of San Diego ASA are lobbying city council members, the
mayor, and other organizations, the group is preparing to stage a Direct
Action at the council hearing on September 26th. While patients can come
to the September 19th hearing, we ask that patients who can only make
one or the other come to the September 26th Action. Please note that if
you wish to participate in the Direct Action, you must also attend the
Direct Action Training the day before. For more information, please call
San Diego Coordinator Wendy Christakes at (619) 723-6572.

San Diego City Council Hearing Tuesday September 26th
When: The hearing is Tuesday at 10:00a.m.. We are meeting in front of
202 C St. at 9:30a.m.
Where: Council Committee Room (12th Floor), City Administration Building
202 C Street

San Diego ASA Direct Action Training
When: Monday, September 25th time tba
Where: to be announced

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*
11) Tuesday, September 26th, Fairfield: Solano County Board of
Supervisors to Review Implementation of State ID Card*

When: Tuesday 8:30a.m.
Where: 675 Texas Street, Fairfield CA.

Solano County is one of the biggest violators of the State's medical
marijuana laws with law enforcement officers and local city government
thumbing their noses at medical marijuana patients and providers,
refusing to acknowledge state law.

Please come to speak to the Board of Supervisors and let them know
implementation of state law is not a choice!

For more information, please contact Linda at
Linda4SPG [at] compassionatecoalition.org or call (707) 635-3752.

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*12) Tuesday, September 26th, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Board of
Supervisors to Vote on New Plant Guidelines*

From Doc Knapp & Mary Pat Jacobs:

There will be a public hearing on new medical marijuana possession and
cultivation Guidelines for Sonoma County at the Board of Supervisors
Chambers (County Administration Center) at their public meeting on
September 26 at 10:30am (time and date are subject to change). You may
access the Sonoma County website the week of the meeting, or call, to
see if the date has changed, and when the topic is to be presented.



The Supervisors will review and possibly amend draft Guidelines prepared
by County Counsel. The Guidelines allow possession of three pounds, a
total plant canopy of 100 square feet, with up to 30 plants, unless you
are approved for more by your physician.



We encourage you to contact your Supervisor and express your thoughts.



10:30 a.m. @
Sonoma County Administration Bldg.
575 Administration Dr., Room 102A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403-2887

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*13) Tuesday, September 26th, Riverside: Riverside County Board of
Supervisors to Review Dispensary Ordinance*

Riverside activists have been working hard with the County to develop
reasonable dispensary regulations. Please come prepared to speak and
don't forget to fill out a speaker card as soon as you arrive.

1:30 p.m.
Board of Supervisors Chambers, 4080 Lemon Street, 1st Floor

Please download ASA talking points
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=212> on dispensary
regulations, moratoriums & bans.

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*Court Support*
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*
14) Tuesday, September 18, San Diego: Court Support for Ocean Beach
Dispensary Defendants*

Three defendants will go before the San Diego County Superior Court
facing state charges of possession and sales. The charges stemmed from a
series of federal raids and intimidation tactics which resulted in the
closure of all medical cannabis dispensing collectives (dispensaries) in
the city. The Ocean Beach Dispensary (OBD) was first raided on December
12th by federal agents. The DEA returned to at least 8 dispensaries on
July 6th, and a few days later they were given a cease and desist order.
The facility was not dispensing medical cannabis at that time, but was
merely giving out information.

8:30a.m.
San Diego County Court
220 West Broadway Department 11
*
*
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*
15) Wednesday, September 20, Victorville: Barth Leight Preliminary Hearing*

From John Rosenwald:

Barth Leight is having his preliminary hearing on wednesday, september
20th, 2006. the court is superior court, county of San Bernadino,
Victorville Dourthouse. 14455 Civic Drive, Victorville California. 9:30
a.m. department V8, 15 freeway to the Roy Rogers exit. West on Roy
Rogers to first light, make a left, and courthouse is about 1/8 of a
mile further on civic. Parking is free around the courthouse. Attorney,
Nancy Lord, a member of the NORML board of directors for 8 years, has
asked for a show of support from ASA members, by having as many people
as possible in the court for the preliminary hearing. as many of you are
aware, san bernadino has joined the san diego lawsuit, and for all
practical purposes, is choosing to ignore the state law senate bill 420.

Barth, a medical patient who was previously arrested in florida and
charged with felony cultivation, moved to california four years ago to
get protection under california laws. he is afflicted with numerous
conditions, both physical and mental. he was arrested by san bernadino
sherriffs after presenting his doctors letter, and he was within the
limits of senate bill 420. barths two children were taken from him, and
a newspaper article about the arrest in the local paper was the exhibit
attached to the paperwork. barth, who is on social security disability,
and a great father, who raised his children by himself for 15 years, is
yet another victim of this madness. please make an attempt to be there
for barth. he appreciates all of your assistance.

Please tell your friends, and bring as many warm bodies as possible to
show support for Barth. we must stand up to san Bernadino, and show them
the world is watching.
*
*
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*
16) Tuesday, September 26, Fresno: Joe Fortt Trial before Judge Anthony
W. Ishii in U.S. District Court*

Trial before Judge Anthony W. Ishii in U.S. District Court, 5th Floor,
2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA. Despite Joe Fortt
closing the doors to his Bakersfield medical marijuana dispensary,
American Kenpo Kungfu School of Public Health, a day
after the Gonzales v. Raich decision, three places of cultivation were
raided and he was arrested on July 20, 2005.
Allegedly, over 2,000 plants were seized and Fortt was subsequently
charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess
more than 1,000 plants. Fortt is currently incarcerated, and faces a
10-year mandatory minimum sentence if convicted.

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*Special Events*
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*17) Sunday, September 16th, CNN Headline News: Dr. Marion Fry to
Discuss Medical Cannabis*

Dr. Marion (Mollie) Fry and her husband Attorney Dale Schafer will
appear on the nationally syndicated Comcast Cable CNN News program,
"Seeking Solutions with Suzanne" , three times on Sunday, September
17th, and again three times on September 23rd, 2006, just before
HEADLINE NEWS. The show is entitled "Medical Marijuana".
8:55am, 1:55pm and 6:55pm (West coast)

Dr. Mollie Fry and Attorney Dale Schafer were indicted by the Federal
Government on June 22nd, 2005, for conspiracy to manufacture and
distribute 100+ plants with known and unknown persons (their patients).
The Feds are currently trying to disqualify their attorneys, J. Tony
Serra and Laurence Jeffrey Lichter and the couple does not expect to be
in court in the Eastern District of CA. before 2007. Medical Marijuana
is legal in California and 10 other states and the Federal government
continues to deny the fact that Marijuana is safe and effective for
treating a myriad of conditions.
Dr. Fry continues to work with patients at her clinic in Cool,
California, where she has been seeing patient's since 1999. She is a
cancer survivor having undergone a double mastectomy ten years ago.

For more on Dr. Fry ; http://www.docfry.com
1-866-4 DocFry (toll free) or 530-823-9963
*
*
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*
18) Monday, September 18th, San Francisco: The Cannabis Comedy Festival
ASA Benefit
and
Tuesday, September 26th, Sacramento: The Cannabis Comedy Festival ASA
Benefit*

Join Americans for Safe Access <http://www.safeaccessnow.org/> as we
laugh our way to safer access to medical marijuana at this year's
Cannabis Comedy Festival at the Punchline Comedy Club
<http://www.punchlinecomedyclub.com/>!

All-Star Comedians* Jasper Redd*, *Joe Bartnick*, and Host *Ngaio*
*Bealum* will have you doubled over in laughter as they point out the
irony, hilarity, and hypocrisy of our nation's marijuana policy.

*TWO GREAT SHOWS!*

*Monday September 18th at the Punchline in **San Francisco** - AND -
Tuesday, September 26th at the Punchline in **Sacramento**.*

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show starts at 8:00 p.m.. There is a two
drink minimum and door proceeds go to ASA.

*Tickets are only $20!*

*Click HERE to buy your tickets online!
<http://www.punchlinecomedyclub.com/>*

*ABOUT THE COMEDIANS: *

*Ngaio Bealum *is best known for hosting the /High Times/ Comedy events,
but just "Google" this guy and you will find comedy clips that will make
you laugh so hard it hurts. /Comedy Central /Comedian *Jasper Redd* is
just plain funny, while you may recognize *Joe Bartnick* from Dave
Attell's Insomniac Tour or his weekly radio show "Big Balls on Sports"
on the /American Radio Network./* *

*WHERE:*

The San Francisco Punchline is located at 444 Batter Street in San
Francisco between Washington and Clay.

The Sacramento Punchline is located at 2100 Arden Way Suite 225 in the
Howe 'Bout Arden Center.

*ABOUT THE PUNCHLINE:*

The Punchline Comedy Club is one of the most prestigious comedy clubs in
the nation, featuring national acts and the best of local talent. The
clubs offer a full bar and food with intimate seating. Capacity is 200
so we recommend buying your tickets pre-sale.

*BUY YOUR TICKETS:*

Tickets for both shows are available online at http://www.Punchline.com
<http://www.punchline.com/> or by calling the Punchline directly (For
the San Francisco Show call 415-397-PLSF and for the Sacramento show
call 916-925-5500). You can also buy your tickets directly from ASA by
stopping by the office at 1322 Webster Street Suite #402 in Oakland, CA
or by phone at (510) 251-1856.

Unsold tickets will be available at the door.

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*19) Thursday, September 21st, Oakland: The San Francisco Bay Area
Premiere of /Waiting to Inhale/*

The San Francisco Bay Area Premiere of
Jed Riffe's new film */Waiting to Inhale/*,
The first documentary to examine the movement to legalize cannabis for
medical use

Oakland International Film Festival
Thursday, September 21st at 9:00pm
Malonga Theater (Formerly Alice Arts Center)
1428 Alice St., Oakland

**Screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with the
audience**

_Attending the screening and Q&A:
_FILMMAKERS
Jed Riffe, Katherine Covell, Maureen Gosling, Vicente Franco

FILM SUBJECTS
Dr. Donald Abrams, Mike Corral, Valerie Corral, Jeff Jones, and Yvonne
Westbrook

/For more information about this and other events or to purchase a DVD,
http://www.WaitingToInhale.org <http://www.waitingtoinhale.org> (510) 845-2044/

Produced and Directed by JED RIFFE Written and Co-produced by KATHERINE
COVELL
Edited by MAUREEN GOSLING Cinematography by VICENTE FRANCO

Funded in part by: California Council for the Humanities, Educational
Foundation of America, Sundance Documentary Fund, Humanities Texas, LEF
Foundation, Marijuana Policy Project, Fleishhacker Foundation, Illinois
Humanities Council

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*20) Saturday, September 30th, West Hollywood: 1st Annual LA County
Medical Marijuana Exposition & Patient's Rally*

On Saturday, September 30, medical marijuana patients and advocates
will gather in West Hollywood to celebrate the ten year anniversary of
Proposition 215, the voter initiative that legalized the medical use of
marijuana in California and sparked a nationwide debate on the topic.
The celebration will feature booths, music, food, and an impressive
roster of guest speakers -- including California State Assemblyman Paul
Koretz and medical marijuana pioneer Dennis Peron.

The First Annual LA County Medical Marijuana Exposition & Patient's
Rally is sponsored by Assemblyman Koretz's Medical Marijuana Task Force
and hosted by former county HIV/AIDS Commissioner Richard Eastman. "This
is our celebration of ten years of courage, faith, and hope," said
Eastman, "that the federal government will one day reschedule marijuana
as a medicine." Eastman said he and Assemblyman Koretz will present
awards honor ten people who have helped in the struggle to legalize
medical marijuana in California.

The all-day event will feature music by LA's electronic duo,
Marijuana: The Band, and other as yet unannounced acts. Organizers
describe the festivities as "ten hours of eclectic, vaudeville
entertainment with speeches, film, and surprises." Local medical
cannabis dispensaries will join marijuana and hemp vendors in the
exhibition area. Organizers are even planning for a Proposition 215
birthday cake and an inter-denominational ceremony marking the occasion.

"I hope this is a chance for everyone who has worked so hard to
celebrate what we have achieved, and get motivated to finish this
compassionate work," Eastman said. He added that the celebration is
scheduled early enough to allow attendees to register to vote in the
November election. "We need medical marijuana supporters voting for
candidates that support us."

The First Annual LA County Medical Marijuana Exposition & Patient's
Rally is scheduled from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturday, September 30,
at the West Hollywood Auditorium located at 647 N. San Vicente Blvd. For
more information, visit http://www.AboutMedicalMarijuana.com or call Richard
Eastman at (323) 474-4602.

--
Alex Franco
California Campaign Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
Phone: 510-251-1856 x321
Fax: 510-251-2036
Email: alex [at] SafeAccessNow.org