ASA CA Weekly Alert

*Weekly Roundup*

1) San Diego Update, Riverside DA's Statements on Illegality of 215 &
Colorado Campaign for Safe Access
*
ASA Chapter Meetings*

2) Thursday, October 5th, Guerneville: Sonoma ASA Meeting
3) Tuesday, September 26th, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting
4) Wednesday, September 27th, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
5) Thursday, September 28th, Sacramento: Sac ASA Meeting

*City & County Hearings*

6) Tuesday, September 26th, San Diego: Patients Speak out at San Diego
City Council Hearing!
7) Tuesday, September 26th, Fairfield: Solano County Board of
Supervisors to Review Implementation of State ID Card
8) Tuesday, September 26th, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Board of
Supervisors to Vote on New Plant Guidelines & Dispensary Ordinance
9) Tuesday, September 26th, Riverside: Riverside County Board of
Supervisors to Review Dispensary Ordinance
*
Court Support
*
10) Monday, September 25, San Francisco: Michael Aldrich & CHAMP Hearing
in US Tax Court
11) Tuesday, September 26, Fresno: Joe Fortt Trial before Judge Anthony
W. Ishii in U.S. District Court
12) Wednesday, September 27th, San Francisco: Ed Rosenthal & Rick Watts
Hearing to Set Trial Date

*Special Events*

13) Tuesday, September 26th, Sacramento: The Cannabis Comedy Festival
ASA Benefit
14) Friday, September 29th: 420 Report Radio Show hosted by Ed Rosenthal
15) Saturday, September 30th, West Hollywood: 1st Annual LA County
Medical Marijuana Exposition & Patient's Rally
16) Saturday, September 30th, Laytonville: Mendocino Medical Marijuana
Advisory Board Worshops

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*Weekly Roundup*
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*
1) San Diego Update, Riverside DA's Statements on Illegality of 215 &
Colorado Campaign for Safe Access*

/San Diego Council Responds to Activists Pleas for Action: Requests
Movement from DA and City Attorney/
On Tuesday, September 19th, San Diego Council President Scott Peters and
Council Member Tony Atkins cited weeks of community pressure to develop
medical marijuana regulations as the reason for requesting advice on
operating guidelines. In a letter addressed to District Attorney Bonnie
Dumanis and City Attorney Michael Aguirre, the council stated " Since
July of 2006, dozens of medical marijuana advocates have come to testify
before the City Council, urging us to develop medical marijuana
guidelines and allow medical marijuana dispensaries to operate within
the city of San Diego." In a Memorandum attached to the letter, the
Council also requested that a Public Safety & Neighborhood Services
Committee hearing take place when the DA and City Attorney submit their
opinions.

/Riverside DA Claims Medical Marijuana is Illegal & 215 Can't Be Enforced/
Riverside District Attorney Grover Trask issued a "white paper" this
week that claims California's medical marijuana law is illegal due to
federal law and that the state law could not be enforced. Trask
specifically focused on the illegality of dispensaries and stated that
the Supreme Court decision in /Gonzalez v. Raich/ did effect the
enforcement of 215. These statements are unfounded, since California's
Attorney General has issued several statements and police bulletins
upholding the medical marijuana law after the /Raich/ decision.
/
California Campaign for Safe Access Serves as a Model for Colorado Activism
/This week, ASA staff traveled to Colorado to celebrate the one year
anniversary of the Colorado Campaign for Safe Access, which is a
legal-political campaign modeled off of ASA's successes in California.
ASA and Sensible Colorado have been taking legal calls, helping patients
talk to their doctors, and taking on important legal cases to advance
Colorado's medical marijuana law. Over several days, ASA staff traveled
throughout the state to spark interest in the campaign and start up ASA
chapters to help carry out the state campaign locally. To find out more
about the Colorado campaign, please visit http://www.safeaccesscolorado.org

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*ASA Chapter Meetings*
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*2) Tuesday, September 26th, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting*

California Marijuana Party "Activist Resource Center"

7:00pm
223a 9th St. @ Howard
San Francisco, CA. 94103

Come show your support at this critical time in medical cannabis history.

Tony Bowles
ASA-SF Chapter Contact: 415-283-7404

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*3) 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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*
4) 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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*5) Thursday, October 5th, 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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*City & County Hearings
*
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*6) Tuesday, September 26th, San Diego: Patients Speak out at San Diego
City Council Hearing!*

The strategy of returning to the Council every week and asking for
regulations is paying off. Committed patients and supporters developed
this strategy with ASA providing the resources to maintain momentum,
such as calling hundred of patients to attend the hearings, providing
materials for signature gathering, postcards and posters, and financing
a commercial scheduled to air next week on more than 10 news channels in
San Diego.

In preparation of a stalemate by the city, ASA San Diego will be hosting
a Direct Action Training for patients and activists on Monday, September
25th from 5-7p.m. at the Great Hall Saint Pauls Cathedral Church 2728
6th Ave and Nutmeg St. Executive Director Steph Sherer will instruct
attendees on legal observation, action planning, affinity groups and
personal safety in this 2 hour crash course in grassroots advocacy.

This Tuesday, September 26th, we will be returning to the city council
hearing to thank them for moving on the issue, but request that this
process be expedited in light of the complete lack of access. Please
come to the San Diego City Council Hearing Tuesday September 26th. We
are meeting in front of 202 C St. at 9:30a.m.to discuss our plan of action.

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 5-7p.m
Where: Great Hall Saint Pauls Cathedral Church 2728 6th Ave and Nutmeg St.

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*
7) 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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*8) Tuesday, September 26th, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Board of
Supervisors to Vote on New Plant Guidelines & Dispensary Ordinance*

WHO: Patients and supporters in Sonoma County
WHAT: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to Discuss Plant and Dispensary
Guidelines
WHEN: Tuesday, September 26th 10:30a.m.
WHERE: Board of Supervisors Chambers 575 Administration Drive, Santa
Rosa CA
WHY: The proposed ordinance will go before the Board and may get passed
without further review if they vote. The Board is also considering a
drastic reduction in the number of plants allowed per qualified medical
marijuana patients. Please come show support for the /current/ medical
marijuana plant guidelines and the dispensary ordinance!

for more information, please call ASA Sonoma County at (707) 332-6556.

For ASA talking points on Dispensary Regulations, click here
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2716>.


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*9) 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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*
10) Monday, September 25, San Francisco: Michael Aldrich & CHAMP Hearing
in US Tax Court*

Long-time medical marijuana advocate Michael Aldrich has been subpoenaed
to answer charges about CHAMP's tax status. It is feared he is being
punished for his role in the medical cannabis dispensary.

10:00 am
450 Golden Gate Ave San Francisco.
*
*
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*
11) 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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*12) Wednesday, September 27th, San Francisco: Ed Rosenthal & Rick Watts
Hearing to Set Trial Date*

As prosecutor George Bevan continues his crusade against medical
marijuana activists Ed Rosenthal and Rick Watts, their defense is
preparing itself for a potential trial. The defense for Watts, who had
not been prosecuted previously due to illness, is refuting his further
appearance as he did not waive his right to a speedy trial yet is being
brought into court three years after the fact. Meanwhile, the defense
for Rosenthal is not convinced the case will go to trial. Nevertheless,
the grand jury proceedings are expected to take place on October 11th,
and the case is scheduled to go to trial on October 23rd. We will keep
you posted as the case develops.

10:00 am
19th Floor 450 Golden Gate Ave San Francisco

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*Special Events*
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*
13) 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.

*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 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 the show are available online at http://www.Punchline.com
<http://www.punchline.com/> or by calling the Punchline directly at
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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*
14) Friday, September 29th: 420 Report Radio Show hosted by Ed Rosenthal*

Featured guests will be David Moore, a provider facing Federal
prosecution, and Fred Gardner, who will discuss new research on
cannabinoids.

The 420 Report airs on KPFA - 94.1 FM Noon --1:00pm PDT and features
cannabis news, interviews with activists and policy makers, and musical
insights from Ed Rosenthal. Call in comments are welcomed.

For anyone who cannot tune in on Friday, you can still hear the show
online at http://www.kpfa.org. Also the show will be archived at http://www.kpfa.org
under "Living Room," Sept. 29 2006. Last month's show is archived under
"Living Room," Aug. 25 2006.

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*15) 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.

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*16) Saturday, September 30th, Laytonville: Mendocino Medical Marijuana
Advisory Board Workshops*

The event will feature tips on growing pot organically from Jake Couch,
an explanation of medical marijuana law by Pebbles Trippet and a slide
presentation on the "endo-cannabinoid systems in the human body" by Dr.
William Courtney. These workshops will take place between 12:30 and 2 p.m.

The main attraction of the day's events is a debate between Kevin Broin
and Tom Allman which will take place beginning at 3 p.m.

A 10-course Indian dinner will be offered at 6 p.m. and music from
various performers beginning at 8 p.m.

For information, call 984-9124 or 964-YESS./
/

--
Rebecca Saltzman
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
p (510) 251-1856 x 308
f (510) 251-2036
http://www.safeaccessnow.org