ASA CA Weekly Alert

*Weekly Roundup*

1) DEA Raids, Ed Rosenthal, DPA Legal Victory, Riverside & San Diego Updates
*
ASA Chapter Meetings*

2) Thursday, October 5th, Guerneville: Sonoma ASA Meeting
3) Saturday, October 7th, Modesto: Central Valley Patients Coalition Meeting
4) Tuesday, October 10th, San Diego: SD ASA Meeting
5) Tuesday, October 10th, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting
6) Thursday, October 12th, Sacramento: Sac ASA Meeting

*City & County Hearings*

7) Tuesday, October 3rd, Riverside: Riverside County Board of
Supervisors to Vote on Dispensary Ban

*Special Events*

8) Saturday, September 30th, West Hollywood: 1st Annual LA County
Medical Marijuana Exposition & Patient's Rally
9) Saturday, September 30th, Laytonville: Mendocino Medical Marijuana
Advisory Board Workshops
10) Monday, October 9th, San Francisco: District 8 Supervisor Debate on
Medical Cannabis

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*Weekly Roundup*
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*
1) DEA Raids, Ed Rosenthal, DPA Legal Victory, Riverside & San Diego
Updates*

/Emergency Response/*
*This week, patients have suffered a significant loss in safe access, as
three medical cannabis dispensing collectives were raided, showing a
disturbing trend in cooperation between local law enforcement and the
DEA. The first raid set off the Emergency Response Project, as patients
and advocates protested today at noon at DEA and police headquarters in
Los Angeles, Modesto, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and
Santa Ana. Hundreds of patients and advocates rallied statewide and
garnered media attention at several of the actions. Thanks to all who
participated on such short notice!

On Wednesday, California Healthcare Collective, a non-profit dispensary
in Modesto was raided by the DEA with the cooperation of Modesto police.
As a result of the raid, four people were arrested and charged
federally. Several pounds of medical marijuana and cash were also
seized. The raid came a day after the City voted to repeal a provision
exempting non-profits from its ordinance banning dispensaries.

On Thursday, four people were taken into custody after local and federal
law enforcement agents raided North Valley Discount Caregivers
dispensary in Granada Hills, seizing all of its medicine on-site. Two
employees were released later that day from federal custody. The other
two are still in state custody with a combined $1,000,000 bail.

Also, Thursday night, the Stanislaus Sheriff (possibly in collaboration
with a task force that included federal or deputized agents) raided the
2816 Collective, a medical marijuana dispensary near Modesto in the
unincorporated area of Stanislaus County. A state search warrant was
used to raid the dispensary and at least two homes. Police seized
approximately 2 pounds of dried marijuana and hundreds of patient
files. The 2816 Collective had closed its doors Wednesday and Thursday
(the day of the raid) because of the Wednesday DEA raid on the
California Healthcare Collective in Modesto. It is believed that the
2816 Collective was the last dispensary in that entire region, and its
closure represents a complete lack of access for hundreds if not
thousands of patients in the area. No charges have been filed yet in
this latest raid.

/Court Proceedings Continue in Ed Rosenthal Case/
Ed Rosenthal appeared in Federal Court on Wednesday in proceedings that
set his trial date for November 6th. The current case is based on the
original indictment, and no new charges have been pressed. This brings
into question the use of the grand jury, as the prosecution has so far
failed to provide new evidence. Two other people have been served
subpoenas to appear before a grand jury, but have refused to testify.
ASA will be providing court support for Ed's case, and more details will
be given as the trial date approaches.

/Drug Policy Alliance Wins Rights For Medical Marijuana Patients
Receiving Public Assistance/
After a long administrative battle, DPA's office of legal affairs made a
huge stride for economically disadvantage and elderly patients,
persuading the Department of Health Services to reimburse patients
receiving public assistance for their medical cannabis purchases. The
decision reads "DHS regards medical marijuana used consistent with the
Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and the Medical Marijuana Program Act as a
bona fide medical expense." Sylvia Price, a patient in Lake County who
uses medical cannabis to alleviate symptoms with lupus, a seizure
disorder, reflux sympathetic dystrophy, and osteoporosis had been
receiving reimbursements from the county's public assistance program
until three years ago. At that time, the county cited federal law in
their decision to discontinue reimbursements. Please visit DPA's site
<http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/092906mmj.cfm> for details.
Congratulations to Ms. Price and Drug Policy Alliance for this important
victory!.

/Riverside Changes Tune After DA Issues 'White Papers'/
This Tuesday, in a decision that shocked the medical cannabis community,
the Riverside County Board of Supervisors rejected dispensary
regulations, banned dispensaries and patient collectives, and voted to
join San Diego's lawsuit against the state. The decision was made after
District Attorney Grover Trask, who was notably absent from the hearing,
submitted a negative opinion of the legality of medical cannabis
dispensaries. Supervisor Jeff Stone was quoted as saying "It would be
wise to listen to him [Grover Trask]. I gathered the Sheriff, the
District Attorney, Local Law Enforcement, Probation, and the D.E.A. to a
meeting, and the D.E.A. made it clear that they intended to enforce
Federal Law regardless of State Law. The lawsuit is not meant to hurt
medicals, it will give us the answers we need."

While there are currently no dispensaries currently in operation, this
decision will effect collectives in the area and could have an impact
dispensary regulations in cities within the county.
/
San Diego Campaign Escalates as Prime Time TV Commercial Prepares to Air/
Tempers are flaring in San Diego as patients welcome movement from the
city council, but fear the process will take too long. After City
Council Woman Tony Atkins and Council President Scott Peters issued an
official request for the legal opinion of dispensaries and operation
guidelines from the City Attorney and District Attorney, patients
breathed a temporary sigh of relief. Several dozen committed patients
have attended every city council hearing since the closure of all
medical cannabis dispensaries in San Diego. The patient community
experienced a great loss on Tuesday morning, as one of the city's
activists passed away after months of suffering caused by the lack of
access to her medicine. After gathering nearly 2,000 signatures and
pasting over 1,000 posters calling on the council to pass regulations,
they feel they deserve more from the council.

On Tuesday, ASA will be airing a commercial depicting real patients in
San Diego on local channels including CNN. That morning at 9:00a.m,
four of the patients appearing in the commercial will hold a press
conference at 202 C Street to speak on the escalation of patients
tactics to propel the city into action. For more information on the ASA
TV Commercial Press Conference or any other part of our Campaign for
Safe Access, please visit http://www.safeaccessnow.org/sandiego.
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3673>

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*ASA Chapter Meetings*
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*2) 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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*
3) Saturday, October 7th, Modesto: Central Valley Patients Coalition
Meeting*

Please join central valley patients and supporters to help plan and
strategize for the defense of patients rights in Stanislaus County,
Merced County, and beyond!

At this important meeting we will plan for the upcoming Stanislaus
County Board of Supervisors meeting on the mmj ID card program, and
we'll have a special guest, F. Aaron Smith, to share his experience and
help plan. Other agenda items will include: Court support, letters to
the editor, safe access, and more. The CVPC meets at 1:00 PM at 4213
McHenry Ave, Suite F, Modesto California, 95354. For additional
information, contact Shirley Cox, Public Relations Officer for the
Central Valley Patients Coalition - sacreb [at] bigvalley.net

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*
4) Tuesday, October 10th, San Diego: SD ASA Meeting*

Our San Diego chapter of ASA has been busy lately and needs you to get
involved. It is time to get involved and protect
safe access!

For more info about the chapter, please visit their site:
http://sdasa.4mg.com/index.html

Twiggs Coffee House
4590 Park Blvd.
In the Green Room
7:00-8:00 p.m.

Call (858) 278-5880 for more info.

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*5) Tuesday, October 10th, 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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*
6) Thursday, October 12th, 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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*
7) Tuesday, October 3rd, Riverside: Riverside County Board of
Supervisors to Vote on Dispensary Ban*

Last week, the Board of Supervisors voted to ban medical cannabis
dispensaries, instead of to regulate them. This may be the last
opportunity to change their minds!

Please come prepared to speak and don't forget to fill out a speaker
card as soon as you arrive.

1:00 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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*Special Events*
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*8) 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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*9) 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.

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*
10) Monday, October 9th, San Francisco: District 8 Supervisor Debate on
Medical Cannabis*

San Francisco Patients' Cooperative & San Francisco Medical Cannabis
Movement Present
"San Francisco District 8 Debate"
Supervisor Bevan Dufty
Attorney Alix Rosenthal,
President SF Chapter of National Women's Political Caucus
and
Starchild. Libertarian Party

This event will take place at 350 Divisadero at 7 PM sharp.

District 8 is an important district for medical cannabis. Attend this
event and show solidarity to our community.

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