On Wednesday, January 17th, the DEA raided some 11 dispensaries in the Los Angeles area, primarily in West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. ASA called on patients, advocates, and city officials to gather at West Hollywood City Hall the next morning for a rally and press conference. In San Francisco on Thursday, patients and their supporters gathered to protest at the Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate Ave. with "signs, noisemakers and loud voices." Advocates for medicinal cannabis will protest the recent raids at the Sacramento Federal Building at 5th & I Streets on Tuesday, January 23rd.

The Los Angeles Police Commission voted January 16th to support a moratorium on new marijuana dispensaries and tougher regulations of existing enterprises. Police Chief William J. Bratton has reportedly promised to work with federal authorities to prosecute businesses that are found to be violating the law.

Americans for Safe Access