ASA Calif. Weekly Alert

*Weekly Roundup*

1) ASA CA Conference and Los Angeles Dispensary Raids, Protests & Media
Response
*
**ASA Chapter Meetings*

2) Saturday, January 20th, Hollywood: Los Angeles ASA Meeting
3) Tuesday, January 23rd, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting
4) Thursday, January 25th, Sacramento: Sac ASA Meeting
5) Thursday, February 1st, Guerneville: Sonoma ASA Meeting

*Court Support*

6) Monday, January 22nd, Sacramento: Jeff Sanderson & Alice Wiegand Hearing
7) Friday, January 26th, Sacramento: Louis Wayne Fowler Hearing

*Special Events*
*
8) Monday, January 22nd, Los Angeles: Protest to End the DEA Raids!*
9) Thursday, February 1st, San Francisco: THC Comedy Tour Benefit for ASA

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*Weekly Roundup*
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*
1) ASA CA Conference and Los Angeles Dispensary Raids, Protests & Media
Response*

/ASA's California Conference Was a Huge Success!/

Thanks to everyone who attended ASA's California State Conference,
"Implementation = Victory: Preparing for the Next 10 Years," this
weekend in Burbank. We'd like to send a special thanks out to the
volunteers who made this conference possible. By all measurements, the
conference was a huge success. Here are some of the highlights from the
conference:

* Over 150 patients, providers, attorneys, doctors and advocates
representing regions from around the state convened to strategize
on state and local issues.
* At the Friday night reception, ASA gave awards to dozens of
leaders of the medical cannabis movement. Attendees celebrated
the accomplishments of the past 10 years and danced to the music
of Norman A. Norman and Jah Fellowship.
* ASA staff led trainings on strategic planning, media and
messaging, action planning, and citizen lobbying. Participants
learned skills at these trainings that we can bring back to our
local communities.
* At the Saturday luncheon, Dr. David Bearman, Chris Conrad, Dale
Gieringer, and Joe Elford spoke about the last 10 years of medical
cannabis in California and shared their visions for the next 10 years.
* Regional groups from San Diego, Orange County, Inland Empire, Los
Angeles, Central Valley, Bay Area, Northern California and
Sacramento met together throughout the conference and developed
new plans to implement locally. Representatives from each of these
regions stepped forward to act as community liaisons for the
groups and to continue organizing regionally.

I am sure many of you heard about the controversy over medication use at
the Pickwick Center. The staff and managers there were fine with
medication use at a smaller meeting we had there in December, and voiced
no complaints on Friday night. Unfortunately, they did have a problem
with it on Saturday! Apparently, the property owner showed up
unexpectedly and did not want to see "those kind of people" at that fine
establishment. Our apologies to anyone who was inconvenienced or made to
feel unwelcome by the staff there. Their position was unreasonable and
discriminatory.

On Saturday night, Don Duncan and Steph Sherer jumped into action and
found a location for the conference to continue on Sunday, across the
street at Viva Fresh Mexican restaurant. We'd like to thank Don for
finding us a location so quickly and to thank all the participants for
being so flexible. The conference continued on Sunday, and many
attendees preferred the Mexican restaurant to the Pickwick.

During the trainings on Sunday, we intertwined planning a response to
the Pickwick's actions. Many of you have contacted our office this week
to confirm that we are still executing a response, and we'd like to
assure you that we are. The first step is to generate letters from
attendees. If you participated in the conference, please write a letter
detailing how you were affected by the Pickwick's actions. Tell your
personal story - explain the money and energy that you spent getting to
the conference, how you felt being discriminated against, and how you'd
like the Pickwick to treat patients in the future. Please send these to
the ASA office, and we will send them as a group to the Pickwick center.
Letters should be addressed to the Pickwick Owner and should be sent to:

Electronically: Rebecca [at] SafeAccessNow.org
Via Fax: (510) 251-2036, Attn: Rebecca Saltzman
Via Mail: Attn: Rebecca Saltzman
Americans for Safe Access
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612

Please write this letter soon, while the experience is fresh in your
head. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and we will
update you on our progress with responding to the Pickwick.

If you did not attend the conference or if you'd like to share the
conference materials with local community members, we will be uploading
PDFs of the conference workbook to our website shortly. I'll send out a
link when it is posted.

The skills and tools we discussed this weekend are the backbone of
grassroots advocacy. Practicing use of our "activist toolboxes" in
Burbank was fun, but it only matters if we take those skills into our
neighborhoods, city council meetings, and public protests for real. If
all 150 conference attendees start actively using our tools and skills
gained at this conference, we will continue to secure safe access statewide!


/DEA Raids 11 Dispensaries in Los Angeles; Activists, Elected Officials
& Media Decry This Attack/

On Wednesday, the DEA raided 11 dispensaries in West Hollywood, Venice,
Hollywood, Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills.. They detained 20 people and
confiscated medicine, but they have not pressed charges. These raids
came on the heels of the West Hollywood City Council announcing its
development of permanent dispensary regulations and the Los Angeles City
Council considering a temporary moratorium on dispensaries, while the
city develops regulations.

Patients, advocates and local officials were outraged by this attack.
ASA quickly organized protests at the sites of several of the raids on
Wednesday night, and much of the media coverage featured advocates
holding signs and chanting, "DEA, Go Away!" ASA also called for a press
conference and protest on Thursday morning at West Hollywood City Hall.
A hundred patients attended the protest, and Former Assemblyman Paul
Koretz spoke at the press conference, along with Steph Sherer and Don
Duncan. Koretz criticized the Bush administration for attacking patients
and providers, and Sherer explained that California has the situation
under control, as more and more localities are developing dispensary
regulations.

All of the local television news stations and several radio stations
covered the press conference, as did the Los Angeles Times, the Daily
News, and other area publications. ASA spokespersons provided comment
and interviews to dozens of media outlets, including features on
Pacifica radio and KABC talk radio. Last night, Steph Sherer appeared on
FoxNews' O' Reilly Factor to debate Dave Gascon, former assistant LAPD
chief about the raids. And after talking with ASA staff yesterday, the
Orange County Register ran an editorial today arguing that the raids
were "morally indistinguishable from an act of terrorism." See these
articles and more by visiting the ASA website Press Room
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=class&class=3>.

Thanks to everyone who made it out for the protests! There is still time
to speak out against these attacks on safe access. Please call Speaker
Nancy Pelosi and your congressional representative today or Monday to
urge them to introduce legislation to DEA raids. For further
information, including phone scripts and phone numbers, please download
the action flyer
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/Prevent_Federal_Attacks.pdf

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*ASA Chapter Meetings*
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*
**2) Saturday, January 20th, Hollywood: Los Angeles ASA Meeting*

Planning Meeting and Art Party to discuss strategy and prepare for the
January 22nd protest (see below). Bring a blank red shirt, some markers,
and poster board. Most importantly, bring yourself AND a friend.

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) Tuesday, January 23rd, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting*

7:00 p.m. - Location TBA

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

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*4) Thursday, January 25th, Sacramento: Sac ASA Meeting*

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, February 1st, Guerneville: Sonoma ASA Meeting*

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

Please join Sonoma's chapter of American's for Safe Access. Patients,
supporters, caregivers and friends are
welcome to come share their opinions on what should happen locally,
statewide, and nationally. More info 707-332-6556

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*Court Support*
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*6) Monday, January 22nd, Sacramento: Jeff Sanderson & Alice Wiegand
Hearing*

Hearing at 10am before Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. at the U.S. District
Court, 501 "I" Street, Sacramento, CA. Plumas County patients Jeff
Sanderson (who also serves as a caregiver for nine other patients) &
Alice Wiegand were arrested in a raid by a local-federal task force on
August 14, 2006, for allegedly growing more than 260 plants. Though they
were released from Plumas County jail within several days, on September
5, 2006, Sanderson was rearrested by federal agents and is being
prosecuted on federal charges of manufacturing and conspiracy to
manufacture more than 100 marijuana plants. Authorities confiscated all
of the plants and medicine, and have initiated asset forfeiture
proceedings on their home and family farm. In addition, law enforcement
referred the case to CA Child Protective Services, which has removed
Sanderson and Wiegand's 10-month old son and then sued them for child
support. Sanderson is currently out on bail pending trial.

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*7) Friday, January 26th, Sacramento: Louis Wayne Fowler Hearing*

Hearing at 10:00am before Judge Edward Garcia in U.S. District Court at
501 "I" Street in Sacramento. The DEA and Sheriff conducted a raid on
Sacramento County dispensary operator Louis Fowler, 51, on July 7, 2005.
In addition to the raid on the Alternative Specialties dispensary,
allegedly as a result of operating without a business license, three
other locations were raided by the DEA and Sheriff where two indoor
gardens allegedly with more than 800 plants were found. Fowler was
charged federally with manufacture of marijuana and illegal possession
of weapons. Fowler is released pending trial in Sacramento.

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*Special Events*
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*
**8) Monday, January 22nd, Los Angeles: Protest to End the DEA Raids!*
*
*Next Monday patients and advocates will be protesting at the Federal
Building in Downtown Los Angeles. Get out and show your support. The
one thing we need most is your body in the street telling the DEA you
will not stand down!

WHO: PATIENTS, PROVIDERS, AND ADVOCATES WHO WANT TO KEEP SAFE ACCESS IN LA!
WHAT: A DEMAND THE DEA RETURN OUR MEDICINE
WHERE: THE FEDERAL BUILDING; 255 E TEMPLE ST; DOWNTOWN LA
WHEN: JANUARY 22nd HIGH NOON

Many patients have been asking what they can do to keep Safe Access in
LA. First, bring yourself and all your friends to the rally on Monday.
Next, tell all your friends and family how wrong it is that the DEA is
cutting off access to needed medicine for sick and dying patients.
Third, look at ASA's call-in campaign to find out to which elected
officials you should voice your opposition.

WE, AND ONLY WE, HAVE THE POWER TO KEEP SAFE ACCESS IN LOS ANGELES!

For more info, contact:
Chris Fusco
ASA LA County Field Coordinator
323 464 7719

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*9) Thursday, February 1st, San Francisco: THC Comedy Tour Benefit for ASA*

The THC Comedy Tour is coming to Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco on
Thursday, February 1. This hysterical comedy show is touring the country
raising awareness and money for cannabis and medical cannabis advocacy.
The San Francisco show features our native cannabis comedy hero Ngaio
Bealum! You will also laugh with Marc Norman, Doug Benson, and others.
Check out their bios below!

The show on Thursday, February 1 benefits Americans for Safe Access
(ASA). I hope you will all come out and laugh to help support the
nation's largest organization of patients, medical professionals,
scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to
cannabis for therapeutic use and research.

Here are the details...

The THC Comedy Tour
Thursday, February 1 * 8:00 PM
Cobb's Comedy Club (in North Beach)
915 North Columbus Ave., San Francisco
Tickets at the box office $18. Call (415) 928-4320
Visit http://www.cobbscomedy.com/index.html for details and directions.
(18 and over only, 2 beverage minimum)

Read about Ngaio Bealum at http://profile.myspace.com/ngaio

We have the scathing, biting humor of Marc Maron, former co-host of
"Morning Sedition" on Air America Radio. Maron is known for his incisive
cultural and political commentary, mystical ruminations, and neurotic
insights into human
nature. Marc has appeared on just about every TV show that will allow
comics, from The Late Show with David Letterman to Late Night with Conan
O'Brien, where he is a special favorite.

Featuring Doug Benson, one of the stars from the hit Broadway play "The
Marijuana-Logues. Doug appears on numerous television shows, including
The Late Late Show and Premium Blend. As an actor you may have seen him on
Friends and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Also playing is Ngaio Bealum, runner
up in the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. He has
appeared MTV, Comedy Central, & BET's Comic View.

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