Medical MJ Prop 215 vs. Federal Government Intervention

Medical Marijuana: California's State Statute vs. Federal Government Intervention
Co-sponsored by the ACLU, Health Care Law Society, Criminal Law Society, PISJC

When: Monday, April 2, from 12-1pm - lunch provided!
Where: The Moot Court Room in the Bergin Building, down the hall from the Law
Library Santa Clara University School of Law

Featuring speakers Professor Gerald Uelmen, B.E. Smith, Thomas J. Ballanco, and
Valerie Corral

California passed the Compassionate Use Act about ten years ago, legalizing
marijuana use and cultivation for medical purposes. Shortly thereafter, the federal
government prosecuted noted medical marijuana activists and some of the first
distribution clubs that formed in compliance with the statute. Professor Uelmen,
whose Oakland Cannibus Buyer's Club case went to the Supreme Court, will speak on
the issue with his current client, a woman named Valerie Corral whose distribution
club was raided by the federal government. Also, one of the first individuals
prosecuted for complying with the statute, B.E. Smith, will speak with his attorney,
noted hemp activist Thomas J. Ballanco. Tom and B.E. will speak about their trial,
in which B.E. was sentenced to 2 years of prison, which he served. A lawyer-client
format presentation will be provided where students can hear first hand the client's
account and the lawyer's account of a trial and introduce students to the medical
marijuana issue and the
federal/state dynamic it highlights.