ASA California Weekly Alert: April 27, 2007

*ASA Logo
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*ASA California Weekly Alert: April 27, 2007
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*Weekly Round Up
1. Ed Rosenthal Trial and Los Angeles Raid Update
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Take Action!
2. Tell Democrats: Support Medical Marijuana! Join ASA Activists in San Diego at the
California Democratic Convention!**

ASA Chapter and Affiliates Meetings
**3. Monday, April 30, Mendocino: 1st Mendocino ASA Meeting
4. Tuesday, May 1, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting
5. Thursday, May 3, San Mateo: San Mateo ASA Meeting
6. Thursday, May 3, Santa Rosa: Sonoma ASA Meeting
7. Saturday May 5, Modesto: Central Valley Patients Coalition Meeting
8. Tuesday, May 8, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
9. Tuesday, May 8, San Diego: San Diego ASA Meeting
10. Thursday, May 10: Lakeport: Lake County ASA Meeting
**
City and County Hearings
11.** Tuesday, May 1, Visalia: Tulare County Board of Supervisors to Vote on Dispensary
Regulations
12. **Monday, May 7th, Pleasant Hill: City Council to Vote on Banning Medical Cannabis
Dispensaries*

* Special Events
**13. **Saturday, April 28, San Francisco**: MAPS Fundraiser: "The Final Frontier"
**14. Monday, April 30, Los Angeles: Demonstration in Support of the Karma Collective
15. Saturday, May 19th, Newport Beach: Medical Cannabis Activist Town Hall*
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*Weekly Roundup
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*1. **Ed Rosenthal Trial and Los Angeles Raid Update
/
Ed Rosenthal Trial
/*/* */At a hearing last Friday in federal court on the Ed Rosenthal case, it was
confirmed that the government is proceeding to trial on May 14 on the marijuana charges,
seeking a felony conviction but no jail time.

Certain dates were set at the hearing. For example, there is a hearing on motions "in
limine" on May 10 at 2:15pm. At this hearing, decisions will be made as to the evidence
admissible at trial. Judge Breyer has made it known that he will follow the Ninth Circuit
ruling in Rosenthal's case and prohibit any entrapment by estoppal defense. This means
that Rosenthal will not be able to submit evidence that the City of Oakland had deputized
him, thereby granting him protection.

The jury selection will begin on May 14th, and the trial will directly follow that. We
will keep you updated on court hearings and hope that many of you will attend to show
your support..*/ /*

/*Los Angeles Raid Update*/
/From Chris Fusco, ASA's Los Angeles County Field Coordinator:/

Yesterday, Friday April 26th, Karma Collective was burglarized overnight.When the LAPD
initially responded, it appeared to be a routine burglary investigation. The Burglary
Investigation eventually turned into a Narcotics investigation, and more and more offices
began to arrive. The LAPD originally released all but two members of the staff, and then
released the last staff member besides who they alleged to be the operator. While the
LAPD waited for a search warrant, the alleged operator was sitting outside the collective
unhand cuffed in full site of all the observers present.

Around 5:45 PM, an attorney, two other operators, and myself left the demonstration to
sit down at a one-on-one meeting with the Head Commanding Officer of the Van Nuys
Division Captain James Miller to discuss how to resolve this situation. When we left,
representatives from Karma Collective who were on site with us were telling us that they
were hesitant to call it a raid and have a full on demonstration. They said they were
hoping that by keeping the atmosphere at the scene calm, we could negotiate with the
Captain and hopefully at least have the alleged operator released.

At this meeting, we were told by the Captain that the main complaint against the
Collective was the modest supply of medicated edibles (or "marijuana-laced food products"
depending on who you ask) the collective had on hand. We were also told that the alleged
manager was probably going to be arrested on H&S 11359 Possession for Sale. We did our
best to negotiate Misdemeanor charges that would allow for her release on Own
Recognizance (meaning no bail) or at least an expedited bail process to no avail.

We need to make sure we continue our support. The Karma Collective is currently open and
bravely serving patients. There will also be a demonstration Noon on Monday at the Van
Nuys Police Station. There will be a sign making party to proceed at 1 PM on Sunday at
Karma Collective. Details on both events to follow.


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*Take Action!
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*2.** Tell Democrats: Support Medical Marijuana!
*Join ASA Activists in San Diego at the California Democratic Convention!
This is your opportunity to send a message :
Tell Democrats that we want Pro-Medical Cannabis representation! No taxation without
representation!

What: California Democratic Party Convention
When: Saturday April 28th @ 12pm
Where: At the San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Drive in San Diego
*
Wear a red shirt to show solidarity and to send a message of urgency.*
Feel free to make and bring your own signs sending our unified message!

For more info. contact: ToriMauricio [at] sbcglobal.net

Meet Up and Parking Information:

We will be meeting at the corner of 5th and Harbor @ 12pm as a group to organize and get
across to the convention center. Since this event is downtown, parking is often an issue.

There is a parking lot on 15th and F St. adjacent to the Smart and Final lot that we can
use.*
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*ASA Chapter and Affiliates Meetings
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*3. Monday, April 30, Mendocino: Mendocino ASA Meeting
*

All people interested in participating in the formation of a Mendocino County Chapter of
ASA are urged to attend a meeting at the Ukiah Brewing Company in Ukiah, Monday, April
30th at 7:00pm. This week we will have two guests joining our meeting: Sarah Shrader,
ASA's Northern California Peer Counseling Coordinator and Jose Guitarez, the Sonoma ASA
Chapter co-Founder with Ms. Shrader. If you have decided you can no longer sit back and
watch the federal government continue its campaign against cannabis therapies in this
country or if you want to engage your local government in creating sane polices for
cannabis patients and patient's access to cannabis, please attend this meeting at the
Ukiah Brewing Company -- across from the courthouse at State and Perkins in Ukiah,102 S
State St, Ukiah *Monday, April 30th at 7:00 pm*

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*4. Tuesday, May 1, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting
* The Sacramento ASA chapter has moved to a new site and date. Please join Sac ASA to
plan for the future of safe access locally, statewide, and nationally!

7:00 p.m.

Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Avenue, Suite H
Sacramento, CA

For more information or to get involved, please contact Lanette: cannacare [at] earthlink.net
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*5. Thursday, May 3, San Mateo: San Mateo ASA Meeting
* A new chapter of ASA has been formed in San Mateo. Please join them for their second
public meeting to discuss dispensary regulations, law enforcement issues, protecting
patient and collective growers, and establishing an emergency response plan. ASA's Don
Duncan will be attending the meeting. Get active locally to protect safe access!

DATE: May 3, 2007
TIME: 7:30-8:30
PLACE: PCRC, 164 South Blvd. San Mateo, CA
Finger foods, desserts, coffee, tea, water

For more information or to get involved, please contact Brent: brent_saupe [at] yahoo.com
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*6. Thursday, May 3, Santa Rosa: Sonoma ASA Meeting
*When: Thursday from 5pm-7pm
Where: Department of Public Health, 625 5th Street (at Mendocino Avenue) in Santa Rosa

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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*7. Saturday May 5, 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! The CVPC
meets on the first Saturday of each month, at 11:00 AM. New Location: These meetings
will now be held at 1733 Yosemite Ave, Modesto, CA, 95350. For additional information,
contact Shirley Cox, Public Relations Officer for the Central Valley Patients Coalition:
shirley [at] CompassionateCoalition.org <mailto:shirley [at] CompassionateCoalition.org>
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*8. Tuesday, May 8, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
*
Join SF ASA to discuss and plan for local, state and national issues. Get active locally
to protect safe access!

7:30 p.m.
CA Marijuana Party Bookstore
223a 9th St. @ Howard in San Francisco
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*9. Tuesday, May 8, San Diego: San Diego 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.
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*10. Thursday, May 10: Lakeport: Lake County ASA Meeting
*


Lakeport and Lake County Medical Cannabis Patients and Caregivers must unite in a
nonviolent resistance to the war on Medical Cannabis in Lakeport. Join with others to
organize a Local Chapter of Americans for Safe Access (ASA). Meeting will be held at
*Cafe Victoria, 301 N Main St in Lakeport on Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 6:00 pm.* Open
menu will be available.


For more information or to get involved, please contact Donna: LakeCoASA [at] msn.com*
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*City and County Hearings
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*11.** Tuesday, May 1, Visalia: Tulare County Board of Supervisors to Vote on Dispensary
Regulations*

The local Tulare ASA chapter has been hard at work educating Tulare County officials
about the benefits of dispensaries and dispensary regulations, and it has paid off! Next
Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will be voting on regulations. Please attend this
hearing and speak out for safe access!

Download ASA talking points <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=212> on
dispensary regulations, moratoriums and bans.

9:30 a.m.
Administration Building
2800 W. Burrel Avenue
Visalia, CA
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*12. Monday, May 7th, Pleasant Hill: City Council to Vote on Banning Medical Cannabis
Dispensaries*

Pleasant Hill currently has a moratorium on dispensaries and is considering permanently
banning dispensaries. On April 24th, the planning commission voted unanimously to
recommend banning dispensaries, despite positive testimony from several patients and
advocates on behalf of dispensaries.

Please attend this hearing and speak out for safe access! Download ASA talking points
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=212> on dispensary regulations,
moratoriums and bans.

7:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 Gregory Lane
Pleasant Hill, CA
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*Special Events
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*13. **Saturday April 28, San Francisco**, MAPS Fundraiser: "The Final Frontier" *

Brought to you by False Profit and MAPS--the Multidisciplinary Association for
Psychedelic Studies

ASA's allies at MAPS <http://www.maps.org/> have been fighting for medical cannabis
research for years. Most recently, they've supported Professor Lyle Craker in his
attempts to end the monopoly on cannabis production for research. They've made lots of
headway with this case, but they need further support to end the monopoly and move
medical cannabis research forward.

When: April 28, 2007, 8pm -- sunrise
Where: At a private star trek theme luxury home in San Francisco, CA Featuring
Keynote By MAPS president Rick Doblin and special guests:
* Stan and Christina Grof
* Ralph Metzner
* Erik Davis
* Anjuli Verma (ACLU Drug Law Reform Project)
* Allen Hopper (ACLU Drug Law Reform Project)
* Matt Baggott
* Dale Gieringer (NORML)
* Angel Raich (Medical Marijuana Patient)
* David Jay Brown (author)

Visionary Live Painting by:
David Heskin & Mars-1
(50% of proceeds on art sales go to MAPS)
Artwork by: Andrew Jones
Music by: Welder (Myspace.com/weldersounds), Dr. Toast (False Profit), Kitty-D (Glitch
Mob, Beat Church), Neptune (Beat Church, Spiritual Technologies), Auralox (MAPS)

Libations and Food provided by: DogStar Catering http://www.psychedeli.org
<http://www.psychedeli.org/>

Open Bar before Midnight - Cash Bar after Midnight! Special Chill Space provided by Fuzzy
Phillipe

Visit http://www.maps.org/bayarea/ to find out more info and to purchase tickets.

* there are 4 floating tiers @ $100, $200, $300, and $400

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*14. Monday, April 30, Los Angeles: Demonstration in Support of the Karma Collective
*

On Thursday March 26th, the Karma Collective in Van Nuys cooperated with the LAPD in an
investigation of an overnight burglary of their facility. The collective assumed that,
as the victims of a crime, the LAPD would investigate the burglary. Instead, the LAPD
turned on the crime victims
and launched an impromptu Narcotics Investigation on the collective.

After obtaining a search warrant, the LAPD arrested an alleged operator of the
collective. The collective was then robbed again, this time by those sworn "to protect
and serve" them. The LAPD then stole all the medicne and resources that the first
robbers didn't take.

The alleged operator was held until she posted $100,000 bail on Felony counts of
Possession for Sale. The only complaint against the collective was that they had
medicated edibles, which the detectives wrongly determined to be illegal.

WHO: Patients and Providers Outraged by the LAPD's Actions
WHAT: A Demonstration in Support of the Karma Collective
WHERE: VAN NUYS Community Police Station; 6240 Sylmar Ave, Van Nuys CA
WHEN: Monday April 30th High Noon
WHY: TO DEFEND SAFE ACCESS IN LA!

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*15. Saturday, May 19th, Newport Beach: Medical Cannabis Activist Town Hall*

Please join Steph Sherer, ASA's Executive Director for an Orange County Activist Town
Hall on May 19th from 3-6 pm. This event will be a an opportunity for the community to
come together while Steph walks everyone through a strategic planning session to create
next steps for Orange County implementation of Prop 215 And SB 420. This will include
defining problems in the community, as well as determining goals and creating campaigns
to tackle these problems and achieve community goals.

Steph Sherer will also give a brief update from ASA about national and state campaigns.

Who: Orange County Medical Cannabis Community and ASA's Executive Director
What: Orange County Activist Town Hall
When: May 19, 2007 from 3PM- 6 PM
Where: Law Offices of WENTWORTH, PAOLI & PURDY, LLP
4631 Teller Avenue, Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Why: Because these laws aren't going to implement themselves

For more info contact Bill: OCLawyer [at] aol.com **
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Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
AmericansForSafeAccess.org <http://AmericansForSafeAccess.org>

Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national member-based organization of
patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and
legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research.

Join us today... AmericansforSafeAccess.org <http://AmericansforSafeAccess.org>

Headquarters
1322 Webster St Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
P: 510-251-1856 ext. 321 F: 510-251-2036

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