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ASA CA Weekly Alert 7-20-07
ASA California Weekly Alert: July 20, 2007
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ASA California Weekly Alert: July 20, 2007
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*Weekly Round-Up*
1. a. Virginia Resner: Human Rights and Medical Marijuana Activist, 1946-2007
b. Orange County Board of Supervisors Passes ID Card Program
c. Bakersfield and Corona Raid Updates
d. San Diego City Council Votes in Favor of Amicus Brief
*Take Action
** *2. DEA's Actions Must be Thwarted! Urge Your Representative to Vote to Protect
Patients!
*ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
3. Saturday, July 21, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Community Forum
4. Tuesday, July 24, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
5. Tuesday, July 24, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting ***Rescheduled***
6. Thursday, July 26, Clearlake: Lake County ASA Meeting
7. Wednesday, July 25, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
*City and County Hearings*
8. Tuesday, July 24, Claremont: City Council to Vote on Dispensary Regulations
9. Thursday, July 26, San Francisco: Committee to Discuss Dispensary Amendment
*
Court Support*
10. Monday, July 30, Sacramento: Dr. Phillip Denney's Federal Motion to Dismiss Hearing
11. Monday, July 30, Fresno: Discovery Hearing for Bill Connelly
12. Tuesday, July 31, Sacramento: Federal Trial for Dr. Mollie Fry & Dale Schafer
13. Monday, July 30, Sacramento: State Sentencing Hearing for John Berchielli
*Special Events
*14. Saturday, July 21, Bakersfield: Medical Marijuana March at Beach Park
15. Monday, July 23, San Francisco: San Francisco Medical Cannabis Town Hall
16. Tuesday, July 31, San Francisco: Virginia Resner's Memorial Service
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly Round-Up CA Icon
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*1. a. Virginia Resner: Human Rights and Medical Marijuana Activist, 1946-2007
b. Orange County Board of Supervisors Passes ID Card Program
c. Bakersfield and Corona Raid Updates
d. San Diego City Council Votes in Favor of Amicus Brief*
a. /Virginia Resner: Human Rights and Medical Marijuana Activist, 1946-2007
/by Mikki Norris
Virginia Resner, a great activist who worked tirelessly to put a human face on the
injustice of the Drug War, succumbed to a five and a half year battle with breast cancer
at age of 60 on July 18, 2007.
Virginia first became involved in drug policy reform in 1991. Unbeknownst to her, her
companion Steven Faulkner had engaged in a plan to sell drugs. Coming home to find
federal agents in her San Francisco residence on a warrantless search for evidence to use
against him became her wake-up call. Through Faulkner's arrest, prosecution, and 5-year
mandatory minimum sentence as a first-time non-violent, drug offender, she quickly
learned about the excesses of the Drug War. Virginia found her way to the national
organization Families Against Mandatory Minimums (http://www.famm.org) and volunteered as their
California representative from 1992 to 2002. In this capacity, she provided information
and support to prisoners and their families in similar situations, and advocated to
public officials and the media for an end to mandatory minimum sentencing. She initiated
a Women's Project that collected stories and photos of women serving long sentences for
low-level, non-violent drug offenses and conspiracy charges, to bring attention to the
growing number of women in prison. She was instrumental in the effort to attain
Presidential Clemency from Bill Clinton in 2000 for Amy Pofahl, who had already served
nine years of a 24-year drug conspiracy sentence.
In 1995, Virginia joined forces with Mikki Norris and Chris Conrad of the Family Council
on Drug Awareness to co-create HR95, now the Human Rights and the Drug War Photo Exhibit
project (http://www.hr95.org). This compelling photo exhibit shows the faces and tells the
stories of non-violent drug offenders and their families. It was first shown at Fort
Mason during festivities commemorating the United Nations 50th Anniversary. It later was
exhibited at libraries, universities, government buildings and events across the USA and
Europe, including a six-week showing at the San Francisco Main Library in 1998.
The trio co-authored the acclaimed book, Shattered Lives: Portraits from America's Drug
War and Human Rights and the US Drug War. Their work has moved and inspired activists
everywhere to take action and get involved with the drug policy reform movement. It has
influenced the media through subject matter used in the local and national press,
political ads, documentaries, etc., influenced politicians and opinion makers, and
shifted public perception to see the negative impact of the Drug War on the American
people. For their efforts, they received a Robert C. Randall Award for Achievement in the
Field of Citizen Action from the Lindesmith Center/Drug Policy Foundation in 2001.
Until her untimely death, Virginia continued to be intricately involved with the Ed
Rosenthal case as president of Green Aid: Medical Marijuana Legal Defense and Education
Fund, Inc. Although seriously ill, she took the time to come to court regularly to attend
his trial and take care of the administrative tasks for his defense.
She was a true fighter for justice, and her commitment, courage and inner-strength, warm
and generous spirit, as well as her dignity in her battle with cancer, has been an
inspiration to many who had the fortune to know her. An indication of the special love
that Virginia brought to her work can be seen in the outpouring of personal messages of
support that she received during her final days. She will be dearly missed.
Her family requests that donations in Virginia Resner's name to be made to Coming Home
Hospice, Green Aid: Medical Marijuana Education and Legal Defense Fund, Inc., and to
programs at Temple Emanu-El.
See below under Special Events for information about Virginia's memorial service.
b. /Orange County Board of Supervisors Passes ID Card Program/
This past Tuesday, in a 4-1 vote, the Board of Supervisors voted to implement the
statewide medical cannabis ID card program for Orange County patients. Back in April,
the Board of Supervisors had directed staff to draft a policy for local implementation of
the medical marijuana ID card program.
After the Supervisors heard reports from the local sheriff's department, the Department
of Health, and Orange County patients, they voted in favor of implementing an ID card
program. The ID cards are expected to be made available to patients and their caregivers
by December 2007. The annual application fee for the card will be $150 ($75 for MediCal
recipients). Patients are not required to obtain the ID cards but many choose to because
it reduces the risk of wrongful arrest, prosecution, and seizure of property.
Because of enormous grassroots pressure, an all-Republican Board of Supervisors voted to
take these significant steps in implementing our medical marijuana laws. A special thanks
to Aaron Smith from Safe Access Now, Bill Paoli from Orange County ASA, and Orange County
ASA as a whole for their tremendous hard work! Thank you also to everyone who took
action online to assure safe access for patients. Read the Los Angeles Times story about
the O.C. ID card program.
c. /Bakersfield and Corona Raid Updates
/On Tuesday, July 17th, the federal agents raided two dispensaries in the Inland Empire,
Bakersfield's Nature's Medicinal and Corona's Healing Nations Collective.
At the Nature's Medicinal Cooperative raid, DEA agents arrested 5 people. Agents also
raided one of the owner's homes. The DEA confiscated medicine and resources. This is
the second attack on the Bakersfield collective within three months.
At the Healing Nations Collective, in Corona, DEA agents stole fifteen pounds of medicine
and a large amount of edibles. The collective's owner, Ronald Naulls was arrested along
with another employee. During the collective's raid, federal agents raided the Naulls'
home. Federal agents went so far as to contact Child Protective Services who took Naulls'
children away and refused to allow them to stay with their grandparents, who were at
Naulls' home during the raid.
During the Healing Nations Collective raid, federal agents found out that Naulls' owned
another facility in Perris, CA. Two days later, DEA agents raided the Tree of Life
dispensary in Perris. When agents arrived, they found that the dispensary had previously
been shut down and was not in operation. Naulls was arraigned yesterday and should be
released on bail shortly.
For more information about either of these raids, please contact ASA at:
Sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
d. /San Diego City Council Votes in Favor of Amicus Brief/
The San Diego City Council voted in a closed session on Tuesday to file an amicus brief
in support of the state of California. Filing an amicus brief offers a unique legal
argument which is specific to the people of San Diego city in hopes of influencing the
judge's decision. This is an unusual move for the city to file an amicus brief against
the County. The majority of patients live in the city of San Diego. The County of San
Diego has sued the state of California, arguing that medical cannabis laws are preempted
by the federal law. The trial court issued a ruling in favor of the State of California.
The County of San Diego has now appealed and is awaiting a verdict in the Fourth District
Court of Appeal.
The San Diego City Council's decision to file an amicus brief is a small step forward in
the fight for safe access in San Diego. According to a staffer in Councilmember Atkins'
office, the large turnout of activists at the hearing to discuss filing the amicus brief
was very helpful in gaining support for this important action. The filing of the amicus
brief is expected sometime in August. Great work and thanks to San Diego ASA and all the
medical cannabis supporters that attended the hearing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take Action! Raid Icon
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*2. DEA's Actions Must be Thwarted! Urge Your Representative to Vote to Protect Patients!
*In the past 6 weeks, the federal government's efforts to shut down safe access have been
escalating. The list below illustrates the need for all medical cannabis supporters to
take action to prevent further
attacks on safe access. The following is a timeline of DEA activity reported to ASA staff:
* June 13 DEA raid Pomona dispensary, but makes no arrests
* July 9 DEA sends 150 Letters to landlords threatening to seize
their assets due to asset forfeiture lawsif they do not evict
their medical cannabis collective tenants.
* July 16 Raid Bakersfield dispensary, making five arrests
* July 17 DEA issues 4 indictments for raids from 2 years ago
* July 17 Raid Corona Dispensary making two arrests
* July 19 Raid Perris dispensary in connection with Corona raids
All of these actions could have been prevented by the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment
. This amendment to the
Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill will cut federal funding for any efforts to
preempt states' medical cannabis laws. Members of Congress must vote in favor of this
amendment to protect patients and to prevent the DEA from taking any more actions such as
those listed above. *Take Action Now!
*
* *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings Activist Fist *
*
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*3. Saturday, July 21, Los Angeles:Los Angeles ASA Community Forum*
ASA sees it as as very important that patients stay plugged into the developing situation
in LA. ASA will be hosting a patient-based community forum to keep everyone informed.
We also want to hear from patients to see what they want to see as a response.
This will be where patients can come and voice what they want to see as a response and
how they can help save the collectives they support.
The meeting will be:
Saturday July 21, 2007 1 - 3 PM
California Patients Group
6208 Santa Monica Blvd @ Vine
Hollywood, CA
The meeting will be open to all patients and advocates who want to productively develop a
response.
For more info, please call LA ASA: (323) 464-7719
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*4. Tuesday, July 24, San Francisco: San** Francisco ASA Meeting*
Safe Access is being threatened in San Francisco! There will be a Neighborhood Services
Committee meeting on July 26th to discuss possible dispensary ordinance amendments.
Please come out and show your support for patients and caregivers rights!
When: Tuesday, July 24th at 7:30pm
Where: Bowzer's Pizza, 371 11th St in San Francisco
For more info, contact Alex or Brent: aaafranco [at] yahoo.com; brent_saupe [at] yahoo.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*5. Tuesday, July 24, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting ***Rescheduled***
*
This meeting we will be focusing on ASA and the Data Quality Act. We will be discussing
the possible outcomes and also the impact this lawsuit will have if ASA wins. We will
also be discussing our recent invitations to participate in 2 local condition-based
walks. Please come out and show your support!
When: July 10 @ 7:00pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Avenue, Suite H
Sacramento, CA
For more information or to get involved, please contact Lanette: cannacare [at] earthlink.net
on
dispensary regulations, moratoriums and bans.
When: Tuesday, July 24th at 6:30pm
Where: City Council Chambers
City Hall
207 Harvard Avenue, Claremont, CA
For more information, contact Sonnet: sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*9. Thursday, July 26, San Francisco: **Committee to Discuss Dispensary Amendment
*The City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee is holding a hearing to discuss
an amendment to the Planning Code on July 26, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. This important hearing
will determine whether the Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee will recommend
an amendment to the dispensary code to the Board of Supervisors.
Please come out and show your support for safe access.
When:Thursday, July 12th at 1:00pm
Where: San Francisco Planning Commission
Commission Chambers - Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
*For more information, contact Alex: aaafranco [at] yahoo.com
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Court Support Patients Rights
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*10. Monday, July 30, Sacramento: Dr. Phillip Denney's Federal Motion to Dismiss Hearing*
In February 2006, Dr. Denney, a physician in practice for over 30 years, received
documents revealing that an undercover agent of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and
Firearms (ATF) visited Dr. Denney's Redding, CA office and obtained a recommendation
using false information and under false pretenses. The government was allegedly
investigating a local dispensary that was subsequently shut down. In November 2006, Dr.
Denney filed a lawsuit in federal court naming the ATF, DEA, and various local law
enforcement agencies, which alleges that his constitutional rights have been violated,
and that the actions of law enforcement have had a chilling effect on his relationships
patients. The lawsuit seeks to enjoin (prevent) law enforcement not only from
investigating Dr. Denney, but also from using him in an investigation.
When: Monday, July 30th at 10:00pm
Where: Judge Lawrence Karlton in U.S. District Court 15th Floor
501 "I" Street in Sacramento
For more information, contact Sonnet at sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*11. Monday, July 30, Fresno: Discovery Hearing for Bill Connelly*
Medical marijuana patient Bill Connelly, who operated the Seven Seas collective, was
raided in June 12, 2007, and the DEA confiscated approximate 40 mature and 40 immature
plants but did not arrest him. Later in June, the DEA returned and arrested him and at
least four others and charged them with conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
When: Monday, July 30 at 9:00am
Where: Judge Anthony Ishii Courtroom
U.S. District Court (E.D., CA), 8th Floor
2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA
For more information, contact Sonnet: sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*12. Monday, July 30, Sacramento: State Sentencing Hearing for John Berchielli
*In Sacramento Superior Court last month, patient and caregiver and ASA activist, John
Berchielli, was convicted on five counts relating to his medical marijuana garden.
Berchielli was a supplier of clones to the Sacramento dispensary Alternative Specialties,
which was shut down by a multi-agency raid in July 2005 and whose owner is currently
being prosecuted in federal court. This closure, which occurred shortly before the
action against Berchielli, prevented the defendant from being able to present adequate
evidence of his caregiver status during trial. This made his grow of over 1000 marijuana
clones very difficult to defend. When interviewed after giving their verdict, jurors
reported that the lack of patient lists and testimony heavily influenced their decision.
To read a full account of the trial of John Berchielli, visit
http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/category/1/56/109/
If Berchielli is sentenced heavily, it could mean that we will lose the work of a very
valuable activist. Please come to the sentencing hearing to show your support for this
asset to our community.
When: July 30 at 9:00am
Where: Dept. 47 (6th Floor) of 720 9th Street in Sacramento, California
For more information, contact Sonnet: Sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*13. Tuesday, July 31, Sacramento: Federal Trial for Dr. Mollie Fry & Dale Schafer*
El Dorado County medical marijuana physician Mollie Fry and her husband, attorney Dale
Schafer, were arrested as a result of a September 28, 2001 raid on their clinic in Cool,
California, in which patient records were seized. After the Raich decision, on June 22,
2005, Fry and Schafer were indicted for marijuana found on the premises during the raid.
Fry is also facing a separate action by the DEA to revoke her license to practice
medicine.
When: Tuesday, July 31, Time, TBD
Where: Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr.
U.S. District Court (E.D., CA), 15th Floor
501 "I" Street in Sacramento
For more information, contact Sonnet: sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Events Raid Icon]*
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*14. Saturday, July 21, Bakersfield: Medical Marijuana March at Beach Park*
Event Timeline:
12:00 noon Meet at Beach Park (Oak St. and 24th St.) and press conference
12:30 PM March to the Liberty Bell at Truxtun Ave. and Chester Ave.
2:00 PM Rally at the Liberty Bell
Join hundreds of medical marijuana patients and activists will march and protest against
the Sheriff's decision to stop the issuance of permits for dispensaries to operate and
provide medicinal marijuana to sick people. Signs will be provided.
The people are angry that the Sheriff used our tax money to subvert state and local law.
Many patients feel they have been betrayed.
The Sheriff has an ethical and constitutional duty to defend state law including the
Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and Senate Bill 420 allowing patients access to medical
marijuana. Many patients are scared and do not understand how the Sheriff could cower
down to federal agents.
For more information, contact Doug McAfee at 661-873-1703
*
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*15. Monday, July 23, San Francisco: San Francisco Medical Cannabis Town Hall
*Americans for Safe Access (ASA-SF) and the Compassionate Care Council are co-hosting a
forum.
What: ACCESSIBLITY AND ACCESS: San Francisco Medical Cannabis Town Hall
When: Monday, July 23rd from 6 - 8 PM
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church
1187 Franklin St. @ Geary (Disabled access on Geary St. side)
*Why safe access?*
Accessibility and safe access to medical cannabis are important issues for San Francisco,
especially as the city is looking to permit local dispensaries. Come and learn more
about how we can protect safe access to medical cannabis while defending disability
rights!
*What is going on? * The Town Hall will consist of a 6-person panel discussion from 6 -
7 PM and a reception with refreshments from 7 - 8 PM.
*
Who will be there?*
Panelists will include a Jim Whipple of the Mayor's Office on Disability, Debra Walker,
president of the Building Inspection Commission, Michael Goldstein, an AIDS/HIV activist,
Charles Pappas, a disabled chairman of a local medical cannabis cooperative, and lobbyist
Stephanie Tucker.
Sponsored by: Americans for Safe Access San Francisco, http://www.AmericansForSafeAcccess.org
and The Compassionate Care Council.
The Compassionate Care Council is a coalition of medical cannabis dispensaries,
collectives and cooperatives in San Francisco. Partnering with caregivers, advocates and
patients, the Council is committed to protecting neighborhood-based patient access.
Reach us at: carecouncil [at] gmail.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*16. Tuesday, July 31, San Francisco: Virginia Resner's Memorial Service*
From Mikki Norris
A memorial service for our dear friend and colleague, Virginia Resner (who passed away
earlier this week), will be held on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 1:00 PM at Temple Emanu-El,
Martin Meyer Sanctuary, at 2 Lake Street (located on the corner of Lake and Arguello
Streets), San Francisco, CA 94118.
Her family requests that donations in Virginia Resner's name to be made to Coming Home
Hospice, Green Aid: Medical Marijuana Education and Legal Defense Fund, Inc., and to
programs at Temple Emanu-El.
A second gathering to celebrate Virginia's life is being planned for Sunday, September
30, 2007. Details to come.
Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
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
Headquarters
1322 Webster St Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
P: 510-251-1856 ext. 321 F: 510-251-2036
ASA California Weekly Alert: July 20, 2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Weekly Round-Up*
1. a. Virginia Resner: Human Rights and Medical Marijuana Activist, 1946-2007
b. Orange County Board of Supervisors Passes ID Card Program
c. Bakersfield and Corona Raid Updates
d. San Diego City Council Votes in Favor of Amicus Brief
*Take Action
** *2. DEA's Actions Must be Thwarted! Urge Your Representative to Vote to Protect
Patients!
*ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
3. Saturday, July 21, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Community Forum
4. Tuesday, July 24, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
5. Tuesday, July 24, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting ***Rescheduled***
6. Thursday, July 26, Clearlake: Lake County ASA Meeting
7. Wednesday, July 25, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
*City and County Hearings*
8. Tuesday, July 24, Claremont: City Council to Vote on Dispensary Regulations
9. Thursday, July 26, San Francisco: Committee to Discuss Dispensary Amendment
*
Court Support*
10. Monday, July 30, Sacramento: Dr. Phillip Denney's Federal Motion to Dismiss Hearing
11. Monday, July 30, Fresno: Discovery Hearing for Bill Connelly
12. Tuesday, July 31, Sacramento: Federal Trial for Dr. Mollie Fry & Dale Schafer
13. Monday, July 30, Sacramento: State Sentencing Hearing for John Berchielli
*Special Events
*14. Saturday, July 21, Bakersfield: Medical Marijuana March at Beach Park
15. Monday, July 23, San Francisco: San Francisco Medical Cannabis Town Hall
16. Tuesday, July 31, San Francisco: Virginia Resner's Memorial Service
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly Round-Up CA Icon
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*1. a. Virginia Resner: Human Rights and Medical Marijuana Activist, 1946-2007
b. Orange County Board of Supervisors Passes ID Card Program
c. Bakersfield and Corona Raid Updates
d. San Diego City Council Votes in Favor of Amicus Brief*
a. /Virginia Resner: Human Rights and Medical Marijuana Activist, 1946-2007
/by Mikki Norris
Virginia Resner, a great activist who worked tirelessly to put a human face on the
injustice of the Drug War, succumbed to a five and a half year battle with breast cancer
at age of 60 on July 18, 2007.
Virginia first became involved in drug policy reform in 1991. Unbeknownst to her, her
companion Steven Faulkner had engaged in a plan to sell drugs. Coming home to find
federal agents in her San Francisco residence on a warrantless search for evidence to use
against him became her wake-up call. Through Faulkner's arrest, prosecution, and 5-year
mandatory minimum sentence as a first-time non-violent, drug offender, she quickly
learned about the excesses of the Drug War. Virginia found her way to the national
organization Families Against Mandatory Minimums (http://www.famm.org) and volunteered as their
California representative from 1992 to 2002. In this capacity, she provided information
and support to prisoners and their families in similar situations, and advocated to
public officials and the media for an end to mandatory minimum sentencing. She initiated
a Women's Project that collected stories and photos of women serving long sentences for
low-level, non-violent drug offenses and conspiracy charges, to bring attention to the
growing number of women in prison. She was instrumental in the effort to attain
Presidential Clemency from Bill Clinton in 2000 for Amy Pofahl, who had already served
nine years of a 24-year drug conspiracy sentence.
In 1995, Virginia joined forces with Mikki Norris and Chris Conrad of the Family Council
on Drug Awareness to co-create HR95, now the Human Rights and the Drug War Photo Exhibit
project (http://www.hr95.org). This compelling photo exhibit shows the faces and tells the
stories of non-violent drug offenders and their families. It was first shown at Fort
Mason during festivities commemorating the United Nations 50th Anniversary. It later was
exhibited at libraries, universities, government buildings and events across the USA and
Europe, including a six-week showing at the San Francisco Main Library in 1998.
The trio co-authored the acclaimed book, Shattered Lives: Portraits from America's Drug
War and Human Rights and the US Drug War. Their work has moved and inspired activists
everywhere to take action and get involved with the drug policy reform movement. It has
influenced the media through subject matter used in the local and national press,
political ads, documentaries, etc., influenced politicians and opinion makers, and
shifted public perception to see the negative impact of the Drug War on the American
people. For their efforts, they received a Robert C. Randall Award for Achievement in the
Field of Citizen Action from the Lindesmith Center/Drug Policy Foundation in 2001.
Until her untimely death, Virginia continued to be intricately involved with the Ed
Rosenthal case as president of Green Aid: Medical Marijuana Legal Defense and Education
Fund, Inc. Although seriously ill, she took the time to come to court regularly to attend
his trial and take care of the administrative tasks for his defense.
She was a true fighter for justice, and her commitment, courage and inner-strength, warm
and generous spirit, as well as her dignity in her battle with cancer, has been an
inspiration to many who had the fortune to know her. An indication of the special love
that Virginia brought to her work can be seen in the outpouring of personal messages of
support that she received during her final days. She will be dearly missed.
Her family requests that donations in Virginia Resner's name to be made to Coming Home
Hospice, Green Aid: Medical Marijuana Education and Legal Defense Fund, Inc., and to
programs at Temple Emanu-El.
See below under Special Events for information about Virginia's memorial service.
b. /Orange County Board of Supervisors Passes ID Card Program/
This past Tuesday, in a 4-1 vote, the Board of Supervisors voted to implement the
statewide medical cannabis ID card program for Orange County patients. Back in April,
the Board of Supervisors had directed staff to draft a policy for local implementation of
the medical marijuana ID card program.
After the Supervisors heard reports from the local sheriff's department, the Department
of Health, and Orange County patients, they voted in favor of implementing an ID card
program. The ID cards are expected to be made available to patients and their caregivers
by December 2007. The annual application fee for the card will be $150 ($75 for MediCal
recipients). Patients are not required to obtain the ID cards but many choose to because
it reduces the risk of wrongful arrest, prosecution, and seizure of property.
Because of enormous grassroots pressure, an all-Republican Board of Supervisors voted to
take these significant steps in implementing our medical marijuana laws. A special thanks
to Aaron Smith from Safe Access Now, Bill Paoli from Orange County ASA, and Orange County
ASA as a whole for their tremendous hard work! Thank you also to everyone who took
action online to assure safe access for patients. Read the Los Angeles Times story about
the O.C. ID card program.
c. /Bakersfield and Corona Raid Updates
/On Tuesday, July 17th, the federal agents raided two dispensaries in the Inland Empire,
Bakersfield's Nature's Medicinal and Corona's Healing Nations Collective.
At the Nature's Medicinal Cooperative raid, DEA agents arrested 5 people. Agents also
raided one of the owner's homes. The DEA confiscated medicine and resources. This is
the second attack on the Bakersfield collective within three months.
At the Healing Nations Collective, in Corona, DEA agents stole fifteen pounds of medicine
and a large amount of edibles. The collective's owner, Ronald Naulls was arrested along
with another employee. During the collective's raid, federal agents raided the Naulls'
home. Federal agents went so far as to contact Child Protective Services who took Naulls'
children away and refused to allow them to stay with their grandparents, who were at
Naulls' home during the raid.
During the Healing Nations Collective raid, federal agents found out that Naulls' owned
another facility in Perris, CA. Two days later, DEA agents raided the Tree of Life
dispensary in Perris. When agents arrived, they found that the dispensary had previously
been shut down and was not in operation. Naulls was arraigned yesterday and should be
released on bail shortly.
For more information about either of these raids, please contact ASA at:
Sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
d. /San Diego City Council Votes in Favor of Amicus Brief/
The San Diego City Council voted in a closed session on Tuesday to file an amicus brief
in support of the state of California. Filing an amicus brief offers a unique legal
argument which is specific to the people of San Diego city in hopes of influencing the
judge's decision. This is an unusual move for the city to file an amicus brief against
the County. The majority of patients live in the city of San Diego. The County of San
Diego has sued the state of California, arguing that medical cannabis laws are preempted
by the federal law. The trial court issued a ruling in favor of the State of California.
The County of San Diego has now appealed and is awaiting a verdict in the Fourth District
Court of Appeal.
The San Diego City Council's decision to file an amicus brief is a small step forward in
the fight for safe access in San Diego. According to a staffer in Councilmember Atkins'
office, the large turnout of activists at the hearing to discuss filing the amicus brief
was very helpful in gaining support for this important action. The filing of the amicus
brief is expected sometime in August. Great work and thanks to San Diego ASA and all the
medical cannabis supporters that attended the hearing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take Action! Raid Icon
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*2. DEA's Actions Must be Thwarted! Urge Your Representative to Vote to Protect Patients!
*In the past 6 weeks, the federal government's efforts to shut down safe access have been
escalating. The list below illustrates the need for all medical cannabis supporters to
take action to prevent further
attacks on safe access. The following is a timeline of DEA activity reported to ASA staff:
* June 13 DEA raid Pomona dispensary, but makes no arrests
* July 9 DEA sends 150 Letters to landlords threatening to seize
their assets due to asset forfeiture lawsif they do not evict
their medical cannabis collective tenants.
* July 16 Raid Bakersfield dispensary, making five arrests
* July 17 DEA issues 4 indictments for raids from 2 years ago
* July 17 Raid Corona Dispensary making two arrests
* July 19 Raid Perris dispensary in connection with Corona raids
All of these actions could have been prevented by the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment
. This amendment to the
Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill will cut federal funding for any efforts to
preempt states' medical cannabis laws. Members of Congress must vote in favor of this
amendment to protect patients and to prevent the DEA from taking any more actions such as
those listed above. *Take Action Now!
*
* *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings Activist Fist *
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*3. Saturday, July 21, Los Angeles:Los Angeles ASA Community Forum*
ASA sees it as as very important that patients stay plugged into the developing situation
in LA. ASA will be hosting a patient-based community forum to keep everyone informed.
We also want to hear from patients to see what they want to see as a response.
This will be where patients can come and voice what they want to see as a response and
how they can help save the collectives they support.
The meeting will be:
Saturday July 21, 2007 1 - 3 PM
California Patients Group
6208 Santa Monica Blvd @ Vine
Hollywood, CA
The meeting will be open to all patients and advocates who want to productively develop a
response.
For more info, please call LA ASA: (323) 464-7719
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*4. Tuesday, July 24, San Francisco: San** Francisco ASA Meeting*
Safe Access is being threatened in San Francisco! There will be a Neighborhood Services
Committee meeting on July 26th to discuss possible dispensary ordinance amendments.
Please come out and show your support for patients and caregivers rights!
When: Tuesday, July 24th at 7:30pm
Where: Bowzer's Pizza, 371 11th St in San Francisco
For more info, contact Alex or Brent: aaafranco [at] yahoo.com; brent_saupe [at] yahoo.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*5. Tuesday, July 24, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting ***Rescheduled***
*
This meeting we will be focusing on ASA and the Data Quality Act. We will be discussing
the possible outcomes and also the impact this lawsuit will have if ASA wins. We will
also be discussing our recent invitations to participate in 2 local condition-based
walks. Please come out and show your support!
When: July 10 @ 7:00pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Avenue, Suite H
Sacramento, CA
For more information or to get involved, please contact Lanette: cannacare [at] earthlink.net
on
dispensary regulations, moratoriums and bans.
When: Tuesday, July 24th at 6:30pm
Where: City Council Chambers
City Hall
207 Harvard Avenue, Claremont, CA
For more information, contact Sonnet: sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*9. Thursday, July 26, San Francisco: **Committee to Discuss Dispensary Amendment
*The City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee is holding a hearing to discuss
an amendment to the Planning Code on July 26, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. This important hearing
will determine whether the Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee will recommend
an amendment to the dispensary code to the Board of Supervisors.
Please come out and show your support for safe access.
When:Thursday, July 12th at 1:00pm
Where: San Francisco Planning Commission
Commission Chambers - Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
*For more information, contact Alex: aaafranco [at] yahoo.com
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Court Support Patients Rights
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*10. Monday, July 30, Sacramento: Dr. Phillip Denney's Federal Motion to Dismiss Hearing*
In February 2006, Dr. Denney, a physician in practice for over 30 years, received
documents revealing that an undercover agent of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and
Firearms (ATF) visited Dr. Denney's Redding, CA office and obtained a recommendation
using false information and under false pretenses. The government was allegedly
investigating a local dispensary that was subsequently shut down. In November 2006, Dr.
Denney filed a lawsuit in federal court naming the ATF, DEA, and various local law
enforcement agencies, which alleges that his constitutional rights have been violated,
and that the actions of law enforcement have had a chilling effect on his relationships
patients. The lawsuit seeks to enjoin (prevent) law enforcement not only from
investigating Dr. Denney, but also from using him in an investigation.
When: Monday, July 30th at 10:00pm
Where: Judge Lawrence Karlton in U.S. District Court 15th Floor
501 "I" Street in Sacramento
For more information, contact Sonnet at sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*11. Monday, July 30, Fresno: Discovery Hearing for Bill Connelly*
Medical marijuana patient Bill Connelly, who operated the Seven Seas collective, was
raided in June 12, 2007, and the DEA confiscated approximate 40 mature and 40 immature
plants but did not arrest him. Later in June, the DEA returned and arrested him and at
least four others and charged them with conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
When: Monday, July 30 at 9:00am
Where: Judge Anthony Ishii Courtroom
U.S. District Court (E.D., CA), 8th Floor
2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA
For more information, contact Sonnet: sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*12. Monday, July 30, Sacramento: State Sentencing Hearing for John Berchielli
*In Sacramento Superior Court last month, patient and caregiver and ASA activist, John
Berchielli, was convicted on five counts relating to his medical marijuana garden.
Berchielli was a supplier of clones to the Sacramento dispensary Alternative Specialties,
which was shut down by a multi-agency raid in July 2005 and whose owner is currently
being prosecuted in federal court. This closure, which occurred shortly before the
action against Berchielli, prevented the defendant from being able to present adequate
evidence of his caregiver status during trial. This made his grow of over 1000 marijuana
clones very difficult to defend. When interviewed after giving their verdict, jurors
reported that the lack of patient lists and testimony heavily influenced their decision.
To read a full account of the trial of John Berchielli, visit
http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/category/1/56/109/
If Berchielli is sentenced heavily, it could mean that we will lose the work of a very
valuable activist. Please come to the sentencing hearing to show your support for this
asset to our community.
When: July 30 at 9:00am
Where: Dept. 47 (6th Floor) of 720 9th Street in Sacramento, California
For more information, contact Sonnet: Sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*13. Tuesday, July 31, Sacramento: Federal Trial for Dr. Mollie Fry & Dale Schafer*
El Dorado County medical marijuana physician Mollie Fry and her husband, attorney Dale
Schafer, were arrested as a result of a September 28, 2001 raid on their clinic in Cool,
California, in which patient records were seized. After the Raich decision, on June 22,
2005, Fry and Schafer were indicted for marijuana found on the premises during the raid.
Fry is also facing a separate action by the DEA to revoke her license to practice
medicine.
When: Tuesday, July 31, Time, TBD
Where: Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr.
U.S. District Court (E.D., CA), 15th Floor
501 "I" Street in Sacramento
For more information, contact Sonnet: sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Events Raid Icon]*
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*14. Saturday, July 21, Bakersfield: Medical Marijuana March at Beach Park*
Event Timeline:
12:00 noon Meet at Beach Park (Oak St. and 24th St.) and press conference
12:30 PM March to the Liberty Bell at Truxtun Ave. and Chester Ave.
2:00 PM Rally at the Liberty Bell
Join hundreds of medical marijuana patients and activists will march and protest against
the Sheriff's decision to stop the issuance of permits for dispensaries to operate and
provide medicinal marijuana to sick people. Signs will be provided.
The people are angry that the Sheriff used our tax money to subvert state and local law.
Many patients feel they have been betrayed.
The Sheriff has an ethical and constitutional duty to defend state law including the
Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and Senate Bill 420 allowing patients access to medical
marijuana. Many patients are scared and do not understand how the Sheriff could cower
down to federal agents.
For more information, contact Doug McAfee at 661-873-1703
*
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*15. Monday, July 23, San Francisco: San Francisco Medical Cannabis Town Hall
*Americans for Safe Access (ASA-SF) and the Compassionate Care Council are co-hosting a
forum.
What: ACCESSIBLITY AND ACCESS: San Francisco Medical Cannabis Town Hall
When: Monday, July 23rd from 6 - 8 PM
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church
1187 Franklin St. @ Geary (Disabled access on Geary St. side)
*Why safe access?*
Accessibility and safe access to medical cannabis are important issues for San Francisco,
especially as the city is looking to permit local dispensaries. Come and learn more
about how we can protect safe access to medical cannabis while defending disability
rights!
*What is going on? * The Town Hall will consist of a 6-person panel discussion from 6 -
7 PM and a reception with refreshments from 7 - 8 PM.
*
Who will be there?*
Panelists will include a Jim Whipple of the Mayor's Office on Disability, Debra Walker,
president of the Building Inspection Commission, Michael Goldstein, an AIDS/HIV activist,
Charles Pappas, a disabled chairman of a local medical cannabis cooperative, and lobbyist
Stephanie Tucker.
Sponsored by: Americans for Safe Access San Francisco, http://www.AmericansForSafeAcccess.org
and The Compassionate Care Council.
The Compassionate Care Council is a coalition of medical cannabis dispensaries,
collectives and cooperatives in San Francisco. Partnering with caregivers, advocates and
patients, the Council is committed to protecting neighborhood-based patient access.
Reach us at: carecouncil [at] gmail.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*16. Tuesday, July 31, San Francisco: Virginia Resner's Memorial Service*
From Mikki Norris
A memorial service for our dear friend and colleague, Virginia Resner (who passed away
earlier this week), will be held on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 1:00 PM at Temple Emanu-El,
Martin Meyer Sanctuary, at 2 Lake Street (located on the corner of Lake and Arguello
Streets), San Francisco, CA 94118.
Her family requests that donations in Virginia Resner's name to be made to Coming Home
Hospice, Green Aid: Medical Marijuana Education and Legal Defense Fund, Inc., and to
programs at Temple Emanu-El.
A second gathering to celebrate Virginia's life is being planned for Sunday, September
30, 2007. Details to come.
Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
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
Headquarters
1322 Webster St Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
P: 510-251-1856 ext. 321 F: 510-251-2036
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Weekly Round Up*
1. ASA Argues Against Federal Government in Court
Asset Forfeiture and What You Can Do About It!
Kris Hermes, Legal Director, is Moving into the Position of ASA Media Specialist!
ASA vs. Alameda County: Tentative Verdict is Promising
*
Take Action
** *2. Urge Your Representative to Stop Medical Marijuana Raids!
*ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
3. Saturday, July 14, Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara ASA Meeting
4. Saturday, July 21, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Meeting
5. Tuesday, July 24, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
6. Tuesday, July 24, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting ***Rescheduled***
7. Thursday, July 26, Clearlake: Lake County ASA Meeting
8. Wednesday, July 25, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
*City and County Hearings
*9. Monday, July 16, San Diego: City Council to Hold Hearing Supporting Patients in
Lawsuit
10. Tuesday, July 17th, Santa Ana: Orange County Board of Supervisors to Vote on ID Card
Program
11. Wednesday, July 18, Ukiah: City Council to Discuss Changes to Current Cultivation
Ordinance
12. Thursday, July 26, San Francisco: Committee to Discuss Dispensary Amendment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly Round-Up CA Logo
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. *ASA Argues Against Federal Government in Court
**Asset Forfeiture and What You Can Do About It!
Kris Hermes, Legal Director, is Moving into the Position of ASA Media Specialist!
**ASA vs. Alameda County: Tentative Verdict is Promising*
/ ASA Argues Against Federal Government in Court
/Americans for Safe Access' lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services
under the Data Quality Act came up for hearing July 12th on the government's motion to
dismiss. The lawsuit is based on a little-known law called the Data Quality Act, which
requires federal agencies to ensure the "quality, integrity, and objectivity" of
information they disseminate. ASA's lawsuit follows nearly two years of administrative
proceedings wherein ASA contends that the Department of Health and Human Services is
violating its own Data Quality Guidelines by disseminating the falsehood that "marijuana
has no accepted medical value" in the United States.
At the July 12th hearing, defendants raised various technicalities, such as claiming that
the Data Quality is only advisory and that ASA lacks standing to sue, in an effort to
have ASA's suit dismissed. Alan Morrison, who founded Public Citizen's Litigation Group
and currently serves as a senior lecturer at Stanford Law School, argued very forcefully
on behalf of patients. United States District Judge William Alsup took the matter under
submission and is expected to decide whether the suit can proceed in the next couple of
weeks.
Read more about the Data Quality Act.
/
//Asset Forfeiture and What You Can Do About It!/
As many of you know, over the last 3 days, Americans For Safe Access has been forwarded
numerous letters from the DEA to the landlords of Los Angeles medical cannabis
dispensing collectives. The letters are all identical except for the specific
information about the collectives and
their landlords (such as names and addresses). The DEA claims to have sent the letters to
more than 100 landlords.
The letters all say (in less words) that the DEA has identified that you control a
property, at XXX address, where a "medical marijuana" dispensary, XXXX Caregivers, is
operating. Federal law states that medical marijuana is illegal. Nothing in California
law takes precedent over Federal Law, including Prop 215.
Federal Law also makes it a crime to knowingly lease to a property used to manufacture or
distribute a controlled substance. Federal Law also allows the US government to seize
the property if the landlord knows what is happening there.
This letter shall serve as notice that there is a dispensary on your property, and you
have now been made aware of it. You are advised that further violations of federal law
will result in prosecution, imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of assets (property
seizure).
It is signed by the head agent of LA field division.
A few of the landlords have contacted the DEA, and the DEA confirmed that they sent the
letters. They have all been postmarked Friday. The first call we got was Monday morning
at 9 AM. We had heard of 3 by the end of the day. We have now seen 17 letters, and heard
reports as high as 25.
This is a serious action taken by the DEA, and ASA is working non-stop to find every way
we can to fight this. It will take the most calculated and thought-out response we have
ever launched, and we are dedicating every resource we have to developing our short-term
response and long-term plan.
This revised tactic by DEA further underscores that it is now more important than ever
for Congress to pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment
. You can visit
http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/hincheyaction and take action today! Call your Member of
Congress and urge support for the amendment. Then, call a friend or family member in
another state, and encourage them to take action too! Every call, every email makes a
difference.
/
Kris Hermes, Legal Director, is Moving into the Position of ASA Media Specialist
/A note from the Executive Director:
I would like to take sometime here to personally thank Kris Hermes for the contributions
he has brought, not only to ASA, but to the lives of thousands of medical cannabis
patients. Many of you may not know that Kris was ASA's fifth employee. He started as
Legal Coordinator and his passion and drive to build our legal department quickly moved
him into the position of Legal Director.
Under Kris' watch, access across the state of California has flourished: 37 cities and
counties have passed ordinances for dispensing collectives, the CHP changed it policy...
the list goes on and on. As a patient, I know that I am safer because of his work, and at
ASA we are grateful to have him as staff member. Thank you Kris for all you have done and
we are excited to have you in this new role at the organization!
Steph Sherer
Executive Director
Americans for Safe Access
/
ASA vs. Alameda County: Tentative Verdict is Promising
/This past Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Winifred Y. Smith issued a tentative ruling
that the Alameda County Registrar of Voters and Alameda County, "have engaged in a
pattern of withholding relevant evidence and failure to preserve evidence" necessary to
conduct a recount of a hotly contested Berkeley ballot measure. As a result, the Court
has signaled its intention to void the election and order the County to place Measure R
back on the ballot for a re-vote at the next general election. The measure sought to end
limits on the number of plants allowed to medical marijuana users and would have created
a peer oversight committee for medical cannabis dispensaries in the city.
Americans for Safe Access and three other patients filed the lawsuit against Alameda
County on December 30, 2004. The lawsuit challenges Alameda County's refusal to allow the
public to examine copies of the Measure R electronic votes and system audit logs during
the recount of the ballot initiative conducted on electronic voting machines made by
Diebold Election Systems, Inc.
Judge Smith heard final oral arguments this morning at the sanctions hearing and is
expected to give her final ruling within the next week. During the hearing, the judge
further questioned both sides and posed especially hard questions to Alameda County's
attorneys. ASA's Chief of Staff, Rebecca Saltzman, attended the hearing today and said,
"Judge Smith's tentative ruling is one step forward in the fight for fair and just
election practices."
Channel 7, SF Chronicle, Bay City News, and the Daily Californian all covered the hearing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take Action! Raid
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*2. Urge Your Representative to Stop Medical Marijuana Raids This Year!*
The Hinchey-Rohrabacher-Amendment will be voted on in less than two weeks*!* It's time
to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on raiding state-licensed medical marijuana patients and
providers! The Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment to the Commerce-Justice-State appropriations
bill instructs the Department of Justice to use its money wisely and specifically
prohibits the Department from using appropriated funds to conduct raids or otherwise
prevent the various states from implementing laws that authorize the therapeutic use of
cannabis. Take action today! For
more background info, see http://www.AmericansforSafeaccess.org/Hinchey
*
Call Your Member of Congress. Every single phone call counts!*
*What to say*: "Please vote for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Medical Marijuana Amendment. If
adopted, this amendment will prohibits any funds made available to the Department of
Justice from being used to raid medical marijuana patients and their care providers in
the states that authorize use of marijuana for therapeutic use. It does not legalize
marijuana, it simply prohibits taxpayer dollars from being used to interfere with state
medical marijuana laws."
For phone numbers of your representatives, visit http://www.house.gov or call the congressional
switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Give the operator your zip code and ask to be connected to
your U.S. Representative. *
*
For more information, contact Sonnet: sonnet [at] safeaccessnow.org
* *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings ACTIVIST *
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*3. Saturday, July 14, Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara ASA Meeting
*There has been a lot of discussion the past few days over the DEA's latest attack on
landlords. Come to the Santa Barbara ASA Chapter meeting this Saturday to take action.
We will be discussing the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment and later taking action to
prevent this from happening in the future.
When: Saturday, July 14 at 3pm-5pm
Where: Antioch University
801 Garden St. Room #203 Santa Barbara
For More Information, contact: Jennifer at (805) 637-5365
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*4. Saturday, July 21, Los Angeles:Los Angeles ASA Meeting*
LA ASA is hosting a patient informational forum. This meeting is designed for patients to
attend to hear the latest news on the DEA's attack on landlords. There have been a lot of
questions the past few days about the DEA's recent tactics and we want to answer
patients' questions.
When: Saturday, July 21st, 1pm - 3pm
Where: California Patients Group
6208 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles
For more info, please call LA ASA: (323) 464-7719
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*5. Tuesday, July 24, San Francisco: San** Francisco ASA Meeting*
Safe Access is possibly being threatened in San Francisco! There will be a Neighborhood
Services Committee meeting on July 26th to discuss possible dispensary ordinance
amendments. Please come out and show your support for patients and caregivers rights!
When: Tuesday, July 24th at 7:30pm
Where: Bowzer's Pizza, 371 11th St in San Francisco
For more info, contact Alex or Brent: aaafranco [at] yahoo.com; brent_saupe [at] yahoo.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*6. Tuesday, July 24, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting ***Rescheduled***
*
This meeting we will be focusing on ASA and the Data Quality Act. We will be discussing
the possible outcomes and also the impact this lawsuit will have if ASA wins. We will
also be discussing our recent invitations to participate in 2 local condition-based
walks. Please come out and show your support!
When: July 10 @ 7:00pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Avenue, Suite H
Sacramento, CA
For more information or to get involved, please contact Lanette: cannacare [at] earthlink.net
!
*
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*11. Wednesday, July 18, Ukiah: City Council to Discuss Changes to Current Cultivation
Ordinance
*Ukiah City Council will be discussing changes to the current cultivation ordinance next
Wednesday. According to City Council, there have been escalating complaints of
violations of the current city ordinance. The Council will discuss solutions to address
the reported ordinance violations. Please come out and show your support for safe access.
It is important that the medical cannabis community's voice be heard at this meeting.
*
*When: Wednesday, July 18th at 6:00pm
Where: Council Chambers
300 Seminary Ave.
Ukiah, CA*
For more information, contact Sonnet: Sonnet [at] safeaccessnow.org**
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*12. Thursday, July 26, San Francisco: **Committee to Discuss Dispensary Amendment
*The City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee is holding a hearing to discuss
an amendment to the Planning Code on July 26, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. This important hearing
will determine whether the Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee will recommend
an amendment to the dispensary code to the Board of Supervisors.
Please come out and show your support for safe access.
When:Thursday, July 12th at 1:00pm
Where: San Francisco Planning Commission
Commission Chambers - Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
*For more information, contact Alex: aaafranco [at] yahoo.com*
--
Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
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
Headquarters
1322 Webster St Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
P: 510-251-1856 ext. 321 F: 510-251-2036
*Weekly Round Up*
1. ASA Argues Against Federal Government in Court
Asset Forfeiture and What You Can Do About It!
Kris Hermes, Legal Director, is Moving into the Position of ASA Media Specialist!
ASA vs. Alameda County: Tentative Verdict is Promising
*
Take Action
** *2. Urge Your Representative to Stop Medical Marijuana Raids!
*ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
3. Saturday, July 14, Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara ASA Meeting
4. Saturday, July 21, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Meeting
5. Tuesday, July 24, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
6. Tuesday, July 24, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting ***Rescheduled***
7. Thursday, July 26, Clearlake: Lake County ASA Meeting
8. Wednesday, July 25, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
*City and County Hearings
*9. Monday, July 16, San Diego: City Council to Hold Hearing Supporting Patients in
Lawsuit
10. Tuesday, July 17th, Santa Ana: Orange County Board of Supervisors to Vote on ID Card
Program
11. Wednesday, July 18, Ukiah: City Council to Discuss Changes to Current Cultivation
Ordinance
12. Thursday, July 26, San Francisco: Committee to Discuss Dispensary Amendment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly Round-Up CA Logo
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. *ASA Argues Against Federal Government in Court
**Asset Forfeiture and What You Can Do About It!
Kris Hermes, Legal Director, is Moving into the Position of ASA Media Specialist!
**ASA vs. Alameda County: Tentative Verdict is Promising*
/ ASA Argues Against Federal Government in Court
/Americans for Safe Access' lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services
under the Data Quality Act came up for hearing July 12th on the government's motion to
dismiss. The lawsuit is based on a little-known law called the Data Quality Act, which
requires federal agencies to ensure the "quality, integrity, and objectivity" of
information they disseminate. ASA's lawsuit follows nearly two years of administrative
proceedings wherein ASA contends that the Department of Health and Human Services is
violating its own Data Quality Guidelines by disseminating the falsehood that "marijuana
has no accepted medical value" in the United States.
At the July 12th hearing, defendants raised various technicalities, such as claiming that
the Data Quality is only advisory and that ASA lacks standing to sue, in an effort to
have ASA's suit dismissed. Alan Morrison, who founded Public Citizen's Litigation Group
and currently serves as a senior lecturer at Stanford Law School, argued very forcefully
on behalf of patients. United States District Judge William Alsup took the matter under
submission and is expected to decide whether the suit can proceed in the next couple of
weeks.
Read more about the Data Quality Act.
/
//Asset Forfeiture and What You Can Do About It!/
As many of you know, over the last 3 days, Americans For Safe Access has been forwarded
numerous letters from the DEA to the landlords of Los Angeles medical cannabis
dispensing collectives. The letters are all identical except for the specific
information about the collectives and
their landlords (such as names and addresses). The DEA claims to have sent the letters to
more than 100 landlords.
The letters all say (in less words) that the DEA has identified that you control a
property, at XXX address, where a "medical marijuana" dispensary, XXXX Caregivers, is
operating. Federal law states that medical marijuana is illegal. Nothing in California
law takes precedent over Federal Law, including Prop 215.
Federal Law also makes it a crime to knowingly lease to a property used to manufacture or
distribute a controlled substance. Federal Law also allows the US government to seize
the property if the landlord knows what is happening there.
This letter shall serve as notice that there is a dispensary on your property, and you
have now been made aware of it. You are advised that further violations of federal law
will result in prosecution, imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of assets (property
seizure).
It is signed by the head agent of LA field division.
A few of the landlords have contacted the DEA, and the DEA confirmed that they sent the
letters. They have all been postmarked Friday. The first call we got was Monday morning
at 9 AM. We had heard of 3 by the end of the day. We have now seen 17 letters, and heard
reports as high as 25.
This is a serious action taken by the DEA, and ASA is working non-stop to find every way
we can to fight this. It will take the most calculated and thought-out response we have
ever launched, and we are dedicating every resource we have to developing our short-term
response and long-term plan.
This revised tactic by DEA further underscores that it is now more important than ever
for Congress to pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment
. You can visit
http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/hincheyaction and take action today! Call your Member of
Congress and urge support for the amendment. Then, call a friend or family member in
another state, and encourage them to take action too! Every call, every email makes a
difference.
/
Kris Hermes, Legal Director, is Moving into the Position of ASA Media Specialist
/A note from the Executive Director:
I would like to take sometime here to personally thank Kris Hermes for the contributions
he has brought, not only to ASA, but to the lives of thousands of medical cannabis
patients. Many of you may not know that Kris was ASA's fifth employee. He started as
Legal Coordinator and his passion and drive to build our legal department quickly moved
him into the position of Legal Director.
Under Kris' watch, access across the state of California has flourished: 37 cities and
counties have passed ordinances for dispensing collectives, the CHP changed it policy...
the list goes on and on. As a patient, I know that I am safer because of his work, and at
ASA we are grateful to have him as staff member. Thank you Kris for all you have done and
we are excited to have you in this new role at the organization!
Steph Sherer
Executive Director
Americans for Safe Access
/
ASA vs. Alameda County: Tentative Verdict is Promising
/This past Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Winifred Y. Smith issued a tentative ruling
that the Alameda County Registrar of Voters and Alameda County, "have engaged in a
pattern of withholding relevant evidence and failure to preserve evidence" necessary to
conduct a recount of a hotly contested Berkeley ballot measure. As a result, the Court
has signaled its intention to void the election and order the County to place Measure R
back on the ballot for a re-vote at the next general election. The measure sought to end
limits on the number of plants allowed to medical marijuana users and would have created
a peer oversight committee for medical cannabis dispensaries in the city.
Americans for Safe Access and three other patients filed the lawsuit against Alameda
County on December 30, 2004. The lawsuit challenges Alameda County's refusal to allow the
public to examine copies of the Measure R electronic votes and system audit logs during
the recount of the ballot initiative conducted on electronic voting machines made by
Diebold Election Systems, Inc.
Judge Smith heard final oral arguments this morning at the sanctions hearing and is
expected to give her final ruling within the next week. During the hearing, the judge
further questioned both sides and posed especially hard questions to Alameda County's
attorneys. ASA's Chief of Staff, Rebecca Saltzman, attended the hearing today and said,
"Judge Smith's tentative ruling is one step forward in the fight for fair and just
election practices."
Channel 7, SF Chronicle, Bay City News, and the Daily Californian all covered the hearing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take Action! Raid
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*2. Urge Your Representative to Stop Medical Marijuana Raids This Year!*
The Hinchey-Rohrabacher-Amendment will be voted on in less than two weeks*!* It's time
to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on raiding state-licensed medical marijuana patients and
providers! The Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment to the Commerce-Justice-State appropriations
bill instructs the Department of Justice to use its money wisely and specifically
prohibits the Department from using appropriated funds to conduct raids or otherwise
prevent the various states from implementing laws that authorize the therapeutic use of
cannabis. Take action today! For
more background info, see http://www.AmericansforSafeaccess.org/Hinchey
*
Call Your Member of Congress. Every single phone call counts!*
*What to say*: "Please vote for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Medical Marijuana Amendment. If
adopted, this amendment will prohibits any funds made available to the Department of
Justice from being used to raid medical marijuana patients and their care providers in
the states that authorize use of marijuana for therapeutic use. It does not legalize
marijuana, it simply prohibits taxpayer dollars from being used to interfere with state
medical marijuana laws."
For phone numbers of your representatives, visit http://www.house.gov or call the congressional
switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Give the operator your zip code and ask to be connected to
your U.S. Representative. *
*
For more information, contact Sonnet: sonnet [at] safeaccessnow.org
* *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings ACTIVIST *
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*3. Saturday, July 14, Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara ASA Meeting
*There has been a lot of discussion the past few days over the DEA's latest attack on
landlords. Come to the Santa Barbara ASA Chapter meeting this Saturday to take action.
We will be discussing the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment and later taking action to
prevent this from happening in the future.
When: Saturday, July 14 at 3pm-5pm
Where: Antioch University
801 Garden St. Room #203 Santa Barbara
For More Information, contact: Jennifer at (805) 637-5365
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*4. Saturday, July 21, Los Angeles:Los Angeles ASA Meeting*
LA ASA is hosting a patient informational forum. This meeting is designed for patients to
attend to hear the latest news on the DEA's attack on landlords. There have been a lot of
questions the past few days about the DEA's recent tactics and we want to answer
patients' questions.
When: Saturday, July 21st, 1pm - 3pm
Where: California Patients Group
6208 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles
For more info, please call LA ASA: (323) 464-7719
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*5. Tuesday, July 24, San Francisco: San** Francisco ASA Meeting*
Safe Access is possibly being threatened in San Francisco! There will be a Neighborhood
Services Committee meeting on July 26th to discuss possible dispensary ordinance
amendments. Please come out and show your support for patients and caregivers rights!
When: Tuesday, July 24th at 7:30pm
Where: Bowzer's Pizza, 371 11th St in San Francisco
For more info, contact Alex or Brent: aaafranco [at] yahoo.com; brent_saupe [at] yahoo.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*6. Tuesday, July 24, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting ***Rescheduled***
*
This meeting we will be focusing on ASA and the Data Quality Act. We will be discussing
the possible outcomes and also the impact this lawsuit will have if ASA wins. We will
also be discussing our recent invitations to participate in 2 local condition-based
walks. Please come out and show your support!
When: July 10 @ 7:00pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Avenue, Suite H
Sacramento, CA
For more information or to get involved, please contact Lanette: cannacare [at] earthlink.net
!
*
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*11. Wednesday, July 18, Ukiah: City Council to Discuss Changes to Current Cultivation
Ordinance
*Ukiah City Council will be discussing changes to the current cultivation ordinance next
Wednesday. According to City Council, there have been escalating complaints of
violations of the current city ordinance. The Council will discuss solutions to address
the reported ordinance violations. Please come out and show your support for safe access.
It is important that the medical cannabis community's voice be heard at this meeting.
*
*When: Wednesday, July 18th at 6:00pm
Where: Council Chambers
300 Seminary Ave.
Ukiah, CA*
For more information, contact Sonnet: Sonnet [at] safeaccessnow.org**
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*12. Thursday, July 26, San Francisco: **Committee to Discuss Dispensary Amendment
*The City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee is holding a hearing to discuss
an amendment to the Planning Code on July 26, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. This important hearing
will determine whether the Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee will recommend
an amendment to the dispensary code to the Board of Supervisors.
Please come out and show your support for safe access.
When:Thursday, July 12th at 1:00pm
Where: San Francisco Planning Commission
Commission Chambers - Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
*For more information, contact Alex: aaafranco [at] yahoo.com*
--
Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
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
Headquarters
1322 Webster St Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
P: 510-251-1856 ext. 321 F: 510-251-2036
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
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