Court Deals Blow to Patients' Access: Stop Workplace Discrimination Against Patients!

Dear ASA supporter,

California Assemblyman Mark Leno and Americans for Safe Access (ASA) are
moving quickly to protect medical cannabis patients from employment
discrimination in the wake of today's disappointing ruling form the
California Supreme Court. In Ross v. Ragingwire Communications, the
Court held that Proposition 215 does not prevent employers from denying
employment or firing a legal patient if he or she tests positive for
cannabis use.

Assemblyman Leno and ASA need your help to fight back against this
serious challenge to patients all over California! Donate today to help
us end patient discrimination and protect patients' jobs!


Anticipating the possibility of today's negative ruling by the CA
Supreme Court, ASA has been working with state lawmakers to develop
legislation that will protect patients' employment rights. Assemblyman
Leno's decision to introduce ASA-sponsored legislation http://safeaccessnow.org/downloads/leno_ross_release.pdf marks the
first step of a new phase in the battle to end patient discrimination -
but there is a long way to go.

ASA is bracing for a dramatic increase in calls for legal assistance and
advice, and we must now gear up for a tough campaign to educate
lawmakers and build grassroots support behind this crucial measure. We
count on your help to keep fighting for patients' rights. Please take a
moment to support ASA today!


ASA has been working on the Ross case for years and spent a tremendous
amount of time and resources bringing this case to the Supreme Court.
Gary Ross was fired for failing an employer-mandated drug test in 2001,
because he uses medical marijuana on his doctor's advice. "All I am
asking is to be a productive member of society," Ross told reporters
after the ruling. Gary Ross is not alone - Here at ASA, we receive calls
on our toll-free patient hotline every week from patients who are facing
similar dilemmas.

ASA is grateful that Assemblyman Leno has come to the aid of patients by
introducing a bill to prevent employment discrimination: http://safeaccessnow.org/downloads/leno_ross_release.pdf

We need help
from our supporters right now more than ever to help move this bill
forward. Please join ASA today and make your voice heard! Click here to
help http://www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/Donate

Thank you for helping us defend the rights of Gary Ross and untold
thousands of legal medical cannabis patients!

Sincerely,


Don Duncan
California Director
Americans for Safe Access
------------------------------------------------------------------------

P.S. For more information, please see ASA's press release in response to
today's ruling: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=5428