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San Francisco postpones resolution supporting pot club landlords
After much dedicated effort, SF activists were disappointed--but not daunted!--to
learn that their sanctuary resolution was postponed by the request of one of their
Supervisors.
learn that their sanctuary resolution was postponed by the request of one of their
Supervisors.
Hello all!
After much dedicated effort, SF activists were disappointed--but not daunted!--to
learn that their sanctuary resolution was postponed by the request of one of their
Supervisors. This is not a defeat--in fact, the Super who requested the postponement
could have moved to defeat the item but did not, merely wishing to register the
concerns of constituents in his area without denying the community at large the
benefits of the resolution. Activists including Axis of Love SF, Americans for Safe
Access and many others are continuing to work with the Supervisors, and will be
meeting with the dissenting Super to address his concerns, before the item comes up
again for a vote.
Meantime, as we seize every opportunity for open dialogue & forward movement, and as
we celebrate this Medical Marijuana Week, we can't forget those whose lives have
already been scarred by DEA actions. Please join us all day on Friday, Feb. 15th for
the eleventh "215" party, with guest of honor Michael Martin of Tainted/Compassion,
who will address the crowd at 4:20 p.m. We'll have DJ Knowledge spinning, plus
snacks, games, prizes and more. We hope to see you there! Meantime, be well,
Becky DeKeuster
Community Liaison
BPG
After much dedicated effort, SF activists were disappointed--but not daunted!--to
learn that their sanctuary resolution was postponed by the request of one of their
Supervisors. This is not a defeat--in fact, the Super who requested the postponement
could have moved to defeat the item but did not, merely wishing to register the
concerns of constituents in his area without denying the community at large the
benefits of the resolution. Activists including Axis of Love SF, Americans for Safe
Access and many others are continuing to work with the Supervisors, and will be
meeting with the dissenting Super to address his concerns, before the item comes up
again for a vote.
Meantime, as we seize every opportunity for open dialogue & forward movement, and as
we celebrate this Medical Marijuana Week, we can't forget those whose lives have
already been scarred by DEA actions. Please join us all day on Friday, Feb. 15th for
the eleventh "215" party, with guest of honor Michael Martin of Tainted/Compassion,
who will address the crowd at 4:20 p.m. We'll have DJ Knowledge spinning, plus
snacks, games, prizes and more. We hope to see you there! Meantime, be well,
Becky DeKeuster
Community Liaison
BPG
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San Francisco postpones resolution supporting pot club landlords
Bay City News Service
Article Launched: 02/12/2008 07:55:15 PM PST
A San Francisco Board of Supervisors today postponed a resolution condemning
federal authorities for sending pot club landlords letters threatening them
with imprisonment and seizure of their property.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued the letters in December to
about 50 landlords in Northern California, including San Francisco. The
resolution calls the letters "misguided and sensationally threatening
harassment."
Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, who represents neighborhoods in southwest San
Francisco, said he wanted the opportunity to go on record against the
resolution and asked that a vote on it be deferred. The resolution was part
of a group of resolutions that would have passed or failed as a group by
unanimous vote and without specific mention.
According to Elsbernd, a few medical marijuana clubs in his district, along
Ocean Avenue, "have caused an inordinate amount of neighborhood concern and
I don't want to be on record as supporting complete amnesty."
Supervisors will now vote on the resolution individually at their Feb. 26
meeting when Elsbernd will register his "no" vote. Elsbernd acknowledged the
resolution would likely pass.
The resolution was authored by Supervisor Chris Daly and co-sponsored by
supervisors Jake McGoldrick and Ross Mirkarimi.
According to DEA spokeswoman Casey McEnry, "the letters were sent out
basically as a courtesy." McEnry said the letters informed landlords that
the cannabis clubs operating on their property, violated federal law. The
penalty for such a violation is seizure of assets and up to 20 years in
prison, she said.
In the past, said McEnry, the DEA would notify landlords after raids on
marijuana dispensaries.
"This is a different approach," she said. "We're hoping that people comply
with federal law," she added.
The resolution, which reaffirms San Francisco as "a sanctuary for medical
cannabis," states that the DEA "has repeatedly subverted and undermined
California's and many other states' laws governing medical cannabis."
It also accuses the DEA of "increasingly acting on its irrational policy and
hysteria regarding medical cannabis specifically, and the so-called War on
Drugs in general."
According to the resolution, medical marijuana dispensaries are a health and
safety issue that should be governed by the state of California.
The resolution pledges to support "lawfully operating" cannabis dispensaries
and property owners who lease to them. Those facing federal prosecution
would receive the support of the city attorney, according to the resolution.
The resolution also calls on the U.S. Congress to investigate the DEA
conduct and to revise federal law to authorize states to legalize medical
marijuana.
Copyright (c) 2008 by Bay City News, Inc. - republication, re-transmission or
reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is
prohibited.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8244626?source=rss
Bay City News Service
Article Launched: 02/12/2008 07:55:15 PM PST
A San Francisco Board of Supervisors today postponed a resolution condemning
federal authorities for sending pot club landlords letters threatening them
with imprisonment and seizure of their property.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued the letters in December to
about 50 landlords in Northern California, including San Francisco. The
resolution calls the letters "misguided and sensationally threatening
harassment."
Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, who represents neighborhoods in southwest San
Francisco, said he wanted the opportunity to go on record against the
resolution and asked that a vote on it be deferred. The resolution was part
of a group of resolutions that would have passed or failed as a group by
unanimous vote and without specific mention.
According to Elsbernd, a few medical marijuana clubs in his district, along
Ocean Avenue, "have caused an inordinate amount of neighborhood concern and
I don't want to be on record as supporting complete amnesty."
Supervisors will now vote on the resolution individually at their Feb. 26
meeting when Elsbernd will register his "no" vote. Elsbernd acknowledged the
resolution would likely pass.
The resolution was authored by Supervisor Chris Daly and co-sponsored by
supervisors Jake McGoldrick and Ross Mirkarimi.
According to DEA spokeswoman Casey McEnry, "the letters were sent out
basically as a courtesy." McEnry said the letters informed landlords that
the cannabis clubs operating on their property, violated federal law. The
penalty for such a violation is seizure of assets and up to 20 years in
prison, she said.
In the past, said McEnry, the DEA would notify landlords after raids on
marijuana dispensaries.
"This is a different approach," she said. "We're hoping that people comply
with federal law," she added.
The resolution, which reaffirms San Francisco as "a sanctuary for medical
cannabis," states that the DEA "has repeatedly subverted and undermined
California's and many other states' laws governing medical cannabis."
It also accuses the DEA of "increasingly acting on its irrational policy and
hysteria regarding medical cannabis specifically, and the so-called War on
Drugs in general."
According to the resolution, medical marijuana dispensaries are a health and
safety issue that should be governed by the state of California.
The resolution pledges to support "lawfully operating" cannabis dispensaries
and property owners who lease to them. Those facing federal prosecution
would receive the support of the city attorney, according to the resolution.
The resolution also calls on the U.S. Congress to investigate the DEA
conduct and to revise federal law to authorize states to legalize medical
marijuana.
Copyright (c) 2008 by Bay City News, Inc. - republication, re-transmission or
reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is
prohibited.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8244626?source=rss
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