ASA CA Weekly Alert 2-15-08

ASA California Weekly Alert: February 15, 2008

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*Make Sure We Stay On Top of It:* If you wish to have a medical cannabis event,
meeting, federal trial, and/or city or county hearing listed in the ASA CA Weekly
Alert, please send information to Sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org no later than
Thursdays by 3:00pm.

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*Weekly Round Up
* 1. Showing Schwarzenegger the Way
**

*Take Action
*2. Take Action for Medical Marijuana Awareness Week if you Haven't Yet**
*
Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
3. Saturday, February 16, Los Angeles ASA Meeting
4. Tuesday, February 19, Sacramento: ASA Affiliate Compassionate
Coalition Meeting
5. Thursday, February 21, Arcata: Humboldt County ASA Meeting
6. Tuesday, February 26, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
7. Wednesday, February 27, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting

*City and County Hearings*
8. Tuesday, February 19, Fullerton: City Council to Discuss a Dispensary
Ordinance

*Court Support*
9. Sacramento: Sentencing Hearing for Jeff Sanderson is Rescheduled to
March 3rd
10. Friday, February 22, Fresno: Evidentiary Hearing for California
Healthcare Collective

*M**edical Marijuana Week Activities*
11. Saturday, February 16, Los Angeles: LA ASA Meeting and Special
Guest Speaker, Jahan Marcu
12. Saturday, February 16, Oakland: Civil Disobedience Training for
Emergency Response
13. Saturday, February 16, Oakland: Medical Marijuana Movie Matinee
14. Sunday, February 17, San Francisco: SF ASA 215 Party
15. Saturday, February 23, Sacramento: Sacramento Medical Marijuana
Patients Art Show*

Special Events**
*16. Save the Date: April 4-5, 2008: Patients Out of Time Fifth
National Conference
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Weekly Round Up California


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*1. Showing Schwarzenegger the Way*

This morning, the San Francisco Chronicle published an op-ed piece
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/15/ED0UV1RNP.DTL&hw=medical+marijuana&sn=001&sc=1000

authored by California Senator Carole Migden and Board of Equalization
Chairwoman Betty Yee decrying the Drug Enforcement Administration's
(DEA) crack down on medical cannabis and the impact it has on property
owners, state coffers, and legal patients. The letter urges the federal
government to "back off and respect state compassionate use laws that
authorize a network of responsible, law abiding and tax-paying medical
marijuana providers." This is a far cry from the usually sensationalized
rhetoric to which we are more accustomed, and is a breath of fresh air
-- and common sense -- for patients and their loved ones statewide.

Senator Migden introduced Senate Joint Resolution 20
http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org/downloads/SJR_20.pdf
into the State Legislature this month calling for an end to the federal
interference that she says costs the state millions of dollars in lost
revenue, forces medical cannabis providers underground, and harms legal
patients. If adopted, the resolution will send the strong message to
Washington, DC, that California lawmakers remain committed to fully
implementing the 1996 voter initiative that legalized medical cannabis
in the state and to ending federal persecution of patients and providers.

Board of Equalization Chairwoman Betty Yee joined the Senator in
criticizing the impact the DEA raids, saying that federal interference
and intimidation cost the state millions of dollars in lost tax revenue
and badly needed jobs. As Chairwoman of the elected body charged with
assessing and collecting sales tax for the cash-strapped state, Yee has
a special interest seeing to it that medical cannabis facilities remain
open and pay their fair share
http://safeaccessnow.org/downloads/Sales_Tax1.pdf. She worries,
however, that providers will be forced to close their doors or move
underground to avoid federal attacks -- a very real concern.

The significance of having a State Senator and the Chairwoman of the
Board of Equalization speak out on behalf of medical cannabis should not
be missed. Elected officials are just now feeling the hardship caused by
DEA interference -- which escalated to new heights last year with more
than 50 raids, several indictments, and more than 300 letters
threatening property owners who rent to medical cannabis facilities with
prosecution and civil asset forfeiture. US House Judiciary Committee
Chairman John Conyers is finally getting some high-level support for his
stance against the DEA tactics and promised investigation
http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org/article.php?id=5329.

The op-ed piece was timely, appearing in Migden and Yee's hometown paper
on the same day the ASA Chief of Staff Rebecca Saltzman, Legal Director
Kris Heremes, and I met for the first time with representatives from
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's' office to discuss federal interference
and what the Governor can do to help. It is too soon to know if the
Governor will take visible action in response to ASA's grassroots
campaign, but Senator Migden and Chairwoman Yee are certainly pointing
him in the right direction. With today's op-ed, these two leaders join
police veteran and Los Angeles City Councilmember Dennis Zine, Orange
County Supervisor Chris Norby, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, Santa Cruz
Mayor Ryan Coonerty, and thousands of medical cannabis advocates in
calling on the Governor to defend patients' access and the will of
voters http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=5029.

We may be approaching a sea change in the state and federal debate over
medical cannabis, but what happens from here depends on whether or not
grassroots advocates can persuade the Governor and Legislature to put
their considerable clout behind Representative Conyers' effort to stop
DEA interference in California. Local and state leaders should stand
up... and the Governor should lead the way.

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Take Action marijuana is medicine

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*2. Take Action for Medical Marijuana Awareness Week if you Haven't Yet**
*

If you haven't participated in Medical Marijuana Awareness Week actions
this week, take action today! Visit:
http://www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/MMJWeek and participate in each day's
action alert. We are rounding out the sixth annual Medical Marijuana
Week, held during the week of 2/15 to commemorate the passage of
Proposition 215, California's medical cannabis law.

Please take action now! Below is a list with links to each day's action

Monday- http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/MMJWeekMonday

Tuesday-http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/MMJWeekTuesday

Wednesday-http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/MMJWeekWednesday

Thursday-http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/MMJWeekThursday

Friday-http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/MMJWeekFriday

Saturday and Sundat-http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/MMJWeekSunday

For a list of all the actions go to http://www.AmericansforSafeAcess.org/MMJWeek

* *

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Chapter and Affiliate Meetings activist *
*

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*3. S**at**urday, February 16, Los Angeles ASA Meeting

*The next LA-ASA meeting will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 16. We
will be talking about our Emergency Response plans, local regulations,
and the latest news in the statewide campaign. We will also be hosting a
special guest for an exciting presentation. Please see the "Medical
Marijuana Week Events" section below for more information.

What: LA-ASA Meeting

When: 1 PM * Saturday, February 16, 2008

Where: Patient ID Center, 470 S. San Vicente Blvd. Los Angeles, CA
90048-4107.
(The cross street is Drexel, between Wilshire & 3rd St.)
*
*
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*4. Tuesday, February 19, Sacramento: ASA Affiliate Compassionate
Coalition Meeting
**
*There are several medical marijuana activities over the next month.
Please come and find out how you can get involved. We will be discussing
Medical Marijuana Awareness Week, upcoming campaigns, reaching out to
condition-based groups and many more events on the horizon.
*
*When: Tuesday the 19th at 7:00pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Ave. Suite H in Sacramento

For more information, contact Nathan at: nathan [at] CompassionateCoalition.org
*
*
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*5. Thursday, February 21, Arcata: Humboldt County ASA Meeting

*The Humboldt County Chapter of Americans for Safe Access will be
meeting Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 6 p.m. in the community
recreation room of the Bayview Courtyard Senior Housing Complex at 550
Union Street, Arcata.

ASA of Humboldt meets on the third Thursday of every month. Park across
the street in the Arcata Community Center parking lot. Limited
Handicapped parking is available on site. All interested persons should
call (707) 445 8154 or email asa-humboldt [at] sbcglobal.net for further
information.

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*6. Tuesday, February 26, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
*
Please join San Francisco ASA as we reflect on Medical Marijuana
Awareness Week and prepare for upcoming events. *

*When: Tuesday, Feb. 26th at 7:30pm
Where: Bowzer's Pizza, 371 11th St in San Francisco

For more info, contact Alex: aaafranco [at] yahoo.com*

*
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*7. Wednesday, February 27, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting

*Come join East Bay ASA as we follow up on our civil disobedience
training from Medical Marijuana Awareness Week.

When: Wednesday the 27th at 7:00pm
Where: 1322 Webster St. Suite 402 (2 blocks from 12th St. BART station)
Oakland, CA

For more information contact Rebecca [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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City and County Hearings advocacy

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*8. Tuesday, February 19, Fullerton: City Council to Discuss a
Dispensary Ordinance*

After voting 3 to 2 against a ban on dispensaries the Fullerton City
Council will be discussing the development and implementation of a
dispensary ordinance. Please come out and show your support for safe access.

Download ASA's talking points about dispensary regulations.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2717

What: Fullerton City Council Meeting
When: Beginning at 5:00 PM * Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Where: 303 West Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832

For more information, contact Don [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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Court Support court support*
*

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*9. Sacramento: Sentencing Hearing for Jeff Sanderson is Rescheduled to
March 3rd
*

Please see next week's Weekly Alert for more details.

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*10. Friday, February 22, Fresno: Evidentiary Hearing for California
Healthcare Collective
*

This hearing is subject to change based on witness availability. After
the City of Modesto failed to shut down the California Healthcare
Collective by banning dispensaries, it called in the DEA. On September
27, 2006, the DEA raided the collective and arrested four people
(owner-operators Luke Scarmazzo and Ricardo Montes and two staff
members) on charges of distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to
distribute. Scarmazzo and Montes were also charged with possession of
firearms and money laundering. Later, an additional five people were
indicted, bringing the total to nine people being prosecuted by the
federal government. In the raid, the DEA allegedly seized more than 100
pounds of marijuana, one thousand plants, multiple firearms, and more
than $200,000 in cash. The raids were the result of a 15-month
investigation between the DEA and the Modesto Police Department. Since
Judge O'Neill finally decided to release Monica Valencia on bail after 7
months in federal prison, all defendants have been released on bail
pending trial. Recently, Bradley Heinmiller, Bradley Wickliffe and
Stephen DeMattos have pled guilty to avoid trial, and only six
defendants (Scarmazzo, Montes, Valencia, Lucky Boissiere, Jose Malagon,
and Antonio Malagon) remain. The trial confirmation hearing is expected
to occur on March 14, 2008 at 8:45am, and the trial is expected to begin
on April 15th, 2008 at 9am. For more info, see Vanessa Nelson's article
http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/155/1/

When: Friday, the 22nd at 1:15pm
Where: Before Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill in U.S. District Court (E.D., CA)
2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA.
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Medical Marijuana Awareness Week Events take a closer
look

* ***
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**11. *Saturday, February 16, Los Angeles: LA ASA Meeting and Special
Guest Speaker, Jahan Marcu

*Medical cannabis researcher Jahan Marcu will be our special guest
speaker on February 16. Jahan is currently investigating cannabinoid
synergy at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, and
effectively translates complex scientific concepts to a lay audience. As
the youth member of ASA's Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, Mr.
Marcu represents the future of cannabinoid research, and is developing
international networks of key cannabis researchers. He has served as a
volunteer for ASA since 2003. He has lectured on the subject of
cannabinoids at Cannabis Cooperatives and at New College of California.
At San Francisco State University, he investigated the therapeutic
applicability of whole plant cannabinoid ratios, correlating these
ratios to effects reported by medical cannabis patients and in clinical
trials. He is currently completing his Bachelor of Science in Cellular
and Molecular Biology at San Francisco State University.

What: LA-ASA Meeting with special guest speaker, Jahan Marcu
When: 1 PM * Saturday, February 16, 2008
Where: Patient ID Center, 470 S. San Vicente Blvd. Los Angeles, CA
90048-4107.
(The cross street is Drexel, between Wilshire & 3rd St.)*
*
Visit http://www.ASAaction.org to find a map and public transit information.
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*12. Saturday, February 16, Oakland: Civil Disobedience Training for
Emergency Response*

What: Civil Disobedience Training for Emergency Response
When: 12-2pm
Where: 1322 Webster Suite 402 in Oakland, CA

For more information, contact Rebecca [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org or call
(510)251-1856.

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13. *Saturday, February 16, Oakland: Medical Marijuana Movie Matinee*

What: Medical Marijuana Film Festival
When: 2-9pm
Where: 4770, 48th and Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley

Movies to be announced.

More info available on nberkhills [at] sbcglobal.net

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14. * Sunday, February 17, San Francisco: SF ASA 215 Part**y**

*Celebrating California's State Law, Prop 215 inspiring Medical
Marijuana Awareness Week

Featuring: Live Music and DJ's: Reggae, Hip Hop and Latin Beats. Door
Prizes, Community Awards and Much Much More...

When: 8:00pm
Where: 2700 16th Street at Harrison
Other Details: $10 Admission. Hemp Ale & Cuban Food Available

For information check out sf.safeaccessnow.org
*
*
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*15. Saturday, February 23, Sacramento: Sacramento Medical Marijuana
Patients Art Show*

More details to come....

The Brick House 2837 36th Street
Time TBA
For more information contact: 916-325-9000

All of this information is available at SF ASA's website:
sf.safeaccessnow.org
*
*
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Special Events closer look ****
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*16. Save the Date: **April 4-5, 2008**: Patients Out of Time Fifth
National Conference

*Question: Have you registered for the Patients Out of Time national
conference yet? If not, please register today
http://www.MedicalCannabis.com/registration!

Save the date for the Fifth National Patients Out of Time conference for
April 4th and 5th. For more information and to register visit
http://www.MedicalCannabis.com/registration

The Patient Out of Time Conference will feature patients, activists,
doctors, and researchers gathering to discuss the latest research on
medical marijuana. This important conference only happens once every
other year, so if you are a patient, doctor, researcher, and/or
supporter, we strongly encourage you to look into attending the
conference, which will be held at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific
Grove on the Monterey Peninsula.
--

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