ASA CA Weekly Alert 4-11-08

ASA California Weekly Alert: April 11, 2008

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*Weekly Round Up
*1. a. ASA-Sponsored Patient Employment Bill Clears First Hurdle While
Sales Tax Bill is Stalled
b. Police Return Medicine to Huntington Beach Patient
c. Patients Prevent Del Norte Board of Supervisors from Cutting Access
d. ASA Participates in 5th Bi-Annual Patients Out of Time Conference
*
Take Action
***2. Deadline to Petition Your Senators Is April 23rd: Petition Your
Community Today!

*Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
3. Saturday, the 12, Willits: Mendocino County ASA Meeting
4. Monday, April 14, Fresno: Fresno ASA Meeting
5. Tuesday, April 15, Sacramento: ASA Affiliate Compassionate Coalition
Meeting
6. Thursday, April 17, Arcata: Humboldt County ASA Meeting
7. Saturday, April 19, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Meeting
8. Tuesday, April 22, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
9. Wednesday, April 23, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
***
Court Support***
10. Monday, April 14, Sacramento: Third Day of Evidentiary Hearing for
Jeffre Sanderson and Alice Wiegand
11. Wednesday, April 16, Oakland: Change of Plea Hearing for Jessica
Sanders

*Special Events***
12. Saturday, April 12, Bakersfield: Kern County Medical Marijuana Town
Hall Meeting
13. Sunday, April 13, Los Angeles: Medical Marijuana Comedy Show
ExtravaGANJA
14. Saturday, April 26, Los Angeles: Action for Compassion

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Weekly Round Up image

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*1. a. ASA-Sponsored Patient Employment Bill Clears First Hurdle While
Sales Tax Bill is Stalled
b. Police Return Medicine to Huntington Beach Patient
c. Patients Prevent Del Norte Board of Supervisors from Cutting Access
d. ASA Participates in 5th Bi-Annual Patients Out of Time Conference**

* / a. ASA-Sponsored Patient Employment Bill Clears First Hurdle
While Sales Tax Bill is Stalled

/On Tuesday, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) scored a victory for
patients' rights, as the California Assembly Judiciary Committee
approved our medical marijuana employment rights bill in a 6-3 vote. AB
2279 http://safeaccessnow.org/AB2279, authored by Assemblymember Mark
Leno and sponsored by ASA, would protect the rights of hundreds of
thousands of medical marijuana patients in California from employment
discrimination. Read more about AB 2279 here:
http://www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/AB2279

Approval from the Committee on Judiciary was the first big legislative
test. ASA staff helped recruit important endorsements, including the
Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the American Federation of
State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the National Lawyers
Guild, and several HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations. Supreme Court
plaintiff Gary Ross and ASA's Chief Counsel Joe Elford testified before
the committee. Elford responded to several complex legal questions from
the committee members.

Though we've passed this first hurdle, we have more hurdles to clear
before AB 2279 becomes law. Next week, the bill will go before the
Assembly Labor Committee. Then it's on to the Assembly Floor, the
Senate, and finally to the Governor's desk. Thank you to Gary Ross and
Assemblymember Leno and his staff for supporting patients rights and
helping educate the committee.

Not more than a day after this important benchmark was reached, the
California Senate Tax & Revenue Committee took no action on Senator
Migden's bill, SB 1098, after hearing
testimony from medical cannabis providers and the attorney for former
Board of Equalization Chairwoman Betty Yee. MPP and ASA had both
invested significant work on this bill, recruiting patients, providers,
and other supporters to testify at hearings, educating the public about
this bill, and working with legislators to gain their support. The bill
is now "in suspense," meaning the committee will take no further action
unless the Chairwoman calls it back for a vote. Read more about SB 1098
at: http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/SB1098

SB 1098 would have granted amnesty to medical cannabis collectives for
sales tax liabilities before October of 2005, when the BOE changed its
policy to allow the organizations to obtain a seller's permit.
Collectives would have been obligated to pay all sales tax back to
October 2005 and keep paying current liabilities to qualify.
Unfortunately, Senate leaders were not persuaded by arguments that the
limited, one-time amnesty would pump hundreds of millions of dollars
into state coffers.


/ b. Police Return Medicine to Huntington Beach Patient

/This week marked a potential sea-change for patients rights in Orange
County. A Huntington Beach medical cannabis patient received his 30
grams of medicine back from local law enforcement. The patient, Dave
Lucas, filed a return of property request following the confiscation of
his medicine by a local police officer over a year ago. When the officer
took his medicine he looked at Lucas' doctor recommendation and stated,
"We don't follow that law here".

Medical cannabis patient and activist Bill Britt assisted Lucas in
filing the return of property request. The judge overseeing the case
initially stated that Lucas should have his medicine returned, but then
put a hold on the case pending the Kha vs. Orange County appellate
decision. ASA's landmark litigation, argued by ASA Chief Counsel, Joe
Elford, establishes patients' right to the return of wrongfully seized
medical cannabis was affirmed by the California Supreme Court on March
19. Following the California Supreme Court's decision to not de-publish
the Kha case http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=74, the judge ruled
once more and issued a court order to have Lucas' medicine returned.

Read more about the victory in the Mercury News as reported by the
Associated Press http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_8864241.
/

c. Patients Prevent Del Norte Board of Supervisors from Cutting Access

/Several medical cannabis patients and advocates gathered at the Del
Norte Board of Supervisors meeting this week to show their support for
safe access. The supervisors were considering cutting access in Del
Norte by reducing the number of plants a patient can have for medical
use from 99 down to 6 plants or 8 ounces per patient. This significant
cut could have an overwhelmingly negative impact on patients and
caregivers.

Patients, caregivers, and advocates in Del Norte sprung into action to
show their support for the current limits and to voice concerns to
limiting access. As a result of patient and supporter testimonies, the
Del Norte Board of Supervisors voted to go back to the drawing board and
create a proposal that will still limit the current number of plants,
but with less extreme limits. Patients and supporters in Del Norte will
continue to advocate for access and will be working with the board to
help establish reasonable limits. Congratulations to all of those who
came out in support for safe access!

Read more about the hearing in the Triplicate.
http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=8252
/

d. ASA Participates in 5th Bi-Annual Patients Out of Time Conference

/Last weekend, ASA staff was joined by members, chapters, and affiliates
from all over the country at the 5th bi-annual Patients Out of Time
conference http://www.medicalcannabis.com/conference.htm. The
conference hosted dozens of scientists and researchers from the U.S.A.,
Canada, the Netherlands, Israel, and a handful of other countries who
presented on medical cannabis research projects. Several of ASA's
Medical and Scientific Advisory board members presented, including
Philippe Lucas http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3193 Rick
Doblin, Ph.D http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3190 and
Robert Melameade, Ph.D
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3194. Board member Jahan
Marcu http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3195 participated in
the conference.

Dozens of ASA's members, chapters, and affiliates attended the
conference. ASA had chapter and affiliate representatives from the
following states: California, Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New
Jersey, and North Carolina.

Thank you to all the ASA supporters who attended the conference. Your
support and attendance helped represent the patient and caregiver voice
at this important medical cannabis research conference.
/
/

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Take Action image

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*2. **Deadline to Petition Your Senators Is April 23rd: Petition Your
Community Today!
*
Time is running out! Last month's national newsletter action alert was
for activists to petition your community! Our goal is to collect 30,000
signatures by April 23rd. These petitions will be hand delivered to both
Senators Boxer and Feinstein by our National Office staff in Washington
DC. Visit ASA's fun interactive map to download a petition addressed to
California's U.S. Senators Boxer and Feinstein. Go to
http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/SenatePetitionMap
http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org/SenatePetitionMap and click on
your state for your specialized petition or call ASA at (510) 251-1856
and ask for petitions to be mailed to you.

Please send completed petitions by April 23rd to ASA Headquarters:

Americans for Safe Access
Attn: Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
Fax: (510) 251-2036

* *

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Chapter and Affiliate Meetings image*
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*3. Saturday, the 12, Willits: Mendocino County ASA Meeting

*Join Mendocino ASA as we discuss important local, state, and national
medical cannabis issues.*
*
When: 2:00pm
Where: The Ping Pong Club at 475 E. Valley Rd. in Willits

For more information, contact Sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org
*
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*4. Monday, April 14, Fresno: Fresno ASA Meeting

*Come and join Fresno ASA on Monday the 14th. We will be discussing the
medical cannabis ID card program and other important state and federal
issues.

When: 6:00pm
Where: Fig Garden Regional Library
3071 W Bullard Ave in Fresno

For more information, e-mail: fresnocagal [at] sbcglobal.net*
*
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*5. Tuesday, April 15, Sacramento: ASA Affiliate Compassionate
Coalition Meeting*

Safe access is under attack in Sacramento! The Sacramento Board of
Supervisors recently voted against implementing the state ID card
program. Find out what you can do to protect safe access in Sacramento!

When: Tuesday the 15th at 7:00pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Ave. Suite H in Sacramento

For more info, contact: nathan [at] compassionatecoalition.org

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*6. Thursday, April 17, Arcata: Humboldt County ASA Meeting

*Please come out and join Humboldt County ASA as we fight to protect
safe access in our community and beyond.

When:6 p.m.
Where: In the community recreation room of the Bayview Courtyard Senior
Housing Complex at 550 Union Street, Arcata.

For more info, contact: asa-humboldt [at] sbcglobal.net

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*7. Saturday, April 19, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Meeting
*
Please join LA ASA as we prepare for our Action for Compassion on April
26th! We will be planning and training for the protest and need your
support in order to make this event a success!

When: 1pm
Where: Patient ID Center, 470 S. San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048 (Cross street is Drexel, between Wilshire & 3rd St.)

For more info, contact: Don [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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*8. Tuesday, April 22, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting

*Come join ASA SF next Tuesday at our usual meeting space, Bowzers Pizza
on 11th at Harrison. We will discuss the latest in medical cannabis
politics, laws, science and activism and follow up on our Stand Up
Newsom Campaign. Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet other
patients fighting for their rights to safe access!

When: Tuesday, the 22nd 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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*9. Wednesday, April 23, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
*
Please join East Bay ASA for updates on pressing state legislation,
federal campaigns, and to discuss the recent court hearings for the
Tainted Compassionate Edibles defendents. We will also be writing
letters to Federal Judge Wilkens on behalf of Tainted defendant, Michael
Martin.*
*
7:00 pm @ ASA Headquarters Office
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402, Downtown Oakland

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

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Court Support image
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/Thank you to Vanessa Nelson for helping ASA stay on top of upcoming
court dates!/
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*10. Monday, April 14, Sacramento: Third Day of Evidentiary Hearing for
Jeffre Sanderson and Alice Wiegand

*On August 14, 2006, a local-federal task force arrested Plumas County
patients Jeff Sanderson (who also served as a caregiver for nine other
patients and did not accept any "reasonable compensation") & Alice
Wiegand in a raid for allegedly growing more than 260 plants. Though
they were released from Plumas County jail within several days, on
September 5, 2006, Sanderson was rearrested by federal agents and is
being prosecuted on federal charges of ­manufacturing and conspiracy to
manufacture more than 100 marijuana plants. Authorities confiscated all
of the plants and medicine, and have initiated asset forfeiture
proceedings on their home and family farm. Sanderson is currently being
detained in Sacramento County Main Jail awaiting sentencing and both he
and Wiegand have agreed to accept plea bargains. Sadly, Plumas County
CPS has removed both of their young children and placed them with
Sanderson's mother, and the parents must now submit to a long case-plan
process in the hopes of someday regaining physical custody.
Additionally, as a part of the plea bargain, Sanderson and Wiegand's
house will be seized as a result of asset forfeiture.

At the Sentencing hearing, it is likely that the U.S. Attorney will
request a sentence of 24-36 months for Sanderson, although hopefully,
Judge Damrell will impose lesser sanctions, as Sanderson and Wiegand
pled guilty to charges involving less than a hundred plants, so no
mandatory minimum sentence applies. Please join us in supporting
Sanderson & Wiegand in court, to demonstrate to Judge Damrell that they
are part of our community. For more information on this tragic story,
please see Vanessa Nelson's piece
http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/204/1/.

When: Monday, the 14th at 2:00pm
Where: Before Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr. at 501 I Street in Sacramento, CA.
*
*For more information contact Sonnet [at] AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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*10. Wednesday, April 16, Oakland: Change of Plea Hearing for Jessica
Sanders

*Please come out and show your support for the former Tainted Inc.
employee. On September 26, 2007, the DEA raided five locations in
Oakland and San Leandro, allegedly confiscating hundreds of edibles and
460 plants, and arresting Jessica Sanders (30) along with Michael
Anderson (42), and Diallo McLinn (35). Tainted Edibles were available
for patients as an alternative to smoking at dispensing collectives
across the state. For those who do not know the story, Jessica was
Tainted's order clerk. She is being charged with a felony for her use of
a telephone conspiracy charge relating her taking an order for
Compassion Medicinal Edibles. Sanders had a hearing last week and
another date was set. Please come out and show your support!

When: April 16 at @ 2:30 p.m.
Where: Before Judge Wilken 1301 Clay St. in Oakland (Federal Buildings)

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


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Special Events closer look image****
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*****1**2. Saturday, April 12, Bakersfield: Kern County Medical
Marijuana Town Hall Meeting*

This meeting will be an opportunity to discuss challenges facing Kern
County's patients and how to overcome them, including:

- Passing state Assembly Bill 2743, which would prevent local law
enforcement officials from working with the federal government in its
raids on seriously ill patients and providers, such as the one that took
place in Oildale in May of last year.

- Encouraging Kern County's congressional delegation - Rep. Kevin
McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) - to support
federal legislation that would end the policy of undermining state-level
medical marijuana laws.

When: Saturday, April 12 - 2:00 p.m.
What: Medical marijuana town hall meeting
Where: Kosmo's Restaurant and Bar
1623 19th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301-4310

(Kosmo's restaurant is kind enough to allow us to meet in relative
privacy but please plan on buying lunch or drinks to help support their
business. Meals are modestly priced, mostly falling under $10)

For more information, contact Aaron Smith at (86) 287-6792 or asmith [at] mpp.org
*
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*13. Sunday, April 13, Los Angeles: Medical Marijuana Comedy Show
ExtravaGANJA *

Medical Marijuana Comedy Show ExtravaGANJA !!
GreenTherapy's aim is to raise awareness of the benefits of medical
marijuana and to help bring patients some relief by giving them a laugh
or two through comedy show ExtravaGANJA's. Sunday, April 13, 2008.

This show will feature the comedic talents of:
Freddy Lockhart, Ngaio, Darwin Hines, Tere Joyce, Tasty Jeff (Jeff
Richards of SNL fame) and more! There is also rumor of an appearance by
Russell Peters himself. Check these comics out at http://www.Myspace.com/

Special guests include Jack Herer, author of 'The Emperor Wears No
Clothes' and Richard Eastman. They will be talking about the Hemp and
Health Initiative and L.A. County Medical Marijuana Exposition &
Patients' Festival. Be sure to stop by the ASA table at the event and
sign the /Support Research /petition and pick up our latest literature!

When: April 13, 2008. Show time is 8:30 pm. Doors open at 8:00 pm.
Where: Main Room at the world famous Comedy Store in Hollywood
8433 Sunset Blvd., 90069
Other Info: This is a 21+ event with a 2 drink minimum.
Tickets are only $20 w/ a $5 discount for members of compassion clubs,
MPP.org & AmericansforSafeAccess.org.

For more information, check out HowardDover.com

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*14. Saturday, April 26, Los Angeles: Action for Compassion*

You are all invited to join us on Saturday, April 26, for a peaceful
protest to support medical cannabis patients and oppose DEA interference
and intimidation in California. Patients and advocates will gather in
front of the federal building at 2:00 PM to make our voices heard. This
will be a great media and community building opportunity, so make plans
to attend and bring some friends. There are already plans for symbolic
protests, great props, and even a juggler or two. This will be a unique
and uplifting event you will not want to miss. You can get all the
details at http://www.ASAaction.org You should also plan to attend the
training and planning meeting the Saturday before - April 19. Get the
details for both events (and more) at http://www.ASAaction.org

What: Action for Compassion
When: 2 PM * Saturday, April 26
Where: West LA Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd.

You can help promote the event by downloading the flyer at
http://www.ASAaction.org and passing it out anywhere you go!

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

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