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Americans for Safe Access: CA Weekly Alert

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ASA California Weekly Alert: 02-20-09


Weekly Round Up
1. 2009 Medical Marijuana Week Recap
2. Palm Springs Votes to Allow Dispensaries
3. Laguna Beach Passes Dispensary Moratorium

Take Action
4. Go back and Participate in ASA's MMJ Week Actions!

Chapter and Affiliate Meetings
5. Saturday, February 21st – Los Angeles: L.A. ASA Meeting
6. Tuesday, February 24th - San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting
7. Wednesday, February 25th - Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting

Court Support
8. Monday, February 23rd - Los Angeles: Protest to Support Charles Lynch Against Federal Injustice

Special Events
9. Saturday February 21st - Los Angeles: LA-ASA Meeting & Activist Training
10. Sunday February 22nd - Oakland: East Bay Medical Cannabis Activists Mixer
11. Wednesday, March 11th - Riverside County AIDS Conference to Include Medical Cannabis Panel


California IconWeekly Round Up


1. 2009 Medical Marijuana Week Recap

Medical cannabis activists across the country have been participating in this year's "Medical Marijuana Week 2009", which has included a week long series of events and actions designed to get people to participate, become active advocates, and to learn and think more about what issues, prejudices, and exciting medical breakthroughs surround the cannabis plant and are as yet still unaddressed.

In the past week, activists in California took part in events that included legal trainings, film screenings, public seed plantings, art shows, and festivals, as well as charity events that raised awareness and benefited homeless communities.  All the way across the country in our nation's capital, activists from Maryland ASA chapters held candle light vigils, educational medical cannabis teach-ins, and a party to celebrate the hard work their chapters have done to introduce legislation in the Maryland state legislature.

On the activism side, ASA has been sending actions to our national list all week, encouraging people to stand up and get active in ways they might normally wouldn't.  Actions this week included officially joining up with ASA through a membership or signing up for the Ambassador program, spending a day reading and learning about the history or new science of cannabis, recruiting others, meeting with elected officials, and connecting with medical cannabis POW's.  We've received great feedback and lots of participation from our membership - so thanks to all of you who took part in the actions of the past week!  Keep it up!   This has been a great way to bring attention to medical cannabis with a week of actions that have helped to rejuvenate our community  of activists.   It's been a great week and I can't wait until 2010!


2. Palm Springs Votes to Allow Dispensaries

This week the City Council members of Palm Springs voted to make it the first city in Riverside County to allow medical cannabis dispensing collectives.  The decision by the Council was intended to improve access of medical cannabis and keep local residents from having to resort to the illicit market for their treatment.  Activists have long been pressuring Palm Springs and other parts of Riverside County to allow dispensing collectives, and the 3-1 vote in favor demonstrates the fruits of that labor.

The ordinance will go into effect in 30 days following its second reading, and allows two dispensing collectives to operate within city limits.  According to Councilmember Ginny Foat, "This is an incredible first step."

Dispensary regulations have been a growing trend in California, as cities and counties work to address the needs of the medical cannabis patients in their communities, and as California state law has become increasingly clear about the legality of the dispensing collectives, as evidenced most recently in guidelines released by California Attorney General Jerry Brown.  In addition, research has indicated that dispensing collectives can not only improve the safety of communities, but can also lead to greater health outcomes of patients who are members.


3. Laguna Beach Passes Dispensary Moratorium

Unfortunately, not all municipalities are moving in the same direction with regard to dispensary regulations.  While Palm Springs became the first city in Riverside County to allow dispensing collectives, the City Council of Laguna Beach voted to implement a moratorium,  putting the halt on a dispensary that had been set to open in the city's downtown area.

The 45-day moratorium was established at least in part because Councilors claimed to require more time to consider how the permit process would move forward and for them to consider their "regulatory options".   Some cities have passed moratoriums in order to buy themselves time to draft ordinances, but others have used the moratoriums as a means to stall and postpone dealing with the issue, before ultimately passing bans altogether.   This was a concern of local advocates.

Laguna Beach residents who spoke out in defense of the dispensing collective cited personal stories of loved ones with severe illness and their need for safe access to  their medication,  as opposed to driving to "illegal set-ups", as one resident put it.    


Take Action IconTake Action


4. Go back and Participate in ASA's MMJ Week Actions!

Here is a list of the ASA actions of the past week. If you've missed some, go back and complete them now!

Monday, February 16th: Join the Movement as a Member and Ambassador
In his first 20 days in office, President Obama issued a White House statement in support of medical cannabis policy reform. It was the first such statement in almost 30 years; it will not be the last. Now is the time to join the movement by becoming an
ASA member. And now is the time to be part of the real change to come by signing up as an ASA Ambassador.

Tuesday, February 17th: Do Your Homework – Know the Issues
There is a lot of important information out there about cannabis as medicine. Did you know there are over 17,000 published scientific articles on cannabis and “cannabinoids” since 1996? Did you know that DEA Judges have now twice ruled in favor of medical cannabis, and DEA Administrators have twice ignored the rulings? Can you recite
ASA’s Federal Policy Recommendations? Spend a day reading, learning, and understanding why this issue is so profound.

Wednesday, February 18th: Come Out of the Closet and Recruit your Community
Do you use medical cannabis in secret? Do you hide it from coworkers, family, or friends? Use this day to
come out of the closet! Tell the people around you about how cannabis has helped, and the risks you face. Everybody knows someone who uses cannabis as medicine, but sometimes they’re not aware. If you don’t use medical cannabis, talk with someone about what you know, why it’s important, and why we need change. Make it your goal today to recruit 5 people – on the bus, in the office, while at lunch or home, via FaceBook or MySpace – recruit 5 people to join ASA’s email list so they can learn about what is so important in your life.

Thursday, February 19th: Build Your Relationship with Congress – Schedule a Meeting Today
In this new time of political change, we all have an obligation to know our Congressmen/women, and to speak our minds to them. Take this day to
schedule a meeting with your Federal elected Representatives (hint: you have 3 of them!). Its quick and easy…an opportunity to introduce yourself, explain why you support medical cannabis, and to drop off ASA’s Policy Recommendations to their local office.

Friday, February 20th: Connect with a Prisoner of Bush’s Other War
On February 5th, the White House issued a statement of President Obama’s
position on ending federal interference in state medical cannabis laws. But this still leaves innocent people in prison who would have been protected by their state laws, if they had not been raided by the policies of George W. Bush. They’re still in prison, and they need to know we’re behind them. Today, write a short note to let them know they are not alone.

Saturday/Sunday, February 21-22nd: Read the Paper, and Respond
This weekend when you’re reading the Saturday and Sunday paper, flip to the Letters to the Editor section and skim the opinions of some readers. You’ll find discussion of issues that are important, and medical cannabis should be a part of the discussion. Letter’s to the Editor (LTE’s) are how others can learn about what issues are important in their area. As someone who cares about medical cannabis, it’s up to you to write one in support.
Get help from ASA to write and submit a brief LTE to your local paper.


Take Action IconChapter and Affiliate Meetings


5. Saturday, February 21st – Los Angeles: L.A. ASA Meeting

WHEN: Saturday, February 21st – 1pm
WHERE: @ Patient ID Center, 470 S. San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048 (at Drexel, between Wilshire & 3rd St.)

LA ASA is one of the most respected chapters in the state, and sees success regularly at any number of actions.  They've organized major protests and succeeded in lobbying for patient support from major elected officials.  For more info, contact:
[email protected]


6. Tuesday February 24th - San Francisco:  SF-ASA Meeting

Join us Tuesday February 24th starting at 7:30 pm for the SF-ASA chapter meeting.   We'll be at Bowzers Pizza:  371 11th Street (between Folsom & Harrison)  in San Francisco. There's a lot happening this year and we want you to be a part of it.  Please come enjoy dinner, updates from ASA, and get involved in your medical cannabis community.  Feel free to bring a friend or family member.  We look forward to seeing you there.

For more information, contact:  David at
[email protected] or [email protected]


7. Wednesday, February 25th - Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting

Please come and join the East Bay ASA crew as we discuss constructing a new ordinance for Alameda County dispensaries, and learn about other happenings in the East Bay.

When: Wednesday, February 25th @ 7pm  (Please arrive promptly, as the doors lock after 7:10 pm)
Where: ASA Headquarters Office
            1322 Webster Street, Suite 402, Downtown Oakland

For more information, contact George: 510-251-1856 x. 321 or
[email protected]


Patients Rights IconCourt Support


8. Monday, February 23rd - Los Angeles: Protest to Support Charles Lynch Against Federal Injustice

WHEN: Monday, February 23, 2009 at 8:30am
WHERE:  U.S. District Courthouse, Courtroom 10
    312 NORTH Spring street (at Temple St)
    In downtown LA

San Luis Obispo County dispensing collective operator Charles C. Lynch was raided by the DEA and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs on March 29, 2007 at Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers (CCCC) in Morro Bay, CA. Lynch's dispensing collective stringently followed state, county and city medical cannabis regulations since it opened in April 2006.

The City of Morro Bay was supportive, issued a business license for a "'Medical Marijuana Dispensary" and a Cannabis Nursery Permit after a lengthy conditional use permit process. CCCC operated for nearly a year without incident until the the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff called the DEA to raid the dispensary on March 29, 2007, leaving behind a note for Lynch which read "All Hippies Die". Lynch was not arrested at the time and reopened with the blessing of his landlord and Morro Bay city officials. However, DEA then threatened to seize the property and prosecute Lynch's landlord  if he refused to evict CCCC from his building.  CCCC closed its doors on May 16, 2007.

On July 17, 2007, the DEA and local sheriffs arrested Lynch in his home and locked him up for 4 days in federal detention before his family poseted $400,000 bail. Lynch was indicted for conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and concentrated cannabis, manufacturing (cultivating) more than 100 plants, knowingly maintaining a drug premises, and sales of marijuana to a person under the age of 21. Additionally, criminal forfeiture proceedings have begun on all of Lynch’s assets.

On August 5, 2008, after an emotional trial in which the defense was not allowed to give any evidence whatsoever about medical cannabis, Lynch's business license, or California state law, Lynch was convicted on all counts. Drew Carey’s account of Lynch’s struggle with the federal government on Reason.tv helped the case to recieve national media attention.

For more information and to give money, assistance, and support, visit
www.friendsofccl.com or write to Judge Wu directly to plead for Charlie's freedom. Letters of support helped Tainted operator Mickey Martin receive a relatively light sentence, so we need to show the same support for Charles Lynch.


Marijuana IconSpecial Events


9. Saturday February 21st - Los Angeles: LA-ASA Meeting & Activist Training

WHEN: Saturday, February 21 at 1:00 PM
WHERE: Patient ID Center, 470 S. San Vicente Blvd., LA
Get the skills you need to be effective in the grassroots campaign for safe access in LA


10. Sunday February 22nd - Oakland: East Bay Medical Cannabis Activists Mixer

WHEN: Sunday, February 22nd, 7-10pm
WHERE: At Maxwell's, 341 13th St in Downtown Oakland

Patient Movie Night & Vapor Lounge sponsored by Harborside Health Center
An evening featuring Speakers, ASA Staff, Movie, Music,

Refreshments and Vaporizers! Along with the movie: Waiting to Inhale

$15 at the door. This event is for medical cannabis patients only. It is required to bring a verifiable Recommendation.
Full Bar and house menu also available.

Proceeds of this event are going to be donated to Americans for Safe Access.


11. Wednesday, March 11 - Riverside County AIDS Conference to Include Medical Cannabis Panel

In March, the 5th Annual Riverside County AIDS conference will include a panel on medical cannabis.  It is rare to see a government sponsored AIDS conference host a panel on medical cannabis, as many have been concerned by threats of revoked funding from the federal government  The inclusion of the panel on medical cannabis is an indication that the Riverside Co. Dept. of Public Health recognizes of the importance of cannabis to the health of a significant number of AIDS patients.

The AIDS conference will take place on Wed. March 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Morongo Resort Conference Center in Cabazon

The cost is $35 and includes a continental breakfast, buffet lunch, hand out materials and all speakers and panels.

For more information go to
www.rivcohivaids.org or call Irma Arrona at 951-358-5307.

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