WeedTRACKER

Originally Posted by ASA

June 26, 2006

Medical Marijuana Vote this Week: Call Congress TODAY!

On Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, Congress will vote on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Medical Marijuana Amendment, which would end DEA raids in California and 10 other medical marijuana states. The DEA continues to raid patient collectives in California. In fact, in just this past month alone, DEA conducted two more raids on licensed patients and providers. If you have not called your Congressional Representative yet, now is the time to take action. Whether your representative voted in favor or against the amendment last year, call NOW to make your voice heard!

On May 31, 2006, the DEA raided the home of medical marijuana patient Mike Ragin, who was a member of a five-person private patient collective in San Diego County. After the DEA broke down the door to his home, Mike was arrested, thrown in jail for 8 days, then released on $25,000 bail. Federal agents confiscated approximately 50 mature plants (30 still growing and 20 already harvested), and approximately 120 seedlings.

Two weeks later, on June 16, 2006, a Stanislaus County Narcotics Task Force, including local and federal agents, raided The Healthy Choice, a medical marijuana dispensary near Modesto. Michael and Shannon O'Leary, two of the operators of The Health Choice, were arrested on charges of possession of marijuana for sale and criminal conspiracy. The Healthy Choice dispensary reopened a few days later despite the likelihood of prosecution.

Help ASA stop future DEA raids like these! Call your Congressional Representative NOW!
Why You Need to Take Action:

Congress will soon debate the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Medical Marijuana Amendment to the Justice Appropriations bill. The Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment prohibits the U.S. Department of Justice -- including the Drug Enforcement Administration -- from using any appropriated funds to interfere with the implementation of medical cannabis laws in the 11 states that have approved such use.
How to Take Action:

Call Your Congressional Representative TODAY.

Members of Congress' offices can be reached through the U.S Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or through the online congressional directory at http://clerk.house.gov/members/index.html
Script Text Option 1: Formal

Hello, my name is ______________. I am a constituent of Representative ___________________.

I am calling today to urge Representative ________________ to vote in favor of the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment to the Justice Appropriations Bill.

It is important to remember that this amendment does not legalize medical marijuana. It simply prevents the Department of Justice from using funds to prevent 10 states from implementing State laws authorizing the use of medical marijuana in those states.

Script Text Option 2: Emotional

Hello, my name is ______________. I am a constituent of Representative ___________________.

I am calling today to urge Representative ________________ to vote in favor of the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment to the Justice Appropriations Bill.

As noted by the majority of US Supreme Court decision in Gonzales v. Raich, just because the federal government has the power to arrest patients, doesn't mean its wise to do so. Demonstrate compassion and a respect for a culture of life. Vote to protect patients' right to live and die with dignity.