I've been getting my mom all riled up about MMJ support even though she lives in New York. (She would definitely be a patient if she lived in a MMJ state; thankfully none of her problems are life-threatening.) She's already written to Stephanie Landa -- we're mother-daughter tag-teaming her! -- and wants to know whom she should write to regarding current issues, like the four bills going before the California legislature.

Since she is not a constituent, I'm wondering if she should write to people at the federal level, or would her letter be taken seriously as the mother of a California patient? Basically: to whom should she write, and on what specific issue? For example, if she wants to help support the bill protecting MMJ users' jobs, would she write to the representatives of whom I am a constituent, or go right to Schwarzenegger?

Thanks for any suggestions. She's an old-school activist -- has her bruises from the 1968 Democratic Convention -- and she's really become interested in this issue what with everything I've been telling her.

[squatter420]

I tend to think that your mother's efforts are best applied to the Federal issues and local NY ones. CA already has a high number of people, relatively that feel passionately about the MMJ issue and are able advocates. This is not the situation I have encountered in my travels to other regions of this country.

Her Senator, Hillary Clinton, is running for the highest office in the land. We have been asking Senators to sign on to the Kennedy/Kerry sign on letter. This is one way Hillary could safely take a small stand for MMJ patients and their advocates, clarifying her position to a nation that the majority seems to be supportive of MMJ research.

Great information, thank you. I was looking for that sign-on letter you mentioned on the ASA site but couldn't find it. Would you happen to have a link?

[ASA Field]

Squatter - great advice.

The actual sign on letter isn't online because it's something for US Senators to sign on to, not for constituents to sign. However, we've created state specific petitions asking Senators to sign on to this letter. You can find the petitions here: http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org/SenatePetitionMap

You can read background on this issue here: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article...=type&type=317

Also, if your mom wants to get more involved locally, she (or anyone else) should feel free to contact ASA's field coordinator: sonnet@safeaccessnow.org to get plugged in with her local community.

Excellent, I will pass this along to her, thanks!