[ASA Field]

Weekly Roundup

1) Election Results, ASA Wins Award, No Ho Council Endorses Dispensary Regs & Lawndale Rejects Regs

ASA Chapter Meetings

2) Tuesday, November 14th, San Diego: SD ASA Meeting
3) Tuesday, November 14th, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting
4) Thursday, November 16th, Guerneville: Sonoma ASA Meeting
5) Thursday, November 16th, Fullerton: Orange County ASA Meeting
6) Saturday, November 18th, Los Angeles: LA ASA Meeting

City & County Hearings

7) Monday, November 20th, San Pablo: City Council to Hold Final Vote on Dispensary Ban
8) Monday, November 20th, Pomona: City Council to Hold Hearing on Exemption for Dispensary from Moratorium
9) Friday, November 24th, Palos Verdes: City Council to Vote on Dispensary Ordinance

Court Support

10) Tues-Wed, November 14th-15th, Fresno: Trial of Dustin Costa - First Federal MMJ Trial in Three Years!
11) Thursday, November 16th, San Diego: Hearing on Motion for Judgment in San Diego Lawsuit Against California
12) Monday, November 20th, Sacramento: Court Support for Mollie Fry & Dale Schafer
13) Wednesday, November 22nd, Indio: Court Support for Garry Silva

Special Events

14) Wednesday, November 15th, San Francisco: Upward & Onward: 10 Years of Visionary Reform in California,
a reception benefiting the Drug Policy Alliance

Weekly Roundup

1) Election Results, ASA Wins Award, No Ho Council Endorses Dispensary Regs & Lawndale Rejects Regs

Election Results for Medical Marijuana

Earlier this year, the Albany City Council grappled with how best to address the issue of safe access to medical marijuana for their constituents. After four months of debating, the city council was faced with 2 options: ban or regulate dispensaries in Albany. The staff received several pieces of key information, including Medical Cannabis In Our Community
and the Los Angeles County Dispensary Ordinance. The City Council then decided to put the issue before the voters on this November's ballot as local Measure D, an advisory measure on an ordinance that would permit the establishment of a single medical marijuana dispensary in the city. East Bay ASA organized supporters to sign on to the ballot argument, and the initiative faced no opposition. To the mass jubilation of patients in Albany, California, the ballot measure won with almost 53% approval.

However, in South Dakota, a voter initiative lost by a slim margin, perhaps due to the fear of easier access and "sending the wrong message" to kids that law enforcement instilled in the public during the weeks and months before November 7th. In an unrelated incident, two high school students showed up at school wearing t-shirts supporting the passage of the measure. The green t-shirts featured an image of a marijuana leaf and the message "Vote Yes on Initiated Measure 4." If passed, the measure would have allowed for each patient to posses and cultivate up to six plants. With 96 percent of precincts reporting, 53 percent of voters shot down the ballot measure, with 47 percent showing their support.

For documentation leading to Albany ballot measure, please see Albany Medical Marijuana Dispensary Issues.


ASA Wins Award at Conference

On Wednesday, ASA took home a third-place award for “Best New Exhibitor Booth” from the American Public Health Association (APHA). ASA was among more than 100 new exhibitors at the American Public Health Association’s 134th Annual Meeting and Exposition, which concluded yesterday. The third-place award was the result of an anonymous vote by a special committee of the more than 800 attending exhibitors. Lynn Schoen, the APHA conference coordinator, came by the ASA exhibit to explain that the committee had noted the content, presentation and overall look and feel of the booth in conferring the award. The APHA, an organization with more than 50,000 members, has been on record as supporting legal access to cannabis for research and medical use since 1995. Their resolution “urges the Administration and Congress to move expeditiously to make cannabis available as a legal medicine where shown to be safe and effective and to immediately allow access to therapeutic cannabis through the Investigational New Drug Program.”


The APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition is the oldest and largest gathering of public health professionals in the world, attracting more than 13,000 national and international physicians, administrators, nurses, educators, researchers, epidemiologists, and related health specialists. APHA’s meeting program addresses current and emerging health science, policy, and practice issues in an effort to prevent disease and promote health.



North Hollywood Council Votes to Endorse Dispensary Regulations

Last night, the North Hollywood North East Neighborhood Council, part of the Citywide Alliance of Neighborhood Councils, overwhelmingly voted to direct the City to regulate MMJ dispensaries within the neighborhood council area. Patient Advocat Norman A. Norman reported a warm, informal atmosphere and a sympathetic response for his ailments and well-reasoned justification for "safe and sane regulations." President Randall Luse led the council in support of regulations, while Council Secretary J. Eric Freedner, a vocal opponent of medical marijuana, tried to sneak in a ban which was quickly outvoted. Mr. Freedner was the lone dissenting voice in a nearly unanimous decision to support dispensary regulations. A big thanks to Norman for advocating for safe access!


Say Thank You to Council President Randall Luse! RLUSE@RYNN.NET

Sample Email:

Dear Mr. Luse,

As a patient who needs safe access to medical cannabis, I thank and applaud your support at the recent North Hollywood North East Neighborhood Council for patients like myself in Los Angeles. As we approach regulations of medical cannabis dispensaries, it is imperative that we continue an open dialogue between the patient community and neighborhood groups in order to formulate safe and sane guidelines.

Thank you for your time,


Say "No Thank You" to Council Secretary! FREEDNER@MSN.COM

Sample Email:

Dear Mr. Freedner,

I appreciate your opinions on medical cannabis, as they are more than likely a result of concern for your community. As a responsible medical cannabis patient, I feel very differently on the subject. Not only is this a safe and effective medicine, but it helps me lead a normal, productive life. Please see what the fuss is all about. Visit www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org and see why hundreds of thousands of patients are fighting for safe access.

Respecfuly yours,


Lawndale Votes Down Regulations and Looks To Ban

In spite of the hard work of local activists, the Lawndale City Council voted unanimously on Monday to reject the proposed ordinance regulating medical cannabis dispensaries, acting against the direction of the city staff and the Planning Commission. Two local patients and activists, Bob and Trudy Burhill, had done everything they could to bring the needs of the medical cannabis community in line with the views of the city government. Unfortunately, the city council decided to refute the recommendations of patients, its staff, and its own Planning Commission. We will keep you posted on upcoming hearings.

For the article "Lawndale to initiate ban of marijuana dispensaries", click here.

ASA Chapter Meetings

2) Tuesday, November 14th, San Diego: SD ASA Meeting

Our San Diego chapter of ASA has been busy lately and needs you to get involved. It is time to get involved and protect
safe access!

For more info about the chapter, please visit their site: http://sdasa.4mg.com/index.html

Twiggs Coffee House
4590 Park Blvd.
In the Green Room
7:00-8:00 p.m.

Call (619) 723-6572 for more info.


3) Tuesday, November 14th, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting

California Marijuana Party "Activist Resource Center"

7:00pm
223a 9th St. @ Howard
San Francisco, CA. 94103

Come show your support at this critical time in medical cannabis history.

Tony Bowles
ASA-SF Chapter Contact: 415-283-7404


4) Thursday, November 16th, Guerneville: Sonoma ASA Meeting

When: Thursday at 7:30pm
Where: Marvin’s Gardens 15025 River Road (towards Guerneville)

Come check out Sonoma’s chapter of American’s for Safe Access. We’ve got a lot to go over this month, dispensary
regulations and plant guidelines are being discussed county wide. Patients, supporters, caregivers and friends are
welcome to come share their opinions on what should happen locally. More info 707-332-6556


5) Thursday, November 16th, Fullerton: Orange County ASA Meeting

Please come to discuss local law enforcement problems and campaigns to address this and other issues!

7:00 p.m. @ 1520 W Commonwealth Ave, in Fullerton
For more info, please call ****: (949) 246-9395 or email adamwithasa@gmail.com


6) Saturday, November 18th, Los Angeles: LA ASA Meeting

1pm - 3pm @ California Patients Group
6208 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90038

For more info, please call LA ASA: (323) 464-7719

City & County Hearings

7) Monday, November 20th, San Pablo: City Council to Hold Final Vote on Dispensary Ban

WHEN: 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: 13831 San Pablo Avenue.
WHY: Since May of 2005, San Pablo City Council has had public hearings to enact and extend a moratorium on medical cannabis dispensaries. Because of lack of public interest, the moratoria have passed without objection. On November 20th, the medical marijuana community has one last chance of voicing disapproval of a permanent ban. Please come support safe access in your community!

For the article "San Pablo votes to ban cannabis clubs," click here.

Please download ASA talking points on dispensary regulations, moratoriums & bans.


8) Monday, November 20th, Pomona: City Council to Hold Hearing on Exemption for Dispensary from Moratorium

WHEN: 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: City Council Chambers located between City Hall and the Library at 505 South Garey Ave
WHY: Farm Assist Caregivers, a dispensary in Pomona, has asked the city to be exempted from its dispensary moratorium. Please attend the city council hearing and stress the important of safe and local access!

Please download ASA talking points on dispensary regulations, moratoriums & bans.


9) Friday, November 24th, Palos Verdes: City Council to Vote on Dispensary Ordinance

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Council Chambers located in the City Hall complex at 340 Palos Verdes Drive West
WHY: The ordinance is aimed at the Palos Verdes Collective, which has operated virtually unnoticed since April out of a tiny second-floor office in a Lunada Bay strip mall. Please attend to support safe access!

Please download ASA talking points on dispensary regulations, moratoriums & bans.

Court Support

10) Tues-Wed, November 14th-15th, Fresno: Trial of Dustin Costa - First Federal MMJ Trial in Three Years!

Medical marijuana patient and caregiver Dustin Costa (a.k.a. "DC Greenhouse"), 58, who is president of the Merced Patients Group, was being prosecuted on state charges stemming from a March 2004 cultivation arrest by Merced County Sheriffs, when the state decided to turn his case over to the U.S. Attorney for federal prosecution. After being re-arrested by federal agents on August 10, 2005, Costa is facing federal charges of cultivation, possession with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm. Costa is currently incarcerated in Fresno while he awaits trial.

DC's trial was scheduled to begin this week, on Wednesday, November 8th, but Costa was brought into the courtroom for jury selection in leg shackles. Federal case law has ruled that bringing a prisoner before a jury in shackles unduly influences that jury. Therefore, Costa's attorney objected and moved for mistrial. The judge granted the mistrial, and rescheduled jury selection for Tuesday, November 14 at 9am. It is likely that opening arguments will happen that afternoon.

Please come show your support at the first federal medical marijuana trial in three years!

WHO: Medical cannabis patient and caregiver Dustin Costa

WHAT: First federal medical marijuana trial since Ed Rosenthal in 2003

WHEN: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 9:00 am for jury selection. The trial will continue on November 15.

WHERE: Courtroom of Judge Anthony W. Ishii, U.S. District Court, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, California


11) Thursday, November 16th, San Diego: Hearing on Motion for Judgment in San Diego Lawsuit Against California

Come out and show support for patients and California's medical marijuana law!
Attend November 16 milestone hearing in the San Diego County lawsuit against the State of California!

In 2003, the state legislature passed SB 420, which among other things established a statewide voluntary ID card program to better protect patients' rights. San Diego County refused to implement the ID card program and instead sued the state, claiming that federal law preempted the state's medical marijuana law. Americans for Safe Access, the ACLU Drug Law Reform Project, and Drug Policy Alliance intervened in the lawsuit with five patients, a doctor, and Santa Cruz patient collective WAMM. Finally, after months, patients have the opportunity to attend the final hearing scheduled for November 16!

What: Hearing on the motion for judgment on the pleadings in the San Diego lawsuit against the State of California
When: Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 1:30pm
Where: San Diego Superior Court, 220 West Broadway, San Diego
Why: It's important for the judge and the San Diego courts to know that the patient population is watching and will not go away!

Note: A separate hearing will occur before November 16 to determine whether TV cameras will be allowed in the courtroom and if the hearing needs to move to a larger courtroom due to the high turnout expected.

For more information on the San Diego lawsuit and the medical marijuana community's involvement, see ASA's brief bank.


12) Monday, November 20th, Sacramento: Court Support for Mollie Fry & Dale Schafer

(Thanks to Vanessa Nelson for this update.)

El Dorado County Medical marijuana physician Mollie Fry and her husband, attorney Dale Schafer, were arrested as a result of a September 28, 2001 raid on their clinic in Cool, California, in which patient records were seized. After the Raich decision, on June 22, 2005, Fry and Schafer were indicted for marijuana found on the premises during the raid. Fry is also facing a separate action by the DEA to revoke her license to practice medicine.

This hearing will address the findings regarding the evidentiary hearing held last month, at which the prosecution pushed forward on a motion to disqualify Fry and Schafer's attorneys. Please show your support!

10am in front of Judge Damrell
15th floor of the federal court building
501 I Street, Sacramento


13) Wednesday, November 22nd, Indio: Court Support for Garry Silva

(Thanks to Ryan Michaels for much of this info.)

On March 14, the DEA broke down the door of a small private patient collective in Sky Valley, CA. Patient Garry Silva sustained a broken collar bone and lacerations to his face when DEA agents busted down his door seeking Silva's 70 plants. Silva was not arrested or charged with any crime, but was warned by agents that he would be arrested if he continues to grow his medicine. On October 24th, Silva was informed a warrant had been issued for his arrest for a combination of charges in relation to the medical marijuana raid on his home from March 14th, 2006.

Please come show your support for Garry Silva and safe access!

7:30 a.m.
Indio Superior Court
46-200 Oasis
Indio, CA 92201

Special Events

14) Wednesday, November 15th, San Francisco: Upward & Onward: 10 Years of Visionary Reform in California,
a reception benefiting the Drug Policy Alliance

WHERE: The City Club of San Francisco, 155 Sansome Street, 10th Floor,San Francisco, CA 94104
WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
WHY: It's now ten years since California voters approved Proposition 215 to legalize marijuana as medicine. More than one hundred thousand people are now legal patients and almost a dozen states have followed suit. It's now five years since Proposition 36 --requiring treatment instead of incarceration --entered into force in California. More than one
hundred thousand people have obtained treatment instead of a jail cell, and taxpayers have saved hundreds of millions of dollars. This law now rates as the most significant sentencing reform since the repeal of alcohol Prohibition.DPA played a pivotal role in both these victories, which put drug policy reform on the map of big league politics in the United States.

How: Register online:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/c...=9110&l=131896

[onelazysurfah]

ASA should really think about working with some online forum or rather chatroom for patients who dont have time gas or mobility to get to the meetings, but are still interesetd in outcome..

[ASA Field]

Originally Posted by onelazysurfah

ASA should really think about working with some online forum or rather chatroom for patients who dont have time gas or mobility to get to the meetings, but are still interesetd in outcome..

This is a great idea and something we've talked about before, but never implemented. There are two sides of the coin here because a lot of patients don't have easy internet access, and if they do, it's often not fast internet so chat would be agonizing. So we need to find a balance.

I think ASA regional chats would be a great idea though and I'll bring it up again with our tech staff... let us know if you have other ideas for making meetings or communication more productive.