[ASA Field]

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ASA California Weekly Alert: February 22, 2008
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*Make Sure We Stay On Top of It:* If you wish to have a medical
cannabis event, meeting, federal trial, and/or city or county hearing
listed in the ASA CA Weekly Alert, please send information to
Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org no later than Thursdays by 3:00pm.
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*Weekly Round Up*
1. a. Assemblyman Leno and ASA Introduce Patients' Employment Rights Bill
b. Medical Marijuana Awareness Week, For Patients By Patients
c. Fullerton City Council Vote Leaves Safe Access Up in the Air

*ASA's Legal Tip of the Month*
2. Employment Rights and Medical Marijuana: Post-Ross v. Raging Wire-
Part 1 of 2: Currently Employed Patients*

*Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
3. **Monday, February 25, Fresno: Special Planning Meeting for Fresno
ASA**
4. Tuesday, February 26, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
5. Wednesday, February 27, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
6. Tuesday, March 4, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting
7. Thursday, March 6, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County ASA

*City and County Hearings*
8. Tuesday, February 26, Santa Clarita: City Council to Vote on
Dispensary Ban
9. Tuesday, February 26, Martinez: Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors to Vote on Dispensary Ban

*Court Support *
10. Tuesday, February 26, Oakland: General Appearance for Tainted Inc.
Employees

*Special Events*
10. Saturday, February 23, Sacramento: Sacramento Medical Marijuana
Patients Art Show
11. Save the Date: April 4-5, 2008: Patients Out of Time Fifth National
Conference
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Weekly Round Up
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1. a. Assemblyman Leno and ASA Introduce Patients' Employment Rights Bill
b. Medical Marijuana Awareness Week, For Patients By Patients
c. Fullerton City Council Vote Leaves Safe Access Up in the Air

a. Assemblyman Leno and ASA Introduce Patients' Employment Rights Bill

This week, Assemblyman Mark Leno, working with ASA, introduced AB 2279,
a bill that would protect a patient's right to work and will help end
discrimination against patients in the workplace. The employment rights
bill, which is being co-authored by Assemblymembers Patty Berg
(D-Eureka), Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) and Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego), is
in response to a January decision by the California Supreme Court in
/Ross v. RagingWire/. ASA argued the case before the court and is now a
sponsor of the bill.

AB 2279 marks a historic milestone for the medical cannabis community.
This is the first bill that ASA has co-sponsored and the first
California bill that specifically focuses on expanding the civil rights
of medical cannabis patients. If passed, this bill will end employment
discrimination against patients. We are very excited to work with
Assemblyman Leno's office on passing this bill and will keep you updated
on how you can help to ensure a patient's right to work.
For more information, contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org.

Read ASA's press release <http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=5466>/
/and the Oakland Tribune article about the bill introduction
<http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_8326712>.

b. Medical Marijuana Awareness Week, For Patients By Patients

Last week the medical cannabis community celebrated Medical Marijuana
Awareness Week 2008. Thousands of patients, activists, and supporters
participated in ASA's daily actions, generating letters to the editors,
joining ASA as members, and meeting with elected officials. Locally,
the week started out with Sunday's Medical Cannabis University,
sponsored by San Francisco ASA. Twenty patient-students graduated from
the Medical Cannabis University. On Tuesday, San Francisco ASA sponsored
a free legal training at which over 30 patients learned their
constitutional rights and developed skills on how to deal with a raid
situation. Meanwhile, in Arcata, Humboldt County ASA honored several
medical cannabis supporters, including Rep. Mike Thompson, for their
leadership around medical cannabis issues.

San Francisco ASA sponsored the 5th Annual ASA SF Valentine's Day Spread
the Love Seed Planting to deliver a special Valentine to mayor Gavin
Newsom asking him to write letters to both Governor Schwarzenegger
urging him to publicly support medical cannabis and Congressman John
Conyers encouraging him to hold investigative hearings. The Valentine
also stated that if patients lost safe access to medical cannabis
because of his inaction, we will ask him to personally grow the medicine
for us. Over 50 patients participated in the event and 20 plants were
given to Mayor Newsom.

On Friday, East Bay ASA hosted a testimonial video filming walk-in day
with dozens of patients participants. LA ASA celebrated Medical
Marijuana Awareness Week at their monthly meeting by hosting ASA's
Medical Advisory Boardmember, Jahan Marcu, to speak.The week also
featured two separate film screenings, first on Wednesday, at Oaksterdam
University with a Sneak Preview of an unreleased medical marijuana film
and on Saturday, with a free film festival featuring several medical
cannabis documentaries. The week came to a close on Sunday with SF ASA's
5th Annual 215 Party, which featured live music, raffles, and live djs.
Over 100 advocates and patients turned out for the event.

Thank you to everyone who helped organize the events and actions. It is
volunteers and supporters like you that made Medical Marijuana Week 2008
a success!

c. Fullerton City Council Vote Leaves Safe Access Up in the Air

After originally voting 3 to 2 against a ban on dispensaries several
weeks ago, the Fullerton City Council met on Wednesday and voted against
banning dispensaries, and at the same time voted against developing
dispensary regulations, leaving the situation up in the air. The police
department made a presentation against collectives. Orange County ASA
members and other advocates attended the hearing and spoke in support of
safe access in Fullerton.
What is next in Fullerton remains to be seen. Patients and activists are
preparing materials to follow up with the council and will decide how to
move forward after meeting with the local representatives. Local
patients will be crucial in this effort, so please keep you eyes on
ASA's forums <http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/ASAForums> and the
upcoming Weekly Alerts for updates.

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ASA's Legal Tip of the Month
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2. **Employment Rights and Medical Marijuana: Post-/Ross v. Raging
Wire/- Part 1 of 2: Currently Employed Patients*

In the disappointing January decision, /Ross v.RagingWire/, the
California Supreme Court determined that medical marijuana patients
cannot state legal claims for damages under the Fair Employment and
Housing Act or on public policy grounds for retaliation from employers
for testing positive for marijuana. Unfortunately, employment
discrimination against medical marijuana patients remains a widespread
problem. What does this mean for you?

If you are a patient who is in a non-safety-sensitive position, and your
employer has no probable cause to administer a drug test (such as your
involvement in an accident or injury), and you have not previously
agreed to drug testing as a condition of your employment, then you may
refuse to take a drug test when asked by your employer. If you are
retaliated against for doing so, you may have a legal cause of action.

If your employer retaliates against you for being a medical marijuana
patient, you can still file a complaint with the Department of Fair
Employment and Housing, but know that it is a mostly symbolic statement,
as it is almost certain no action will be taken under current law.

The ray of hope for patients is that ASA is working with California
Assemblyman Mark Leno to pass legislation that codifies employment
protections for medical marijuana patients into law.

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Chapter and Affiliate Meetings
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3. Monday, February 25, Fresno: Special Planning Meeting for Fresno ASA

Please join Fresno ASA at a special planning meeting on Monday, the 25th
at 6:00pm. We will be preparing for the upcoming Board of Supervisors'
meeting the following day. It is very important that medical cannabis
supporters attend this meeting.
When: Monday, the 25th at 6:00pm
Where: Fig Garden Memorial Library
Corner of Marks and Bullard in the Shopping Center

For more information contact Diana at: fresnocagal@sbcglobal.net

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4. Tuesday, February 26, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting

Please join San Francisco ASA as we reflect on Medical Marijuana
Awareness Week and prepare for upcoming events.

*When: Tuesday, Feb. 26th at 7:30pm
Where: Bowzer's Pizza, 371 11th St in San Francisco

For more info, contact Alex: aaafranco@yahoo.com

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5. Wednesday, February 27, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting

We have rescheduled our Civil Disobedience Training for this month's
East Bay ASA meeting. This training will be an important follow up to
the DEA emergency response meetings we've held over the past several
months. Even if you are not willing to risk arrest during an emergency
response action, you should still attend this training, as we will be
covering support roles that are just as vital to an action. Since this
is a training session we will be starting the meeting promptly at
7:00pm. If you wish to socialize on your arrival we suggest that you
come 15 minutes early.

Please join us to prepare to stand up against DEA attacks!
When: Wednesday the 27th at 7:00pm Where: 1322 Webster St. Suite 402 (2
blocks from 12th St. BART station)
Oakland, CA

For more information contact Rebecca@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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6. Tuesday, March 4, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting

Please join Sacramento ASA as we continue to fight for safe access! At
our meeting, we will be discussing upcoming campaigns, reaching out to
condition-based groups, upcoming events in Sacramento, and much more!

When: Tuesday the 4th at 7:00pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Ave. Suite H in Sacramento

For more information, contact Lanette at: cannacare@earthlink.net

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7. Thursday, March 6, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County ASA

Please join us at our monthly Sonoma County ASA meeting. We will be
discussing local, state, and national campaigns that will have an impact
on patients' access to medicine.

Please come out and support safe access in our community!

When: Thursday, the 6th, 5:00-7:00pm
Where: South City View Room
Department of Public Health
625 5th St., Santa Rosa, CA (Between Humboldt and Mendocino)

For more info, contact: asasonomaco@aol.com

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City and County Hearings
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8. Tuesday, February 26, Santa Clarita: City Council to Discuss a
Dispensary Ban

The Santa Clarita City Council will hold a public hearing to discuss a
potential dispensary ban on Tuesday the 26th at 6:00pm. The
recommendation by the council is that there should be a vote to ban
dispensaries within the city limits. Please come out and show your
support for safe access in Santa Clarita!

Download ASA's talking points about dispensary regulations.
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2717>

When: Tuesday, the 26th at 6:00pm
Where: Santa Clarita City Council Chambers
23920 Valencia Blvd. 1 st Floor
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Click here
<http://www.santa-clarita.com/cityhall/agendas/council/web_agenda_face.asp?Meeting_ID=4578>
to read the agenda for the meeting.

For more information contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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9. Tuesday, February 26, Martinez: Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors to Vote on Dispensary Ban

Contra Costa Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to discuss
a ban on medical cannabis dispensaries. Please come out and show your
support for safe access.

Download ASA's talking points about dispensary regulations.
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2717>

When: Tuesday, the 26th at 11:00am
Where: County Administration Building
651 Pine Street, Room 107
Martinez, CA

For more information contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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Court Support
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10. Tuesday, February 26, Oakland: General Appearance for Tainted Inc.
Employees *

Please come out and show your support for the four former Tainted Inc.
employees. 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), Michael Anderson (42),
and Diallo McLinn (35). After a press conference on October 4, Michael
Martin (33), who had been on vacation during the raid, voluntarily
turned himself in. All four are charged with conspiracy to manufacture
or distribute controlled substances and are out on bail. Tainted Edibles
were available for patients as an alternative to smoking at dispensing
collectives across the state.

What: General appearance before Federal Magistrate Wayne B. Brazil
When: February 26 at 10:00am
Where: Oakland Federal Building 1301 Clay St. Oakland, CA

For more information visit www.FreeTainted.com

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Special Events
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11. Saturday, February 23, Sacramento: Sacramento Medical Marijuana
Patients Art Show

Come and enjoy art, music, wine, and Hors D'oeuvres while celebrating
safe access!

Where: The Brick House 2837 36th Street (Corner of Broadway & 36th)
When: 7:00pm
For more information contact: 916-325-9000

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***12. Save the Date: April 4-5, 2008: Patients Out of Time Fifth
National Conference

Question: Have you registered for the Patients Out of Time national
conference yet? If not, please register today
<http://www.MedicalCannabis.com/registration>!
Save the date for the Fifth National Patients Out of Time conference for
April 4th and 5th. For more information and to register visit
www.MedicalCannabis.com/registration <http://www.MedicalCannabis.com>