[ASA Field]

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ASA California Weekly Alert: March 28, 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. California Senate Health Committee Votes to Move SJR 20 Forward
b. Medical CannabisProvider, Michael Martin, Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges
c. Los Angeles Activists and Victims of DEA Raids Rally in Response to
Federal Attacks
d. Patients File Against Mendocino County's Ballot Initiative Measure B

*Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
2. Tuesday, April 1, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting
3. Thursday, April 3, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County ASA Meeting
4. Tuesday, April 8, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
5. Wednesday, April 9, Newport Beach: Orange County ASA Meeting

*City and County Hearings*
6. Wednesday, April 2, Los Angeles: City Council to Vote on Resolution
Supporting SJR 20
7. Friday, April 7, Cotati: Planning Commission to Vote on Zoning Clearance for
Dispensary Permit

*Court Support*
8. Thursday, April 3, Sacramento: Change of Counsel Motion Hearing for David
Davidson
9. Wednesday, April 4, Sacramento: Continuance of Evidentiary Hearing for
Jeffre Sanderson and Alice Wiegand
10. Friday, April 4, Sacramento: Hearing on a Reconsideration for Summary
Judgment for Dr. Phillip Denney

*Special Events*
11. Friday and Saturday, April 4-5, 2008: Patients Out of Time Fifth National
Conference
12. Sunday, April 13, Los Angeles: Medical Marijuana Comedy Show ExtravaGANJA

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Weekly Round Up
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1. a. California Senate Health Committee Votes to Move SJR 20 Forward
b. Medical CannabisProvider, Michael Martin, Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges
c. Los Angeles Activists and Victims of DEA Raids Rally in Response to
Federal Attacks
d. Patients File Against Mendocino County's Ballot Initiative Measure B

a. Senate Health Committee Votes to Move SJR 20 Forward
From ASA's Chief of Staff, Rebecca Saltman

The Senate Health Committee showed their commitment to safe access for patients
this Wednesday by approving the resolution calling on an end to federal
intervention in California and DEA attacks on medical cannabis patients, SJR 20.
The 7-4 vote, split down party lines, is an key victory in putting an end to DEA
raids in California. The Senate Judiciary Committee will be hearing the
resolution next. Their vote will determine whether or not the resolution will
move forward to a vote on the Senate floor and then the Assembly floor. Since
this is a non-binding resolution, it will not need the Governor's signature.
This is a very exciting move forward for medical cannabis patients throughout
the state. If passed on the Senate and Assembly floors, this resolution will
send a resounding statement nationwide saying to the Federal government that
Californians are taking a stand and calling for an end to the attacks! Read
more about the hearing on ASA's blog. <http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=83>

SJR 20 is the Senate Joint Resolution that calls for an end to DEA attacks on
California's medical cannabis patients and providers and further calls on the
President and Congress to enact federal legislation to end the raids. If passed,
this will be the first time in U.S. history that a state legislature has
denounced the DEA's interference in state laws and tactics used against medical
cannabis patients and providers. To read more about SJR 20, visit
www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/SJR20 <http://www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/SJR20>

Thank you to those who testified on Wednesday in support of SJR 20, including:

Lisa Sawoya, Hollywood Compassionate Collective
Yvonne Westbrook-White, patient/advocate (see her video testimonial here:
www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/VideoTestimonial
<http://www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/VideoTestimonial>)
Don Duncan, Americans for Safe Access
Aaron Smith, Marijuana Policy Project
Dale Gieringer, California NORML

There are several important medical cannabis bills and resolutions being heard
by the state Senate and Assembly Committees over the next few weeks. ASA will
continue to update our lists as things move forward. If you are not yet signed
up for ASA's Forums to receive instant alerts, go to
www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/ASAForums

b. Medical CannabisProvider, Michael Martin, Pleads Guilty to Federal
Charges

On Wednesday Tainted Compassionate Medicinals operator, Michael Martin, plead
guilty to a felony count of conspiracy to manufacture a mixture or substance
containing a detectable amount of marijuana. Martin now faces up to five years
in a federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and several years of supervised release.

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 were originally charged with
conspiracy to manufacture or distribute controlled substances and are out on
bail. Two of the defendants have since had their charges reduced to misdemeanors
and Sanders' charge has been reduced as well. Tainted Medicinal Edibles were
available for patients as an alternative to smoking at dispensing collectives
across the state.

The emotional hearing was short and ended with Martin leaving the courtroom and
nearly 50 supporters of Martin, his family, and medical cannabis exiting the
courtroom all at once. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 2, 2008 at
2:30pm.

Read more about the hearing in ASA Chief of Staff, Rebecca Saltzman's, blog
<http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=83>, Vanessa Nelson's Article
<http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/201/1/>, and Michael
Martin's blog on FreeTainted.com
<http://www.freetainted.com/weblog/2008/03/27/with-a-heavy-heart>


c. Los Angeles Activists and Victims of DEA Raids Rally in
Response to Federal Attacks
From ASA's California Campaign Director, Don Duncan

Sixty medical cannabis patients and advocates protested in front of the DEA
offices at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday in response
to last week's DEA raids in the Los Angeles area. The protesters heard first
hand from Virgil Grant, whose collectives and home were raided on Thursday in a
coordinated paramilitary-style operation that involved dozens of DEA agents and
police officers from Los Angeles, Gardena, and Compton.

Before the protest, I joined Virgil Grant, Yami Balonos, Michael Levitt, and
Sarah Armstrong at the Los Angeles City Council meeting where we asked that the
council to move quickly to re-convene the city working group that is working on
regulations for collectives and to oppose the DEA's interference tactics.
Council Member Janice Hahn said she would reconvene the working group.
California.

Next Wednesday, April 2, the council will vote on a resolution endorsing CA
Senator Carole Migden's Senate Joint Resolution 20 calling on the President and
US Congress to end the raids. See below in the City and County Hearings section
for more details.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support Virgil and his family! Watch the Fox
29 coverage of the rally and hearing.
<http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=6133332&version=1&loca le=EN-US>


d. Patients File Against Mendocino County's Ballot Initiative Measure B

Mendocino County Attorney, Edie Lerman, filed a lawsuit on behalf of medical
cannabis patients Paula A. Laguna and George Hanamoto challenging the legality
of ballot initiative Measure B. This Mendocino County initiative calls for a
stricter cultivation limits for medical cannabis patients than the California
state limit and a repeal of the 2000 initiative Measure G, further limiting the
number of plants a medical cannabis patient can have. Measure G decriminalized
personal use of cannabis, with the intent to create safer access for medical
cannabis patients. Measure G also allowed patients to cultivate up to 25 plants
for personal use.

The lawsuit filed on Wednesday states that Measure B cannot be a ballot
initiative because there are two distinct components to the bill: the repeal of
Measure G and limiting the plant limits for medical cannabis patients.
California's state constitution forbids initiatives from containing more than
one subject.

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Chapter and Affiliate Meetings
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2. Tuesday, April 1, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting

There are several medical marijuana activities over the next month. Please come
and find out how you can get involved. We will be discussing current state
campaigns, reaching out to condition-based groups, and many more events on the
horizon.

When: Tuesday the 19th at 7:00pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Ave. Suite H in Sacramento

For more information, contact Lanette: CannaCare@earthlink.net
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3. Thursday, April 3, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County ASA Meeting

Please join Sonoma County ASA as we discuss pressing local, state, and federal
safe access issues.

When: Thursday, April 3, 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 information, contact Sarah@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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4. Tuesday, April 8, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting

Join San Francisco ASA meeting on Tuesday the 8th at Bowzer's Pizza! We will
discuss the latest in medical cannabis politics, laws, science and activism
including the recent raids in Los Angeles and important court cases. Also, we
will be planning for the 6th annual Highway 420 party and other exciting
upcoming events!

Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet other patients fighting for their
rights to safe access!

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, April 9, Newport Beach: Orange County ASA Meeting

Come to the Orange County ASA to help protect access for patients! Safe access
has been under attack in Orange County and we need your help us fight the war on
patients. Please come out and show your support at our monthly meeting!

When: 7:00pm
Where: Law Offices of WENTWORTH, PAOLI & PURDY, LLP
4631 Teller Avenue, Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92660

For more information contact: OCLawyer@aol.com.

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City and County Hearings
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6. Wednesday, April 2, Los Angeles: City Council to Vote on Resolution
Supporting SJR 20

Please join medical cannabis patients and advocates at the Los Angeles City
Council Meeting on Wednesday, April 2. The Council will vote on a resolution
introduced by Council Member Dennis Zine supporting CA Senator Carole Migden's
Senate Joint Resolution 20 (SJR 20), which calls on the President and US
Congress to stop raiding medical cannabis facilities. The LA City Council is
standing up for patients' access in the wake of six simultaneous raids at
facilities last week. This is an important part of a growing statewide trend to
oppose federal intimidation and interference.

What: LA City Council vote to support SJR 20
When: 10 AM * Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Where: Room 340, 200 N. Spring St., downtown LA

Map & Public Transit Info: http://www.ASAaction.org

Visit http://www.AmericansForsafeAccess.org/sjr20 for more information about
Senator Migden's resolution.

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7. Friday, April 7, Cotati: Planning Commission to Vote on Zoning Clearance
for Dispensary Permit

On Monday April 7th the Cotati Planning Commission is having a hearing for
zoning clearance for a dispensary permit application. Cotati is in the final
stages of approving the new facility.

Who: All patients, caregivers, supporters, and Cotati Residences
What: Hearing for zoning clearance of new medical cannabis dispensary
When: Monday April 7th, 7pm
Where: Cotati City Hall 201 West Sierra Avenue
Cotati, California

For more information contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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Court Support
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Thank you to Vanessa Nelson for helping ASA stay on top of upcoming court dates!
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8. Thursday, April 3, Sacramento: Change of Counsel Motion Hearing for David
Davidson

Medical marijuana patients David Davidson & Cynthia Blake were raided in 2003 by
Tehama County Sheriffs and were arrested on federal charges in January 2004.
Blake took a plea deal in 2007 in which she received an 18-month sentence in
exchange for cooperation. Davidson is now facing manufacturing and conspiracy to
manufacture more than 1,000 plants and is currently incarcerated in Sacramento,
with Tony Serra as his representation.

When: April 3rd at 9am
Where: Before Judge Morrison England, Jr
U.S. District Court (E.D., CA)
<http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?BFCat=&Pyt=Tmap&newFL=Use+Address+Below&ad dr=501+I+Street%2C+&csz=sacramento%2C+ca&country=u s&Get%A0Map=Get+Map>,

Courtroom 3, 15th Floor at 501 "I" Street in Sacramento

For more information, contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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9. Wednesday, April 4, Sacramento: Continuance of Evidentiary Hearing for
Jeffre Sanderson and Alice Wiegand

On August 14, 2006, a local-federal task force arrested Plumas County patients
Jeff Sanderson (who also served as a caregiver for nine other patients and did
not accept any "reasonable compensation") & Alice Wiegand in a raid for
allegedly growing more than 260 plants. Though they were released from Plumas
County jail within several days, on September 5, 2006, Sanderson was rearrested
by federal agents and is being prosecuted on federal charges of *manufacturing
and conspiracy to manufacture more than 100 marijuana plants. Authorities
confiscated all of the plants and medicine, and have initiated asset forfeiture
proceedings on their home and family farm. Sanderson is currently being detained
in Sacramento County Main Jail awaiting sentencing and both he and Wiegand have
agreed to accept plea bargains. Sadly, Plumas County CPS has removed both of
their young children and placed them with Sanderson's mother, and the parents
must now submit to a long case-plan process in the hopes of someday regaining
physical custody. Additionally, as a part of the plea bargain, Sanderson and
Wiegand's house will be seized as a result of asset forfeiture.

At the Sentencing hearing, it is likely that the U.S. Attorney will request a
sentence of 24-36 months for Sanderson, although hopefully, Judge Damrell will
impose lesser sanctions, as Sanderson and Wiegand pled guilty to charges
involving less than a hundred plants, so no mandatory minimum sentence applies.
Please join us in supporting Sanderson & Wiegand in court, to demonstrate to
Judge Damrell that they are part of our community. For more information on this
tragic story, please see Vanessa Nelson's piece
<http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/180/59/>.

When: Wednesday, April 2nd at 9:00pm
Where: Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. in U.S. District Court (E.D., CA)
<http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?BFCat=&Pyt=Tmap&newFL=Use+Address+Below&ad dr=501+I+Street%2C+&csz=sacramento%2C+ca&country=u s&Get%A0Map=Get+Map>,
15th Floor at 501 "I" Street in Sacramento.

For more information contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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10. Friday, April 4, Sacramento: Hearing on a Reconsideration for Summary
Judgment for Dr. Phillip Denney

In February 2006, Dr. Denney, a physician in practice for over 30 years,
received documents which revealed that an undercover agent of the Bureau of
Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) visited his Redding, CA office and obtained a
recommendation using false information and under false pretenses. The government
was allegedly investigating a local dispensary that was subsequently shut down.
In November 2006, Dr. Denney filed a lawsuit in federal court naming the ATF,
DEA, and various local law enforcement agencies, which alleges that his
constitutional rights have been violated, and that the actions of law
enforcement have had a chilling effect on his relationships patients. The
lawsuit seeks to enjoin (prevent) law enforcement not only from investigating
Dr. Denney, but also from using him in an investigation.

When: April 4th at 2pm
Where: Before Judge Karlton
U.S. District Court (E.D., CA)
<http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?BFCat=&Pyt=Tmap&newFL=Use+Address+Below&ad dr=501+I+Street%2C+&csz=sacramento%2C+ca&country=u s&Get%A0Map=Get+Map>,

Courtroom 3, 15th Floor at 501 "I" Street in Sacramento

For more information, contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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Special Events
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11. Friday and Saturday, 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>!

For more information and to register visit www.MedicalCannabis.com/registration
<http://www.medicalcannabis.com/>

The Patient Out of Time Conference will feature patients, activists, doctors,
and researchers gathering to discuss the latest research on medical marijuana.
This important conference only happens once every other year, so if you are a
patient, doctor, researcher, and/or supporter, we strongly encourage you to look
into attending the conference, which will be held at Asilomar Conference Center
in Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula.

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12. Sunday, April 13, Los Angeles: Medical Marijuana Comedy Show ExtravaGANJA *

Medical Marijuana Comedy Show ExtravaGANJA !!
GreenTherapy's aim is to raise awareness of the benefits of medical marijuana
and to help bring patients some relief by giving them a laugh or two through
comedy show ExtravaGANJA's. Sunday, April 13, 2008.

This show will feature the comedic talents of:
Freddy Lockhart, Ngaio, Darwin Hines, Tere Joyce, Tasty Jeff (Jeff Richards of
SNL fame) and more! There is also rumor of an appearance by Russell Peters
himself. Check these comics out at www.Myspace.com/<name of comedian>

Special guests include Jack Herer, author of 'The Emperor Wears No Clothes' and
Richard Eastman. They will be talking about the Hemp and Health Initiative and
L.A. County Medical Marijuana Exposition & Patients' Festival. Be sure to stop
by the ASA table at the event and sign the /Support Research /petition and pick
up our latest literature!

When: April 13, 2008. Show time is 8:30 pm. Doors open at 8:00 pm.
Where: Main Room at the world famous Comedy Store in Hollywood
8433 Sunset Blvd., 90069
Other Info: This is a 21+ event with a 2 drink minimum.
Tickets are only $20 w/ a $5 discount for members of compassion clubs, MPP.org &
AmericansforSafeAccess.org.

For more information, check out HowardDover.com