[ASA Field]

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ASA California Weekly Alert: April 11, 2008

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*Weekly Round Up
*1. a. ASA-Sponsored Patient Employment Bill Clears First Hurdle While Sales
Tax Bill is Stalled
b. Police Return Medicine to Huntington Beach Patient
c. Patients Prevent Del Norte Board of Supervisors from Cutting Access
d. ASA Participates in 5th Bi-Annual Patients Out of Time Conference
*
Take Action
***2. Deadline to Petition Your Senators Is April 23rd: Petition Your Community
Today!

*Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
3. Saturday, the 12, Willits: Mendocino County ASA Meeting
4. Monday, April 14, Fresno: Fresno ASA Meeting
5. Tuesday, April 15, Sacramento: ASA Affiliate Compassionate Coalition Meeting
6. Thursday, April 17, Arcata: Humboldt County ASA Meeting
7. Saturday, April 19, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Meeting
8. Tuesday, April 22, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
9. Wednesday, April 23, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
***
Court Support***
10. Monday, April 14, Sacramento: Third Day of Evidentiary Hearing for Jeffre
Sanderson and Alice Wiegand
11. Wednesday, April 16, Oakland: Change of Plea Hearing for Jessica Sanders

*Special Events***
12. Saturday, April 12, Bakersfield: Kern County Medical Marijuana Town Hall
Meeting
13. Sunday, April 13, Los Angeles: Medical Marijuana Comedy Show ExtravaGANJA
14. Saturday, April 26, Los Angeles: Action for Compassion

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Weekly Round Up

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*1. a. ASA-Sponsored Patient Employment Bill Clears First Hurdle While Sales
Tax Bill is Stalled
b. Police Return Medicine to Huntington Beach Patient
c. Patients Prevent Del Norte Board of Supervisors from Cutting Access
d. ASA Participates in 5th Bi-Annual Patients Out of Time Conference**

* / a. ASA-Sponsored Patient Employment Bill Clears First Hurdle While Sales
Tax Bill is Stalled

/On Tuesday, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) scored a victory for patients’
rights, as the California Assembly Judiciary Committee approved our medical
marijuana employment rights bill in a 6-3 vote. AB 2279
<http://safeaccessnow.org/AB2279>, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno and
sponsored by ASA, would protect the rights of hundreds of thousands of medical
marijuana patients in California from employment discrimination. Read more
about AB 2279 here: www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/AB2279

Approval from the Committee on Judiciary was the first big legislative test. ASA
staff helped recruit important endorsements, including the Service Employees
International Union (SEIU), the American Federation of State, County, and
Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the National Lawyers Guild, and several HIV/AIDS
advocacy organizations. Supreme Court plaintiff Gary Ross and ASA's Chief
Counsel Joe Elford testified before the committee. Elford responded to several
complex legal questions from the committee members.

Though we’ve passed this first hurdle, we have more hurdles to clear before AB
2279 becomes law. Next week, the bill will go before the Assembly Labor
Committee. Then it’s on to the Assembly Floor, the Senate, and finally to the
Governor’s desk. Thank you to Gary Ross and Assemblymember Leno and his staff
for supporting patients rights and helping educate the committee.

Not more than a day after this important benchmark was reached, the California
Senate Tax & Revenue Committee took no action on Senator Migden's bill, SB 1098,
<http://safeaccessnow.org/SB1098> after hearing testimony from medical cannabis
providers and the attorney for former Board of Equalization Chairwoman Betty
Yee. MPP and ASA had both invested significant work on this bill, recruiting
patients, providers, and other supporters to testify at hearings, educating the
public about this bill, and working with legislators to gain their support. The
bill is now "in suspense," meaning the committee will take no further action
unless the Chairwoman calls it back for a vote. Read more about SB 1098 at:
www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/SB1098

SB 1098 would have granted amnesty to medical cannabis collectives for sales tax
liabilities before October of 2005, when the BOE changed its policy to allow the
organizations to obtain a seller's permit. Collectives would have been obligated
to pay all sales tax back to October 2005 and keep paying current liabilities to
qualify. Unfortunately, Senate leaders were not persuaded by arguments that the
limited, one-time amnesty would pump hundreds of millions of dollars into state
coffers.


/ b. Police Return Medicine to Huntington Beach Patient

/This week marked a potential sea-change for patients rights in Orange County.
A Huntington Beach medical cannabis patient received his 30 grams of medicine
back from local law enforcement. The patient, Dave Lucas, filed a return of
property request following the confiscation of his medicine by a local police
officer over a year ago. When the officer took his medicine he looked at Lucas'
doctor recommendation and stated, "We don't follow that law here".

Medical cannabis patient and activist Bill Britt assisted Lucas in filing the
return of property request. The judge overseeing the case initially stated that
Lucas should have his medicine returned, but then put a hold on the case pending
the Kha vs. Orange County appellate decision. ASA's landmark litigation, argued
by ASA Chief Counsel, Joe Elford, establishes patients' right to the return of
wrongfully seized medical cannabis was affirmed by the California Supreme Court
on March 19. Following the California Supreme Court's decision to not
de-publish the Kha case <http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=74>, the judge ruled
once more and issued a court order to have Lucas' medicine returned.

Read more about the victory in the Mercury News as reported by the Associated
Press <http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_8864241>.
/

c. Patients Prevent Del Norte Board of Supervisors from Cutting Access

/Several medical cannabis patients and advocates gathered at the Del Norte Board
of Supervisors meeting this week to show their support for safe access. The
supervisors were considering cutting access in Del Norte by reducing the number
of plants a patient can have for medical use from 99 down to 6 plants or 8
ounces per patient. This significant cut could have an overwhelmingly negative
impact on patients and caregivers.

Patients, caregivers, and advocates in Del Norte sprung into action to show
their support for the current limits and to voice concerns to limiting access.
As a result of patient and supporter testimonies, the Del Norte Board of
Supervisors voted to go back to the drawing board and create a proposal that
will still limit the current number of plants, but with less extreme limits.
Patients and supporters in Del Norte will continue to advocate for access and
will be working with the board to help establish reasonable limits.
Congratulations to all of those who came out in support for safe access!

Read more about the hearing in the Triplicate.
<http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=8252>
/

d. ASA Participates in 5th Bi-Annual Patients Out of Time Conference

/Last weekend, ASA staff was joined by members, chapters, and affiliates from
all over the country at the 5th bi-annual Patients Out of Time conference
<http://www.medicalcannabis.com/conference.htm>. The conference hosted dozens
of scientists and researchers from the U.S.A., Canada, the Netherlands, Israel,
and a handful of other countries who presented on medical cannabis research
projects. Several of ASA's Medical and Scientific Advisory board members
presented, including Philippe Lucas
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3193>, Rick Doblin, Ph.D
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3190>, and Robert Melameade, Ph.D
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3194>. Board member Jahan Marcu
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3195> participated in the conference.

Dozens of ASA's members, chapters, and affiliates attended the conference. ASA
had chapter and affiliate representatives from the following states:
California, Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, and North Carolina.

Thank you to all the ASA supporters who attended the conference. Your support
and attendance helped represent the patient and caregiver voice at this
important medical cannabis research conference.
/
/

**

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Take Action

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*2. **Deadline to Petition Your Senators Is April 23rd: Petition Your Community
Today!
*
Time is running out! Last month's national newsletter action alert was for
activists to petition your community! Our goal is to collect 30,000 signatures
by April 23rd. These petitions will be hand delivered to both Senators Boxer and
Feinstein by our National Office staff in Washington DC. Visit ASA's fun
interactive map to download a petition addressed to California's U.S. Senators
Boxer and Feinstein. Go to www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/SenatePetitionMap
<http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org/SenatePetitionMap> and click on your
state for your specialized petition or call ASA at (510) 251-1856 and ask for
petitions to be mailed to you.

Please send completed petitions by April 23rd to ASA Headquarters:

Americans for Safe Access
Attn: Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
Fax: (510) 251-2036

* *

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Chapter and Affiliate Meetings
*
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*3. Saturday, the 12, Willits: Mendocino County ASA Meeting

*Join Mendocino ASA as we discuss important local, state, and national medical
cannabis issues.*
*
When: 2:00pm
Where: The Ping Pong Club at 475 E. Valley Rd. in Willits

For more information, contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org
*
*
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*4. Monday, April 14, Fresno: Fresno ASA Meeting

*Come and join Fresno ASA on Monday the 14th. We will be discussing the medical
cannabis ID card program and other important state and federal issues.

When: 6:00pm
Where: Fig Garden Regional Library
3071 W Bullard Ave in Fresno

For more information, e-mail: fresnocagal@sbcglobal.net*
*
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*5. Tuesday, April 15, Sacramento: ASA Affiliate Compassionate Coalition Meeting*

Safe access is under attack in Sacramento! The Sacramento Board of Supervisors
recently voted against implementing the state ID card program. Find out what you
can do to protect safe access in Sacramento!

When: Tuesday the 15th at 7:00pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Ave. Suite H in Sacramento

For more info, contact: nathan@compassionatecoalition.org

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*6. Thursday, April 17, Arcata: Humboldt County ASA Meeting

*Please come out and join Humboldt County ASA as we fight to protect safe access
in our community and beyond.

When:6 p.m.
Where: In the community recreation room of the Bayview Courtyard Senior Housing
Complex at 550 Union Street, Arcata.

For more info, contact: asa-humboldt@sbcglobal.net

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*7. Saturday, April 19, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Meeting
*
Please join LA ASA as we prepare for our Action for Compassion on April 26th! We
will be planning and training for the protest and need your support in order to
make this event a success!

When: 1pm
Where: Patient ID Center, 470 S. San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048 (Cross street is Drexel, between Wilshire & 3rd St.)

For more info, contact: Don@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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*8. Tuesday, April 22, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting

*Come join ASA SF next Tuesday at our usual meeting space, Bowzers Pizza on 11th
at Harrison. We will discuss the latest in medical cannabis politics, laws,
science and activism and follow up on our Stand Up Newsom Campaign. Don't miss
out on this opportunity to meet other patients fighting for their rights to safe
access!

When: Tuesday, the 22nd 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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*9. Wednesday, April 23, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
*
Please join East Bay ASA for updates on pressing state legislation, federal
campaigns, and to discuss the recent court hearings for the Tainted
Compassionate Edibles defendents. We will also be writing letters to Federal
Judge Wilkens on behalf of Tainted defendant, Michael Martin.*
*
7:00 pm @ ASA Headquarters Office
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402, Downtown Oakland

For more information, contact Rebecca@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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*10. Monday, April 14, Sacramento: Third Day 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/204/1/>.

When: Monday, the 14th at 2:00pm
Where: Before Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr. at 501 I Street in Sacramento, CA.
*
*For more information contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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*10. Wednesday, April 16, Oakland: Change of Plea Hearing for Jessica Sanders

*Please come out and show your support for the former Tainted Inc. employee. 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) along with Michael Anderson (42), and Diallo McLinn (35). Tainted
Edibles were available for patients as an alternative to smoking at dispensing
collectives across the state. For those who do not know the story, Jessica was
Tainted's order clerk. She is being charged with a felony for her use of a
telephone conspiracy charge relating her taking an order for Compassion
Medicinal Edibles. Sanders had a hearing last week and another date was set.
Please come out and show your support!

When: April 16 at @ 2:30 p.m.
Where: Before Judge Wilken 1301 Clay St. in Oakland (Federal Buildings)

For more information, contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org


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Special Events
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*****1**2. Saturday, April 12, Bakersfield: Kern County Medical Marijuana Town
Hall Meeting*

This meeting will be an opportunity to discuss challenges facing Kern County's
patients and how to overcome them, including:

- Passing state Assembly Bill 2743, which would prevent local law enforcement
officials from working with the federal government in its raids on seriously ill
patients and providers, such as the one that took place in Oildale in May of
last year.

- Encouraging Kern County's congressional delegation - Rep. Kevin McCarthy
(R-Bakersfield) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) - to support federal legislation
that would end the policy of undermining state-level medical marijuana laws.

When: Saturday, April 12 - 2:00 p.m.
What: Medical marijuana town hall meeting
Where: Kosmo's Restaurant and Bar
1623 19th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301-4310

(Kosmo's restaurant is kind enough to allow us to meet in relative privacy but
please plan on buying lunch or drinks to help support their business. Meals are
modestly priced, mostly falling under $10)

For more information, contact Aaron Smith at (86) 287-6792 or asmith@mpp.org
*
*
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*13. 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

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*14. Saturday, April 26, Los Angeles: Action for Compassion*

You are all invited to join us on Saturday, April 26, for a peaceful protest to
support medical cannabis patients and oppose DEA interference and intimidation
in California. Patients and advocates will gather in front of the federal
building at 2:00 PM to make our voices heard. This will be a great media and
community building opportunity, so make plans to attend and bring some friends.
There are already plans for symbolic protests, great props, and even a juggler
or two. This will be a unique and uplifting event you will not want to miss. You
can get all the details at http://www.ASAaction.org You should also plan to
attend the training and planning meeting the Saturday before - April 19. Get the
details for both events (and more) at http://www.ASAaction.org

What: Action for Compassion
When: 2 PM * Saturday, April 26
Where: West LA Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd.

You can help promote the event by downloading the flyer at
http://www.ASAaction.org and passing it out anywhere you go!

For more information, contact Don@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

Thank you for keeping us informed.

[STEVE-O]

Thanx Asa For Doing All You Do The Way You Do It !!!

Steve-o