[ASA Field]

*Weekly Roundup*

1) Federal Court Victory, ASA Santa Barbara Town Hall a Success, Update
on Morro Bay DEA Raid

*Take Action!*

2) Take Action to Protect Orange County Patients!

*ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings*

3) Saturday, April 7th, Modesto: Central Valley Patients Coalition Meeting
4) Tuesday, April 10th, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
5) Tuesday, April 10th, San Diego: San Diego ASA Meeting
6) Saturday, April 14th, Santa Barbara: 1st Santa Barbara ASA Meeting!
7) Sunday, April 15th, Birds Landing: Solano Patients' Group Meeting
8) Tuesday, April 17th, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting
9) Thursday, April 19th, Guerneville: Sonoma ASA Meeting
10) Thursday, April 19th, Newport Beach: Orange County ASA Meeting

*City & County Hearings*

11) Tuesday, April 17th, Santa Ana: Orange County Supervisors to Vote on
MMJ ID Card Implementation
12) Tuesday, April 17th, Pleasanton: City Council to Vote on Banning
Medical Cannabis Dispensaries
13) Wednesday, April 18th, Ridgecrest: City Council to Vote on Banning
Medical Cannabis Dispensaries

*Court Support*

14) Monday, April 9th, Fresno: Pre-Trial Hearing for Thunder Rector
15) Friday, April 13th, San Francisco: Status Hearing for Ed Rosenthal
16) Friday, April 20th, Fresno: Status Hearing for California Healthcare
Collective Defendants

*Special Events

*17) Wednesday, April 18th, Nevada City: Nevada County DA's Medical
Marijuana Forum
18) Friday, April 20th, Hollywood: Monte Carlo Night Benefit for ASA

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*Weekly Roundup*
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/
/*1) Federal Court Victory, ASA Santa Barbara Town Hall a Success,
Update on Morro Bay DEA Raid*

/Victory for Contra Costa County patient who's due process rights were
violated!/
/ASA wins $8,000 from lawsuit filed in federal court //on behalf of
Micheal Lee/

San Leandro medical marijuana patient Michael Lee had his 99 marijuana
plants seized from him in a 2000 raid by the Contra Costa Sheriff at his
previous residence in Richmond. After charges against him were
dismissed, Lee filed a motion for return of property. The Contra Costa
Superior Court denied the motion on grounds that the case was still
under investigation and that the statute of limitations had not run out.
After waiting for the three-year statute of limitations to run out, Lee,
with ASA's assistance, filed another motion for return of property in
August 2004. At his hearing, Lee discovered that police had destroyed
his property without his consent. The judge denied the motion for return
of property, but made comments that were extremely helpful for taking
Lee's case to federal court to argue Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment (due
process) violations. In August 2005, ASA filed a lawsuit in federal
court on behalf of Lee to challenge the illegal destruction of his
property. The case settled in March 2007 with an agreement that Contra
Costa County compensate Lee for $8,000.00, the approximate value of the
property.

***

/ASA Santa Barbara Town Hall a Huge Success; Similar Events Planned in
Other CA Cities/

On Saturday, March 31st, ASA staff and Santa Barbara community members
joined together for a medical marijuana town hall. Approximately 75
participants discussed the local problems for patients and caregivers in
Santa Barbara, including issues surrounding law enforcement, public
perception, and access to medicine. We went through a strategic planning
process to develop strategies to mitigate these problems and ensure safe
access in Santa Barbara. The culmination of the town hall led to the
formation of Santa Barbara ASA, which will hold it's first meeting on
Saturday, April 14th at 3:00 p.m.

This meeting followed a similar event, held in Sacramento on March 3rd.
Since these two town halls have attracted so much community support and
have helped local communities to develop solutions, ASA plans to hold
similar events throughout the state over the coming months. We will be
holding an Orange County town hall on Saturday, May 19th in Newport
Beach, and we're currently looking into locations in Santa Cruz and
Bakersfield. Please join us when we visit your community.

***

/San Luis Obispo Sheriff Leads to DEA Raid of Only Dispensary in the County/

On March 29th, members of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's
Department and the DEA raided the only dispensary in SLO County, Central
Coast Compassionate Caregivers in Morro Bay. There were few details to
report last week, but since then, it has become clear that the SLO
Sheriff's Department was the agency leading the investigation and only
later called in the DEA to serve a federal warrant. A security guard was
arrested and questioned during the raid, and he has since been released.
No charges have yet been filed, and neither the Sheriff nor the DEA will
reveal why this particular dispensary was raided.

Local police and sheriffs turning over patients and providers to the DEA
has unfortunately become a trend over the past couple of years. Many
providers who were turned over by local law enforcement to the feds are
now serving federal sentences or awaiting federal trial, including Joe
Fortt, Thunder Rector, Dustin Costa, David Harde, and, most recently,
several defendants involved in the California Healthcare Collective, in
Modesto. More information about these defendants and prisoners can be
found on the ASA website: www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/PendingCases

A lengthy article that details the raid, including the involvement of
the sheriff's department, can be found at the New Times website:
http://www.newtimesslo.com/index.php...rticle&id=2374

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*Take Action!*
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*2) Take Action to Protect Orange County Patients!*

The Orange County Board of Supervisors will soon be making an important
decision affecting local medical marijuana patients and caregivers.
During their April 17 meeting, the board will be discussing the
implementation of California's medical marijuana ID card program in the
County of Orange.

Participation in the program would be entirely voluntary for qualified
patients and caregivers; however the county is required, by law, to make
the program available.

If the program is implemented, Orange County patients and caregivers
will be able to obtain the ID cards through a confidential program
administered by the county's Health Services Agency. The ID program
works to protect cardholders from unnecessary arrest, detainment or
seizure of their medicine by state and local law enforcement--which
conduct 99% of marijuana arrests.

Law enforcement officials in Orange County have a dismal track record
when it comes to respecting California's medical marijuana laws. This is
why it is imperative that the ID card program be implemented without
further delay.

In order to gain a victory for OC patients, we need your help. Please
take a few minutes of your time to take the
following actions in order to help protect Orange County's medical
marijuana patients:

1. Please visit: www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/OCIDcardaction to
send an e-mail to the Board of Supervisors, urging them to vote to
implement the medical marijuana ID card program

2. Write a letter to the editor of the Orange County Register
expressing your support for the ID card program. The Register has
already taken a favorable position on medical marijuana but it is
important to show that the public agrees that local patients must be
protected from arrest. Letters should be 200 words or less and must
include your name, address and phone number (contact info will not be
published). E-mail letters to: letters@ocregister.com

3. Mark your calendar and plan to attend the Board of Supervisors
meeting on Tuesday, April 17. It is crucial that as many patients and
supporters as possible show up to this hearing to support safe access to
medical marijuana and the implementation of the medical marijuana ID
card program in Orange County.

If you wish to become more involved in our local efforts, please contact
me at: SafeAccessNow@gmail.com or (866) 287-6792

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*ASA Chapter Meetings*
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*3) Saturday, April 7th, Modesto: Central Valley Patients Coalition Meeting

*Please join central valley patients and supporters to help plan and
strategize for the defense of patients rights in Stanislaus County,
Merced County, and beyond! The CVPC meets on the first Saturday of each
month, at 11:00 AM. New Location: These meetings will now be held at
1733 Yosemite Ave, Modesto, CA, 95350. For additional information,
contact Shirley Cox, Public Relations Officer for the Central Valley
Patients Coalition: shirley@CompassionateCoalition.org

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*4) Tuesday, April 10th, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting*

Join SF ASA to discuss and plan for local, state and national issues.
Get active locally to protect safe access!

7:00 p.m.
CA Marijuana Party Bookstore
223a 9th St. @ Howard in San Francisco

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*
5) Tuesday, April 10th, San Diego: San Diego 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!

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

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*
6) Saturday, April 14th, Santa Barbara: 1st Santa Barbara ASA Meeting!*

A new ASA chapter has been formed in Santa Barbara! Please join us for
the first meeting on April 14th. At this meeting, we will continue the
strategizing begun at the March 31st town hall. Join Santa Barbara ASA
to protect safe access!

3:00 p.m.
Antioch University
801 Garden Street
Santa Barbara, CA
*Room TBA*

For more info, contact Jennifer: jenniferln@gmail.com

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*7) Sunday, April 15th, Birds Landing: Solano Patients' Group Meeting*

The SPG is working with medical marijuana patients and activists
throughout California to defend patients' rights.

3:00 p.m. @ 2145 Collinsville Road in Birds Landing
For more info, call (707) 635-3752

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*8) Tuesday, April 17th, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting*

The Sacramento ASA chapter has moved to a new site and date. Please join
Sac ASA to plan for the future of safe access locally, statewide, and
nationally!

7:00 p.m.

Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Avenue, Suite H
Sacramento, CA

For more information or to get involved, please contact Lanette:
cannacare@earthlink.net

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*
**9) Thursday, April 19th, Gureneville: Sonoma ASA Meeting
*
When: Thursday from 7pm-9pm
Where: Marvin's Gardens 15025 River Road (towards Guerneville)

Please join Sonoma's chapter of American's for Safe Access. Patients,
supporters, caregivers and friends are
welcome to come share their opinions on what should happen locally,
statewide, and nationally. More info 707-332-6556

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*
10) Thursday, April 19th, Newport Beach: Orange County ASA Meeting*

The Orange County Dept of Health has been dragging its feet in the
process of issuing the SB 420 ID Card Program. Now that the Courts have
given hesitant counties the guidance they need, we need to make our
voices heard!

7-9 PM
Law Offices of WENTWORTH, PAOLI & PURDY, LLP
4631 Teller Avenue, Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92660

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*City & County Hearings*
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*
11) Tuesday, April 17th, Santa Ana: Orange County Supervisors to Vote on
MMJ ID Card Implementation*

For more info about the hearing and how to take action, see the action
alert above (item #2).

9:30 a.m.

Board Hearing Room
First Floor
333 W. Santa Ana Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA

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*
12) Tuesday, April 17th, Pleasanton: City Council to Vote on Banning
Medical Cannabis Dispensaries*

Pleasanton currently has a moratorium on medical cannabis dispensaries,
and they are considering passing a permanent ban! Please attend this
hearing and speak out for safe access!

Download ASA talking points
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=212> on dispensary
regulations, moratoriums and bans.

7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
200 Old Bernal Avenue.
Pleasanton, CA

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*13) Wednesday, April 18th, Ridgecrest: City Council to Vote on Banning
Medical Cannabis Dispensaries*

On Wednesday, April 4th, the Ridgecrest City Council introduced an
ordinance banning medical cannabis dispensaries. This ordinance will be
coming up for a final vote on April 18th. Please attend this hearing and
speak out for safe access!

Download ASA talking points
<http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=212> on dispensary
regulations, moratoriums and bans.

6:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 West California Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA

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*Court Support*
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*14) Monday, April 9th, Fresno: Pre-Trial Hearing for Thunder Rector*

Pre-trial hearing before Oliver W. Wanger in U.S. District Court, 2500
Tulare Street, Fresno, CA. Modesto patient and caregiver Thunder Rector
was arrested on July 18, 2005, as a result of a raid by the Stanislaus
County Sheriff earlier in July. Allegedly, the Sheriff confiscated 49
plants and 235 pounds of marijuana and handed it over to the feds.
Rector is now being prosecuted on federal charges of conspiracy and
manufacturing marijuana with intent to distribute. Rector and his wife
had been providing medical marijuana to patients at the San Francisco
Dispensary the Divinity Tree. Rector is released on bail pending trial.

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*
15) Friday, April 13th, San Francisco: Status Hearing for Ed Rosenthal*

Status hearing at 11am before Judge Charles Breyer in U.S. District
Court, 450 Golden Gate, San Francisco, CA. In October 2006, superseding
indictments were filed against medical marijuana author and cultivator
Ed Rosenthal and Rick Watts (though his felony charges were later
dismissed). In addition to being prosecuted on prior charges, stemming
from the first indictments, they also face money laundering and tax
evasion charges (which were later severed from the other charges).
Rosenthal and Watts were arrested in February 2002 after the DEA raided
the Harm Reduction Center in San Francisco. Due to not being able to
assert a medical (Raich) defense, Rosenthal was convicted in January
2003 (Watts was unable to stand trial due to injuries sustained from an
auto accident). After outrage expressed by jurors and supporters alike,
U.S. District Court Charles Breyer sentenced Rosenthal on June 3, 2003
to one day in prison. Rosenthal later got his conviction overturned
based on jury misconduct. The federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
then remanded the case back to district court, where the government is
currently retrying Rosenthal. In February 2007, ASA filed a motion to
dismiss based on vindictive prosecution, and on March 14, 2007, in an
unusual ruling, Judge Breyer found that there was at least the
appearance of vindictiveness on the part of the federal government, and
dismissed the tax and money laundering charges against Rosenthal.

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*16) Friday, April 20th, Fresno: Status Hearing for California
Healthcare Collective Defendants*

Status hearing at 9am before Judge Anthony W. Ishii in U.S. District
Court, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA. After the City of Modesto failed
to shut down the California Healthcare Collective by banning
dispensaries, the DEA was called in. On September 27, 2006, the
collective was raided and four people were arrested (two operators and
two staff) on charges of distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to
distribute. The two operators were also charged with possession of
firearms and money laundering. Later, an additional five people were
indicted, bringing the total to nine people being prosecuted by the
federal government. In the raid, the DEA allegedly seized more than 100
pounds of marijuana, one thousand plants, multiple firearms, and more
than $200,000 in cash. The raids were the result of a 15-month
investigation between the DEA and the Modesto Police Department. All
defendants have been released on bail pending trial.

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*Special Events
*
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*
17) Wednesday, April 18th, Nevada City: Nevada County DA's Medical
Marijuana Forum*

The Nevada County District Attorney's Office invites the public to
attend a forum regarding the medical marijuana exemption on April 18,
2007 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at City Hall in Nevada City, at
317 Broad Street.

The passage of the Compassionate Use Act in 1996 authorized seriously
ill Californians to obtain and use marijuana for medicinal purposes. The
Act left counties, law enforcement and marijuana users struggling with
how to determine what use of marijuana was permitted, especially as
federal law does not recognize any medicinal exceptions. The purpose of
the forum on April 18th will be to seek community input before
implementation of a revised memorandum of understanding between the DA's
Office and local law enforcement agencies establishing criteria for
applying the medical marijuana exemption.

Health and Human Services Director **** Brown will also be available to
discuss the State's Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program and
Nevada County's planning efforts directed toward local implementation.

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*18) Friday, April 20th, Hollywood: Monte Carlo Night Benefit for ASA*

A Benefit for Americans For Safe Access

Tickets are $20 per Qualified Patient
$50 Ticket gets unlimited trips to the Hash Bar all night!!!

We'll be giving away a Volcano Vaporizer and many more prizes!!!
Best Dressed Competition!!!
Vapor Bar and Hash Bar open all night!!!
Dispensary open until Midnight!!!

Music, Games, Prizes, Free House Joints, and a Vapor Lounge All Night!!!

Get Your Tickets at:

California Patients Group
6208 Santa Monica Blvd
Corner of Santa Monica & Vine
Hollywood, CA

THIS IS A PATIENTS ONLY EVENT!!!ONLY 150 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD!!! THIS
WILL SELL OUT!! GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY!!

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
California Patients Group
6208 Santa Monica Blvd
Hollywood, CA

For more info, call (323) 464-7052.