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05-16-2008, 03:11 PM
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| WT Regular  Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oakland, CA Co-Op: Non Vendor: no Patient: yes
Posts: 1,044
Rep Power: 370     | ASA CA Weekly Alert 5-16-08 ASA California Weekly Alert: May 16, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****Click here to Take Action to Ensure Patients' Employment Rights!*** <http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org/AB2279Action> * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Weekly Round Up* a. Obama Takes a Stand for Safe Access- RNC Blasts Anti-States Rights Response b. Merced Patient Receives Court Ordered Fees for Confiscated Medicine and Suffering c. California Healthcare Collective Defendants Convicted in Federal Court d. AB 2279 Vote Is Postponed- State Assembly is Expected to Vote on Monday *Chapter and Affiliate Meetings* 2. Saturday, May 17, Los Angeles: LA ASA Meeting 3. Tuesday, May 20, Sacramento: ASA Affiliate Compassionate Coalition Meeting 4. Tuesday, May 27, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting 5. Wednesday, May 28, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting *Special Events* 6. Tuesday, May 27, Los Angeles: Action for Compassion! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ California Icon Weekly Round Up ------------------------------------------------------------------------ a. Obama Takes a Stand for Safe Access- RNC Blasts Anti-States Rights Response This week, presidential candidate Barack Obama made strong statements <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/12/MNKK10FD53.DTL&hw=medical+marijuana+obama&sn=002&s c=904> indicating he would end the DEA raids on medical marijuana providers. This is not the first time the presidential hopeful has committed to standing up for medical cannabis patients and providers. It is, however, one of the strongest statements describing in detail how he would protect medical cannabis laws by putting an end to federal raids. In response to Obama's comments, the Republican National Committee (RNC) issued a statement condemning Obama's support for protecting state-sanctioned medical cannabis patients and providers. The RNC's statement <http://www.gop.com/News/NewsRead.aspx?GUID=97463e11-fdb3-4412-9f53-2065b9d151d4> claimed that Obama's "refusal to enforce the law reveals that <he> doesn't have the experience necessary to do the job of the President, or that he fundamentally lacks the judgement to carry out the most basic functions of the Executive Branch..." In direct contrast to the RNC's claims that Obama lacks judgement on how to carry out the functions of the Executive Branch, as ASA has pointed out to supporters in the past <http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=57>, the President of the United States has the power to end federal raids by signing an Executive Order that would deny funds to the Department of Justice for federal enforcement efforts against patients and providers in states that have adopted medical marijuana laws. Many Democrats, Rebublicans, and other party members have openly supported medical cannabis patients and the sovereignty of the 12 medical cannabis states. It is very concerning to see the RNC openly criticize a candidate for pledging to protect medical cannabis patients and providers. Read a full analysis of Obama's statements and the RNC's reaction by ASA's Chief of Staff, Rebecca Saltzman, on ASA's blog. <http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=101> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ b. Merced Patient Receives Court Ordered Fees for Confiscated Medicine and Suffering This week, Merced County Judge Ron Hansen ordered that medical cannabis patient, Sam Matthews receive $800.00 in compensation for his confiscated medicine and for his pain and suffering. Matthews filed a lawsuit against the city of Merced following the confiscation of his medicine in October 2006. According to a spokesperson for the city, the judge ruled in favor of Hansen because he was following the city's law. Judge Hansen ruled that $300.00 be awarded to Matthews to replace his confiscated medicine and additional $500.00 should be awarded due to pain and suffering. The city spokesperson also said the added compensation was awarded to Matthews because it was "in the interest of justice." Matthews' victory is a great step forward for California patients. Read more about this important case and Matthews' other pending cases in the Merced Sun Star <http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/261990.html>. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ c. California Healthcare Collective Defendants Convicted in Federal Court This week, following two days of deliberation, a federal jury delivered seven guilty verdicts in the case of California Healthcare Collective defendants and medical cannabis advocates, Luke Scarmazzo and Richard Montes. On September 27, 2006, the DEA raided the collective and arrested four people (owner-operators Luke Scarmazzo and Ricardo Montes and two staff members) on charges of distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute. Scarmazzo and Montes were also charged with possession of firearms and money laundering. Recently, Lucky Boissiere, Jose and Antonio Malagon, Monica Valencia, Bradley Heinmiller, Bradley Wickliffe and Stephen DeMattos have pled guilty to avoid trial, and two defendants (Scarmazzo and Montes) have endured a grueling 2 week long federal trial. Federal medical marijuana defendants are not able to present medical evidence during trial. Sadly, today, both Scarmazzo and Montes were convicted of manufacturing and distributing marijuana along with operating and continuing a criminal enterprise- a charge which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years to life. The jury found the defendants not guilty of possession of firearms and could not render a decision on the conspiracy charge. Right before the jury went into deliberations, one of the jurors asked to be removed the trial due to the fact that his wife had died shortly before the trial began and he was not in a state of mind to deliver a verdict. He was excused from the trial with the judge citing juror misconduct. Both men will now await their sentencing hearing in federal custody due to the nature of their convictions. The hearing has been tentatively scheduled for August 24th. Vanessa Nelson has been closely following the trial, and you can read these detailed accounts at www.MedicalMarijuanaOfAmerica.com: Opening Statements In CHC Trial Reveal Government Weakness <http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/213/1/> Local Cops Take the Stand in CHC Trial <http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/214/1/> Sheriff's Deputy Testifies About Undercover Buy at CHC <http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/215/1/> Government Rests Its Case in CHC Trial, Shows Scarmazzo Rap Video <http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/216/1/> Luke "the Business Man" Scarmazzo Takes the Stand in CHC Trial <http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/217/1/> Juror Drops Out of Deliberations in CHC Trial <http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/218/1/> Jury Receives Instructions for Deliberating CHC Case <http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/219/1/> Guilty Verdicts in CHC Trial, Scarmazzo and Montes in Custody <http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/220/1/> You can also read about today's verdict in both the Modesto Bee <http://www.modbee.com/local/story/300299.html> and the Fresno Bee <http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/605430.html>. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ d. AB 2279 Vote Is Postponed- State Assembly is Expected to Vote on Monday AB 2279, the Patients' Employments Rights Bill, was scheduled for a floor vote this week, but again the vote has been postponed. The bill is expected to hit the floor for a vote on Monday, May 19th. If passed, this bill will end employment discrimination against patients. If you haven't yet taken action to support this bill visit www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/AB2279Action to protect patients' rights! For more information on AB 2279 go to: www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/AB2279 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Take Action Icon Chapter and Affiliate Meetings ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Saturday, May 17, Los Angeles: LA ASA Meeting Don't forget tomorrow's LA-ASA meeting at the Patient ID Center. We are going to be talking about the ABC's of Citizen Advocacy and planning for a protest in front of LA Mayor Villaraigosa's office on Tuesday, May 27. Everyone is welcome, so invite a friend. Get a map, public transit information, and the flyer at http://www.ASAaction.org See you all on Saturday afternoon! What: LA-ASA Meeting When: 1:00 PM * Saturday, May 17, 2008 Where: Patient ID Center, 470 S. San Vicente Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048-4107 (cross street is Drexel, between Wilshire & 3rd St.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Tuesday, May 20, Sacramento: ASA Affiliate Compassionate Coalition Meeting There are several medical marijuana activities over the next month. Please come and find out how you can get involved. When: Tuesday the 20th at 7:00pm Where: Crusaders Hall 320 Harris Ave. Suite H in Sacramento For more information, contact Nathan@CompassionateCoalition.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Tuesday, May 27, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting Join us for our ASA SF patient activist meeting at our usual meeting space, Bowzers Pizza on 11th at Harrison. We will discuss the latest in medical cannabis politics, laws, science, and activism, including the result of the final vote on the deadline extension for dispensary permits. When: Tuesday, the 27th at 7:30pm Where: Bowzer's Pizza, 371 11th St in San Francisco For more info, contact Alex: aaafranco@yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Wednesday, May 28, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting Please come and join the East Bay ASA crew as we discuss important local, state, and national medical cannabis issues! We are working on lining up a very important guest speaker, so please mark your calendars for this exciting meeting! When: Wednesday, the 28th at 7:00pm Where: ASA Headquarters Office 1322 Webster Street, Suite 402, Downtown Oakland (2 blocks from 12th St. BART station!) For more information, contact Rebecca@AmericansforSafeAccess.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Marijuana Icon Special Events ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Tuesday, May 27, Los Angeles: Action for Compassion! You are all invited to join us on Tuesday, May 27, 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 Mayor Villaraigosa's office at 11:00am to make our voices heard. This will be a great media and community building opportunity, so make plans to attend and bring some friends. This will be a unique and uplifting event you will not want to miss. You should also plan to attend the training and planning meeting the Saturday before - May 17th. Get the details for both events (and more) at http://www.ASAaction.org What: Where's Antonio? Action for Compassion When: 11:00am Saturday, April 26 Where: Corner of N. Main St. & Tom Bradley Blvd. <http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GWYA_en___US238&q=200+N+Spring+St,+Los+An geles,+CA+90012,+USA&um=1&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&r esnum=1&ct=title> Los Angeles, CA For more information, contact Don@AmericansforSafeAccess.org |
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