[ASA Field]

ASA Logo
------------------------------------------------------------------------


ASA California Weekly Alert: May 23, 2008

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Weekly Round Up*
1. Sonnet's Farewell to ASA

*Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
2. Tuesday, May 27, San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting
3. Wednesday, May 28, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
4. Tuesday, June 3, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting
5. Thursday, June 4, Santa Rosa: Sonoma ASA Meeting

*City and County Hearings*
6. Tuesday, May 27, Arroyo Grande: City Council to Discuss Dispensary Ban
7. Tuesday, June 3, Malibu: City Council to Discuss Dispensary Ban

*Special Events*
8. Tuesday, May 27, Los Angeles: Action for Compassion!
9. Thursday, May 29, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Medical Cannabis Candidate Forum

------------------------------------------------------------------------


California Icon Weekly Round Up

------------------------------------------------------------------------


1. Sonnet's Farewell to ASA

/By Field Coordinator, Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard/

It is with a heavy heart that I announce to you all that today is my last day with Americans for Safe Access. My former colleagues in another social change movement have offered me a position I could not refuse. I have thoroughly enjoyed helping build ASA's field, working with our current chapters and affiliates, and sending out over 45 California Weekly Alerts over the past year. It has truly been a pleasure serving California's medical cannabis community. While I will be moving on professionally, my family and I are still deeply committed to ensuring safe access here in California and nationwide. I am excited to move into a volunteer capacity with ASA and I intend to be working beside many of you, fighting for medical cannabis patients.
Thanks to all of you for supporting ASA and the medical cannabis movement. You are an inspiration and have enriched my life.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Take Action Icon Chapter and Affiliate Meetings

------------------------------------------------------------------------


2. 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

------------------------------------------------------------------------


3. 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! Jahan Marcu, member of ASA's Medical Advisory Board will be our guest speaker and will talk about current medical cannabis research. We will also be discussing proposed changes to the Alameda County dispensary ordinance.

Please join us at this important meeting!

When: Wednesday, the 28th at 7:00pm (Please show up promptly, as the doors will be locked after 7:15pm.)

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------


4. Tuesday, June 3, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting

There are several medical marijuana activities over the next month including elections, state legislation, and outreach to condition-based groups. 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 Cannacare@earthlink.net


------------------------------------------------------------------------


5. Thursday, June 4, Santa Rosa: Sonoma ASA Meeting

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

When: Thursday, June 4, 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Government Icon City and County Hearings

------------------------------------------------------------------------


6. Tuesday, May 27, Arroyo Grande: City Council to Discuss
Dispensary Ban

The Arroyo Grande City Council will hold a public hearing on May 27th to discuss banning medical cannabis dispensaries. Please come out and attend the City Council Meeting and let your voice be heard.

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

When: Tuesday, May 27at 7:00pm
Where: City Council Chambers
215 East Branch Street
Arroyo Grande CA, 93420

For more information contact Info@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

------------------------------------------------------------------------


7. Tuesday, June 3, Malibu: City Council to Discuss Dispensary Ban

The Malibu Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday the 3rd to discuss banning medical cannabis dispensaries. Please come out and attend the City Council Meeting and let your voice be heard. If you are a Malibu resident you can sign a petition in support of medical cannabis access at: http://www.petitiononline.com/MMJ60308/petition.html

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

When: Tuesday, June 3 at 6:30pm
Where: Council Chambers at City Hall
23815 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA

For more information contact Info@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Marijuana Icon Special Events

------------------------------------------------------------------------


8. 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. Get the details at http://www.ASAaction.org

What: Where's Antonio? Action for Compassion
When: 11:00am Tuesday, May 27
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

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*9. Thursday, May 29, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Medical Cannabis Candidate Forum*

/*Come Hear Local Candidates' Views On Medical Cannabis*/

Who: All patients, Caregivers, & Supporters

What: Medical Cannabis Forum with candidates for the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, followed by questions from the audience

When: Thursday, May 29th from 4-6pm

Where: Sonoma County Library
211 E Street (@3rd) in Santa Rosa

Why: The Board of Supervisors plays a very important role for the county in determining the personal medical use guidelines (how many plants & pounds), and they have influence over dispensary regulations. This is an opportunity for you to meet your future representatives to learn about their positions on medical cannabis.

Refreshments will be provided on behalf of SAMM (Sonoma Alliance for Medical Marijuana)

Sponsored by SCMCC (Sonoma County Medical Cannabis Council)

For more information call 415-756-4587 or email sarah@safeaccessnow.org

------------------------------------------------------------------------