[ASA Field]

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ASA California Weekly Alert: June 15, 2007
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*Weekly Round Up*
1. DA Rejects Van Nuys Dispensary Charges, Pomona Raid Update, GLACA Grants
First Accreditations, More Stringent Smoking Bans Threaten Patients

*Take Action!
2. Are You a Medical Cannabis Patient? We Need Your Input!

*ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
3. Saturday, June 16, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Meeting
4. Tuesday, June 19, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting
5. Wednesday, June, 20, Newport Beach: Orange County ASA Meeting
6. Thursday, June 21, Guerneville: Sonoma County ASA Meeting
7. Tuesday, June 26, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting ***Location Change***
8. Wednesday, June 27, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
9. Thursday, June 28, Clearlake: Lake County ASA Meeting

*City and County Hearings*
10. Tuesday, June 19, Fontana: Planning Commission to Discuss Dispensary Ordinance.
11. Wednesday, June 20, Ukiah: City Council to Vote on Dispensary Ban
12. Wednesday, June 20, Baldwin Park: City Council Discusses Dispensary Moratorium

*Court Support*
13. Wednesday, June 20, Burbank: Return of Property Hearing for Peter Keyes
14. Thursday, June 21, Sacramento: Bryan Epis Federal Hearing
15. Friday, June 22, Sacramento: Pre-trial Hearing for Dr. Mollie Fry & Dale Schafer
16. Friday, June 22, Fresno: Motions Hearing for California Healthcare Collective

*Special Events*
17. Saturday, June 16, San Diego: San Diego ASA Party

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Weekly Round-Up
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1. DA Rejects Van Nuys Dispensary Charges, Pomona Raid Update, Greater Los
Angeles Caregivers Alliance Grants First Accreditations, More Stringent Smoking
Bans Threaten Patients

DA Rejects Van Nuys Dispensary Charges

The Los Angeles District Attorney has dropped the case against Van Nuys
dispensary Karma Collective operator, Diana Hahn. Hahn was wrongly arrested on
H&S 11359 Possession for Sale during a burglary investigation by LAPD on April
27, 2007. When the LAPD initially responded , it appeared to be a routine
burglary investigation. The burglary investigation eventually turned into a
narcotics investigation, and more and more officers began to arrive. The LAPD
originally released all but two members of the staff, and then released the last
staff member besides who they alleged to be the operator.

Quickly following the raid, ASA representatives met with Head Commanding Officer
of the Van Nuys Division Captain James Miller. The captain claimed that the main
complaint against the Collective was the modest supply of medicated edibles (or
"marijuana-laced food products" depending on who you ask) the collective had on
hand. Hahn was cited with one public health code violation.

LAPD filed the citation against Hahn to the District Attorney who rejected the
case against Hahn on Tuesday, June 12th.

Pomona Raid Update

This Wednesday, federal DEA agents raided the Farm Assist Caregivers collective
in Pomona. DEA agents served federal search warrants, issued by a local county
judge, for both Farm Assist Caregivers and the operator, David Touhey's, home.

The collective opened it's doors in 2005, but met city resistance in 2006 after
a 45-day moratorium on medical cannabis dispensaries was implemented. Earlier
this year in March, the Pomona City Council voted to shut down the dispensary.
The City Attorney was given a court order to close the dispensary. It is a
shame that Farm Assist Caregivers has been shut down. This will further limit
safe access for patients in the region.

Greater Los Angeles Caregivers Alliance Grants First Accreditations
From ASA Southern California Coordinator, Don Duncan

Safe access to medication reached a quiet milestone this week, when the Greater
Los Angeles Caregivers Alliance (GLACA) announced the accreditation of five
medical cannabis dispensing collectives in Los Angeles. GLACA, a voluntary
association of collectives and cooperatives, has developed safety and
operational standards for members to protect patients and ensure legal integrity
at medical cannabis facilities.

GLACA members hope the self-regulation model will address community concerns and
keep patients safe, while influencing the city of Los Angeles to adopt sensible
guidelines.

With more than 50 regular members, GLACA is the largest of several
community-based alliances of its kind around California. Attendees at a
symposium for collectives hosted by Americans for Safe Access (ASA) last
December identified self-regulation as a key element in shoring up support for
collectives and prevent a backlash for poorly operated facilities. Since then,
ASA representatives have traveled all over the state seeding autonomous
self-regulation alliances in Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Orange
County, and other locations.

For more information about GLACA, visit http://www.CaregiversAlliance.org

To find out more about organizing local self-regulation alliances, contact the
LA ASA Office at (323) 464-7719 or email Don@SafeAccessNow.org

More Stringent Smoking Bans Threaten Patients

Many cities in California have smoking bans for public and private businesses
and parks. This trend has been leading to public discussion for more stringent
indoor and outdoor smoking regulations. The city of Belmont is considering one
of the toughest smoking ordinances which will implement a smoking law that will
be complaint-driven, similar to a noise ordinance. Meaning, if a tenant is
smoking in their private apartment, their neighbor has the authority to contact
law enforcement and report the person for smoking law violations.

This has the potential to severely limit patients' access to medicating in their
own home. Patients need to be able to ingest medicine in their homes.
Ordinances like could potentially cause a snowball effect in different cities.

The city of Oakland is considering similar ordinance which will be discussed on
June 26th. According to CA NORML, City Council Member Nancy Nadel has said that
she will try to exempt medical cannabis smokers from the ordinance. Regardless
of your opinion on tobacco smoking in apartment buildings we encourage activists
and members to urge Belmont and Oakland city council members to exempt medical
cannabis smokers in their smoking bans.

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Take Action!
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2. Are You a Patient? We Need Your Input!

In order to better serve you and the movement for safe and legal access, ASA
has put together a Condition-based Union Survey. If you are a member of an ASA
condition-based union, a person who uses medical marijuana to control or manage
symptoms of an illness or injury, a caregiver, friend, health professional or
physician, please take a few minutes to complete this survey.
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/union_survey.html>

Not a member of any of our condition-based union yet? Sign Up Today!
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=80>

If you have any questions or comments on the survey, please direct them to our
Field Coordinator, Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard at 510-251-1856 x 321 or
Sonnet@safeaccessnow.org.

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ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings
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3. Saturday, June 16, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Meeting

This Saturday will be the June meeting of the LA ASA Chapter. It will be:

Saturday June 16th 1-3 PM
California Patients Group
6208 Santa Monica Blvd @ Vine
Hollywood, CA

There have been many developments in medical cannabis since we last met.

We will be discussing:

-LA Regulations Update
-LA County ID Card Update
-Federal Policy Update
-West Hollywood Gay Pride Parade Outreach
-Upcoming Actions
-Status updates on the MMJ POW's

And anything else active patients want to discuss! Remember, we will be the
only ones to create the change that is to come. Get active!*

We hope to see you all there. For more info, call Chris at (323) 464-7719

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4. Tuesday, June 19, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting

Please join Sac ASA to discuss current medical cannabis news, strategize new
campaigns to further safe and legal access for patients, and discuss other
pressing issues in the movement. Bring a friend!

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 <mailto:cannacare@earthlink.net>

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5. Wednesday, June 20, Newport Beach: Orange County ASA Meeting

Come to the OC ASA Meeting to discuss our recent ASA Town Hall meeting. If you
were unable to make it to the Town Hall meeting, please attend our regular
chapter meeting this month. We will begin to implement the new strategies for
safer and legal access to medicine in Orange County.

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

For more information, contact Bill: OCLawyer@aol.com <mailto:OCLawyer@aol.com>

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6. Thursday, June 21st, Guerneville: Sonoma County 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 impact safe access for
patients. Please come and share your opinions on what should happen locally,
statewide, and nationally. For more info, 707-332-6556.

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7. Tuesday, June 26, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting ***Location Change***

San Francisco ASA will be discussing important dates coming up at this meeting.
The Planning Department will conduct a hearing on the Dispensary amendments on
July 12th, and the legislation will go before the City Operations and
Neighborhood Services Committee on July 26th. Let's work on getting the best
possible regulations out of this process.

The next ASA SF meeting will be held on Tuesday June 26th 7:30 to 9:00 at:

Bowzer's Pizza (Note the new location)
371 11th St
San Francisco , CA 94103*

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8. Wednesday, June 27, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting

The East Bay ASA Chapter will be discussing the exciting new ASA National
Campaign, /Fight Gridlock: Demand Research! /We will follow up discussion by
contacting our elected officials and participating in citizen lobbying. Other
agenda items include:
-Court Support update
-Volunteer opportunities
-Local Medical Cannabis issue update
-Bay area Festivals ****Please bring a list of local
festivals in your community*****

Please join us and make your voice heard! Refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, June 27th @ 7 pm

Americans for Safe Access Headquarters
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402, Downtown Oakland
Just a couple blocks from the 12th Street BART station!

For more information or to get involved, contact Rebecca:
Rebecca@SafeAccessNow.org or 510-251-1856 x 308

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9. Thursday, June 28, Clearlake: Lake County ASA Meeting

Clearlake and Lake County Medical Cannabis Patients and Caregivers are
gathering to discuss their most recent protests, letters to the editor, and
other exciting activism. Please join us!

June 28th: 6:00pm @ D & M Compassion Center
15196 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake

For more information, contact Donna: LakeCoASA@msn.com

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City and County Hearings
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10. **Tuesday, June 19, Fontana: Planning Commission to Discuss Dispensary
Ordinance*

The Fontana Planning Commission is scheduled to meet to discuss a dispensary
ordinance. Planners likely will have a new ordinance ready for the commission's
consideration. It is unclear whether the ordinance will call for a moratorium or
ban. Please come out and show your support for medical marijuana. Download
ASA's talking points on dispensaries.
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/dispensary.ban.talking.points.pdf>

Fontana Planning Commission
Tuesday, June 19th at 6:00pm
City Council Chambers
Fontana City Hall
8353 Sierra Ave., Fontana, CA 92335

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11. Wednesday, June 20, Ukiah: City Council to Vote on Dispensary Ban

On Wednesday, May 2nd, the Ukiah City Council introduced an ordinance banning
medical cannabis dispensaries. This ordinance will be coming up for a final vote
on Wednesday, June 20th. Please attend this hearing and speak out for safe access!

Download ASA talking points <http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2717>
on dispensary regulations, moratoriums and bans.

Wednesday, June 20th @ 6:00pm
City Council Chambers
300 Seminary Ave, Ukiah, CA

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12. Wednesday, June 20, Baldwin Park: City Council to Discuss Dispensary Moratorium

On June 6th, Baldwin Park City Council Staff submitted a report to City
Council recommending establishing a moratorium on medical marijuana
dispensaries, pending further study and a decision whether to adopt either an
ordinance regulating medical marijuana dispensaries or adopt a ban on medical
marijuana dispensaries.

Please speak out at the hearing and explain to the council how important safe
access is to you!

Download ASA talking points <http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2717>
on dispensary regulations, moratoriums and bans.

Baldwin Park City Council
June 20th @ 7:00pm
Council Chamber
14403 E. Pacific Avenue
Baldwin Park, CA 91706

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Court Support
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13. Wednesday, June 20, Burbank: Return of Property Hearing for Peter Keyes

On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, medicinal cannabis patient/advocate Peter Keyes
will be arguing to get his medical marijuana back at 1:30pm, at the Burbank
Courthouse, 300 East Olive Avenue, first floor, in Burbank, California.

Peter, a resident of Sacramento, California, had his medicine and pipe
confiscated from him at Burbank's Bob Hope Airport on January 14, 2007, while
attempting to return from the 2nd Statewide Conference of Americans for Safe
Access to Medical Marijuana. Misdemeanor charges were filed, but were
subsequently dismissed on March 7, 2007.

ASA's chief counsel, Joe Elford, has assisted is helping Peter prepare his
motion for return of property illegally seized. ASA is the largest medicinal
cannabis patient's rights organization in the United States. Peter will be
arguing the case himself, with no attorney representing him.

1:30pm at the Burbank Courthouse
300 East Olive Avenue, first floor, in Burbank, California

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14. Thursday, June 21, Sacramento: Bryan Epis in Federal Court

Pre-sentencing evidentiary hearing at 9:30am before Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr.
in U.S. District Court (E.D., CA), 15th Floor at 501 "I" Street in Sacramento.
Bryan Epis was the first medical marijuana patient convicted in federal court
after the passage of California's Proposition 215. Epis was arrested June 25,
1997, after Butte County sheriff's officers discovered marijuana plants growing
in the basement of his home in Chico. Epis was released on bail August 9, 2004,
pending his appeal, and is currently awaiting his re-sentencing by the District
Court.

The Hearing begins at 9:30 before Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr.
U.S. District Court, 15th Floor at 501
"I" Street in Sacramento.

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15. Friday, June 22, Sacramento: Federal Pre-trial Hearing for Dr. Mollie Fry
& Dale Schafer

Federal Pre-trial hearing for Dr. Mollie Fry and Dale Schafer will be held on
Friday, June 22 in Sacramento. El Dorado County Medical marijuana physician
Mollie Fry and her husband, attorney Dale Schafer, were arrested as a result of
a September 28, 2001 raid on their clinic in Cool, California, in which patient
records were seized. After the Raich decision, on June 22, 2005, Fry and Schafer
were indicted for marijuana found on the premises during the raid. Fry is also
facing a separate action by the DEA to revoke her license to practice medicine.

Please come and show your support!

Pre-trial begins at 10am before Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr.
U.S. District Court, 15th Floor at 501
"I" Street in Sacramento.

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16. Friday, June 22, Fresno: Federal Motions Hearing for California Healthcare
Collective

Please come and support California Healthcare Collective defendants on Friday
June 22 at the Federal motions Hearing.

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. All defendants have
been released on bail pending trial, with the exception of Monica Valencia, who
was recently imprisoned on a misdemeanor state charge and may be held until her
federal trial.

Come out and show your support!

Friday, June 22nd at 10:30am before Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill
U.S. District Court, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA.

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Special Events
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17. Saturday, June 16, San Diego: San Diego ASA Party*

Come show your support for San Diego ASA and have fun doing it!

What: Second Annual San Diego ASA Social Fun(d) rasier

$10 (Suggested Donation)

When: Saturday June 16 at 8-11:30pm
18 & over
Smoke-Friendly/ No alcohol served

Where: 1599 Merritt Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020