[ASA Field]

ASA California Weekly Alert: July 3, 2008

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*Weekly Round Up*
1a. California Senate Passes Resolution Calling for an End to DEA Raids
b. Mendocino Sheriff and District Attorney Will Not Enforce Measure B Plant Limits

*Take Action*
2. Act Now to Protect Patients' Employment Rights in California! <http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/AB2279Action>

*Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
3. Thursday, July 3, Santa Rosa: Sonoma ASA Meeting
4. Monday, July 7, Fresno: Fresno ASA Meeting & Special Viewing of /Waiting to Inhale/
5. Tuesday, July 8, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
6. Tuesday, July 8, San Diego: San Diego ASA Meeting
7. Saturday, July 12, Willits: Mendocino ASA Meeting
8. Tuesday, July 15, Sacramento: ASA Affiliate Compassionate Coalition Meeting
9. Thursday, July 17, Arcata: Humboldt ASA Meeting

*City and County Hearings*
10. Tuesday, July 8, Oakland: Alameda County Board of Supervisors to Discuss Revising Dispensary Ordinance
11. Tuesday, July 8, Fresno: County Board of Supervisors to Vote on Implementing ID Card Program
12. Monday, July 14, Malibu: City Council to Discuss Dispensary Regulations

*Special Events*
13. Saturday, July 12, Landers: Fundraiser Event for Senior Medical Marijuana Defendants
14. Wednesday, July 16, Oakland: Special Reception for ASA Donors with Executive Director Steph Sherer

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California Icon Weekly Round Up

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1a. California Senate Passes Resolution Calling for an End to DEA
Raids

Yesterday, the California passed SJR 20 on a 24-15 vote. Introduced by Senator Carole Migden, this resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact legislation requiring federal law enforcement to respect state medical marijuana laws, to cease raids of medical marijuana dispensaries that are operating legally under California and local law, and to return any assets seized from medical marijuana dispensaries and collectives to the states in which they are located.

This is a very exciting move forward for medical cannabis patients throughout the state. If passed by the Assembly, this resolution will send a resounding statement nationwide saying to the Federal government that Californians are taking a stand and calling for an end to DEA attacks!

SJR 20 heads next to the Assembly. Since it is a non-binding resolution, the governor does not need to sign it.

For more information about the resolution, please visit www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/SJR20

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b. Mendocino Sheriff and District Attorney Will Not Enforce
Measure B Plant Limits

Last week, advocates went to superior court, attempting to halt the implementation of Measure B. The measure, which passed in the June election, lowers the plant limits for medical marijuana patients from 25 plants to the state limit of 12 immature or six mature plants and eight ounces of dried marijuana. Attorneys for medical cannabis advocates argued in court last week that the measure should not be implemented because it conflicted with the recent appellate ruling in /People v. Kelly/, which struck down plant limits as unconstitutional.

Yesterday, Mendocino's sheriff and district attorney announced that they would not implement the lower plant limits. However, in a change of policy, the limit of 25 plants will apply to each parcel, and not the number grown for an individual's use. This means that collectives and cooperatives could grow no more than 25 plants total, regardless of how many patients they serve.

Advocates will continue to argue their case in court over the coming weeks, though their efforts may be effected by the expected appeal of the /Kelly/ case by the Attorney General.

Please read the article in the Press Democrat <http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080703/news/807030377&tc=yahoo> for more details.

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Take Action Icon Take Action

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2. Act Now to Protect Patients' Employment Rights in California!
<http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/AB2279Action>

Last week, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) and the state legislature moved another step further towards securing employment rights for California medical marijuana patients. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed AB 2279 on a 3-2 vote. AB 2279, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno and sponsored by ASA, now moves to the senate floor and we need you to urge your senator to support medical cannabis patients' rights!

/*After passing the full Assembly and the Senate Judiciary Committee, AB 2279 now must clear the Senate floor before heading to the Governor's desk!*/

ASA staff, working with other organizations, unions, and advocates, will be working hard over the next several days to educate state legislators about this important bill. We need your help today to ensure passage!

*Please visit www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/AB2279Action to urge your senator to vote yes on AB 2279. The only way this bill will pass is if the legislators hear from their constituents (you!)*

Thank you for supporting ASA and our efforts to secure the rights of California medical marijuana patients. For more information about this bill, please visit www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/AB2279

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Take Action Icon Chapter and Affiliate Meetings

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3. Thursday, July 3, Santa Rosa: Sonoma ASA Meeting

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

When: Thursday, July 3, 5:00-7:00pm
Where: South City View Room
Department of Public Health
625 5th St., Santa Rosa, CA

For more information, contact Sarah@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

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4. Monday, July 7, Fresno: Fresno ASA Meeting & Special Viewing of
/Waiting to Inhale/

Join Fresno ASA for a special viewing of /Waiting to Inhale/, presented by the film's creator, Jed Riffe.

Waiting to Inhale explores the battle between patients, doctors, activists and the United States government over the legalization of medical cannabis. Providing exclusive access to individuals whose powerful stories have never made it to the front pages, the filmmaker takes us inside a world where critically ill patients are arrested at gunpoint for growing the only effective medicine for their pain.

When: Monday, July 7 @ 7:00pm
Where: Unitarian Church of Fresno
2672 E. Alluvial Avenue, Fresno

For more information, please contact fresnocagal@sbcglobal.net

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5. Tuesday, July 8, San Francisco: San Francisco 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.

When: Tuesday, July 8 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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6. Tuesday, July 8, San Diego: San Diego ASA Meeting

San Diego ASA has been very busy lately. Come to the San Diego ASA meeting where we will be discussing the latest medical cannabis issues.

When: 7:00pm
Where: International Cannabis University
6070 Mt. Alifan Suite 202
San Diego, CA 92111, Clairemont

For more information, visit the chapter's website: www.SafeAccessSD.org

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7. Saturday, July 12, Willits: Mendocino 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 Bruce: Mendobruce@yahoo.com

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8. Tuesday, July 15, 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: 7:00pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Ave. Suite H in Sacramento

For more information, contact Nathan@CompassionateCoalition.org
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9. Thursday, July 17, Arcata: Humboldt 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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Government Icon City and County Hearings

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10. Tuesday, July 8, Oakland: Alameda County Board of Supervisors
to Discuss Revising Dispensary Ordinance

On Tuesday, July 8th, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will receive testimony, discuss, and vote on the proposed amendments to the county medical cannabis dispensary regulation. *Among these amendments, the supervisors are proposing banning the provision of medical cannabis edibles at dispensaries!*

In order to give voice to the hundreds, if not thousands of patients living in these areas, we need to find 10 patients from these unincorporated communities - Ashland, Cherryland, Sunol, San Lorenzo, Fairview, Castro Valley - to share their experiences with medical cannabis at the next Board meeting on July 8th. Patients from nearby cities such as San Leandro and Hayward can also talk about their experience with local access.

Please attend the hearing to speak out in support of safe access!

*Who can help?*

Patients living in the unincorporated regions of Alameda County- Ashland, Cherryland, Sunol, San Lorenzo, Fairview, Castro Valley. Patients from nearby cities like San Leandro & Hayward can address their experience with local access.
*
When and where is the Board of Supervisors meeting?*

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will meet to discuss the proposed changes on Tuesday, July 8th at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will take place at 1221 Oak St. Room 512, in downtown Oakland (corner of 12th St.).
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11. Tuesday, July 8, Fresno: County Board of Supervisors to Vote
on Implementing ID Card Program

/From Aaron Smith, MPP California Organizer:/

After months of delay, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors will finally be conducting a hearing on local implementation of the state's medical marijuana ID card program. Tuesday, July 8, supervisors will be deciding whether or not to move to protect local patients from false arrest by issuing the medical marijuana IDs through the county's health department.

*Please take a few minutes to call your supervisor and urge him or her to vote to implement the medical marijuana ID card program in Fresno County*

Call *(559) 488-3529*, tell the operator your city and the nearest major cross-streets to your home, and then ask to be transferred to your supervisor. Once on the phone with your supervisor's office, briefly tell them your name and city of residence and then politely let them know that you want your supervisor to follow state law by implementing the medical marijuana ID card program.

In addition to calling your supervisor, please make time to attend the board's hearing on Tuesday.

Board of Supervisors meeting details:

Tuesday, July 8 - 9:00 a.m.
County Administration Center
Hall of Records
2281 Tulare St., #301
Fresno, CA 93721-2198 <http://control.mpp.org/site/R?i=1Cte5om4bzlVlzH_MRDRQg..>
/(This is a professional meeting; please dress and act accordingly.)/

Implementing this important program will move Fresno County into compliance with the state's medical marijuana laws and will bring the county up to the standards of most others in the state. Although patients and caregivers are not required to obtain an ID card, many choose to do so because the cards reduce the risk of false arrest by state and local law enforcement.

Please let other Fresno County residents who support medical marijuana know about this upcoming vote so that they too can call their supervisors and attend the upcoming board meeting.

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12. Monday, July 14, Malibu: City Council to Discuss Dispensary
Regulations

Last month, after hearing extensive testimony from patients and advocates in support of medical cannabis, the Malibu Planning Commission voted to recommend regulating dispensaries instead of banning them. On Monday, July 14, the full City Council will hold a hearing on this proposal. 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: Monday, July 14 at 6:30pm
Where: Council Chambers at City Hall
23815 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA

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Marijuana Icon Special Events

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13. Saturday, July 12, Landers: Fundraiser Event for Senior
Medical Marijuana Defendants

Like many high desert senior citizens, JoAnn and Rich McCabe find that marijuana provides safe, effective symptomatic relief for the ailments of advancing years and use it specifically to manage their arthritis, insomnia and chronic back and joint pain. For following state law and doing what the voters of California said they could do, they are now paying a terrible price -- a price they cannot afford.

Local advocates have already raised a little over $7,000 on the way to the needed total of $15,000. Please come out and help JoAnn and Rich McCabe and have a great time as well!

What: Benefit Event for JoAnn and Rich McCabe
When: Saturday, July 12 from 5-9pm
Where: Castle Inn, 1388 N. Golden Slipper, Landers

See next week's alert for further details.

For more information, contact Lanny Swerdlow at: 760-799-2055.

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14. Wednesday, July 16, Oakland: Special Reception for ASA Donors
with Executive Director Steph Sherer

*Join Steph Sherer & ASA in Oakland on July 16th*
*for a Special Reception for ASA Donors*


Please join ASA Executive Director, Steph Sherer, California Director, Don Duncan and other ASA staff members for a special reception for ASA donors on Wednesday, July 16th. ASA's been busy lately and we have a lot to share with you. From our efforts in Washington, DC to our successes in California, Steph Sherer and Don Duncan will update you on ASA's current exciting projects. You'll also have the chance to meet ASA staff members and other ASA supporters.

This is a party to thank ASA donors for their continued support. If you are a current ASA member, you are invited to join us at this event at no cost.

If you are not a current member, please sign up as a member online before the reception at www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/Join or bring a $35+ donation to the reception to sign up as an ASA member.

When: Wednesday, July 16th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Where: ASA Headquarters
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94602
(2 Blocks from the 12th Street BART station.)

Who: Steph Sherer, Don Duncan, ASA staff members, ASA donors, and you!

What: A free reception with light food and beverages.

Why: To update you on ASA's current exciting projects and to thank
you for your support of ASA.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Rebecca: Rebecca@SafeAccessNow.org <mailto:Rebecca@SafeAccessNow.org>
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