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ASA California Weekly Alert: 9-19-2008

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*Weekly Round Up*
1. After Years of Waiting, Police Return Medicine to Huntington Beach Patient
2. Santa Barbara Dispensaries Close Their Doors, After Feds Threaten Landlords
3. Area Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Urge Los Angeles City Council to Move Forward with Regulations

*Take Action*
4. URGENT: If You Value Your Right to Work, Call the Governor Now!

*Chapter and Affiliate Meetings*
5. Saturday, September 20 - Los Angeles: LA ASA Meeting
6. Tuesday, September 23 - San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting
7. Wednesday, September 24 - Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
8. Saturday, September 27th - Los Angeles: LA ASA - Final Planning Event for Charles Lynch Protest
9. Thursday, October 2nd - Santa Rosa: Sonoma County ASA Meeting
10. Tuesday, October 7th - Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting *

* *Court Support*
11. Monday, October 6 - Fresno: Scarmazzo and Montes Sentencing and Request for New Trial
12. Monday, October 6 - Los Angeles: Charles Lynch Protest Rally and Request for New Trial

*Special Events*
13. Saturday, September 27th - Santa Cruz: WAMMFest 2008
14. Tues, September 30 & Wednesday, October 1 - Sacramento: Cannabis Comedy Festival ASA Benefit!

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California Icon Weekly Round Up

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1. After Years of Waiting, Police Return Medicine to Huntington
Beach Patient

After three years of waiting Jim Spray, a former client of ASA's who had his medical cannabis wrongly confiscated by Huntington Beach Police, had his cannabis and growing equipment returned to him under court order earlier this week. The order from Orange County Superior Court Judge Thomas Borris came nearly nine months after the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled in /Garden Grove v. Superior Court /that qualified patients who have their medication wrongly seized by police have the right to get it back..

Spray, who was represented by ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford in his case (in which the court reached the same ruling) is the second patient in Huntington Beach, to have had medication returned that was seized by police. According to officials, Huntington Beach Police don't have a policy on dealing with medical cannabis.

To read a detailed account of Spray's case, take a look at Joe Elford's blog post about this story <http://americansforsafeaccess.org/blog/?p=166>.

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2. Santa Barbara Dispensaries Close Their Doors, After Feds
Threaten Landlords

According to Dale Gieringer of California NORML, this week several Santa Barbara dispensaries closed their doors, in the face of threats by the federal government against their landlords. In early August, officials from the United States Justice Department had met with the landlords and admonished them to evict their dispensary tenants or risk asset forfeiture.

Hundreds of dispensary landlords throughout the state have received letters from the DEA advising them of their tenants' activities and telling them that they risked asset forfeiture. However, neither the DEA nor the DOJ had ever followed up on these letters, except during these meetings in Santa Barbara.

Though this situation appears to be isolated, it is a huge loss for Santa Barbara patients and the surrounding communities. Since the only other central coast dispensary, run by Charles Lynch who was recently convicted in a federal court, was shut down last year, safe access in the area is now in danger. Patients will either be forced to drive long distances to procure their medicine or may have to resort to the illicit market.

For more information, please see Dale Gieringer's full press release <http://canorml.org/news/fedsclosesb.html>.

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3. Area Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Urge Los Angeles City
Council to Move Forward with Regulations

Representatives from a number of local medical cannabis dispensing collectives spoke before the Los Angeles City Council last Friday to ask that the council move quickly on adopting regulations and creating an ordinance governing medical cannabis dispensaries. Council members were attentive and interested in the concerns brought forth, a noticeable change from past meetings.

The meetings came partly in response to the recent dispensary guidelines issued by Attorney General Jerry Brown, in which Brown asserted that nonprofit dispensing collectives and cooperatives are legal under California law. The medical cannabis community requested that the council provide them with guidelines and regulations in order to engage in best practices and to better serve the community. To date, Los Angeles has issued no such regulations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------


Take Action Icon Take Action

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4. URGENT: If You Value Your Right to Work, Call the Governor Now!

This is it. AB 2279 has reached the Governor's desk, and Governor Schwarzenegger could sign or veto it any day. Its "Go Time" for the medical cannabis workers' rights bill.
*If you think that over 300,000 medical cannabis patients in California deserve the right to work to feed their families and contribute to society, then we're asking you to call Governor Schwarzenegger immediately (916-445-2841) to ask him to sign AB 2279. *

With your help, we've generated more calls and emails to the Governor than ever before, but we need to generate more to get the Governor's attention. You know that this bill is about protecting a patients' right to work. If it fails, a patient's employer can fire him/her at any time just for being a medical cannabis patient. But if Gov. Schwarzenegger signs AB 2279, patients' jobs will be protected.
It is absolutely critical that you call the Governor right now (916-445-2841) and ask him to please sign AB2279 for the sake of over 300,000 jobs in California! Call Governor Schwarzenegger's office at 916-445-2841 and say:

"Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I am asking that Governor Schwarzenegger sign AB 2279, the medical cannabis workers' rights bill into law. California is going through tough economic times, and right now hundreds of thousands working individuals can be fired just because of their status as legal medical cannabis patients. People with illnesses should be encouraged to work whenever possible. They should not risk discrimination because of their condition. Thank you."

Then, send the Governor of an email to reiterate your support for AB 2279. We've set up a quick way for you to do this so visit www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/AB2279Action

Thank you for all of your continued support, and for being the driving force behind this campaign.
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Take Action Icon Chapter and Affiliate Meetings

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*5. Saturday, September 20 -- Los Angeles: ASA Meeting @ West Hollywood Medical Cannabis Expo*

Instead of a regular meeting this month, ASA will have a table and a sign making party at this year's Medical Cannabis Expo in West Hollywood on September 20. Please come visit this all day event, which features live music, special guest speakers, and dozens of exhibitors from all aspect of the medical cannabis movement. Organizers ask for a $5 donation at the door, but no one is turned away for lack of funds.

LA-ASA members will be making signs at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 20, for the "Free Charles Lynch" rally on October 6. This sign making party and Expo will replace our regular monthly meeting so come on down and pitch in.

What: 3rd Annual West Hollywood Medical Cannabis Exposition
When: All day * Saturday, September 20 (1pm for sign making!)
Where: West Hollywood Park Auditorium, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA

For more Info: http://www.LAMedMJExpo.org, or contact Don Duncan: Don@AmericansforSafeAccess.org*
*
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*6. Tuesday, September 23 - San Francisco: SF ASA Meeting*

SF ASA is one of the longest running ASA chapters, responsible for much of the major medical cannabis progress we've seen in the Bay Area over the years. Meetings are an excellent way to meet like-minded people, to learn about medical cannabis research, law, and politics, and to get involved in impacting your community in a positive way. Be proactive - Come to the SF ASA Meeting

When: Tuesday, September 23th @ 7:30pm
Where: Bowzer's Pizza,
371 11th St
San Francisco CA

For more information, contact Brent Saupe: brent_saupe@yahoo.com
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*7. Wednesday, September 24 -- 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'll be discussing the Berkeley medical cannabis dispensary ballot initiative that will be on the ballot this November, Measure JJ, and how we can all get active!

During the second half of the meeting, we will be calling LA activists to invite them to the rally at Charles Lynch's hearing on October 6th. If you cannot make it down to LA on the 6th, this is a great opportunity to help out.

When: Wednesday, September 24th @ 7pm (Please arrive promptly, as the doors lock after 7:10 pm)
Where: ASA Headquarters Office
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402, Downtown Oakland

For more information, contact George: 510-251-1856 x. 321 or George@AmericansForSafeAccess.org
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*8. Saturday, September 27th - Los Angeles: LA ASA - Final Planning Event for Charles Lynch Protest
*
The October 6th protest and rally will be one of the largest of its kind. We are calling on everyone who supports California's medical cannabis law to take off work, bring all your friends, relatives, and loved ones, and show your support for Charles Lynch, an innocent man and a valued member of his community who faces up to 100 years in federal prison because of DEA's malicious tactics. Please come to the final planning session to learn how to be a part of this effort. Volunteers are STILL needed!

When: Saturday, Sept 27th @ 1pm
Where: Patient ID Center
470 S. San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(Cross street is Drexel, between Wilshire & 3rd St.)

For more information, contact Don Duncan: Don@AmericansforSafeAccess.org
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*9. Thursday, October 2nd - Santa Rosa: Sonoma County ASA Meeting*

Please join Sonoma County ASA as they discuss pressing local, state, and federal safe access issues, including efforts to get the Governor to sign ASA's medical cannabis workers' rights bill, AB 2279, recent court developments, and research on medical cannabis!

When: Thursday, October 2nd @ 5pm
Where: Department of Health- South City View Rm.
625 5th St. (between Mendocino and Humboldt) in Santa Rosa

For more info, contact: asasonomaco@aol.com
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*10. Tuesday, October 7th - Sacramento: ASA Affiliate Compassionate Coalition ASA Meeting*

Medical cannabis in the state's capitol is exciting and rewarding. Find out how to lobby legislators and how the local ASA affiliate is helping to pressure and impact state law. Sacramento ASA played an instrumental role in the efforts to support AB 2279, and all are encouraged to attend!

When: Tuesday, October 7th @ 7pm
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Avenue, Suite H in Sacramento

For more info, email Lanette: cannacare@earthlink.net

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Patients Rights Icon Court Support

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11. Monday, October 6: Fresno - Scarmazzo and Montes Sentencing
and Request for New Trial

Two jurors publicly recanted their guilty verdicts in the federal trial of Ricardo Montes and Luke Scarmazzo, operators of the California Healthcare Collective raided by DEA in 2006, providing their attorneys an opportunity to push for a new trial.

Jurors Craig Will and Larry Silva said they would not have convicted Montes and Scarmazzo if they had realized the felony charges carry a mandatory sentence of 20 years to life in federal prison. They both claim they intended to find the men not guilty until they read a summary of a news story in the San Francisco Chronicle that said future presidential administrations likely would not prosecute dispensaries in medical cannabis states. In the news story it "appeared as though this wasn't a serious crime," Will told the court. If its found that jurors were unduly influenced by the Chronicle, or any other outside source, it may be enough to retry the case with a new jury.
What: Sentencing and motion for new trial for Montes and Scarmazzo
When: Monday, October 6th @ 2pm
Where: Judge Oliver W. Wanger
Fresno Federal Courthouse
2500 Tulare, Fresno, CA

Jessica Santos, a friend of Scarmazzo, is collecting signatures at gopetition.com to contest the mandatory minimum sentence. The repentant jurors were the first two people to sign the online petition. For more information contact Vanessa Nelson at: vanessa@crazybrain.org
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12. FREE CHARLES C. LYNCH peaceful PROTEST 10/6 11am 312 N. Spring
Street Los Angeles

When: Monday, October 6, 2008
8 am hearing - 11 am rally in front of the courthouse (professional attire and respectful demeanor requested)
Where: Courtroom 10 U.S. District Courthouse
312 NORTH Spring street (at Temple St) in downtown LA

Charles C. Lynch was raided by the DEA and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs on March 29, 2007 at Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers (CCCC) in Morro Bay, CA. Lynch stringently followed state, county and city medical cannabis regulations, and developed positive and open relationships with all top local officials. On March 29, 2007, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff called in the DEA to raid the dispensary.

On July 17, 2007, after his collective was already closed, the DEA and local sheriffs arrested Lynch on $400,000 bail, posted by his family and FACES UP TO 100 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON. On August 5, 2008, Lynch was convicted on charges of conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and concentrated cannabis, manufacturing (cultivating) more than 100 plants, knowingly maintaining a drug premises, and sales of marijuana to a person under the age of 21. Additionally, criminal forfeiture proceedings have begun on Lynch's assets.

Watch Drew Carey's account of Lynch's struggle with the federal government on Reason.tv <http://www.reason.tv/video/show/413.html>. For more information visit http://www.friendsofccl.com to give money, assistance, and support. Or, write to Judge Wu directly and plead for Charlie's freedom. Letters of support helped Mickey Martin receive a lighter sentence, so we need to show the same support for Charles Lynch.

After the hearing, please join ASA for a rally at 11am at the federal courthouse to show support for victims of federal interference and to call for an end to raids and intimidation. We hope to have thousands of peaceful protesters there! Please mark your calendars for this important date now.**

Bring: signs, banners, sunscreen, a hat, water and acoustic instruments and bring friends and loved ones to this peaceful protest for medical marijuana.

Organizers respectfully request you leave your medication at home or in your car and refrain from using medication that this event. Please medicate responsibly before or after the event. We do not want to news media to focus solely on protesters medicating. We want them to focus on Charles Lynch and our issues.

_*Parking:*_
PLEASE CARPOOL or take PUBLIC TRANSIT. Ask your coop to organize a carpool from or near the dispensary. There is parking below the mall on Main street between Temple and Aliso St. Price
The parking lot on N Spring street directly across from City Hall (between Tom Bradley Blvd and Temple) costs $16.
There is parking on N. Spring Street Arcadia and W Cesar E Chavez Ave which cost $9 but fills up fast.
There is also parking on Main street between Arcadia and W Cesar E Chavez Ave price unknown
For public transit information, visit http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/default.htm
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Marijuana Icon Special Events

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*13. Saturday, September 27th - Santa Cruz: WAMMFest 2008*

Join the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana once again for "The Best Grass Roots Political Party in Town" - at the Fifth Annual WAMMFest, 2008! An excellent event with music, politik, poems, games and fun for families, everyone is welcome! ASA will have a booth at the event, so stop on by to pick up literature and learn how to get active and join the ASA team! Come celebrate and stand for justice in the protection of medical cannabis patients everywhere!

When: Saturday, September 27, 2008 @ 12pm-5pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park Benchlands, 1
37 Dakota Street Santa Cruz, CA by
the San Lorenzo River Duck Island.

More information and automated sign up can be found at: wammfest.org or call WAMM at: 831.425.0580 or fax us at: 831.425-0582 or email: jackie@wamm.org.

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14. Tuesday, September 30 & Wednesday, October 1 - Sacramento:
Cannabis Comedy Festival ASA Benefit!

Greetings Supporters of Americans For Safe Access, Maximum Events, and Thee Cannabis Comedy Festival! We are excited to invite you VIP STYLE!!!
*When:* Tuesday September 30th and Wednesday October 1st from 8pm -11pm
*Why: * To benefit Americans For Safe Access, the nations largest organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access o cannabis for therapeutic use and research.
*Where: *Punch Line Comedy Club (Howe Bout Arden Center, Upstairs) 2100 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA
*What: *An evening of entertainment!! COMEDY!!!! Ngaio Bealum, Joe Bartnic, many more special guest appearances, and performers!!! DJ Selector Lou & DJ Ross B! Food, Full bar (2 Drink Min.) Huge Raffle with tons of prizes!

Tickets: $25 per person

VIP Pack is $175 for one night table for four, $250 for both nights. Includes: Entrance to the Show for 2, VIP Seating, 2 Drink Tickets, 2 Raffle Tickets

Presale tickets available @ Capital Wellness Center, Briar Patch in Grass Valley, and Millenium Coop in Grass Valley, or online @ Ticketmaster.com.

Will sell out!!! Limited Space... Call 916-275-9298 to reserve your spot today!

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