[ASA Field]

ASA California Weekly Alert September 21, 2007
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*Make Sure We Stay On Top of It:* If you wish to have a medical cannabis event, meeting, federal trial, and/or city or county hearing listed in the ASA CA Weekly Alert, please send information to Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org no later than Thursdays by 3:00pm.
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Weekly Round-Up
1. a. Brian Epis Receives 10-Year Sentence From Federal Court
b. In Memory: Dr. Claudia Jensen
c. Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Expo a Success!
d. San Francisco Board of Supervisors Amend Dispensary Regulations

Take Action
2. Only 3 Weeks Left to Take Action: Call Governor Schwarzenegger Today!

Special Announcements
3. Don't Forget to Sign Up for ASA's New Discussion Forums

ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings
4. Saturday, September 22, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Meeting
5. Tuesday, September 25, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
6. Wednesday, September 26, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting
7. Thursday, September 27, Clearlake: Lake County ASA Meeting
8. Tuesday, October 2, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting
9. Wednesday, October 3, Sacramento: Solano Patients' Group Meeting

City and County Hearings
10. Tuesday, September 25, Santa Barbara: City Council to Vote on a Dispensary Moratorium

Special Events
11. Sunday, September 23, Hollywood: ASA Benefit at Tokio-Ultra Lounge
12. Thursday, September 27, Los Angeles: Luchadoors Benefit for ASA
13. Saturday, September 29, Santa Cruz: WAMMfest 2007
14. Wednesday, October 10, Ventura: Safe Access Now Town Hall Meeting
15. Thursday, October 11, Los Angeles: Special Statewide Mobilization for the Governor Schwarzenegger: Stand Up for Patients Rights campaign

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Weekly Round-Up
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1. a. Brian Epis Receives 10-Year Sentence From Federal Court
b. In Memory: Dr. Claudia Jensen
c. Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Expo a Success!
d. San Francisco Board of Supervisors Amend Dispensary Regulations

a. Brian Epis Receives 10-Year Sentence From Federal Court/

Last Friday, after several months of waiting, Brian Epis was sentenced to 10 years in a federal penitentiary. 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. On September 14, 2007, Judge Damrell sentenced Epis to 10 years in prison. Epis has been out on bail since August 9, 2004, pending his appeal, and Judge Damrell denied the prosecution's request to imprison him immediately.

Epis' attorney, Brenda Grantland, will file more documents and move for continued bail pending his appeal. Click here <http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica.com/content/view/149/1/> for a riveting report on the resentencing hearing by Vanessa Nelson. You can also read about Brian Epis' resentencing hearing reported last week in the Sacramento Bee <http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/380494.html>.

There will be a Motion for Bail Pending Appeal Hearing on October 22nd at 10am before Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. in U.S. District Court (E.D., CA), 15th Floor at 501 "I" Street <http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?BFCat=&Pyt=Tmap&newFL=Use+Address+Below&ad dr=501+I+Street%2C+&csz=sacramento%2C+ca&country=u s&Get%A0Map=Get+Map> in Sacramento.


b. In Memory: Dr. Claudia Jensen

Last Saturday, the medical marijuana community and beyond lost Dr. Claudia Jensen, one of our brave leaders to breast cancer. Dr. Jensen, a Southern California pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine, was a pioneer in the medical marijuana movement, commuting up to the Bay area from Ventura to serve the community by working at one of the first medical cannabis collectives in Oakland.

c. Medical Marijuana Expo a Success!
By Interim California Campaign Director, Don Duncan

Last Saturday, hundreds of medical cannabis supporters came out for the 2nd Annual LA County Exposition & Patients Festival in West Hollywood yesterday. Former California Assemblyman and LA City Council Candidate Paul Koretz told the crowd they should be proud of what has been accomplished in the last eleven years, and urged them to pressure elected officials - including Governor Schwarzenegger - to stand up for patients' rights. Koretz pledged to keep defending safe access if elected to the LA City Council next year. Other speakers included medical cannabis author "Ask Ed" Rosenthal and federal defendant Eddy Lepp. Patient and Activist Veda Corchado was honored for her early support of West Hollywood's first medical cannabis collective. I read a statement by Stephanie Landa, who is currently serving 41 months for growing medical cannabis.

More than 300 attendees signed the new ASA postcards to Governor Schwarzenegger asking him to defend patients and the will of the voters. We will be sending these postcards to the Governor's office in advance of the October 11 mobilization to his Los Angeles office. You will soon see these postcards on the counter at participating collectives all over California. Please take a moment to sign one when you do. If your collective doesn't have postcards, tell the to call ASA and get some! Cards are available today at the Los Angeles Patients and Caregivers Group (LAPCG) in West Hollywood <http://www.LAMedicalMarijuana.com> and other local collectives.

We also gathered numerous signatures on petitions, signed up three new ASA members, and received generous donations from the crowd! Thanks to everyone who attended yesterday and the volunteers who worked so hard.


d. San Francisco Board of Supervisors Amend Regulations

This week, San Francisco County Board of Supervisors passed an amendment to the medical cannabis dispensary regulations after a long fought battle by the medical marijuana community. The legislation, sponsored by Supervisor Alioto-Pier, was an amended health and plannign codes. The amendment requires medical cannabis dispensing collectives to comply with ADA business codes in order to receive an operating permit. The amendment requires medical cannabis dispensing collectives to apply for a permit by March 1, 2008.

The Board of Supervisors made compromises with the legislation, allowing delievery-only dispensaries to be exempt from the minimum disability access standards. They also included an exemption clause for business owners who demonstrate, "unreasonable hardship," to comply with the disabled access standards.

Read the CBS 5 online story. <http://cbs5.com/local/local_story_261233930.html>

For more information on the amendments, contact Alex: aaafranco@yahoo.com.

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Take Action
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2. Only 3 Weeks Left to Take Action: Call Governor Schwarzenegger Today!

With less than 3 weeks to take action to call on Governor Schwarzenegger to protect patients' rights, now is the time to call the Governor's office!

Please call the Governor's Headquarters in Sacramento: 916-445-2841. Be sure to
talk to a Constituents Affairs Representative, if calling between 9 a.m -5 p.m.,
Monday-Friday

Phone Script:

"Hello, my name is _Insert Your Name_ and I live in _Insert Your City_ in
California. Thousands of California medical marijuana patients depend on
safe access to medicine to treat the chronic and terminal disease symptoms.
The federal government has taken serious actions to raid, arrest, and
prosecute hundreds of patients and providers, publicly stating that they
will not recognize the validity of our law.

On Thursday, October 11, we are gathering at your office in Los Angeles, I
urge you to join us on that day to stand up for patients' rights. I also
urge you to defend California's laws and call on the Bush Administration to
end the attack on patients and providers. Please let me know what you plan
to do."

Please let ASA know you've called the governor by e-mailing
Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org <mailto:Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org>.

For more information on the Governor Schwarzenegger: Stand Up for Patients'
Rights campaign or to find out more ways to take action, visit
www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/StandUp
<http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/StandUp>. And don't forget to save the
date for the mass mobilization to Governor Schwarzenegger's Los Angeles office,
Thursday, October 11th at noon at 300 South Spring Street.

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Special Announcements
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3. Don't Forget to Sign Up for ASA's Discussion Forums

ASA announced last week that we have desinged a new public space for the medical
marijuana community for communication, discussion, and news around medical
cannabis issues. This new service features online discussion forums for several
states, regions, an online media forum, legal forum, and an activist forum.
Click here to sign up to join the forums.
<http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/asaforums>

As a result of establishing the new discussion forums, we plan to change all of
our regional and patient union discussion listserves to announcement-only lists
and replace each one with a forum. Our goal is to complete the transition from
discussion listserves to forums by October 15th. That means in just a little
over 3 weeks, we will be shutting down our discussion listserves and changing
them to announcement only lists. Please, if you have not yet signed up for our
discussion forums, do so today! Go to www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/ASAForums
to get involved in this fun and exciting new form of web communication.

ASA staff and volunteers will be moderating the forums. Please sign up today to
join the discussion forums. <http://safeaccessnow.org/punbb/index.php>

If you have any technical difficulties, please contact our tech guru, Paul:
Paul@AmericansforSafeAccess.org <mailto:Paul@AmericansforSafeAccess.org>. For
any non-tech related questions or comments please contact Sonnet:
Sonnet@SafeAccessNow.org <mailto:Sonnet@SafeAccessNow.org>.

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ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings
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4. Saturday, September 22, Los Angeles: Los Angeles ASA Meeting

Please Join ASA Los Angeles as we discuss the following topics this month:

A. Gubernatorial Call to Action
B. Local POW Update
C. LA Regulatory Update
D. Other Announcements

When: Saturday, September 22nd, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Where: The Patient ID Center
470 South San Vicente
Los Angeles, CA
Between Wilshire and 3rd Street

For more information: Chris.Fusco@AmericansforSafeAccess.org.



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5. Tuesday, September 25, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting

Join SF ASA to discuss the recent Planning Commission Hearings, follow up on our Emergency Response plan, and discuss outreach and mobilization for the California mobilization to the Governor's office. Get active locally to protect safe access in your community, California, and beyond!

When: Tuesday, September 25th at 7:30pm
Where: Bowzer's Pizza, 371 11th St in San Francisco

For more information, contact Alex: aaafranco@yahoo.com.

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6. Wednesday, September 26, Oakland: East Bay ASA Meeting

Join East Bay medical cannabis supporters, patients, and activists at our next meeting! Senator Hilary Clinton will be in Oakland a week from Sunday. We are planning on attending her rally to build medical cannabis awareness. Please come on Wednesday to find out how you can participate in this important action!

We will also be doing important follow up on our Emergency Response plan and begin planning for the statewide mobilization calling on Governor Schwarzenegger to stand up and protect patients' rights!

Please join us! Refreshments will be served.

When: Wednesday, September 26 @ 7 pm

Where: 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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7. Thursday, September 27, Clearlake: Lake County ASA Meeting

Please Join Lake County ASA's Clearlake meeting this month. We will be giving updates on all of our tabling events in August and September and plan Lake County's participation in the*/ Governor Schwarzenegger: Stand Up for Patients' Rights campaign./* All medical cannabis supporters are welcome!

When: September 27th: 6:00pm
Where: D&M Compassion Center, 15196 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake

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

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8. Tuesday, October 2, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting

Join Sacramento ASA as we continue to organize around medical marijuana issues locally, statewide, and nationally. We are working very hard to prepare for the /*Governor Schwarzenegger: Stand Up for Patients' Rights*/ campaign. Please join us as we work to hold the Governor accountable.

When: Tuesday, October 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Crusaders Hall
320 Harris Avenue, Suite H
Sacramento, CA

For more information, contact Lanette: cannacare@earthlink.net.

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9. Wednesday, October 3, Sacramento: Solano Patients' Group Meeting

Solano Patients' Group has decided to combine our meetings with our Sacramento chapter on the first Wednesday of the Month. We will be working on pressing medical cannabis issues.

When: Wednesday, October 3 at 7pm (every first Wednesday of the month).
Where: River City Patient Center located at 1512 C El Camino Ave, Sacramento.

For more information, contact Linda: Linda4SPG@compassionatecoalition.org.


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City and County Hearings --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Tuesday, September 25, Santa Barbara: City Council to Vote on a Dispensary
Moratorium

On Tuesday, September 25th, Santa Barbara City Council will discuss a proposed ordinance that impose a moratorium on dispensaries for six months, or until the city creates an ordinance regulating medical cannabis dispensing collectives. Please come out and show your support for safe access in Santa Barbara.

When: Tuesday, September 25th at 2:00pm
Where: City Council Chambers
City Hall
100 E Carrillo St. Santa Barbara, CA

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

For more information, contact Sonnet: Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org.

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Special Events
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11. Sunday, September 23, Hollywood: ASA Benefit at Tokio-Ultra Lounge

Live Photo and Art Exhibits, Djs, and More: Benefitting ASA

OPEN P.I.N.K BAR 9pm - 10pm
Dinner- 8pm | Lounge - 10pm - 2am

Featuring Guest Super Star DJs:
DJ Coolwhip, DJ Prophet, Clever DJ, Brail, Philo, & Jeff Ryan
Mixing a variety of beats, rhythms, funk, hiphop, rock, electronica, jams, and more!

For Dinner Reservations, call: 323.464.2065
Entry fee benefits ASA!
Where: TOKIO ULTRA-LOUNGE - 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, www.tokiolosangeles.com; www.myspace.com/rise4charity.

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12. Thursday, September 27, Los Angeles: Luchadoors Benefit for ASA

Luchadoors Benefit for ASA

September, 27 2007 at The Palmer Room
3387 Motor Ave., West L.A., California 90232
Cost : $10

ASA Benefit featuring the Luchadoors. Help support safe access by purchasing a ticket at LAPCG or the Green Goddess.

http://www.myspace.com/whoaretheluchadoors.

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13. Saturday, September 29, Santa Cruz: WAMMfest 2007

WAMMfest 2007

What: Music, Food, Games and Kiddie Town
Why: WAMM wants to thank the city of Santa Cruz for supporting justice
When: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th 2007; 12:00pm-5:00pm
Where: San Lorenzo Park @ Duck Island
River Street x Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz

Please Note: Dogs, Smoking and Alcohol are not permitted in San Lorenzo Park

Featuring:
"Sleepy" John Sandidge
Dub Congress
Soul Majestic
Diane Patterson
John Malkin
Mark Levy
Hipshake

About WAMM:
Wamm is a collective of patients and caregivers creating community, building hope and providing support and medical marijuana at no cost. Our organization works entirely on a donation basis. As a critical grassroots organization our political work has reached from the city and county of Santa Cruz to the state and federal government and has even received international recognition. WAMMfest is our way of thanking the community that supports us. WAMMfest is also a fundraiser to allow us to continue our work of changing attitudes everywhere about medicine.

For more information, call: 831. 425.0580 or go to www.WAMM.org.

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14. Wednesday, October 10, Ventura: Safe Access Now Town Hall Meeting

The patient advocacy group, Safe Access Now, is hosting a "town-hall" style meeting for Ventura County's medical marijuana patients, caregivers and advocates. Please attend this important gathering to learn how to effectively advocate for local implementation of California's medical marijuana laws.

What: Ventura County Medical Marijuana Town-Hall Meeting

When: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 -- 6:30 to 8:00pm

Where: E. P. Foster Library
651 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001
(between Chestnut and Fir in Downtown Ventura)
(805) 648-2716

To RSVP or request more information, contact Safe Access Now's Aaron Smith at (866) 287-6792 or safeaccessnow@gmail.com.

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15. Thursday, October 11, Los Angeles: Special Statewide Mobilization for
Governor Schwarzenegger: Stand Up for Patients' Rights campaign

On Thursday, October 11, 2007, ASA is calling on individuals and organizations that support medical cannabis to join us in a statewide mobilization to the Governor's office in Los Angeles. Plan to attend this historic event and reach out to the individuals and organizations you know and/or are active in to help get people to Los Angeles on October 11.

We still need help distributing flyers and posters: You can download a flyer (in .pdf format) at http://www.AmericansforSafeAccess.or...s/StandUpFlyer or an 81/2 X 11 poster at www.AmericansforSafeAccess.org/StandUpPoster right now!

The LA ASA Chapter and other ASA Chapters throughout the state will be hosting the event organizing meetings throughout the state. Volunteers are needed right away! Please contact Sonnet: Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org to sign up to volunteer to help organize the event!

When: Thursday, October 11 @ 12:00 PM
"Governor Schwarzenegger: Stand Up for Patients' Rights!"
Statewide mobilization to the Governor's office in Los Angeles!
300 S. Spring St., Downtown Los Angeles

For more information, go to www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/StandUp, or call toll free (888) 929-4367.

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