[ASA Field]

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ASA California Weekly Alert September 28, 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. DEA Raids a Sacramento Dispensary and Attacks Oakland Edible Provider, Tainted, Inc.
b. The Medical Marijuana and HIV/AIDS Movement Mourns the Loss of John Shaw
c. Thanks to ASA's Los Angeles Field Coordinator, Chris Fusco! You Will be Surely Missed
d. ASA vs. Alameda Elections Suit: Victory for Medical Marijuana Patients!

ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings
2. Tuesday, October 2, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting
3. Wednesday, October 3, Sacramento: Solano Patients' Group Meeting
4. Tuesday, October 9, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
5. Tuesday, October 9, San Diego: San Diego ASA Meeting
6. ***Lake County ASA Meetings Canceled for October***

City and County Hearings
7. Monday, October 1, Visalia: City Council to Discuss a Dispensary Ban
8. Wednesday, October 3, Norco: City Council to Vote on a Dispensary Ban
9. Thursday, October 4, Indian Wells: City Council to Vote on a Dispensary Ban

Court Support
10. Monday, October 1, Indio: Hearing to Dismiss All State Charges for Gary Silva
11. Monday, October 1, Fresno: State Sentencing Hearing for Thunder Rector

Special Events
12. Saturday, September 29, Santa Cruz: WAMMfest 2007
13. Thursday, October 4, Oakland: Press Conference to Speak Out Against DEA Raids in Oakland
14. Wednesday, October 10, Ventura: Safe Access Now Town Hall Meeting
15. Thursday, October 11, Los Angeles: Special Statewide Mobilization for Governor Schwarzenegger: Stand Up for Patients Rights campaign
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Weekly Round-Up
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1. a. DEA Raids a Sacramento Dispensary and Attacks Oakland Edible Provider, Tainted, Inc.

This week, the DEA escalated their attacks on patients in California when agents raided the oldest running dispensary in Sacramento, River City Patients' Center and in a separate attack, Oakland-based medical marijuana edible manufacturer, /Tainted/, Inc.

Wednesday morning, federal agents showed up at River City Patient Center raiding the facility, detaining five employees, stealing medicine, seizing the collective's financial assets, and detaining the collective's operartor, William Pearce. The raid came after a supposed yearlong investigation into Pearce's collective. Pearce, a highly respected member of the medical marijuana community, and the five employees were released Wednesday evening. No arrests were made.

ASA's Sacramento Chapter and affiliates turned out over 100 protesters during the raid, showing their support for the collective. Read more about the raid in the Sac Bee, <http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/401653.html> and read about ASA's response on our new blog: http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org/blog/?p=7.

The other attack on Wednesday was independent of the Sacramento raid. The DEA targeted medical marijuana edibles provider, Tainted, Inc. The paramilitary-style raids by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) involved five locations the DEA says are connected to Tainted, Inc., a well-known supplier of edible medical cannabis products available in dozens of medical marijuana dispensaries across the state. Heavily armed federal agents seized cannabis plants and medicinal edibles, arrested three people and shot an employee's dog.

Tainted, Inc. provides clearly labeled baked goods and other marijuana edibles to medical cannabis patients and collectives all over California. Edible cannabis products provide an alternative to smoking cannabis and are preferred by many patients. The products made by Tainted, Inc. are available only through medical cannabis dispensaries and carry prominent warning labels.

Tainted owner Michael Martin was out of town when the raids occurred and is expected to turn himself in to federal agents next week. Martin could face twenty years or more in federal prison for his role in supplying medical cannabis. Because federal law does not recognize medical uses for marijuana, if he goes to trial, Martin will not be allowed to tell jurors that his company supplied medical cannabis products through licensed dispensaries to qualified patients. Defense attorneys are prevented from raising state law, local regulations or the vast amount of medical cannabis science in federal marijuana trials.

Read ASA's full press release on the Tainted, Inc. raids: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=5084.

ASA will keep you updated on any new information involving both River City Patient Center and Tainted, Inc. Also, please see below in the "Special Events" section for information on a press conference in response to the Oakland raids.

b. The Medical Marijuana and HIV/AIDS Movement Mourn the Loss of Bay Area Activist, John Shaw
By ASA's Interim California Campaign Director, Don Duncan/

I am very sad to learn that John Shaw, my friend and ally in the struggle for safe access, died yesterday in San Francisco. Many of you know John from his years of crusading and selfless volunteer work on behalf of medical cannabis and other HIV/AIDS patients. John's good spirits and positive attitude were always an inspiration. I remember how he brought so much enthusiasm to our first ASA outreach teams when he traveled to Los Angeles, never being daunted by the enormity of the task or the always-present opposition. He was always an empathetic friend and a joy to be around - someone who will long be missed by me and his many friends in the Bay Area and all over California.

I hope you will join me in expressing condolences to his family, loved ones, and friends. I have not yet heard word about services, but wanted to let the community know about this terrible loss.

Here is a link of John testifying in San Francisco earlier this month:

http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/Vie...php?view_id=10

After clicking on this link, choose September 11th full Board meeting, then Jump to #19 in the 'Jump To' bar below the video screen. John appears at 51:15 in the video.

John's family is planning a memorial, and ASA will announce this when a date is chosen.

c. Thanks to ASA's Los Angeles Field Coordinator, Chris Fusco! You Will be Surely Missed/
By ASA's Interim California Campaign Director, Don Duncan/

I am sorry to report that Chris Fusco, our LA County Coordinator, will be leaving Americans for Safe Access this week. Chris has done an amazing job here in Los Angeles, helping to steer the campaign for safe access through some very turbulent times. He has helped shape the greatest expansion of safe access since Proposition 215 was adopted, and helped the community bear the brunt of the DEA's unprecedented pressure on patients and collectives.

I have watched Chris take initiative and show leadership as an ASA volunteer and as my personal assistant this year. With LA's moratorium finally in effect and the process of writing permanent regulations under way, Chris can move on knowing he has made a positive difference for this community.

His diligence and good nature will be missed. Let's all wish him well in his next endeavors and hope to see him again soon!

Call to the LA Office may be directed to (323) 882-6766 and emails may be sent to me at Don@SafeAccessNow.org*

d. ASA vs. Alameda Elections Suit: Victory for Medical Marijuana Patients!

This past Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Winifred Y. Smith ruled that the Alameda County Registrar of Voters and Alameda County, "have engaged in a pattern of withholding relevant evidence and failure to preserve evidence" necessary to conduct a recount of a hotly contested Berkeley ballot measure in 2004. As a result, the Court has voided the election and ordered the County to place Measure R back on the ballot for a re-vote at the next year in the general election. Judge Smith continued by saying Alameda County officials should pay attorneys' fees and reimburse a medical marijuana group more than $22,000 for the costs it incurred during a disputed recount shortly after the November 2004 election.The measure sought to end limits on the number of plants allowed to medical marijuana users and would have created a peer oversight committee for medical cannabis dispensaries in the city.

Americans for Safe Access and three other patients filed the lawsuit against Alameda County on December 30, 2004. The lawsuit challenges Alameda County's refusal to allow the public to examine copies of the Measure R electronic votes and system audit logs during the recount of the ballot initiative conducted on electronic voting machines made by Diebold Election Systems, Inc.

Read about the victory for Measure R and patients and providers in Alameda County in the San Francisco Chronicle <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/28/BA3MSFNNP.DTL>.

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ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Please join us Tuesday as we discuss the recent attack on safe access here in our community. Also, 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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3. 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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4. Tuesday, October 9, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting*

Join San Francisco ASA as we discuss upcoming hearings, prepare for the statewide mobilization, and finalize plans to carpool down to Los Angeles. Safe access is under fire in the Bay Area! Come out and support safe and legal access!

When: Tuesday, October 9, 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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5. Tuesday, October 9, San Diego: San Diego ASA Meeting

Join us at the San Diego ASA meeting this month. Our San Diego chapter of ASA has been busy lately and needs you to get involved. We will be discussing important local issues and discuss the statewide mobilization on October 11th. It is time to get involved and protect safe access!

Twiggs Coffee House
4590 Park Blvd.
In the Green Room
7:00-8:00 p.m.

For more information, contact: sdasa420@yahoo.com.

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6. ***Lake County ASA Meetings Canceled for October***

*Lake County ASA has been very busy the past month, educating the community about safe access at several fairs, festivals, and public events. As a result, we will be canceling our October meetings and will meet in November.

For any questions about our November meetings and/or about attending the statewide mobilization to the Governor's office in Los Angeles, please contact Donna at: LakecoASA@msn.com.

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City and County Hearings
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7. Monday, October 1, Visalia: City Council to Discuss a Dispensary Ban

*The Visalia City Council will be discussing a dispensary ban this Monday,
October 1st at 7:00pm. Activists, patients, and medical marijuana supporters
will be gathering to show their support for safe access in Visalia. Please come
and show your support as well!

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

When: Monday, October 1st at 7:00pm
Where: City Council Chambers at City Hall
425 E. Oak St. Suite 300
Visalia, CA 93291

For more information on the hearing, contact Rick: (559) 553-2650.

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8. Wednesday, October 3, Norco: City Council to Vote on a Dispensary Ban

Please come out and show your support for safe access in Norco. The Norco City
Council will hear a second reading of an ordinance, which will ban dispensaries
in the city. Please come out and show the Norco City Council that the community
needs safe access to medical marijuana.

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

When: Wednesday, October 3 at 7:00pm
Where: City Hall at Address: 2870 Clark Avenue, Norco, California 92860

For more information, contact Sonnet: Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org
<mailto:Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org>

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9. Thursday, October 4, Indian Wells: City Council to Vote on a Dispensary Ban

Next Tuesday, the Indian Wells City Council will hear a second reading of an
ordinance, which will ban dispensaries in the city. The Indian Wells City
Council needs to know about the importance of safe access. Please attend the
hearing.

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

When: Thursday, October 4 at 1:30pm
Where: City Hall located at 440 Harcourt Ave. Seaside, CA

For more information, contact Sonnet: Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org.
<mailto:Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org>

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Court Support
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10. Monday, October 1, Indio: Hearing to Dismiss All State Charges for Gary Silva*

DEA agents, along with Riverside County Sheriff's officers, raided Gary Silva's
small medical marijuana collective grow outside of Palm Desert, California. When
the DEA knocked on the door, patient Gary Silva went to open it. DEA agents
proceeded to kick in the door, dislocating Gary's shoulder and causing
lacerations to his face. Gary uses medical marijuana for degenerative disk
disease and nerve damage. He is currently being treated in the emergency room of
a local hospital. Agents confiscated fewer than 80 plants and dry medicine,
which were grown for several patient collective members. Patient records and
equipment were also seized. No arrests were made. DEA agents repeatedly told
Gary that they would not be charging him, and that he would only be charged if
he grew again. Silva's lawyers are expected to move for complete dismissal of
all criminal charges.

When: Monday, October 1st at 8:30am
Where: Larson Justice Center
46200 Oasis St. Indio, CA

For more information, contact Lanny: (760) 799-2055

When: Monday, October 1 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Larson Justice Center in Indio, 46200 Oasis Blvd. in Indio.

Ask at the information desk for the courtroom number of Gary Silva's case.

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13. Monday, October 1, Fresno: State Sentencing Hearing for Thunder Rector

*Modesto patient and caregiver Thunder Rector was arrested on July 18, 2005, as
a result of a raid by the Stanislaus County Sheriff earlier in July. Allegedly,
the Sheriff confiscated 49 plants and 235 pounds of marijuana and handed it over
to the feds. Rector is now being prosecuted on federal charges of conspiracy and
manufacturing marijuana with intent to distribute. Rector and his wife had been
providing medical marijuana to patients at the San Francisco Dispensary the
Divinity Tree.

When: Monday, October 1 at 1:30pm
Where: Judge Wanger in Courtroom 3
2500 Tulare Street in Fresno, CA.

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Special Events
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14. 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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15. Thursday, October 4, Oakland: Press Conference to Speak Out Against DEA Raids in Oakland*

On September 26th, the DEA attacked Tainted, Inc., an Oakland edible manufacturing company, by raiding several of its facilities, arresting 3 employees, and shooting an employee's dog. Thousands of California patients rely on ingesting medical cannabis through edibles. These raids have severely limited their safe access.

These raids must end! Join us on Thursday to show solidarity for all medical
cannabis providers and for the four victims who have been charged in connection
to the Oakland raids.

What: Press Conference Speaking Out Against Raids in Oakland
When: Thursday, October 4th at 9:00am
Where: Oakland Federal Building at 1301 Clay St.
What to Wear: Business Professional Attire

For more information, contact Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org.

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

***Keep an eye out next week for surprise actions to promote the rally!***

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.

ASA Chapters throughout the state have endorsed the rally and are 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.

-- Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard Field Coordinator Americans for Safe Access AmericansForSafeAccess.org <http://AmericansForSafeAccess.org> Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. Join us today... AmericansforSafeAccess.org <http://AmericansforSafeAccess.org> Headquarters 1322 Webster St Suite 402 Oakland, CA 94612 P: 510-251-1856 ext. 321 F: 510-251-2036 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attachment: http://drugsense.org/temp/17FpbNr9ER32w.html