ASA California Weekly Alert: August 3, 2007

Jim Finnel

Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
ASA California Weekly Alert: August 3, 2007
Weekly Round-Up
1. a. Hundreds of People
Demonstrate in Support of Los Angeles Dispensaries
b. Los Angeles City Council Approves Dispensary Moratorium
c. Berkeley Medical Cannabis Supporters and City Council Unite in Solidarity with Berkeley Patients Group
d. Oakdale Dispensary Raid Update
c. Hayward City Council Refuses Permit to Local Dispensary

Take Action
2. Find Out if Your Congressperson Stood Up to DEA to Bring an End to Federal Raids!

ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings
3. Tuesday, August 7, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting
4. Thursday, August 9, Lakeport: Lake County ASA Meeting
5. Sunday, August 12, Birds Landing: Solano Patients Group Meeting
6. Tuesday, August 14, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting
7. Tuesday, August 14, Willits: Mendocino ASA Meeting
8. Tuesday, August 14, San Diego: San Diego ASA Meeting
9. Wednesday, August 15, Newport Beach: Orange County ASA Meeting
10. Wednesday, August 15, Arcata: ***First Humboldt County ASA Meeting***

City and County Hearings
11. Tuesday, August 7, Ukiah: Mendocino County Board of Supervisors to Hear ASA Testimony on Cultivation Amendment
12. Wednesday, August 7, Redlands: City Council Public Hearing to Discuss Dispensary Regulations

Court Support
13. Wednesday, August 8, Modesto: State Criminal Sentencing Hearing for Jesse Kiryakoz
14. Thursday, August 9 Sacramento: Federal Status Conference for David Davidson

Special Events
15. Saturday, August 11, Fresno: Safe Access Now and Hemp Shack to Host Fresno Organizing Meeting
16. Saturday August 11th. The First Occasional Los Angeles Cannabis Comedy Festival
17. Wednesday, August 15, Los Angeles: WAMM March to City Hall

Weekly Round-Up

1. a. Hundreds of People Demonstrate in Support of Los Angeles Dispensaries
b. Los Angeles City Council Approves Dispensary Moratorium
c. Medical Cannabis Supporters and Berkeley City Council Unite in Solidarity with Berkeley Patients Group
d. Oakdale Dispensary Raid Update
e. Hayward City Council Refuses Permit to Local Dispensary


a. Hundreds of People Demonstrate in Support of Los Angeles Dispensaries

Last Friday, hundreds of medical cannabis supporters, patients, providers, and activists gathered throughout the state to protest the DEA's most recent attacks on patients and providers in Los Angeles.
The DEA raided 10 dispensaries last Wednesday, July 25, in Hollywood, while Los Angeles City Councilmembers signed-on to a letter calling on the DEA to abandon it's latest attack on landlords who rent to medical cannabis dispensaries and allow the City Council to move forward with regulations without further federal interference.

ASA chapters and affiliates throughout California, from Humboldt County all the way down to San Diego, joined together in solidarity with the victims of the federal government's war on patients. In Los Angeles, over 200 protesters marched from the federal building down to City Hall to thank the City Council for their support. In Sacramento protesters reported that state employees and law enforcement officers expressed their support for the cause, and asked for more information on how they could help. The Riverside protest turned out more than 75 protesters calling for an end to DEA raids. And the newly formed Humboldt County ASA Chapter hosted a successful protest, getting
stories published in local papers .

In a response to the raids and protests, nine members of Congress published a statement in opposition to the DEA raids at ASA’s request. The statement called the DEA actions "unconscionable,” adding that this was “not only an issue of compassion, but one of states’ rights and common sense.” The statement was signed by Representatives Hinchey, Farr, Rohrabacher, Paul, Frank, Cohen, Lee, Woolsey, and Sanchez after voting yes on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment that was defeated in the House last Wednesday.

Thank you to all of the organizers, supporters, and activists who made this statewide effort a success. Please continue to take action to protect safe access to medical cannabis in California.


b. Los Angeles City Council Approves Dispensary Moratorium

This week, the Los Angeles City Council voted to approve a moratorium on new dispensing collectives that marks the first step towards sensible guidelines and greater legitimacy for dispensing collectives in the city. This marks the most recent in a long line of actions Los Angeles City Council has taken to protect patients and providers and improve safe access.

The council voted 10-2 in favor of the year-long moratorium. To read more about the moratorium, read the
Los Angeles Times article.


c. Medical Cannabis Supporters and Berkeley City Council Unite in Solidarity with Berkeley Patients Group
From ASA's Spokesperson, Kris Hermes

With only a few hours notice, a crowd of at least 65 people gathered in front of Berkeley City Hall to protest the seizure of assets from Berkeley Patients Group (BPG), one of the state's flagship medical cannabis dispensaries. The operators of BPG found out Monday that their bank accounts had been frozen. In an effort to get those funds released, and protect against further federal intervention in Berkeley, advocates called for a rally in front of City Hall. The theme of the rally was to urge the City Council to adopt a Sanctuary Resolution similar to one previously adopted in San Francisco.

Speakers at the rally included City Councilmembers Darryl Moore, Maxwell Anderson, Linda Maio, and Kriss Worthington (that's half of Berkeley's Councilmembers), Angel Raich, Debby Goldsberry, and myself. BPG Community Liaison, Becky DeKeuster, did a great job MC'ing the event. We also obtained and read a statement from State Senator Carole Migden, who urged the City Council to adopt a Sanctuary Resolution for Berkeley. Multiple media outlets covered the event.

Because the City Council was conducting an unplanned meeting, it did not have to allow for public comment. However, the Councilmembers did allow us five minutes, in which Debby Goldsberry and I spoke about the need to protect patients and providers from federal interference both in Berkeley and across the state. Due to public disclosure/notice laws and the absence of Mayor Tom Bates, a vote to adopt a Sanctuary Resolution was not possible. This was the last Berkeley City Council meeting until September, but members assured us that they would take this issue up upon their return.

Thanks for everyone's help and participation in a hugely successful event that was pulled off in less than 5 hours. There's much more to do to ensure that the DEA and the federal government end the war against patients and providers, but we are moving forward with a show of strength.


d. Oakdale Dispensary Raid Update

On Tuesday, DEA agents raided Oakdale Natural Choice Collective in Oakdale, California. The collective's operator was taken into custody while federal agents raided the dispensary and his home. ASA is waiting to hear further reports on the raid. If you have any information on the raid please contact
Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org .


e. Hayward City Council Refuses Permit to Local Dispensary

This week, the Hayward City Council has denied a permit that would allow the Hayward Patients' Resource Center (HPRC) to relocate in order to open. The Hayward Patients Resource Center is the last remaining dispensaries in the city.

The HPRC's zoning permit expire d in December of 2006, but the dispensary received an extension which expired earlier this month. The City Council denied issuing a new zoning permit to the dispensary earlier this week, shutting down the dispensary and further limiting safe access for patients. To read background on the HPRC and the Hayward City Council's efforts to remove the dispensary from downtown Hayward,
click here.

Take Action

2. Find Out if Your Congressperson Stood Up to the DEA to Bring an End to Federal Raids!

Last week, the medical cannabis movement achieved a record number of congressional votes for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment to the Commerce-Justice State Appropriations bill, which would have cut funding for federal raids of patients and providers in medical cannabis states. Unfortunately, the amendment did not have enough votes to pass.

Not only did the amendment not pass, but 18 Congresspeople from California voted against the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment, thus continuing funding of federal raids against Californians. Their actions are an attack on patients and they must be held accountable!

Visit
ASA420:420TAKE ACTION: Tell Your Representative to Vote to Stop Federal Raids! to find out if your representative is one of the 18 mentioned above and to hold him/her accountable for his/her actions. If your Congressperson voted in favor of the amendment and protecting patients please be sure to thank him/her for his/her leadership.

ASA Chapter and Affiliate Meetings

3. Tuesday, August 7, Sacramento: Sacramento ASA Meeting

There has been increasing activity in California around dispensary regulations, ID card programs, court support needed, and overall access for patients. Come to the Sacramento ASA meetings this month to work on important medical cannabis issues facing Sacramento. We will also be giving updates on SAC ASA's court support for Dr. Mollie Fry and Dale Schafer, ASA's lawsuit with the DQA, and other California issues. Come join us!

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

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

4. Thursday, August 9, Lakeport: Lake County ASA Meeting

Please join us in Lakeport for our monthly ASA meeting. We will be discussing upcoming tabling activities, current events, and how we can improve access in Lake County.

When: Thursday, July 12, at 6:00pm
Where: Clover Hydrophonics, 2626 South Main St. in Lakeport
(behind the Fast Stop shoppett at Hopland Grade)

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

5. Sunday, August 12, Birds Landing: Solano Patients Group Meeting

Please join Solano Patients Group's fight for safe access in Central California. At this meeting we will be discussing current events including the recent federal activity in California and what we can do to be to increase safety and access for patients in Solano County.

All medical cannabis supporters are welcome!

When: Sunday, August 12th @ 3:00 pm
Where: 2145 Collinsville Road in Birds Landing

For more info, call (707) 635-3752

6. Tuesday, August 14, San Francisco: San Francisco ASA Meeting

Please join us at the upcoming San Francisco ASA meeting. We will be giving briefings on the recent hearing last week, the DEA protest last Friday, and we will be looking at what's on to the horizon for medical cannabis issues in San Francisco.

The next ASA SF meeting will be held on Tuesday August 14th 7:30 to 9:00

Where: Bowzer's Pizza
371 11th St
San Francisco , CA 94103

7. Tuesday, August 14, San Diego: San Diego ASA Meeting

San Diego City Council recently voted to file an Amicus Brief supporting California's medical cannabis law. Please come find out what this means for safe Access in San Diego.

For more info about the chapter, please visit their site:
Normandale -

When: Tuesday, August 14, 7:00-8:00pm
Where: Twiggs Coffee House
4590 Park Blvd.
In the Green Room
.

8. Wednesday, August 15, Willits: Mendocino ASA Meeting

Please join us at our Mendocino ASA August meeting. We will be discussing the Board of Supervisors meeting and what our next actions will be to protect medical cannabis cultivation and access in Mendocino County.

When: August 15, Wednesday, at 6:00
Where: Herban Legends, 18300 Old Coast Hwy, Fort Bragg, CA

For more information contact
Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

9. Wednesday, August 15, Newport Beach: Orange County ASA Meeting

Orange County ASA's recent victory of convincing the Board of Supervisors to implement the state ID card program is a step towards safe access. Please join us to discuss implementation of the program, recent events, and other important medical cannabis issues facing us in Orange County.

When: July 11th @ 7:00pm
Where: Law Offices of WENTWORTH, PAOLI & PURDY, LLP
4631 Teller Avenue, Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92660

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

10. Wednesday, August 15, Arcata: ***First Humboldt County ASA Meeting***

Humboldt County ASA (Americans for Safe Access) will hold its innaugural monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 15 at 7pm at Mosgo's coffee house in Arcata. At the meeting we will discuss Humboldt ASA's mission and goals, plan for future actions and get to know each other. This meeting will mark a new chapter in the local medical marijuana movement; we hope to see you there!

WHO: Humboldt County ASA
WHAT: Monthly Meeting
WHEN: Wed., August 15, 7pm
WHERE: Mosgo's coffee house in Arcata (Westwood Shopping Center off Alliance Rd.)
WHY: To organize to fight for patients rights in Humboldt County.
HOW: Through dedication and compassion...

Please email David at
Humboldtasa@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. All patients and
supporters are invited!

City and County Hearings

11. Tuesday, August 7, Ukiah: Mendocino County Board of Supervisors to Hear ASA Testimony on Cultivation Amendment

This Tuesday, Mendocino ASA, and other medical cannabis activists will be testifying during public comment at the Board of Supervisors' meeting regarding a proposed cultivation amendment. This amendment will limit the number of plants patients and providers are allowed.

When: Tuesday, August 7 at 11:15am
Where: Board of Supervisors Chambers
501 Low Gap Rd.
Ukiah, CA

Please come out and show your support for safe access. For more information contact
Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

12. Wednesday, August 7, Redlands: City Council Public Hearing to Discuss Dispensary Regulations

Redlands City Council will hold a public hearing to assess public need and hear comments on developing dispensary regulations. Please come out and show your support for safe access.

When: Wednesday, August 7 at 7:00pm
Where: City Council Chambers
City Hall
35 Cajon St, Redlands, CA

Download
ASA talking points on dispensary regulations, moratoriums and bans.

Court Support

13. Wednesday, August 8, Modesto: State Criminal Sentencing Hearing for Jesse Kiryakoz

Next Wednesday there will be state criminal sentencing Hearing at 8:30am before Judge Ricardo Cordova. The Modesto Police Department raided his private patient collective cultivation site and arrested 32-year old chronic back pain patient Jesse Kiryakoz. Kiryakoz was convicted of cultivation and possession with intent to sell 11 oz. of medicine and less than 100 plants. Please come out to Jesse’s sentencing hearing to show the judge that he is part of our community and we stand behind him, but please call (209) 558-6000 to confirm that the hearing is on schedule.

When: August 8th at 8:30am
Where: Judge Ricardo Cordova's courtroom
Stanislaus County Superior Court, Dept. 8, 1st Floor,
800 11th St., Modesto, CA.


Click here for a map to the Courthouse.

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

14. Thursday, August 9, Sacramento: Federal Status Conference for David Davidson

Medical marijuana patients David Davidson & Cynthia Blake were raided in 2003 by Tehama County Sheriffs and were arrested on federal charges in January 2004. Davidson is now facing manufacturing and conspiracy to manufacture more than 1,000 plants and is currently incarcerated in Sacramento.

When: August 9 at 9:00am
Where: Judge Morrison England, Jr. in U.S. District Court (E.D., CA),
15th Floor at 501 "I" Street in Sacramento

For more information, contact
Sonnet@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

Special Events

15. Saturday, August 11, Fresno: Safe Access Now and Hemp Shack to Host Fresno Organizing Meeting

On Saturday, August 11, Safe Access Now and the Hemp Shack will be hosting a meeting to help local medical cannabis patients effectively advocate their local government.

Fresno County is not working to implement state law by implementing California’s medical marijuana ID card program and, due to a lack of medical cannabis dispensaries in the area, many local patients are forced into the black market to obtain their medicine.

Please attend this important meeting to learn how you can help turn Fresno County around and protect local patients from arrest.

When: Saturday, August 11, 4:00-6:00 PM
Where: Round Table Pizza (private meeting room)
5040 N. West Avenue (@ Shaw)
Fresno, CA
93711-2901

Map:
Map of 5040 N West Ave Fresno, CA by MapQuest

Pizza and soft drinks will be provided. For more information, contact Aaron Smith at Safe Access Now: (707) 575-9870 or
safeaccessnow@gmail.com

16. Saturday August 11, Los Angeles: The First Occasional Los Angeles Cannabis Comedy Festival

What: A fantastic benefit comedy show for ASA. This show has been produced in SF for the past 10 years, and one in Sacramento for about 5 years, and now it is coming to LA!!!

Featured Comics: Garrett Morris, Greg Proops, Ngaio Bealum, Jefferey Peterson, Rich Chassler and many more!
Music by the Luchadoors and DJ Ill Media.

Proceeds to benefit Americans for Safe Access

Ticket cost: $15.00

When: Saturday, August 11. Show stats at 9pm sharp.
Where: Downtown Comedy Club, Los Angeles

For more information, contact:
info@AmericansforSafeAccess.org

17. Wednesday, August 15, Los Angeles: WAMM March to City Hall

WHAT: Women Advancing Medical Cannabis Symbolic March to City Hall on
WHEN: August 15th at 9:00am
WHERE: 255 E. Temple Street (Edward R. Roybal Federal Building)
Downtown Los Angeles
WHY: Safe access isn't going anywhere on our watch.

WHO: Women Advancing Medical Marijuana are concerned patients who are dedicated to the further enrichment of the Medical Cannabis community and survival of safe access for all patients. We are your mothers, sisters, daughters and partners; we seek to merge these traits into the minds of those who know not what a 'patient is'.

We urge all interested parties to march alongside us - be they in wheelchairs, walkers, canes or in need of someone to lean on while we make our way up to City Hall. How you 'march' is how you feel, and it shows.

For more information, visit
Untitled Document. To RSVP e-mail:
march@wamcla.org.


--


Sonnet Seeborg Gabbard
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
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

Headquarters
1322 Webster St Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
P: 510-251-1856 ext. 321 F: 510-251-2036
 
Dear Patients and Caregivers,

Last Wednesday, July 25, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), in joint operation with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), conducted a raid at the California Patients Group (CPG), our sister organization in Los Angeles.

That week, the LAPD first froze the banking accounts and assets of CPG, and then did the same to another sister organization in West Hollywood, the Los Angeles Patients and Caregivers Group, or LAPCG.

On Monday, July 30, we discovered that the LAPD had placed a freeze on our BPG accounts here in Berkeley. On Wednesday, we learned, U.S. Marshalls seized BPG's accounts.

You read that correctly: the LAPD came into Berkeley, stole your resources, and handed them over to the DEA.

We are outraged that the LAPD is participating is such an action, especially considering that the City of Berkeley in 2002 passed a resolution preventing the Berkeley Police Department from working with federal agencies on medical marijuana prosecutions. Lacking any such restraints, LAPD has brought last week's federal raids in LA right into our home town.

Coming on the heels of the threatening letters to landlords in LA, last week's raids, and the recent increase in the amount of anti-medical marijuana pieces in the mainstream media, there is every indication that the DEA, in conjunction with the LAPD, is intent on closing down medical marijuana providers everywhere.

We have been active in the fight for medical marijuana long before we opened our doors, and we've always operated in the full spirit of Prop. 215 and SB 420. We are proud of our eight-year history in Berkeley, and committed to maintaining safe access to medicine for seriously ill patients.

We are working with the City of Berkeley and our other allies state- and nationwide to combat this attack. We can stop them, but WE NEED YOUR HELP. Here's what you can do:

1) Call your city councilmember, mayor, county supervisor, congressperson, senators, and the governor. Contact info is listed below. Let them know what has happened, ask for their help in returning BPG's patient resources and providing a sanctuary for our patients, and tell them that you expect to hear back from them. Let us know what response you receive!

For pointers on effectively getting your message across to elected officials, visit:
ASA : The ABCs of Citizen Advocacy

2) Donate to ASA. Americans for Safe Access is a grassroots organization working solely on medical marijuana issues state and nationwide. They depend ENTIRELY on donations. Each month, BPG contributed a significant amount to support ASA. With our assets frozen, we will be unable to make a donation this month. Visit ASA : Advancing Legal Medical Marijuana Therapeutics and Research to help out.

3) We especially encourage Berkeley residents to call and thank Councilpersons Darryl Moore, Max Anderson, Linda Maio, and Kriss Worthington for taking a swift, public and principled stand against the DEA's attacks on medical marijuana in our home town.

What will we do?

We will continue to educate our patients and the community.

We will continue to provide safe access, despite the risks and set-backs we face.

We will continue to support the members of BPG, and the greater medical marijuana community, by standing up for the right to safe access.

I know that many of you will have concerns and questions. Please email info@berkeleypatientsgoup.com and we'll be in touch.

Thank you for your support and all the love you've shown us in these trying times.

In solidarity,

Becky DeKeuster
Community Liaison
***********************
CONTACT INFORMATION: Let these elected officials know we need their support now more than ever! Ask them to (1) speak out against the federal attack on patients' resources, (2) offer immediate safe haven for BPG, and (3) press federal agencies for the immediate return of the assets of BPG's patients!

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates 510-981-7100

Berkeley City Councilpersons
Linda Maio 510-981-7110
Darryl Moore 510-981-7120
Maxwell Anderson 510-981-7130
Dona Spring 510-981-7140
Laurie Capitelli 510-981-7150
Betty Olds 510-981-7160
Kriss Worthington 510-981-7170
Gordon Wozniak 510-981-7180

County Supervisor Keith Carson
Phone: (510) 272-6695
Fax: (510) 271-5151
Email Supervisor Carson at Contact Us - District 5 - Board of Supervisors - Alameda County

Assemblymember Loni Hancock
District Office ( El Cerrito )
Phone: 510-559-1406
Fax: 510-559-1478
Email Assemblymember Hancock at
Assemblymember Loni Hancock - Contact Us

State Senator Don Perata
Phone: 510-286-1333
Email: Senator.Perata@sen.ca.gov

U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Oakland District Office
Phone: (510) 763-0370
Fax: (510) 763-6538
Email Congresswoman Lee at Barbara Lee

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
San Francisco Office
Phone: (415) 393-0707
Fax: (415) 393-0710
Email Senator Feinstein at
.: United States Senator Dianne Feinstein, California :: Contact Us :.

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
Sacramento Office
Phone: (916) 448-2787
Fax: (916) 448-2563
Email Senator Boxer at Email Barbara Boxer: Contacting the Senator

Governor Schwarzenegger
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
Email the governor at Welcome to California :: Contact the Governor
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the dea won't stop as long as the only thing they have to fight are 50 people in wheel chairs half passed out from exhaustion... we need to control them, with numbers... the time has come for us to join forces internationally.
 
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