Blog

Contents:

California News

• US Attorney Defies White House (California)
• Modesto City Council committee split on parents’ pleas for medical marijuana access for sick kids (Modesto)
• Pastor who is a top aide to Baca is under investigation (Los Angeles)
• County Planning Commissions Recommend Marijuana Cultivation Ordinance Move Forward (Lake County)
• Medical Cannabis: Voices from the Frontlines (ASA Blog)

Events

• Monday, November 18 – Ventura City Council Meeting
• Saturday, November 23 – Monte Carlo Night(Santa Monica)
  
• Save the date: April 5-7, 2014 - ASA’s 2nd Annual National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference in Washington, DC.

Take Action

• Fall Membership Drive: Become an ASA Member Now!

ASA Services
Free Online Services

• Legal Support
• Publications
• Raid Center
• Medical Cannabis Advocate's Training Center

ASA Chapter Meetings

• Tuesday, November 19, 2013 – San Francisco ASA
• Wednesday, November 20, 2013 – East Bay ASA
• Wednesday, November 20, 2013 – Lake County ASA

California News

US Attorney Defies White House
By David Downs in the East bay Express

Despite new federal guidelines that purportedly were designed to ease enforcement of marijuana laws in states in which pot is legal for adult or medicinal uses, US Attorney Melinda Haag is plowing ahead with attempts to close two of the most prominent medical cannabis dispensaries in California — Oakland's Harborside Health Center and Berkeley Patients Group.
Read the full story here.

Modesto City Council committee split on parents’ pleas for medical marijuana access for sick kids
By Erin Tracey in the Modesto Bee

Parents of children who suffer from seizure disorders told harrowing stories of their debilitating effects in an appeal for help from Modesto City Council members at this week’s Safety and Communities Committee meeting.
They gave testimonials about a specific type of medical marijuana they say has been more effective than any pharmaceutical drug they have used to treat their children’s seizures, and they asked the three council members on the committee for help bringing its safe access to Modesto. The committee was divided.
Read the full story here.

Pastor who is a top aide to Baca is under investigation
By Richard Winton in the LA Times

A pastor and top civilian aide to L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca was relieved of duty and is the subject of an internal affairs investigation after officials learned he owns a South Los Angeles property that houses a medical marijuana shop, a spokesman said Wednesday.
Bishop Edward R. Turner works as a paid field deputy for Baca and oversaw the department's Multi-Faith Clergy Council for more than a decade. The bishop, who founded Power of Love Christian Fellowship ministries in South Los Angeles, earns at least $105,000 a year working for Baca.
Read the full story here.

County Planning Commissions Recommend Marijuana Cultivation Ordinance Move Forward
By Elizabeth Larsen in Lake County News

A new proposed medical marijuana cultivation ordinance will head to the Board of Supervisors next month after the Lake County Planning Commission recommended it move forward following a Thursday public hearing.
With the county's interim urgency cultivation ordinance set to expire next July, the Community Development Department – at the direction of the Board of Supervisors – drafted the 26-page ordinance.
The draft ordinance prohibits outdoor cultivation altogether within community growth boundaries, limits indoor cultivation to 100 square feet with indoor lighting not to exceed 1,200 watts, and sets a cap of six mature or 12 immature plants on parcels larger than one acre located outside of community growth boundaries.
Read the full story here.

Medical Cannabis: Voices from the Frontlines (ASA Blog)

Read more articles and commentary on ASA's blog, Medical Cannabis: Voices from the Frontlines at http://www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/blog

Events

Monday, November 18 – Ventura City Council Meeting
Join Ventura ASA to oppose a proposed ordinance banning patients’ collectives and limiting cultivation (agenda item 9). 6:00 PM at City Hall, 501 Poli Street, Ventura, CA.

Saturday, November 23 – Monte Carlo Night
A benefit for Santa Monicans for Safe Access. casino-style games, fine art, food and drinks, and mingling. 7:00 PM at the Tag Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave., Bldg. D-3, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Click here for more information.

April 5-7, 2014 - 2nd Annual National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference
Save the date for ASA's second national conference in Washington, DC.

Take Action

Fall Membership Drive: Become an ASA Member Now!

ASA offers patients, their providers, attorneys, medical professionals and policymakers up-to-date information on the medical and legal use of cannabis nation-wide.  ASA offers our members legal and legislative support including trainings, capacity-building, analysis, publications and strategic support. We organize media support for court cases, rapid response to law enforcement raids, and media responses to current events.  Our successful advocacy, media, and legal campaigns have resulted in important court precedents, new sentencing standards, and more compassionate local and state guidelines.
Join between October 2nd and November 15th for a chance to win a FREE trip to DC for ASA's Annual Conference this April!

ASA Services

Free Online Services

• Legal Support - Legal information for patients, lawyers, and other about medical cannabis laws the legal system.
• Publications - Education literature and training for patients, activists, and others.
• Raid Center - Be prepared for a law enforcement encounter, let ASA help you in case of a federal raid, and get text alerts regarding local law enforcement activity.
• Medical Cannabis Advocate's Training Center - Learn how to be a more effective advocate for medical cannabis and how to build the movement in your community.

ASA Chapter Meetings (Full Calendar Here)

Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - San Diego
7:00-9:00 PM at Giovanni’s Restaurant - 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92123
Email [email protected]  for more information.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - Nevada County
6:00 PM at Nevada County Contractors Association, 147 Crown Point CT Grass Valley, CA 95945
Email [email protected] for more information.

Thursday, November 14, 2013 - Imperial Beach
6:00 PM at 1233 Palm Ave, Imperial Beach, CA.
Email [email protected] for more information.

Have something to share?
The “California Weekly Roundup” is a once-a-week email for ASA Members and Friends that focuses on relevant news and important updates, action alerts, meetings and special events. Send items for the California Weekly Roundup to [email protected] before 12:00 PM on Friday to be included in Monday's distribution.