No, it's not over yet
Contents:
- Message from the CA Director: No, it's not over yet
- State & Local News: National, California, Oakland, West Hollywood, Laguna Woods, San Francisco, Mendocino County, San Bernardino County, Lake County, Hanford
- Public Meetings & Events: Sacramento, Online, Washington DC
- Court Support: Oroville, Redding, and more
- Take Action Now: Pardon Dr. Mollie Fry, Support the Medical Marijuana Organ Transplant Act, and more
- ASA Website Spotlight: Vote Medical Marijuana 2014
- Chapter & Affiliate Meetings: San Diego
I got a FaceBook message after ASA reported that Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents raided two medical cannabis patients’ collectives in the Los Angeles area on Thursday: “I thought this crap was over???!!” Not yet, I am afraid. Federal interference and intimidation is still a reality in California, and there is reason to believe we will not see a change soon. Outgoing Deputy US Attorney General James M. Cole told the Los Angeles Times earlier this month that raids and other federal pressure would continue until California gets its “regulatory act together.”
ASA, the nation’s leading medical cannabis patients’ advocacy organization, is working hard to change federal law and adopt sensible regulations in California. Neither is an easy task. The issue remains controversial for lawmakers, and we have powerful adversaries. We need to do a better job of presenting a unified front and supporting viable legislative proposals in 2015. Look for more on that in future messages.
In the meantime, cities and counties in California are moving at cross-purposes. For example, the City of Oakland has doubled the number of legal facilities in its borders during this three-year long crackdown, while last week, the tiny City of Hanford joined the list of more than two hundred jurisdictions that ban medical cannabis cultivation or distribution.
Voters are pushing back for patients’ access in several communities with ballot measures on November 4. If they are successful, we will see expanded access in Encinitas, La Mesa, Santa Ana, Butte County, Lake County, Nevada County, and Shasta County. ASA urges voters in these cities and counties to make a special effort to get to the polls and vote in just nine days. Voter turn out will be low, so your vote matters even more.
California & National News
Can medical marijuana solve our opioid addiction problem? (National)
Nikhil Swaminathan, Aljazeera America
When Ian Young went to get a massage in August 2008, he had already been living with pain for more than decade. A car accident with a drunk driver in 1997 had left him with lingering discomfort in his neck. Deep tissue massages, along with gym workouts and stretching, were his primary means of treating his pain.
Read more here:
http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/fault-lines/articles/2014/10/23/can-medical-marijuanasolveouropioidaddictionproblem.html
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War on marijuana unconstitutional, doctors testify in federal court Monday (National)
David Downs, Smell the Truth
The U.S. government claims marijuana is a dangerous, addictive drug with no medical benefits. But that claim will be up for debate Monday in California when a federal judge is scheduled to hear testimony from doctors that conclude the opposite.
Read more here:
http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2014/10/21/war-on-marijuana-unconstitutional-doctors-testify-in-federal-court-monday
Read a related press release form ASA here:
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/federal_court_to_hear_evidence_on_whether_marijuana_is_misclassified_as_a_dangerous_drug_with_no_medical_value
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California marijuana raids will continue until controls improve, DOJ official says (California)
David Downs, Smell the Truth
The three year-old federal crackdown on medical cannabis businesses in California will continue, a Dept. of Justice official told the Los Angeles Times last week.
Read more here:
http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2014/10/20/california-marijuana-raids-will-continue-until-controls-improve-doj-official-says/
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Out-Of-State ‘Cannamoms’ Visit Bay Area To Get Medical Marijuana For Their Kids (California)
Mike Sugarman, CBS San Francisco
Parents from across the country, including a group of moms from Florida, are traveling to the Bay Area to give their sick children what they can’t get at home: medical marijuana.
Read more here:
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/10/22/out-of-state-cannamoms-visit-bay-area-to-get-medical-marijuana-for-their-kids-children-pot-florida-california/
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Say Hello to Oakland's Eighth Medical Pot Dispensary (Oakland)
David Downs, East Bay Express
Oakland's eighth medical cannabis dispensary Telegraph Health Center has a perfect acronym — THC — and a really solid collection of about twenty flowers, plus various concentrates and edibles available for patients.
Read more here:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/say-hello-to-oaklands-eighth-medical-pot-dispensary/Content?oid=4103429
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DEA Raids 2 Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (West Hollywood)
Matt Ferner, Huffington Post
Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration raided two legal medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles on Thursday that, according to multiple staff members, were fully compliant with state laws.
Read more here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/24/dea-raid-medical-marijuana-los-angeles_n_6038926.html
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Seniors in Laguna Woods Village are craving medical marijuana (Laguna Woods)
Emily Foxhall, Los Angeles Times
Inside Laguna Woods Village, retirees with stiff knees and failing eyesight make ready use of wellness centers and medical offices scattered throughout nearby strip malls.
Read more here:
http://www.latimes.com/local/marijuana/la-me-laguna-woods-marijuana-20141022-story.html#page=1
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SF medical marijuana industry expansion on hold (San Francisco)
Chris Roberts, San Francisco Examiner
San Francisco is saying no to a medical marijuana green-light district. Cannabis, whether legally sold for medicinal purposes or illegally sold for recreational use, is California's biggest cash crop and one of the country's fastest-growing industries, but a further expansion of medical marijuana dispensaries in The City's Excelsior looks unlikely for now.
Read more here:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/sf-medical-marijuana-industry-expansion-on-hold/Content?oid=2909650
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Recent Police Raids on Medical Marijuana Gardens in California Cut Off Treatment for Children Living with Epilepsy (Mendocino County)
eNews Park Service
As promising results from clinical trials are announced in the use of cannabis (medical marijuana) to treat intractable epilepsy, those lawfully cultivating the plant in California are being raided by local law enforcement. Two gardens destroyed by police in the past two months in Mendocino County and Modesto contained a rare strain of medical marijuana rich in Cannabidiol (or CBD) used by children many of whom do not respond to other drug treatments.
Read more here:
http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/health-and-fitness/56229-recent-police-raids-on-medical-marijuana-gardens-in-california-cut-off-treatment-for-children-living-with-epilepsy.html
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Medical marijuana dispensary initiative starting over in San Bernardino (San Bernardino County)
Ryan Hagen, The Sun
The advocate behind a proposed measure to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in the city plans to restart the process after receiving an official ballot title and summary from the city that highlights oversights and errors that could prevent the ordinance from going into effect.
Read more here:
http://www.sbsun.com/health/20141023/medical-marijuana-dispensary-initiative-starting-over-in-san-bernardino
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Sheriff Can't Seize Pot Plants Without Warrant (Lake County)
Nick McCain, Court News Service
Medical marijuana patients in Lake County, California won an injunction preventing the sheriff from seizing their plants without a warrant.
Read more here:
http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/10/20/72588.htm
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Hanford bans growth, distribution of medical pot (Hanford)
Mike Eiman, Hanford Sentinel
After months of discussion, the Hanford City Council adopted a ban on the cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana Tuesday, following suit with a growing number of Valley cities.
Read more here:
http://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/hanford-bans-growth-distribution-of-medical-pot/article_2da17557-b980-511e-9aab-43aaff00bdd2.html
Public Meetings & Events
Monday, October 27, 2014 – Hearing Regarding Cannabis Scheduling Under Federal Law (Sacramento)
9:00 AM in Courtroom 3, at 501 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. A U.S. District Court in Sacramento will be holding a landmark hearing on whether cannabis should be classified in Schedule I under federal law. This hearing is part of a federal trial - United States v. Pickard, et. al. Seating may be limited. Dress in an appropriate manner and obey all courtroom rules.
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Monday, October 27, 2014 - Marijuana Compassion and Common Sense (Online)
6:00 PM at www.blogtalkradio.com/marijuananews Tune in for this weekly live Internet broadcast about cannabis and medical cannabis issues. You can call in to participate.
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Thursday, November 20, 2014 –What Legalization Means for Medical Cannabis (Online)
7:00 PM online. Join ASA California Director Don Duncan for a live Google Hangout to discuss what legalization of cannabis means (and does not mean) for medical cannabis patients, providers, and other stakeholders in California. A Google Hangout is an interactive event you can join from your computer of mobile device. We will publish the link for joining soon.
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March 27, 2015 – ASA’s National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference 2015 (Washington, DC)
Join us March 27th – 31stfor the biggest and most important medical cannabis conference yet. Early bird and ASA member discounts are now available. Save money on registration, travel, and lodging by registering now. For more information: http://www.nationalmedicalcannabisunityconference.org
Court Support
What is Court Support and how do I get involved?
Monday, October 27, 2014 – Arraignment of Fred Delmer (Placerville)
8:00 AM at 2850 Fairlane Court, Suite 120 Department 7, Placerville, CA 95667. Dress in an appropriate manner and obey all courtroom rules to best help the defendant.
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Tuesday, October 28, 2014 – Court Support for Rick Gromoll and Laprill O'Brien (Pomona)
8:30 AM at 350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona, CA 91766. Dress in an appropriate manner and obey all courtroom rules to best help the defendants.
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Find more information and additional listings on The Human Solution Calendar. http://www.thsintl.org/calendar
Take Action Now
Sign the Petition: Pardon Dr. Mollie Fry (National)
http://www.change.org/p/president-barack-obama-pardon-dr-mollie-fry?recruiter=2973685&utm_campaign=twitter_link_action_box&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition
Sign this online petition by Republican California Attorney General candidate Ron Gold asking the President to pardon Dr. Mollie Fry. Dr. Fry is in federal prison as a result of a medical cannabis conviction in 2001.
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Join ASA’s New California Discussion List – ASA-CCSA (California)
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/asa-ccsa
ASA-CCSA is a membership-based email discussion list about local and state medical cannabis legislation, initiatives, referendums, and related litigation in the state of California. Unlike this weekly email, you can respond to messages on ASA-CCSA and share your response with everyone. The purpose of the list is to facilitate dialog and participation by movement and industry stakeholders. Respectful and courteous participation, conversations, and debate are welcome.
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Support the Medical Marijuana Organ Transplant Act (California)
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/support_the_ca_medical_marijuana_organ_transplant_act
A patient in California can be denied a life-saving organ transplant solely based on the fact that he or she uses medical cannabis! Legal patients have died after being removed from the organ transplant list, and others are in jeopardy right now. Americans for Safe Access, the nation's leading medical cannabis patients' advocacy organization, proposes legislation to prevent anyone from being denied a transplant because of medical cannabis. Sign this petition to let lawmakers know you support the Medical Marijuana Organ Transplant Act to provide equal access to health care for legal patients.
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Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/join_asa
ASA is the nation’s leading medical cannabis patients’ advocacy organization. The patients, medical professionals, scientists, concerned citizens, and other who comprise ASA are committed to promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA works in partnership with state, local and national legislators to overcome barriers and create policies that improve access to cannabis for patients and researchers.
ASA Website Spotlight
Vote Medical Marijuana 2014
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/vote_medical_marijuana2014
Be an informed voter. This is a powerful tool for voters who care about medical cannabis. Find out where candidates stand on the issue, request a voters’ guide, get connected directly with your elected representative, and more. This is also where you will find ASA groundbreaking political ads targeting candidates that oppose safe access.
ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings
Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - San Diego ASA (San Diego)
6:30 – 7:30 networking, 7:30 meeting starts at Giovanni's Restaurant at 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92123. Email [email protected] for more information.
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See all California ASA Chapter Meetings here:
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/california_advocacy
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.
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