Local bans call for action. Are you ready?
Contents:
- Message from the CA Director: Local bans call for action. Are you ready?
- State & Local News: National, state, and local news from communities all over California
- Public Meetings & Events: Riverside, Ventura, Washington, DC, and online
- Court Support: Redding and more
- Take Action Now: Tell Riverside County Not to Ban Cultivation
- ASA Website Spotlight: Advocacy
- Chapter & Affiliate Meetings: None this week
Pictured: Riverside County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors delayed a vote on an ordinance banning medical cannabis cultivation in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County until November 25. That is good news for local advocates, who need more time to rally the base in opposition to the proposed ban. See the Take Action section of this message to find out what you can do to help right now.
The proposal by Supervisor Jefferies is the latest in a series of moves by local governments to roll back the right of legal patients and caregivers to cultivate medical cannabis. Lake County banned cultivation in June, and the ACLU is currently challenging a ban adopted by Fresno County in March. Other cities and counties may soon follow suit.
The outcome of the ACLU lawsuit in Fresno County may clarify the authority of local government to ban medical cannabis cultivation, but there is always a chance we will not like what the court has to say. The California Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that nothing in state law prohibits a city or county from banning storefront cooperatives and collectives - even when they are legally organized and operated.
Patients, advocates, and other medical cannabis stakeholders should notice what is happening in Riverside and elsewhere. Local politics still matter; and it takes an informed, well-trained, and active grassroots base to stop the erosion of medical cannabis rights. Check out the Advocacy section of ASA’s website, which is highlighted in the ASA Website Spotlight section of this message, to learn more. Then let me know how I can help you.
By the way, the next live Google Hangout is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2014, at 7:00 PM. That broadcast will focus on local ballot measures and the November election. You can participate in the ongoing conversations on ASA’s email discussion list – http://www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/ASA-CCSA
California & National News
The NFL's Pot Problem (National)
Ron Borges, Men’s Journal
Last year, as the Seattle Seahawks cruised into the play-offs, they did so without the two key players who'd been suspended for smoking pot. Never mind that it was legal for cornerbacks Walter Thurmond and Brandon Browner to smoke it in Washington – the NFL forbids it. Pot is also now legal in Colorado, where the Broncos lost All-Pro Von Miller for six games, for testing positive.
Read more here:
http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/the-nfls-pot-problem-20140919#ixzz3DnOBGg2X
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Californians Turn to Private Security to Police Pot Country (California)
Alex Altman, Time Magazine
On a recent Sunday, a local gardening club gathered with their local sheriff in Laytonville, Calif., a hamlet of 1,227 people in Mendocino County, America’s cannabis cultivation capital. By some estimates, up to 90% of the town’s residents are tied to the pot industry, and the event was a chance to ask about the county’s enforcement policies. Instead, some members of the community wanted to talk about a rumor that had been making the rounds.
Read more here:
http://time.com/3393387/california-marijuana-pot-security/
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Undercover Operation Shattered Dreams Busts Hash Oil Labs (San Diego)
Andie Adams, NBC 7 San Diego
Multiple hash oil laboratories across the county were raided this week after a year-long undercover operation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Nine people were arrested Tuesday during Operation Shattered Dreams, when DEA agents served search warrants to a number of locations in San Diego, Spring Valley, Chula Vista and El Cajon.
Read more here:
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Undercover-Operation-Shattered-Dreams-Busts-Hash-Oil-Labs--275552071.html#ixzz3DnRXM900
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Marin medical marijuana grower offers water conservation tips (Fairfax)
Richard Halstead, The Marin Independent Journal
After keeping a low profile for more than two years, George Bianchini, founder and CEO of Medi-Cone, a Marin-based collective that grows and sells medical marijuana, invited the public to visit his West Marin home this week for a demonstration on water conservation.
Read more here:
http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_26566721/north-bay-medical-marijuana-grower-offers-water-conservation
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Fugitive returned to California in torture case (Santa Ana)
Associated Press, Hattiesburg American
A man arrested in the Czech Republic and accused of torturing a medical marijuana dispensary owner is back in Southern California to face trial. Orange County prosecutors say 35-year-old Hossein Nayeri was extradited from Prague this week. He was scheduled to be arraigned today on multiple counts of kidnapping for ransom, aggravated mayhem, torture and burglary.
Read more here:
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/crime/2014/09/17/fugitive-torture-case/15785431/
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Outdoor Marijuana Cultivation (Barstow)
Highland Community News
On Tuesday, September, 16, 2014, Deputy Brandon Clancy of the Barstow Sheriff’s Station initiated an investigation of the illegal distribution and sales of marijuana. Clancy’s investigation revealed suspects from the community of Newberry Springs were shipping packages containing large quantities of marijuana through parcel service to various states to include Rhode Island, Ohio, Texas, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Read more here:
http://www.highlandnews.net/news/crime_and_fire/article_80903f84-3f79-11e4-9ca2-cb522292f865.html
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Marijuana entrepreneurs see high times ahead (Los Angeles County)
Ronnie Crocker, Houston Chronicle
Houston entrepreneur Amanda Gross did her research and found a partner who's a recognized leader in his field. She's leased a building, hired lawyers and is halfway toward securing $500,000 in startup capital. Most important, she says, she already has enough orders under contract to sell all of her product for the first year.
Read more here:
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Marijuana-entrepreneurs-see-high-times-ahead-5767178.php#/0
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Man killed, teen hurt in gun battle at Cutler-area pot farm (Tulare County)
Lewis Griswold, Fresno Bee
One man was shot to death and a teen wounded after they tried to rob a heavily guarded marijuana patch before dawn Thursday, the Tulare County Sheriff's Department said.
Read more here:
http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/09/18/4130904_one-dead-after-gun-battle-at-marijuana.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy
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City OKs marijuana law (Porterville)
Kelli Ballard, Recorder Online
After years of studies and research, numerous discussions, and the recent continued public hearing on medical marijuana cultivation, the Porterville City Council Tuesday officially adopted a new marijuana ordinance that will allow qualified patients to grow up to 20 plants.
Read more here:
http://www.recorderonline.com/news/city-oks-marijuana-law/article_e5e9a654-3f47-11e4-86a9-0017a43b2370.html
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Nearly $1 Million in Pot Fines Appealed in Fresno County (Fresno County)
David Downs, East Bay Express
California cities and counties have been switching from the criminal code to the civil code to continue to ban medical cannabis growing. Fresno County is the leader in the practice, and this coming Monday, the board of supervisors will hear appeals from folks ordered to pay a total about $800,000 for growing pot plants on their property.
Read more here:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/LegalizationNation/archives/2014/09/19/nearly-1-million-in-pot-fines-appealed-in-fresno-county
Public Meetings & Events
Monday, September 22, 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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Monday September 29, 2014 – Medical Cannabis Testing Q&A with Dr. Jeffery C. Raber (Ventura)
6:30 - 8:00 PM at EP Foster Library, Topping Room, 651 East Main St., Ventura, CA 93001. Dr. Raber founded The Werc Shop, an independent laboratory focused on botanical analysis and product development to serve the unmet public health and safety needs within the medical cannabis community. Email [email protected] for information.
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Thursday, October 16, 2014 – Medical Cannabis in CA: Local Measures & the November Election (Online)
7:00 PM online (links will be announced soon). This live broadcast with ASA CA Director Don Duncan will focus on local ballot measures and the November election. There will be time for questions and comments.
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Tuesday, November 25, 2014 – Riverside County Board of Supervisors (Riverside)
9:00 AM at 4080 Lemon St, Riverside, CA 92501. Arrive early to sign up to speak in opposition to agenda item 3-2. Join patients and advocates to tell Supervisors not to ban medical cannabis cultivation. It is especially important to have County residents/voters there. See the Take Action section of this message for more.
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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?
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 – Court Support for Michael Cappiello (Redding)
9:00 AM in Department 1, Shasta County Courthouse, 1655 West St., Redding, CA 96001. Dress in a professional manner and obey all courtroom rules to best help the defendant.
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Find more information and additional listings on The Human Solution Calendar. http://www.thsintl.org/calendar
Take Action Now
Tell Riverside County Not to Ban Cultivation (Riverside County)
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/tell_riverside_county_not_to_ban_cultivation_ca
The County Board of Supervisors in Riverside County, CA, is considering a ban on all medical cannabis cultivation. The County already bans cooperatives and collectives that provide medicine in storefront locations, so the new ban on cultivation will cut off all legal access to patients in the county. Riverside County has more than 2 million residents, so this will affect a lot of people. Will you take a few minutes to call the five members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors with a short message opposing the ban?
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Join ASA’s New California Discussion List – ASA-CCSA (California)
https://groups.google.com/a/safeaccessnow.org/forum/#!forum/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
Advocacy
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/advocacy
Empowering grassroots advocates to fight for medical cannabis rights is a top priority at ASA. The Advocacy section of our website has free resources to help you get educated, trained, and active in the movement. Find out where your elected officials stand on medical cannabis, participate in action alerts, locate other local advocates, and more. Perhaps the most exciting thing in our Advocacy section is the free Medical Cannabis Advocates Training Center. This exciting text and video based program will help you reach your full potential as a medical cannabis activists and builder a larger movement in your community.
ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings
None this week!
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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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