Press Releases

San Francisco – Patients, doctors and activists will be gathering for fun events and political protests across the country during the 2nd annual National Medical Marijuana Action Week. Activities to raise awareness of the issues facing patients and the injustice of prosecutions range from dance parties and candlelight vigils to press conferences and presentations at Congressional offices.

Last year’s events produced news stories in leading newspapers across the country, network programs on patients and providers, and the launching of national legislation. Last year's National Medical Marijuana Week helped propel dramatic advances in protecting patients' rights, with increasingly lenient federal sentences, major Constitutional victories in federal courts and more favorable laws proposed and enacted.

Sunday, February 15^th

Seed Planting at Oakland City Hall
12 Noon. 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland.
Planting of 1,680,000 cannabis seeds to replace those banned by De la Fuente's city council proposal. Gardening clothes and implements encouraged.

Medical Marijuana Week Kick-Off Party
6-10 pm. Berkeley Patients Group, 2747 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley.
Music, food, and a lot of fun! Everyone invited, but guests at the Berkeley Patients Group must be at least 18 years old with state-issued ID. Contact [email protected], 510-540-6013.

Monday, February 16^th

“Festival of Lighting Up”
6 pm. 18^th and Castro, San Francisco.
Festive candlelight vigil and procession to remember medical marijuana POW’s. Fiery and Light costumes encouraged. Shining the light on the government’s war on patients. Contact Hilary at [email protected] or 510-251-1856.

215 Party @ The Elbo Room
8 pm – 2am. 647 Valencia, San Francisco.
215 Celebration featuring Rocker T, Boomystic, Greans, Extra Credit-Sisterz of the Underground, DJ Phonic and more! 21 and over, please. Admission: $5-$100 sliding scale. For more info, (510) 251-1856 or [email protected]

Tuesday, February 17^th

Oakland Rally/Press Conference
5:00 pm. 1 Frank Ogawa Place, Oakland.
Rally before Oakland City Council hearing on limiting dispensaries, patient use of medicine, and plant numbers. Sign-up for hearing begins at 6pm.

First Annual Medical Marijuana FilmFest
9:15 pm. Parkway Speakeasy Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland.
Short films on the fight for medical marijuana rights. (510) 814-2400. Admission: $7, 21 & over.

Wednesday February 18^th

National Day of Action to Spank or Thank Congressional Representatives
Visits to local members of Congress by medical marijuana constituent advocates to either praise or condemn them for their representative's actions on medical marijuana. More info at (510) 251-1856.

'Smoke Out Bush' Dance Party
8:00 pm. 1751 Dolores Street, San Francisco.
Dance party and political theater on Bush’s attacks on medical marijuana. DJs Irie Dole, Pam-Pam & more. Hosted by Kucinich for President. Tickets: $4-$20. Contact Tony (415) 585-9228.

Thursday, February 19^th

Medical Marijuana for Veterans Action
12 Noon. VA Outpatient Clinic, 205 13th St. & Mission.
Action in support of Veterans who are denied access to medical marijuana by their VA doctors. Speakers, testimonials, street theater and more. Veteran and their loved ones encouraged to attend and tell their stories. Contact Alex at 510-251-1856 or [email protected].

Medical Marijuana University
5 - 9 pm. 213 Wheeler Hall, UC Berkeley.
An evening of accredited teaching and learning about medical marijuana. Four 1-hour sessions on horticulture, legality, politics and medical issues. To find out more about getting credit, contact [email protected].

Saturday, February 21^st

American's for Safe Access Community Awards Night
(Guerneville), Club FAB
A Medical Marijuana Play, Full Bar, etc. For more information, contact [email protected]

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For interviews or more information, contact William Dolphin at (510) 919-1498 or [email protected]. A national coalition of 5,500 patients, doctors and advocates, Americans for Safe Access is the largest organization working solely on medical marijuana.