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Message from the CA Director - Don’t regulate medical marijuana like alcohol

California News

• Congress Says “No” To VA Doctors’ Abilities To Recommend Pot To Vets (National)
• Law enforcement, cannabis industry support Evans’ drug storage bill (California)
• California's Police Fear Weed Anarchy More Than Weed Itself (California)
• Marijuana May Heal Health Problems That Come With Old Age: How Can People Living in Senior Homes Get It? (California)
• Marijuana dispensary burglary suspect arrested (Lakeside)
• Our Voice: DHS to go slowly on medical marijuana (Desert Hot Springs)
• SLO City Council says no to ban on outdoor medical marijuana grows (San Luis Obispo)
• We applaud SLO City Council's sane approach to medical marijuana (San Luis Obispo)
• Marijuana initiative backers turn in petitions (Riverside)
• Healdsburg approves outdoor cultivation of 3 marijuana plants (Healdsburg)
• Initiative filed to stop pot growing regulation by Butte County (Butte County)
• Only On CBS2: Parents Give Daughter, 11, Medical Marijuana To Help Stem Uncontrollable Seizures (Los Angeles)
• Oceanside planning commission approves zoning for medical marijuana dispensaries (Ocenaside)

Events

• Monday, May 12, 2014 – CA Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing on SB 1193 (Sacramento)
• Monday, May 12, 2014 – Bloodganja: Medical Cannabis Movie & Panel (Santa Barbara)
• Tuesday, May 13, 2014 – Dr. David Bearman at the Ventura ASA Action Group (Ventura)
• Tuesday, May 13, 2014 – San Jose City Council Meeting (San Jose)
• Wednesday, May 28, 2014 – Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting (Sacramento)

Court Support

• Monday, May 12, 2014 – Court Support for Joseph Smart & Jimmy Chang (Santa Rosa)
• Tuesday, May 20, 2014 – Court Support for Dr. Michele Noonan Ross & Todd Ross (Los Angeles)

Take Action

• Support SB 1193 in California
• Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)

ASA Website Spotlight

• Using Your Voice

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

• Tuesday, May 13, 2014 - Nevada County ASA (Grass Valley)
• Tuesday, May 13, 2014 –Ventura ASA Action Group (Ventura)
• Wednesday, May 14, 2014 - San Diego ASA (San Diego)

Message from the CA Director

ASA Blog: Don’t regulate medical marijuana like alcohol -
California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is the wrong place for medicine

AB 1894, a bill by California Assembly Member Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), is designed to better regulate commercial medical cannabis activity in California. That is long overdue, and Assembly Member Ammiano is to be commended on his leadership on the issue. Unfortunately, the bill would make cannabis the only medicine with regulations written and enforced by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), the same agency that enforces the state’s alcohol laws.

Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the nation’s leading medical cannabis patients’ advocacy organization, believes ABC is the wrong agency to entrust with decisions related to medical care and access. There are good reasons why ABC does not control the operation of pharmacies or the distribution of antibiotics. The enforcement-minded culture at ABC may lead to regulations that limit access to medical cannabis and do little or nothing to promote patient safety, quality control, clinical research, and patients’ rights. These health care issues are more typically addressed in other parts of the Department of Consumer Affairs or the Department of Public Health.  Furthermore, the deputized peace officers who enforce ABC’s regulations are in no way trained to address medical cannabis in the context of healthcare or inclined to respect patients’ needs; on the contrary, many may view it as controlling a vice…

Read my entire blog and find related links here.

California News

Congress Says “No” To VA Doctors’ Abilities To Recommend Pot To Vets (National)
Katie Rucke, Mint Press

On Wednesday evening almost 200 members of U.S. Congress, including 22 Republicans, voted in favor of an amendment to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014, that would have allowed physicians employed by the Veterans Health Administration to recommend the use of medical marijuana to those veterans who live in states that currently have legalized the drug.
Read more here.

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Law enforcement, cannabis industry support Evans’ drug storage bill (California)
Redwood Times

A bill to assist police while protecting the rights of individuals who legally possess medical marijuana was applauded last week by both law enforcement and the medical marijuana industry as it gained unanimous passage out of the Senate Public Safety Committee. Senate Bill 1193 by senator Noreen Evans next moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. Current law requires law enforcement agencies to retain as evidence ten pounds of confiscated marijuana, along with five random samples. Many sheriffs’ departments, particularly in rural northern California counties, have found the storage of the “ten pound” requirement burdensome in two ways. First, the storage space alone is troublesome and expensive. Second, peace officers working in evidence facilities may be subject to unknown pesticides and chemicals used in illegal grows in addition to the likelihood of evidence spoiling creating molds and mildews posing further health risks.
Read more here.

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California's Police Fear Weed Anarchy More Than Weed Itself (California)
David Downs, East Bay Express

For the first time in history, California's police chiefs and city bureaucrats are less afraid of pot than they are of a regulatory vacuum after California legalizes it in 2016. In order to fill that vacuum, state legislators are making genuine progress on historic regulations for California's multi-billion dollar medical marijuana industry.ay Express
Read more here.

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Marijuana May Heal Health Problems That Come With Old Age: How Can People Living in Senior Homes Get It? (California)
April M. Short, San Diego Free Press

Sue Taylor, a retired Catholic school principal and grandmother from Oakland, California, was living in Atlanta, Georgia writing a parenting handbook when she got a phone call from her son that would disrupt her life.
Read  more here.

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Marijuana dispensary burglary suspect arrested (Lakeside)
CBS 8 San Diego

A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of stealing about $45,000 worth of pot from a medical marijuana dispensary in Lakeside early Friday, authorities said. The break-in at Aurora Green's Dispensary at 8575 Los Coches Road was reported about 4 a.m., according to San Diego County sheriff's Sgt. Tom Seiver.
Read more here.

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Our Voice: DHS to go slowly on medical marijuana (Desert Hot Springs)
Editorial Board, The Desert Sun

Desert Hot Springs is wise to go slow in its pursuit of medical marijuana dispensaries. Go very slow. It's a complicated venture, but it does have the potential to provide revenue to a city desperately in need — from sales tax and, if two-thirds of voters approve, a fee on the dispensaries similar to the one approved by Palm Springs voters last year. The move should not be made out of desperation, however. The city must be confident that it has the resources to monitor dispensaries.
Read more here.

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SLO City Council says no to ban on outdoor medical marijuana grows (San Luis Obispo)
Kathy Kuretich, KSBY 6

After more than three hours of public comment, the city council voted 4-1 to reject an ordinance banning outdoor medical marijuana grows. The ordinance did allow for indoor grows that were inside 50 square feet of space. About 50 people spoke before the council - the overwhelming majority in opposition to the proposed ordinance.
Read more here.

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We applaud SLO City Council's sane approach to medical marijuana (San Luis Obispo)
Editor, The Tribune

We toss the SLO City Council a clear-headed bouquet for its enlightened stance on medical marijuana. On Tuesday, the council declined to approve additional restrictions on the growing and distribution of medicinal pot, and instead sent the issue back to staff for more study.
Read more here.

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Marijuana initiative backers turn in petitions (Riverside)
Alicia Robinson, Press Enterprise

Backers of an initiative that would legalize, tax and regulate a small number of medical marijuana dispensaries in Riverside turned in petitions seeking to get the measure on a ballot Thursday, May 1. After several weeks of supporters collecting signatures at shopping centers, the group’s attorney, Jason Thompson, and six supporters on Thursday lugged 10 bankers’ boxes full of petitions to the City Clerk’s office.
Read more here.

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Healdsburg approves outdoor cultivation of 3 marijuana plants (Healdsburg)
Clark mason, The Press Democrat

In a compromise intended to balance the concerns of the police department and the medical marijuana community, the Healdsburg City Council on Monday unanimously approved new cultivation guidelines that will allow patients to grow a few plants outdoors.
Read more here.

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Initiative filed to stop pot growing regulation by Butte County (Butte County)
Staff, Chico ER

Thousands of initiative petitions intended to strip the Butte County Board of Supervisors of the right to regulate medical marijuana cultivation have been delivered to the county Elections Office. At about 10:30 a.m. today 10,604 petitions were brought into the county office by the same group that was able to get a referendum put on the ballot in November that would, if passed, void the existing county regulations covering cannabis cultivation.
Read more here.

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Only On CBS2: Parents Give Daughter, 11, Medical Marijuana To Help Stem Uncontrollable Seizures (Los Angeles)
CBS LA

A local husband and wife are doing everything medically possible to help their 11-year-old daughter stem uncontrollable seizures. In a story only on CBS2, some people think the couple are not only doing everything possible, but also something questionable. Mallory Minahan has been battling epilepsy since she was 14 months old.
Read more here.

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Oceanside planning commission approves zoning for medical marijuana dispensaries (Ocenaside)
Promise Yee, Coast News

The Planning Commission recommended a land use zoning amendment to allow medical marijuana dispensaries on May 5. The commission recommended the zoning change in a 3-2 vote, with Commission Chair Robert Neal and Commissioner Robert Ross casting the two no votes. Fellow commissioners spoke in favor of the zoning change that would provide medical marijuana patients a safe place to fill a doctor’s prescription.
Read more here.

Events

Monday, May 12, 2014 – CA Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing on SB 1193 (Sacramento)
The California Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a public hearing and vote on SB 1193 at 10:00 AM in Room 4203 in the State Capitol Building in Sacramento. The bill by Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) requires that wrongfully-confiscated medical cannabis be returned. ASA supports this bill. Sign our petition support the bill here. Read more about California legislation here.

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Monday, May 12, 2014 – Bloodganja: Medical Cannabis Movie & Panel (Santa Barbara)
Join Director Daniel Boolag for a screening and panel discussion about his new documentary Bllodganja, which examines the trials of a Santa Barbara patient-provider facing federal persecution. The event starts at 12:45 PM at BC Forum, SBCC Campus, 721 Cliff Drive Santa Barbara California, 93109. The event is free. Email [email protected] or call (805) 729-0729 for information.

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Tuesday, May 13, 2014 – Dr. David Bearman at the Ventura ASA Action Group (Ventura)
Medical cannabis doctor and ASA Board Member David Bearman will be the guest speaker at the Ventura ASA Action Group meeting at 7:30 PM at the Bell Arts Factory, Janet Addison Community Room, 432 North Ventura Ave., Ventura, CA 93001. Visit http://www.Facebook.com/Ventura.ASA  for details.

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Tuesday, May 13, 2014 – San Jose City Council Meeting (San Jose)
The San Jose City Council will hold a public hearing on amendments to its medical cannabis ordinance dealing with cultivation at 7:00 PM. The hearing will be in Council Chambers at 200 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113. Arrive early to complete a speakers card for agenda item 8.1 .

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Wednesday, May 28, 2014 – Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting (Sacramento)
Save the date. The Sacramento County Board will discuss an ordinance regulating indoor cultivation at this meeting. Details are coming soon. The meeting will be 2:00 – 6:00 PM in Board Chambers at 700 H Street, Suite 1450, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Court Support

What is Court Support and how do I get involved?

Monday, May 12, 2014 – Court Support for Joseph Smart & Jimmy Chang (Santa Rosa)
Please support these two medical cannabis defendants at their jury trial beginning at 8:30 AM in Courtroom 3 at 600 Administration Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Dress in a professional manner and obey and courtroom rules to best help the defendants.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2014 – Court Support for Dr. Michele Noonan Ross & Todd Ross (Los Angeles)
Support these medical cannabis patients at their pretrial hearing at 9:00 AM in Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 W Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Dress in a professional manner and obey all courtroom rules to best support the defendants. Thanks to The Human Solution for tracking this case.

Take Action

Support SB 1193 in California

SB 1193 is a bill by California Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) that would require that law enforcement return wrongfully-confiscated medical cannabis or plants or pay the owner reasonable compensation. The bill also simplifies the procedures for handling cannabis and plants seized as evidence. Americans for Safe Access (ASA) supports this bill because law-abiding patients have a right to get their property back.

Sign the petition in support of SB 1193 today. ASA will hand deliver copies of this petition to lawmakers’ offices before key votes in committees and on the floors of the Senate and Assembly. We will also take it directly to the Governor’s office when the bill is ready for his signature.

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Join Americans for Safe Access (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 provides legal training for and medical information to patients, attorneys, health and medical professionals and policymakers throughout the United States. We also organize media support for court cases, rapid response to law enforcement raids, and capacity-building for advocates. Your support makes it all possible. Join ASA or renew your membership today.

ASA Website Spotlight

Using Your Voice

This is the third in a five part series on ASA’s innovative Medical Cannabis Advocates Training Center, a free online resource for patient-advocacy skills building. This week, we are spotlighting the "Using Your Voice" section of the website. Every political campaign will include a variety of strategies and tactics. This section will expose you to several strategies you can utilize in your advocacy and give you step by step instructions on how to master them. Included: Citizen Lobbying, Media 101, Organizing a Demonstration, and more.

ASA believes that good policy is created when those who are most affected are at the table. Just because you are medical cannabis patient, it doesn't mean that you automatically have a degree in public policy. ASA has always been committed to demystifying political systems and providing advocates the tools they need to participate in the processes in a meaningful way. Learn all about grassroots organizing, citizen lobbying, media spokesperson training, and much more using the Medical Cannabis Advocates Training Center.

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 - Nevada County ASA (Grass Valley)
The meeting starts at 6:00 PM at The Banner Grange, 12629 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949. Email [email protected] for more information.

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Tuesday, May 13, 2014 –Ventura ASA Action Group (Ventura)
Medical cannabis doctor and ASA Board Member David Bearman will be the guest speaker at the Ventura ASA Action Group meeting at 7:30 PM at the Bell Arts Factory, Janet Addison Community Room, 432 North Ventura Ave., Ventura, CA 93001. Visit http://www.Facebook.com/Ventura.ASA for details.

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Wednesday, May 14, 2014 - San Diego ASA (San Diego)
The meeting starts at 7:30 PM at Giovanni's Restaurant - 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92123. 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.