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California Assembly Member Marc Levin (D-San Rafael) has just introduced ASA-sponsored legislation to protect medical cannabis patients who need an organ transplant from life-threatening discrimination. Legal patients can be denied an organ transplant right now based solely on their status as a medical cannabis patient, but AB 258 will protect patients and save lives. 

Click here to read more about AB 258 and see a new video about the bill.

Do you have questions or input about AB 258, state regulation and licensing, or local medical cannabis issues? ASA Executive Director Steph Sherer is in town this week, and she wants to talk to you. Steph is talking to medical cannabis patients and other stakeholders about their role in local and state politics in a series of events entitled “Our Health Is In Our Hands.” Look for appearances in San Diego, West Hollywood, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa this week in the Events section of this message. 

ASA California Weekly Roundup: February 11, 2015

Contents:

Contest: Enter to Win FREE trip to the National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference

News

• Dr. Vivek Murthy On Medical Marijuana: US Surgeon General Says It 'Can Be Helpful' (National)
• Federal Judges Ask Harborside Prosecutor: Why Have You Picked This Fight? (Oakland)
• Hundreds Vie For 12 Slots in Pot Shop Lottery (Santa Ana)
• Cypress Hill rapper B-Real a winner in Santa Ana's marijuana lottery, now can be a real 'Dr. Greenthumb' (Santa Ana)
• Anaheim will crack down on landlords who allow medical marijuana dispensaries (Anaheim)
• O.C. cities have disjointed approaches to pot dispensaries (Orange County)
• Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Is Not Just Smoke (Lake County)

Events

• February 4, 2015 – Latino Community Outreach Meeting (Los Angeles)
• February 10, 2015 – Our Health is In Our Hands (San Diego)
• February 11, 2015 – Our Health is In Our Hands (Los Angeles)
• February 12, 2015 – Our Health is In Our Hands (San Francisco)
• February 13, 2015 – Our Health is In Our Hands (Sacramento)
• February 15, 2015 – Our Health is In Our Hands (Santa Rosa)
• February 15, 2015 - A Classic Safe Access Outdoor Gathering (San Diego)
• February 15, 2015 – Sonoma ASA Medical Marijuana Week Celebration (Santa Rosa)
• March 27-31, 2015 – ASA’s National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference 2015 (Washington, DC)

Court Support

• February 10, 2015 – Court Support for Chris Phillips and Michelle Sunderland (Pleasanton)
• And more

Take Action Now

• Take the Medical Cannabis Discrimination Survey 
• Support the Medical Marijuana Organ Transplant Act
• Join ASA’s Email Discussion List

ASA Website Spotlight: California Campaign for Safe Access

Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

• February 12, 2015 – Yuba County ASA (Foothills)
• February 12, 2015 – Brownie Mary Democratic Club (San Francisco)
• February 10, 2015 - Nevada County ASA (Grass Valley)

Contest

Enter to Win FREE trip to the National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/enter_to_win_free_trip_to_the_national_medical_cannabis_unity_conference

Help us celebrate Medical Marijuana Week February 8-15, 2015 by entering the #MMJWeekUnity15 Photo Contest. Since 2002, ASA has celebrated and hosted activities during Medical Marijuana Week to help build solidarity and bring attention the therapeutic value of cannabis.

This year we holding a photo contest to help promote evidence-based medical marijuana policy. We know that when patients and concerned citizens are involved at the highest levels of policy making, everyone benefits and that is why the winner of this years contest will receive a FREE trip to the National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference.
Read more here:
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/enter_to_win_free_trip_to_the_national_medical_cannabis_unity_conference

News

Dr. Vivek Murthy On Medical Marijuana: US Surgeon General Says It 'Can Be Helpful' (National)
Bruce Wright, International Business Times

The campaign to validate the medicinal qualities of marijuana got its latest endorsement Wednesday morning from the top U.S. medical authority, who said “marijuana can be helpful” for treating certain conditions and symptoms. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy made those and related comments during an appearance on CBS News, although he primarily was discussing the debate surrounding vaccinations for measles.

Read more here:
http://www.ibtimes.com/dr-vivek-murthy-medical-marijuana-us-surgeon-general-says-it-can-be-helpful-1805414

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Federal Judges Ask Harborside Prosecutor: Why Have You Picked This Fight? (Oakland)
David Downs, East Bay Express

The federal government is showing signs of exhaustion in its fight against medical cannabis. A member of a three-judge panel at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday boldly asked federal prosecutors, “Why have you picked this fight [with the Oakland-licensed dispensary Harborside Health Center]?”
Read more here:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/LegalizationNation/archives/2015/02/04/federal-judges-ask-harborside-prosecutor-why-have-you-picked-this-fight

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Hundreds Vie For 12 Slots in Pot Shop Lottery (Santa Ana)
Vikki Vargas, NBC Los Angeles

The first city in Orange County to take applications for medical marijuana dispensaries held a lottery on Thursday, randomly selecting who will get to set up shop, out of more than 630 applications.
Watch a video and read more here:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Santa-Ana-Holds-Medical-Marijuana-Lottery-291003071.html

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Cypress Hill rapper B-Real a winner in Santa Ana's marijuana lottery, now can be a real 'Dr. Greenthumb' (Santa Ana)
Alejandra Molina, OC Register

Hip-hop group Cypress Hill gained fame in the 1990s with marijuana-themed songs like “Dr. Greenthumb. Now one of its members might become a real Dr. Greenthumb after he and 19 other applicants won a city lottery Thursday to put them on a path to legally distribute medical marijuana in Santa Ana.
Read more here:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-650380-marijuana-lottery.html

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Anaheim will crack down on landlords who allow medical marijuana dispensaries (Anaheim)
Art Marroquin, OC Register

Civil and criminal charges will be filed against landlords allowing medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in Anaheim under a plan approved 4-1 by the City Council on Tuesday.
Read more here:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/anaheim-650115-city-dispensaries.html

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O.C. cities have disjointed approaches to pot dispensaries (Orange County)
Art Marroquin, Jordan Graham, and Alejandra Molina, OC Register

Tony Jalali believes medical marijuana should be accessible. Still, he is evicting a small dispensary in an office complex under orders from Anaheim officials.
Read more here:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/marijuana-650579-city-anaheim.html

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Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Is Not Just Smoke (Lake County)
Nick McCann, Courthouse News

A federal judge denied most of a Northern California county's challenge to a lawsuit from medical marijuana patients angered by the seizures of their plants last year.
Read more here:
http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/02/04/medical-marijuana-lawsuit-is-not-just-smoke.htm

 Public Meetings & Events

February 9, 2015 - 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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February 10, 2015 – Our Health Is On Our Hands with Steph Sherer (San Diego, CA)
4:30 PM at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego CA, 92123. Join ASA Executive Director for a conversation about medical cannabis in California at the local and state level between now and 2016.

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February 11, 2015 – Our Health Is On Our Hands with Steph Sherer  (Los Angeles, CA)
Time and address TBA. Join ASA Executive Director for a conversation about medical cannabis in California at the local and state level between now and 2016.

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February 12, 2015 – Our Health Is On Our Hands with Steph Sherer (San Francisco, CA)
Time and address TBA. Join ASA Executive Director for a conversation about medical cannabis in California at the local and state level between now and 2016.

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February 13, 2015 – Our Health Is On Our Hands with Steph Sherer  (Sacramento, CA)
6:00 PM in the Back Room at Perko’s, 925 3rd Street, Sacramento, CA 94814. Join ASA Executive Director for a conversation about medical cannabis in California at the local and state level between now and 2016. Dinner menu available at your own expense.

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February 15, 2015 – Our Health Is On Our Hands with Steph Sherer  (Santa Rosa)
4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Arlene Francis Center at 99 West 6th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Join ASA Executive Director for a conversation about medical cannabis in California at the local and state level between now and 2016. Complimentary tea and refreshments served.

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February 15, 2015 - A Classic Safe Access Outdoor Gathering (San Diego)
2:15 – 9:00 PM at The SeedleSs Compound 2229 Bacon Street San Diego, CA 92107. Art, Music, Comedy, Food, Raffle Prizes & Safe Access. Patients Only 21+ Must have valid physicians recommendation. Tickets are $20 at SeedleSs, 2229 Bacon St., San Diego, CA 92107 and Alternative Care Clinic, 4452 Park Blvd, Ste 314, San Diego, CA 92116.

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February 15, 2015 – Sonoma ASA Medical Marijuana Week Celebration (Santa Rosa)
7:00 PM at the Arlene Francis Center at 99 West 6th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Mardi Gras Celebration featuring live artists, bands, DJ Konnex, Raffle, & More Entertainment surprise’s. Come get the opportunity to network and mingle with the community, meet Steph Sherer, enjoy upbeat music, all for a great cause! Best Mardi Gras outfit wins a prize. Tickets $10. Proceeds benefit the Arlene Francis Center and Sonoma ASA.

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March 27-31, 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?

February 10, 2015 – Court Support for Chris Phillips and Michelle Sunderland (Pleasanton)
12:00 PM at 5672 Stoneridge Dr, Pleasanton, CA 94588. This is a pre-trial hearing. 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

Take the Medical Cannabis Discrimination Survey (California)
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/ca_discrimination_survey

Medical cannabis patients still face pervasive discrimination when it comes to employment, housing, parental right, and equal access to healthcare. ASA is collecting data about discrimination against legal medical cannabis patients, primary caregivers, and providers to help educate lawmakers and regulators. The 26-question patient survey is up now. Please take a few minutes to answer the mostly yes or no questions.

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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 ASA’s New California Discussion List – ASA-CCSA (California)
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/asa_ccsa_email_discussion_list

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.

ASA Website Spotlight

California Campaign for Safe Access
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/california_campaign_for_safe_access

The California Campaign for Safe Access is ASA's oldest state campaign. There are more legal patients, providers, and recommending physicians in California than any other state. More than 1.4 million patients have safe, reliable, and dignified access to medicine in the state, but significant challenges remain. Read about our goals, legislation, and more in this section of the website.

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

February 10, 2015 - 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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February 12, 2015 – Brownie Mary Democratic Club (San Francisco)
6:00 PM at 948 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103. ASA Executive Director Steph Sherer will be a guest speaker.

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February 12, 2015 – Yuba County ASA (Foothills)
The meeting starts at 7:00 PM at the Willow Glen Restaurant. 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.