Why I Am Going
I will be joining hundreds of other medical cannabis advocates in Washington, DC, March 27-31 for ASA’s third annual National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference and Citizen Lobby Day. I am going because, in the wake of last year’s historic vote to end funding for federal interference, there has never been this much momentum for a comprehensive national medical cannabis policy. I am excited to talk with patients, researchers, industry leaders, and other advocates about what is on the horizon for medical cannabis. But I am even more excited to talk face-to-face with members of Congress about what we want to see in a bill this year!
I want to see as many Californians in DC as possible. What Congress does with medical cannabis will have a big impact on patients and the industry that serves them. We know the best outcomes for stakeholder come when they have a seat at the table. Your voice really matters. Research shows that visits from ordinary citizens are six times more likely to influence lawmakers than visits from a paid lobbyist!
If you have not done so already, get registered and make your travel arrangements now. Have a look at the “ASA Website Spotlight” section of this message to learn about a free tool ASA has designed to help you raise money to be a part of this important event.
Contents:
News
- American Herbal Pharmacopoeia: ‘Welcome Back, Marijuana!’ (National)
- New year brings new restriction on medical marijuana enforcement (National)
- Medical marijuana a challenge for legal pot states (National)
- Cannabis Helps Reduce the Symptoms of Multiple-Sclerosis (California)
- How Long Beach’s government changed in 2014 (Long Beach)
Events
- January 9, 20115 - Forum: Lessons for Legalizing in California in 2016 (Oakland)
- January 13, 2015 – Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors (Santa Cruz)
- January 20, 2015 – Redding City Council Meeting (Redding)
- January 21, 2015 – Latino Community Outreach Meeting (Los Angeles)
- February 21, 2015 – Latino Community Outreach Meeting (San Diego)
- March 27-31, 2015 – ASA’s National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference 2015 (Washington, DC)
Court Support
- January 8, 2015 – Court Support for Heath Phillips (Sacramento)
- January 20, 2015 – Court Support for Douglas Street (Placerville)
- And More
Take Action Now
- Support the Medical Marijuana Organ Transplant Act
- Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)
- Join ASA’s Email Discussion List
Chapter & Affiliate Meetings
- January 6, 2015 – San Francisco ASA (San Francisco)
- January 7, 2015 - Yuba County ASA (Valley)
- January 8, 0215 – Yuba County ASA (Foothills)
- January 8, 2015 - Sonoma ASA (Santa Rosa)
News
American Herbal Pharmacopoeia: ‘Welcome Back, Marijuana!’ (National)
David Downs, Smell the Truth
Marijuana – scientific name “cannabis” takes another big step back into the mainstream this week. The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) released the first of a historic, two-part “Cannabis monograph” today which classifies cannabis (marijuana) as a botanical medicine alongside many other widely accepted Complementary and Alternative Medicines.
Read more here:
http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2013/12/11/american-herbal-pharmacopoeia-welcome-back-marijuana/
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New year brings new restriction on medical marijuana enforcement (National)
By Andrew Edwards, Press-Telegram
A single paragraph on the 88th page of the 701-page spending bill passed by Congress last month contains language that may signal a de-escalation of the federal government’s war on medical marijuana.
Read more here:
http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20150101/new-year-brings-new-restriction-on-medical-marijuana-enforcement#author1
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Medical marijuana a challenge for legal pot states (National)
Gene Johnson, 12 News Now
A year into the nation's experiment with legal, taxed marijuana sales, Washington and Colorado find themselves wrestling not with the federal interference many feared, but with competition from medical marijuana or even outright black market sales.
Read more here:
http://www.12newsnow.com/story/27745373/medical-marijuana-a-challenge-for-legal-pot-states
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Cannabis Helps Reduce the Symptoms of Multiple-Sclerosis (California)
Antonia, TRFW News
A clinical crossover study published in May 2012, and carried out by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that cannabis was superior to placebo in reducing pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.
Read more here:
http://news.therawfoodworld.com/cannabis-helps-reduce-symptoms-multiple-sclerosis/
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How Long Beach’s government changed in 2014 (Long Beach)
Eric Bradley, Press-Telegram
It’s been three years since an appeals court struck down Long Beach’s medical marijuana law. In October, the Planning Commission sent a potential replacement to the City Council for consideration.
Read more here:
http://www.presstelegram.com/government-and-politics/20141227/how-long-beachs-government-changed-in-2014
Public Meetings & Events
Monday, January 5, 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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Friday, January 9, 20115 - Forum: Lessons for Legalizing in California in 2016 (Oakland)
12:30 – 6:30 PM at The Waterfront Hotel at Jack London, 10 Washington St., Oakland, CA 94607. This is a forum hosted by Reform CA about legalizing non-medical cannabis in 2016. Seating is limited. You must RSVP by January 5, 2015 at http://www.reformca.com/post_mortem
January 20, 2015 – Redding City Council Meeting (Redding)
6:00 PM in the Council Chambers located at 777 Cypress Avenue, Redding, CA 96001. The City Council may discuss a ban on outdoor medical cannabis cultivation. The item is not yet on the agenda. Check on the status here: http://reddingcityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/calendar.aspx
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Wednesday, January 21, 2015 – Latino Community Outreach Meeting (Los Angeles)
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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?
January 8, 2015 – Court Support for Heath Phillips (Sacramento)
8:45 AM at 700 H St, Sacramento, CA 95660. Dress in an appropriate manner and obey all courtroom rules to best help the defendant.
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January 20, 2015 – Court Support for Douglas Street (Placerville)
1:00 in Department 7, El Dorado Superior Court, 2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville, CA 95667. Dress in an appropriate 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
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
Why should you join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)? Because membership matters! ASA is the nation’s leading medical cannabis patients’ advocacy organization. Our goal is to make medical cannabis legally available for everyone who needs it, and we need your help to make that happen!
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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
Create a Personal Fundraising Page
http://www.nationalmedicalcannabisunityconference.org/fund_your_way?utm_campaign=giftofunity&utm_medium=email&utm_source=americansforsafeaccess
ASA’s National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference, including face-to-face lobbying in Congressional offices, is the premiere medical cannabis event in the country. Getting patients who have something to contribute to the conversation to Washington, DC, is important. We know the best outcomes for medical cannabis patients come when they have a seat at the table to discuss strategy, priorities, and policy. And that is why we need you there. While we do offer scholarships, ASA gives preference to those that can help contribute towards the cost. Need help raising money for Unity 2015? Check out our tutorial on how to create a personal fundraising page.
ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings
January 6, 2015 – San Francisco ASA (San Francisco)
The meeting starts at 7:30 PM at Lounge 847, 847 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103. Email [email protected] for more information.
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January 7, 2015 - Yuba County ASA (Valley)
The meeting starts at 7:00 PM at Rivers Edge Pub, 1 E. 12th Street, Marysville, CA 95901. Email [email protected] for more information.
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January 8, 2015 - Sonoma ASA (Santa Rosa)
The meeting starts at 5:00 PM at Arlene Francis Center, 99 West 6th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Email [email protected] for more information.
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January 8, 0215 – 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.
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