Blog

Contents:

• Message from the CA Director: There's a lot going on!
• State & Local News: National, state, and local news from communities all over California
• Public Meetings & Events: Ventura, Lincoln, Nevada City, and more
• Court Support: Santa Rosa and more
• Take Action Now: Tell Riverside County Not to Ban Cultivation
• ASA Website Spotlight: Medical Cannabis: Voices from the Frontlines
• Chapter & Affiliate Meetings: Ventura, Yuba County, and Sonoma County

Things may be quiet in the State Capitol right now, but there is a lot going on with medical cannabis in California. Did you know that there are currently twelve campaigns for local ballot measures in ten different cities and counties in the state? Voters will make important choices about medical cannabis in Butte County, Lake County, Nevada County, Santa Cruz County, Shasta County; and in the cities of Encinitas, La Mesa, Santa Ana, and Santa Cruz on November 4.

ASA’s Nevada County Chapter is sponsoring Measure S to reform cultivation rules there. In Southern California, voters in Encinitas and La Mesa will vote on allowing storefront patients’ collectives in November – Measure F and Measure J, respectively. I will be talking with organizers in these communities on a live Google Hangout on October 16 (see below). 

I will be discussing all of the voter initiatives in the CA Weekly Roundup in October, but you can learn more and join the conversation right now. Visit http://www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/ASA-CCSA to join our new California medical cannabis discussion list. This is the primary contact point for conversations and respectful debate about local and state medical cannabis issues in California. You can choose how often you get emails from the list or go online to read messages at your convenience.

I look forward to hearing form you on the list!

California & National News

Medical Marijuana Patients File Lawsuit Against San Diego Officers (San Diego)
Laura Mc Vicker, NBC San Diego

A Ramona couple whose home was raided by agents with guns drawn has filed a lawsuit against San Diego law enforcement, alleging their rights as medical marijuana patients were violated. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court is the latest example of the ongoing debate over the rights of medical marijuana patients in California – how their treatment is regulated and how, according to their attorney, these type of cases are perceived by law enforcement.
Read more here:
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Medical-Marijuana-Patients-File-Lawsuit-Against-San-Diego-Officers-276969001.html

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The New Pinkertons: Private Security Outfit Raids Pot Farms In California (Mendocino County)
Dylan Scott, Talking Points Memo

They wear camouflaged uniforms, bearing military-style insignia. They ride helicopters over the forests of Mendocino County, Calif., on the state's north coast, equipped with firearms, where they cut down illegal marijuana. But they aren't the army. They aren't even the police. They are Lear Asset Management, a private security firm that is attracting a lot of attention for the work it's doing -- and even perhaps some work it hasn't done.
Read more here:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/lear-asset-management-marijuana-raids-mendocino-california

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Six appeals of fines for growing medical marijuana in Fresno County denied (Fresno)
MarcBenjamin, Fresno Bee

Fresno County supervisors denied appeals Monday in six of 12 cases where marijuana was grown in violation of the medical marijuana ordinance, which started being enforced in February. In so doing, the supervisors started the process for $700,000 in liens for violators of their medical marijuana cultivation ban.
Read more here:
http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/09/22/4139113_six-appeals-on-med-pot-growing.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

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Fresno’s Controversial Medical Marijuana Ban Possibly Illegal, Headed to Trial (Fresno)
David Downs, East Bay Express

Fresno County led the way in rolling back the rights of California medical marijuana patients with a total ban on the cultivation of even a single medical cannabis plant, even for personal use. But the ban appears to fly in the face of the California voter-approved Prop 215, and now will face a courtroom trial on November 19.
Read more here:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/LegalizationNation/archives/2014/09/25/fresnos-controversial-medical-marijuana-ban-possibly-illegal-headed-to-trial

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Humboldt's marijuana industry: Boom or bust? (Humboldt County)
William Houston and Juniper Rose

A recently released report states California's legal cannabis industry is expected grow by billions of dollars in five years, and is set to become a golden economic driver for the Golden State should the industry become legalized in 2016. Within Humboldt, already known worldwide as a cannabis capital, many locals are concerned about whether the rural county will be lead the legalization charge to become the Napa Valley of the cannabis industry or if the industry will be exported to other areas in the state.
Read more here:
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_26577365/humboldts-marijuana-industry-boom-or-bust

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Planning Commission says “no” to pot cultivation within city limits (Lincoln)
Carol Percy, Lincoln News Messanger

Wearing medical scrubs and a determined look, Richard Miller challenged Lincoln’s city attorney and the police chief at last week’s Planning Commission meeting. Miller advocated keeping the city’s current ordinance regarding the cultivation of medical marijuana within city limits.
Read more here:
http://www.lincolnnewsmessenger.com/article/9/25/14/planning-commission-says-“no”-pot-cultivation-within-city-limits#.VCRyy4BUkRA.facebook

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California Teen Accused Of Stealing 1.5 Million Gallons Of Water To Grow Marijuana (Madera County)
Claudia Koerner, BuzzFeed

A 19-year-old California man siphoned off 1.5 million gallons of water for his illegal marijuana garden, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said this week. The man may have to pay more than $18,000 for the water, which authorities said he siphoned off of a subdivision’s water tank. “With wells running dry, it’s appalling to learn this much water was stolen during these drought ridden times,” Sheriff John Anderson said in a statement.
Read more here:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/claudiakoerner/19-year-old-accused-of-stealing-15-million-gallons-of-water#qa4qic

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Now that's a pot pie! California entrepreneur creates cannabis-infused gourmet pizzas - saving stoners a late-night trip to the deli? (Los Angeles)
Erin Clements, Daily Mail

Marijuana has been known to increase one's appetite for pizza - and now the two have been rolled into one. Stoned Oven Gourmet Pizzas is selling cannabis-laced frozen pizzas in medical marijuana dispensaries around Los Angeles. Each six-inch pie contains 250 mg of ethanol-extracted THC concentrate and costs $10.
Read more here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2765590/Now-s-pot-pie-California-entrepreneur-creates-cannabis-infused-gourmet-pizzas-saving-stoners-late-night-trip-deli.html#ixzz3ESZG03Oj

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Letter: Medical marijuana growing good for local economy (Chico)
Robert Galia, Choicer

Although Cynthia Stevenson's recent letter "feels good" in a politically correct sort of way, it is absolutely absurd. Her first statement about criminals coming to Butte County in droves is particularly offensive. Growing cannabis in California for medical use is perfectly legal, as it will be very soon in all 50 states. Voting her way, "yes on A, no on B" is what will increase crime activity as the cartels move in to fill the demand.
Read more here:
http://www.chicoer.com/letters/ci_26605554/letter-medical-marijuana-growing-good-local-economy

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Plans for medical marijuana dispensary in Del Rey Oaks moving forward (Del Rey Oaks)
Erin Clark, KSBW

A Pebble Beach business woman presented a plan to Del Rey Oaks City Council members to build a medical marijuana dispensary in their city.
Watch the video here:
http://www.ksbw.com/news/central-california/monterey/plans-for-a-medical-marijuana-dispensary-in-del-rey-oaks-are-moving-forward/28218618#ixzz3ESaM2h8G

Public Meetings & Events

Monday, September 29, 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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Tuesday, October 14, 2014 – Lincoln City Council Meeting (Lincoln)
6:00 PM at Mc Bean Memorial Park, 65 Mc Bean Park Dr., Lincoln, CA 95648. The City Council may vote on an ordinance to ban all medical cannabis cultivation. Contact the City Council in advance at http://ci.lincoln.ca.us/default.aspx?Jpage=11030 The date of this vote is subject to change.

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Thursday, October 16, 2014 – Medical Cannabis in CA: Local Measures & the November Election (Online)
7:00 PM online at https://plus.google.com/events/ci81048q7fsdtcqea8acs83boi8 or on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz50lVuqa6Q. 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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Thursday, October 16, 2014 – Benefit for “Yes on Measure S” (Nevada City)
7:00 PM at Miners Foundry Cultural Center, 325 Spring St, Nevada City, California 95959. Join comedian and cannabis personality Ngaio Bealum to support ASA-NC’s Measure S. Guests include Achilles Wheel and Saul Rayo & Cocina Café. Tickets are $20 and proceeds benefit ASA-NC and the Yes on Measure S Campaign.

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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?

Monday, September 29, 2014 – Court Support for Steve McLaughlin (Santa Rosa)
11:30 AM at Sonoma County Court House, 600 Administration Dr., Dept. D, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Dress in a professional manner and obey all court room rules to best support 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

Blog: Medical Cannabis: Voices from the Frontlines
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/blog

ASA’s blog is the go-to place for medical cannabis news, analysis, and action alerts related to medical cannabis in California and nationwide. Our staff and guest bloggers post unique content here, and you can comment on what you read. Be sure to bookmark this page or subscribe to the RSS feed to stay up to date. Don’t forget to browse for older content, too. 

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

Monday September 29, 2014 – Ventura County ASA Action Group (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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Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - 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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Thursday, October 2, 2014 - 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.

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.