Medical Marijuana Vigils, Rallies in Sacramento and Across the Nation

September 22, 2003

SACRAMENTO – A candlelight vigil tonight on the north steps of the California state capitol building in Sacramento commemorates the anniversary of the incarceration of Bryan Epis, who was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for helping patients in Chico get marijuana to treat their suffering.

Part of a national day of remembrance for Mr. Epis and other patients and providers lost to the struggle for access to medical marijuana, today’s vigil is the prelude to an afternoon rally tomorrow, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.

m, at the state capitol, also on the north steps. Similar events are taking place in New York, Texas, Oregon, New Jersey, Florida, Wisconsin and our nation’s capitol.

Tomorrow’s rally in Sacramento will feature live music and speeches from those who want federal laws changed to reflect the growing acceptance of medical marijuana – 80% of Americans support legal access to marijuana for people who are medically helped by it.

Earlier this evening, two-dozen multiple sclerosis patients gathered for their own candlelight vigil at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. to plead for access to the medicine that helps them and to remember Cheryl Miller, a long-time MS sufferer who died June 7^th of this year.

“I hope that by bringing attention to the plight of my late wife Cheryl, I can hasten the day when marijuana will be made available so that others are no longer needlessly forced to suffer or risk arrest,” said Jim Miller, her husband and the organizer of the D.C. event.

Also tomorrow, in Washington D.C. members of the U.S. House of Representatives Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) and Sam Farr (D-California) will hold a press conference with MS patients to explain the importance of new federal legislation. Their bill, H.R. 2233, ‘The States Rights to Medical Marijuana Act,’ calls for rescheduling marijuana and prevents federal interference with medical marijuana use and distribution in the ten states that have legalized it.

WHAT: Medical Marijuana Candlelight Vigil (tonight) and Rally (tomorrow)

WHERE: California State Capitol, Sacramento

WHEN: Vigil for Bryan Epis (7:00p.m. tonight); Medical Marijuana Rally (4-6:00p.m. tomorrow)

WHO: Medical marijuana patients, activists, doctors and concerned citizens

Americans for Safe Access is a national coalition of patients, doctors and advocates. With 5,500 members nationwide, ASA is the leading organization devoted to medical marijuana.

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