Press Releases
Aug 122003
Judge Says Defendant Caught in “Tug of War” Over Marijuana Laws - Americans for Safe Access
Santa Ana – A “bold, precedent-setting decision” is what U.S. District Judge David O. Carter had said he would make yesterday in the sentencing of an Orange County man who had been growing in his garage the marijuana he used to treat his chronic back pain. Instead, the judge continued the sentencing hearing for the third time, giving federal prosecutors a fourth chance to produce any evidence that Michael Teague was selling the herb to others at the time of his arrest in April, 2002.
Aug 112003
Judge Says He May Set Bold Medical Marijuana Precedent Today - Americans for Safe Access
Santa Ana – A “bold, precedent-setting decision” is what U.S. District Judge David O. Carter has said he will make today in the sentencing of an Orange County man who had been growing in his garage the marijuana he used to treat his chronic back pain. Federal prosecutors want five years in prison for Michael Teague, 33, but Judge Carter has challenged them to produce evidence that Teague ever sold any of it. Otherwise, he says he’s ready to set precedent for Southern California.
Jul 292003
SF Supervisors Urge Leniency for Hollywood Actor, Two Others - Americans for Safe Access
San Francisco – Members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors have signed a letter requesting leniency for three medical marijuana patients appearing in federal court tomorrow for an unprecedented third day of sentencing hearings. The Supervisors ask Judge William Alsup to take into consideration the city’s “resolution declaring San Francisco a sanctuary for medical cannabis use, cultivation, and distribution,” which urges “the San Francisco Police Department not to assist in the arrest of any patients, physicians, dispensaries, and caregivers.
Jul 232003
More Than One-Third of U.S. House Votes “Yes” on Medical Marijuana - Americans for Safe Access
Washington, D.C. – After a dramatic hour of debate that saw amendment co-sponsor Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) in tears, more than one-third of the U.S. House of Representatives voted today in favor of stopping the federal prosecution of medical marijuana patients and providers.
After appealing to the principles of “compassion and freedom,” Representative Rohrabacher broke down when talking about his mother’s struggle with cancer. He said the federal law that would send her to prison if she used marijuana to relieve her pain was “immoral.
Jul 222003
House of Representatives Voting to Stop Federal Medical Marijuana Raids - Americans for Safe Access
Washington, D.C.– For the first time in five years, the U.S. House of Representatives is voting on the right of states to regulate the medical marijuana issue, an issue that has increasingly pitted the state of California and nine others against the Bush Administration.
Jun 302003
New Medical Marijuana Sentencing after Role of SFPD Uncovered - Americans for Safe Access
In the first federal sentencing since Ed Rosenthal walked out of court a free man, three medical marijuana defendants, including a noted Hollywood actor, will be sentenced tomorrow in a case which has drawn allegations of San Francisco Police misconduct and caused the judge to order an investigation of SFPD involvement.
May 162003
Medical Marijuana Supporters Demand Meeting with DEA Nominee - Americans for Safe Access
WASHINGTON, DC -- Medical marijuana advocates demand to know the views of President Bush’s expected nominee for head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Karen Tandy. Besides being the first woman to be named as head of the DEA, she recently made national news for her role in masterminding the investigation known as Operation Pipe Dreams – which resulted in the indictment of 50 individuals and businesses that sell or manufacture water pipes and other devices that could be used to consume marijuana. Advocates sent a request to Karen P. Apr 072003
Federal Jurors Told They Must Acquit Marijuana Defendants To Stop Convictions of Medical Marijuana Patients and Providers - Americans for Safe Access
WASHINGTON, DC -- As a growing number of medical marijuana patients and providers face federal charges, DC residents will protest the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) harassment of the seriously ill by informing jurors that the federal government has blocked all medical necessity defenses in federal marijuana cases. The jurors will be given leaflets as they report for jury duty at the Federal Courthouse at 3rd and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, beginning at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, April 9, 2003. Feb 262003
Feb 192003
CA Representatives Announce Medical Marijuana Defense Bill - Americans for Safe Access
Sacramento: Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel) will be honored in Sacramento by the families of medical marijuana growers convicted under federal law for his efforts in the struggle to decriminalize medical marijuana.State Advocacy Resources
