Contents:

Message from the CA Director - Support SB 1262 in California

California News

• Pot growers face charges -- in state where pot is legal (National)
• U.S. Says Legal Marijuana Growers Can't Use Federal Irrigation Water (National)
• Experts Debate Use of Cannabis to Control Seizures (National)
• Calif. law would require cops to return seized pot if charges are dropped (California)
• John Vasconcellos, longtime Silicon Valley lawmaker, dies at 82  (California)
• Medical Marijuana Opponents File for an Initiative (Santa Monica)
• Medical marijuana measure qualifies for June 2015 ballot (Riverside)
• Editorial: Riverside again ground zero in medical pot fight (Riverside)
• A Balanced Plan for Medical Cannabis Regulation in San Jose (San Jose)
• San Jose City Council to Vote on Medical Marijuana Rules (San Jose)
• Cannaroma: The Werc Shop Unveils Terpene-Enhanced Product Line (Pasadena)
• County’s marijuana eradication/suppression program (San Bernardino County)
• LA Pot Politics Spreads Statewide (Los Angeles)
• Santa Cruz County mulls marijuana dispensary tax (Santa Cruz)
• Teen arraigned in deadly pot dispensary robbery (San Diego)
• Yabba dabba do(n't): An uncertain future and a legal gray area shade the growing trend of cannabis concentrates (San Luis Obispo)

Events

• Wednesday, May 28, 2014 – Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting (Sacramento)
• Saturday, May 31, 2014 – ASA Spring Membership Drive Ends (Nationwide)
• Monday, August 4, 2014 – CA Citizen Lobby Day (Sacramento)

Court Support

• Friday, May 30, 2014 – Court Support for Tavi Gonzales (Rancho Cucamonga)

Take Action

• Support SB 1262 in California
• Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)

ASA Website Spotlight

• Joining a Movement

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

• Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - San Diego ASA (North County)
• Thursday, May 29, 2014 - Sacramento ASA (Sacramento)

Many medical cannabis patients dream of a day when they can fill a prescription for their medicine at a pharmacy and have their insurance company pay for it. That last part – reimbursement for the cost of medical cannabis – just became a reality, at least for one New Mexico patient.

Gregory Vialpando, a Santa Fe car mechanic with a lower back injury sustained in 2000, uses medical cannabis to treat severe chronic pain his doctor describes as some of the worst he has ever seen. Mr. Vialpando was initially prescribed multiple narcotics and anti-depressants, but both his primary care provider and another doctor recommended medical cannabis, so he asked a state workers’ compensation judge to approve it in 2013.

Message from the CA Director - Two medical cannabis bills in "suspense file"

California News

• Big Dates for California Medical Pot Regs Coming Up (California)
• League of California Cities Report New Amendments to Medical Marijuana Bill Would Create a Local-Only Regulatory Scheme (California)
• Young Seizure Patients Cut Off from Medical Marijuana Treatment (Ocenaside)
• Medical marijuana measure qualifies for June 2015 ballot (Riverside)
• Mendocino County's payment program for marijuana defendants under investigation (Mendocino County)
• Outdoor marijuana cultivation goes up in smoke; ban passes (Martinez)
• L.A. County Supervisor candidate John Duran sets out to defy expectations (Los Angeles)

Events

• Monday, May 19, 2014 – CA Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing on SB 1193 (Sacramento)
• Monday, May 19, 2014 – CA Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing on SB 1262 (Sacramento)
• Wednesday, May 28, 2014 – Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting (Sacramento)

Court Support

• Monday, May 12, 2014 – Court Support for Joseph Smart & Jimmy Chang (Santa Rosa)
• Tuesday, May 20, 2014 – Court Support for Dr. Michele Noonan Ross & Todd Ross (Los Angeles)

Take Action

• Endorse the California Medical Marijuana Organ Transplant Act
• Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)

ASA Website Spotlight

• Building a Movement

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

• Tuesday, May 20, 2014 - San Francisco ASA (San Francisco)
• Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - East Bay ASA (Oakland)
• Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - Lake County ASA (Clearlake Oaks)
• Sunday, May 25, 2014 - Nevada County ASA (North San Juan)

Medical marijuana patient Larry Harvey, 70, traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to persuade Congress to stop funding unnecessary federal prosecutions like his. Harvey is one of the "Kettle Falls 5," a federal medical marijuana case that is scheduled to go to trial as soon as this week in Spokane, Washington. Despite repeated claims by the Obama Administration that it is not targeting individual patients, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has spent more than $3 million so far to prosecute five patients who were each growing less than 15 plants in accordance with state law. If convicted, the DOJ could spend as much as $13 million to send them to prison.

The "Kettle Falls 5" is made up of mostly family members, including Harvey, his wife Rhonda Firestack-Harvey, 55, her son Rolland Gregg, 33, daughter-in-law Michelle Gregg, 35, and friend of the family Jason Zucker, 38. All five are legal patients with serious medical conditions. Larry and Rhonda are retired and have a home in rural Washington State near the town of Kettle Falls. In August 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided the property and seized 44 premature marijuana plants. Federal agents also confiscated the family's 2007 Saturn Vue, $700 in cash, their legally owned firearms, and other personal property.

Contents:

Message from the CA Director - Don’t regulate medical marijuana like alcohol

California News

• Congress Says “No” To VA Doctors’ Abilities To Recommend Pot To Vets (National)
• Law enforcement, cannabis industry support Evans’ drug storage bill (California)
• California's Police Fear Weed Anarchy More Than Weed Itself (California)
• Marijuana May Heal Health Problems That Come With Old Age: How Can People Living in Senior Homes Get It? (California)
• Marijuana dispensary burglary suspect arrested (Lakeside)
• Our Voice: DHS to go slowly on medical marijuana (Desert Hot Springs)
• SLO City Council says no to ban on outdoor medical marijuana grows (San Luis Obispo)
• We applaud SLO City Council's sane approach to medical marijuana (San Luis Obispo)
• Marijuana initiative backers turn in petitions (Riverside)
• Healdsburg approves outdoor cultivation of 3 marijuana plants (Healdsburg)
• Initiative filed to stop pot growing regulation by Butte County (Butte County)
• Only On CBS2: Parents Give Daughter, 11, Medical Marijuana To Help Stem Uncontrollable Seizures (Los Angeles)
• Oceanside planning commission approves zoning for medical marijuana dispensaries (Ocenaside)

Events

• Monday, May 12, 2014 – CA Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing on SB 1193 (Sacramento)
• Monday, May 12, 2014 – Bloodganja: Medical Cannabis Movie & Panel (Santa Barbara)
• Tuesday, May 13, 2014 – Dr. David Bearman at the Ventura ASA Action Group (Ventura)
• Tuesday, May 13, 2014 – San Jose City Council Meeting (San Jose)
• Wednesday, May 28, 2014 – Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting (Sacramento)

Court Support

• Monday, May 12, 2014 – Court Support for Joseph Smart & Jimmy Chang (Santa Rosa)
• Tuesday, May 20, 2014 – Court Support for Dr. Michele Noonan Ross & Todd Ross (Los Angeles)

Take Action

• Support SB 1193 in California
• Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)

ASA Website Spotlight

• Using Your Voice

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

• Tuesday, May 13, 2014 - Nevada County ASA (Grass Valley)
• Tuesday, May 13, 2014 –Ventura ASA Action Group (Ventura)
• Wednesday, May 14, 2014 - San Diego ASA (San Diego)

Contents:

Message from the CA Director - Well done, California

California News

• Veterans Equal Access Amendment Nearly Passes in Milestone Congressional Medical Marijuana Vote (National)
• League of California Cities Report Crucial Doctor Provisions Deleted from Medical Marijuana Bill in Senate Health Committee (California)
• Rural County Representatives of California Report Medical Marijuana Regulatory Bills Advance in the Legislature (California)
• How Should California Test for Marijuana DUIs? (California)
• Boy with autism has his own strain of medical marijuana and is thriving, mother says (California)
• Officials: Pot Growers Worsening California's Drought (California)
• Many Medical Marijuana Users Oppose Legalization of Recreational Use (California)
• Pro-Medical Marijuana Group Sues the City, While Other Group Criticizes the Suit (San Diego)
• Judge puts Fresno County medical marijuana fines on hold (Fresno County)
• SLO City Council to consider tighter law on medical marijuana (San Luis Obispo)
• Colfax medical marijuana proposal fails (Colfax)
• Highland pot dealer arrested (Highland)
• Amazing Medical Cannabis Discoveries (Science)

Events

• Monday, May 5, 0214 – Healdsburg City Council Meeting (Healdsburg)
• Monday, May 5, 2014 – San Pablo City Council Meeting (San Pablo)
• Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - San Luis Obispo City Council Meeting (San Luis Obispo)
• Monday, May 12, 2014 – Bloodganja: Medical Cannabis Movie & Panel (Santa Barbara)
• Wednesday, May 28, 2014 – Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting (Sacramento)

Court Support

• Monday, may 5, 2014 – Court Support for Jason Miller (Sacramento)
• Monday, May 5, 2014 – Court Support for Victoria Mindiola (San Bernardino)
• Monday, May 12, 2014 – Court Support for Joseph Smart & Jimmy Chang (Santa Rosa)

Take Action

• Support SB 1193 in California
• Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)

ASA Website Spotlight

• Finding Your Voice

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

• Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - San Francisco ASA (San Francisco)
• Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - Yuba County ASA (Valley)
• Thursday, May 8, 2014 - San Diego ASA (Imperial Beach)
• Thursday, May 8, 2014 - Yuba County ASA (Foothills)

Contents:

Message from the CA Director - A busy week for medical cannabis in the California legislature

California News

• Regulations are good for patients (California)
• State Senate panel advances medical marijuana regulations (California)
• Medical Association won't back medical pot bill because of lack of research (California)
• Cops and Politicians Play Doctor With California Patients (California)
• Sacramento County supervisors vote to ban outdoor marijuana gardens (Sacramento County)
• Video: Applicants seek permits for medical pot shops (San Diego)
• Inside a Christian Pot Shop (Sacramento)
• Santa Monica City Council Balks At Endorsing Medical Marijuana Bill (Santa Monica)
• Medical marijuana advocacy group seeks suspension of Diamond Bar’s ban on dispensaries (Diamond Bar)
• D.A. candidates tackle medical pot at Santa Rosa forum (Sonoma County)
• Pot grower sues Fresno County, saying cultivation fines excessive (Fresno County)
• Tehama County Supervisors ban marijuana cultivation on vacant lots; require annual registration renewal (Tehama County)

Events

• Monday, April 28, 2014 – CA Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing on SB 1029 (Sacramento)
• Tuesday, April 29, 2014 – CA Public Safety Committee Hearing on AB 2500 (Sacramento)
• Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - CA Senate Public Safety Committee Hearing on SB 1193 (Sacramento)
• Wednesday, April 30, 2014 – CA Senate Health Committee Hearing on SB 1262 (Sacramento)
• Monday, May 12, 2014 – Bloodganja: Medical Cannabis Movie & Panel (Santa Barbara)
• Wednesday, May 28, 2014 – Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting (Sacramento)

Take Action

• Oppose AB 2500 in California!
• Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)

ASA Website Spotlight

• The Informed Advocate

ASA CA Chapter Spotlight

• Sonoma ASA

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

• Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - San Diego ASA (North County)
• Thursday, May 1, 2014 - Sonoma ASA (Santa Rosa)

Contents:

Message from the CA Director - Is an ASA Chapter, Action Group, or Affiliate Right for Your Community?

California News

• Support building to fix state medical pot system (California)
• Local Government Groups Join in Effort to Establish Clear Regulations for Medical Marijuana (California)
• Pot Smoke And Mirrors: Vaporizer Pens Hide Marijuana Use (California)
• 420 College -Continuing Complications: Medical Marijuana vs. IRS (California)
• Long Beach officials loosen restrictions on medical marijuana collectives in draft law (Long Beach)
• Medical marijuana case dismissed against two men (Long Beach)
• Pastors reach out on 4/20 (Los Angeles)
• Medical Marijuana Distributor Sentenced To 22-Year Prison Term Wins 8-Year Reduction (Santa Ana)
• Marijuana growers being driven from the Valley floor may be heading to Sierra foothills (Tulare County)
• Martinez makes move to ban outdoor marijuana growing (Martinez)

Events

• Monday, April 21, 2014 – CA Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee Hearing on SB 1262 (Sacramento)
• Tuesday, April 22, 2014 – Sacramento County Board of Supervisors (Sacramento)
• Tuesday, April 22, 2014 – CA Assembly Public Safety Committee Hearing on AB 1894 (Sacramento)
• Wednesday, April 23, 2014 – Medical Cannabis Forum with District Attorney Candidates (Sonoma)
• Sunday, April 27, 2014 – Google Hangout for New & Potential ASA Chapters (Online)
• Monday, April 28, 2014 – CA Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing on SB 1029 (Sacramento)
• Tuesday, April 29, 2014 – CA Public Safety Committee Hearing on AB 2500 (Sacramento)
• Monday, May 12, 2014 – Bloodganja: Medical Cannabis Movie & Panel (Santa Barbara)

Court Support

• Wednesday, April 23, 2014 – Court Support for Shelby Lucero (Sacramento)

Take Action

• Don’t Ban Indoor Cultivation in Sacramento County!
• Oppose AB 2500 in California!
• Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)

ASA Website Spotlight

• Work With ASA

ASA CA Chapter Spotlight

• Sacramento ASA

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

• Thursday, April 24, 2014 – Sacramento ASA (Sacramento)
• Sunday, April 27, 2014 – Google Hangout for New Chapters (Online)
• Sunday, April 27, 2014 - Nevada County ASA (North San Juan)

Governor Martin O'Malley signed HB 881 into law today, making Maryland the 21st medical marijuana state. The Maryland House of Delegates voted 125-11 last week to adopt HB 881, a medical marijuana bill that protect patients with severe pain, nausea, wasting syndrome, seizures, and severe muscle spasms from arrest and prosecution. Qualified patients will be able to obtain their medicine from licensed medical marijuana dispensaries, which will rely on licensed growers for their supply. Patients will be required to get approval from physicians who are approved by the state, and must obtain an identification card before they will be eligible to access a licensed dispensary.