Click here for a witty, yet sad cuz it's true ani-toon on the issue
http://www.markfiore.com/animation/protect.html
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ALERT! DEA Begins it's Final Solution for Medical Cannabis "Problem"
#actnItem1 - Rally & Protest DEA actions
Our fears have been confirmed that the DEA is extending the assault on the sick to Oregon and Washington. DEA personnel have been seen in the Eugene area, the Hood River, and elsewhere in Oregon. Extensive aerial surveillance is being employed along with ground units. I believe they were only waiting for the huge Oregon fires to be contained before moving against medical cannabis in Oregon (the smoke blocked their view).
The DEA is not going to wait for public opposition to build while they raid California and plan the assault on our sister States. This is why demonstrations are so important. Each State, indeed each individual, must look to their liberties in these dark and trying times.
#actnItem1p
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PORTLAND
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Activists CONTACTs: Madeline Martinez Director Oregon NORML 503.239.6110 yerbanena@hotmail www.ornorml.org |
DEA and other Portland area government contacts and protest locations. |
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EUGENE
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Activists CONTACTs: Kevin Feeney Kevin Feeney |
DEA and other Portland area government contacts and protest locations. |
#actnItem2
ELSEWHERE
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On Monday, September 23rd we are going to witness the largest demonstration of its kind on the steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento, California. People from all over California and indeed the Western States are converging on the Capitol in a show of unity and to seek help from our elected representatives to support our Compassionate Use Act against the depredations of the DEA. Meeting first at 5th and I Street at 9:00 AM in support of the Americans for Safe Access (ASA) rally in front of the Federal Courthouse in support of medical cannabis patient Bryan Epis. Then gathering at 11:00 AM at the Capitol itself for a rally to run from Noon until 5:00 PM. |
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Activists CONTACTs: |
DEA and other Portland area government contacts and protest locations. |
More added daily
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Steph Sherer and Hilary McQuie (ASA): (510) 486-8083
Aundre Speciale (ASA) (916) 320-1399
Dr. Jay R. Cavanaugh, PhD (AAMC) (818) 346-4493
Ryan Landers (AAMC) (916) 972-8853
Amanda Whittemore (ASA) (916) 628-2716
The DEA is not going to wait for public opposition to build while they raid California and plan the assault on our sister States. This is why our demonstration on the 23rd is so important. Each State, indeed each individual, must look to their liberties in these dark and trying times. As we come together here in California let us embrace our friends in Oregon and Washington who are now literally under the gun. A rally similar to ours is now being planned for Salem. I am hopeful that Oregonians will join us in Sacramento and I intend to join them in Salem.
Please forward this notice widely. Come to Sacramento on the 23rd in your Sunday best and bring friends. We are united in our quest for the legitimate rights of patients everywhere.
Yours in faith,
Jay R. Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
National Director
American Alliance for Medical Cannabis
(818) 346-4493
LOCAL CONTACT:
Arthur Livermore
Oregon Director
American Alliance for Medical Cannabis
P.O. Box 47
Arch Cape, OR 97102
Office: 503-436-1882
Toll-free: 1-800-269-1882
Fax: 503-368-6311
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#newsItem1
California City Leaders To Protest Federal Pot Raids With Medical Marijuana Giveaway
SANTA CRUZ, Calif.: Local politicians will oversee the distribution of medicinal marijuana from City Hall next Tuesday in response to last week's federal raid of the city's longstanding medical pot cooperative <WAMM> by drug enforcement agents. City leaders plan to join medical marijuana users at a pot giveaway, hoping to send a message to federal authorities that, in this town, medical marijuana is welcome. The invitation comes after agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency arrested the high-profile owners and confiscated 130 plants that had been grown to be used as medicine.
"It's just absolutely loathsome to me that federal money, energy and staff time would be used to harass people like this," Reilly told the Associated Press.
Santa Cruz Vice Mayor Emily Reilly and several members of the City Council will be on hand during the medical pot giveaway, which will take place at 3 p.m. in the City Hall courtyard. Valerie and Michael Corral - co-founders of the Wo/Mens Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) cooperative, which was raided by federal agents last Thursday - will dispense marijuana to club members. Prior to last week's raid, WAMM had operated openly and in conjunction with the Santa Cruz sheriff's office since 1993. The Corrals were arrested and later released pending possible criminal indictment.
Though earlier this week the Santa Cruz City Council voted unanimously for a resolution <#newsItem2> supporting WAMM and denouncing the government's actions, there is no official city sponsorship of the event. Council members and medical marijuana advocates are simply acting on their own in a public space, said City Attorney John Barisone. DEA spokesman Richard Meyer was surprised at the plan.
``Are you serious? That's illegal. It's like they're flouting federal law,'' he said. ``I'm shocked that city leaders would promote the use of marijuana that way. What is that saying to our youth?'' State law in California, as well as Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, allows marijuana to be grown and distributed to people with a doctor's prescription. Federal law prohibits marijuana use under any circumstances.
In recent months, federal agents - working without local support - have been busting pot clubs and farms in Northern California, including a small pot farm last week about 55 miles south of San Francisco, arresting owners Valerie and Michael Corral.
No indictment was filed against the couple, leading activists for medical marijuana; their attorney said federal authorities do not plan to prosecute. A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office said she could not comment. California medical marijuana growers and distributors work closely with local law enforcement, and are quite open about their programs. In fact, the farm raided by DEA agents had been featured in national media, and the program is listed in the local telephone book.
``The courage of the Santa Cruz City Council and the growing anger in Congress are signs of a genuine grassroots rebellion all across this country that will put an end to these attacks on the sick and vulnerable,'' said Robert Kampia, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project.
In 1992, 77 percent of Santa Cruz voters approved a measure ending the prohibition of medical marijuana. Four years later, state voters approved Proposition 215, allowing marijuana for medicinal purposes. And in 2000, the city council approved an ordinance allowing medical marijuana to be grown and used without a prescription.
For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director of The NORML Foundation, at (202) 483-8751 or Dale Gieringer, Coordinator of California NORML, at (415) 563-5858.
#newsItem2
COUNTY, CITY CONDEMN DEA MARIJUANA RAID
SANTA CRUZ - County supervisors unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday condemning the federal government's raid <#newsItemX2> of the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana garden last week. The Santa Cruz City Council passed a similar measure. Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt, who sponsored the county resolution, said she was "appalled" by the raid.
"This type of federal action seems to me completely unwarranted," she said. "Most of us know the Wo/Men's Alliance to be exemplary in its practice." Wormhoudt said the raid is forcing WAMM members to buy marijuana on the open market, which is both risky and costly. And, ironically, the raid is supporting international drug cartels that sell marijuana and other dangerous drugs, she said.
WAMM director Valerie Corral and her husband, Michael, spoke of how they were thrown face-down on the floor with guns pointed at their heads on Thursday.
"This is a tragedy on so many levels, it is beyond me to comprehend," Michael Corral said. "In the last few months we have buried five of our friends, and we will probably bury more because of this."
Alliance member Suzanne Pfeil, who suffers post-polio syndrome and uses a wheelchair, also spoke Tuesday. Pfeil said she is in constant pain without marijuana, one of the few drugs her body can tolerate.
"The guns of the nation are now pointed at the sick, the disabled and the dying," she said. "I have a hard time believing I am the enemy."
For more info visit Details:
http://www.mapinc.org/media/394 -or- Website: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/__________________________________________________________________________
#newsItemX
*This is an emergency alert from Americans for Safe Access. *
EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIVATED
On September 5, 2002 , federal agents raided the WAMM medical cannabis dispensary in Santa Cruz . Valorie has been arrested! We are asking all medical cannabis supporters to rally in opposition to this raid at noon on September 6th in front of the federal building in your city.
These demonstrations are a vital part of our grassroots opposition to the federal crackdown. Please make plans to attend and encourage others to do so. Please check our web site or call the ASA office if you need additional information about the location of your federal building or other demonstration site.
Our web site is
www.safeaccessnow.org You can reach the CAN/ASA office directly at (510) 486-8083.Thank you for your active support and participation.
Americans for Safe Access is an aggressive grassroots campaign designed to force the federal government to stop its attack on patients and respect the rights of voters to choose medical marijuana policy.
Our Demands:
1. We demand that all prosecutions of medical marijuana patients, growers, and dispensaries cease immediately.
2. We demand that President Bush & Attorney General Ashcroft declare a moratorium on the Federal anti-medical marijuana campaign.
3. We demand President Bush declare his support for HR 2592, the States' Rights to Medical Marijuana Act.
Steph Sherer
Executive Director
Cannabis Action Network
We are asking for national support on this. 3000 people have pledged to participate in actions following a raid on patients- but folks in every town will have to mobilize them. For citations, go to:
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=109Emergency response actions planned so far:
San Francisco, noon, federal building, 450 Golden Gate.
Ram Dass confirmed to speak!
Oakland Federal Bldg at noon.
Sacramento Federal Courthouse at noon, 501 I st.
San Jose DEA office, One North 1st Street @ Santa Clara
Santa Rosa Federal Building, 11:45 corner of Sonoma and E st.
Madison, WI - Federal Courthouse, 120 N. Henry St, noon
Meetings tonight at CAN, 1605 Ashby in Berkeley
and 122 10th st in SF, both at 7 pm.
Hilary McQuie
Campaign Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
1678 Shattuck Ave. #317
Berkeley, CA 94709
Phone: 510-486-8083
Fax: 510-486-8090
<
Arthur Livermore
Oregon Director
American Alliance for Medical Cannabis
P.O. Box 47
Arch Cape, OR 97102 USA
Phone: 503-436-1882
Fax: 503-368-6311
Email: arthur.livermore@alumni.reed.edu
The AAMC Exchange:
National Director:
--Jay R. Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
Medical Advisory Board:
--Jay R. Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
--John Beresford, M.D.
State Directors:
--California: Ryan Landers
--Florida: Chris Kenoyer
--Georgia: Genevieve Baily
--Idaho: Tony Bender
--Kentucky: Cher Ford-McCullough
--New Mexico: Bryan Krumm
--Rhode Island: Ann McCormick
--Utah: Keirsten Jordan
--Oregon: Arthur Livermore
OR County Directors:
--Curry: Robert Walker
--Deschutes: Shaun Heuston
--Lane: James Freire, M.A.
--Linn: Jon Wooldridge
--Washington: Diane Densmore
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#newsItemX1 - RAIDs du Jour, The Genesis Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Petaluma & Sebastopol, California
EMERGENCY RESPONSE! DISPENSARY RAIDED 9/12!
September 12 - Emergency response alert from Americans for Safe Access - ANOTHER RAID! Monday 16th, noon - Please go to your closest federal building and protest the war on patients! The Genesis medical cannabis dispensary in Petaluma was raided, and Robert Schmidt, the owner, was arrrested by the DEA today. They also raided a garden in Sebastopol in connection with Genesis. We will post the details as we get them, but it's time to kick our response into gear. Please, call your lists, your friends, local, state, and FEDERAL officials...and come out in force on Monday!
All the more reason for all to come to Sacramento on the 23rd!!
Hilary McQuie
Campaign Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
1678 Shattuck Ave. #317
Berkeley, CA 94709
Phone: 510-486-8083
Fax: 510-486-8090
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#newsItemX2 - RAIDs du Jour; WAMM in Santa Cruz, California
DEA Continues War On California Patients: Busts Longstanding Santa Cruz Medical Marijuana Collective
Contact Your California Senator To Protest Latest DEA Raid On The Sick And Dying
Santa Cruz, CA: Federal officials continued their crackdown on sick and dying Californians yesterday when 20 armed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents raided the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM), on September 5th, carting off 130 plants, arresting the club's outspoken director and leaving it's members wondering where they will get their medicine.
About WAMM
WAMM is a medical marijuana collective that had operated openly and in conjunction with the Santa Cruz sheriff's office since 1993. The cooperative, which grows marijuana for members, who must have a doctor's prescription, does not sell to the public. They served some 250 patients, 85 percent of whom suffered from terminal illness, providing medicinal marijuana and other health related services free of charge.
WAMM is highly regarded as one of the best cannabis patients' clubs in the state. Unlike many other clubs, which sell marijuana to their members, WAMM distributes it for free. WAMM's director, Valerie Corral, is widely admired for her tireless and dedicated care for the seriously ill. A member of Attorney General Lockyer's state task force on medical marijuana, she was one of the original organizers of California's Prop. 215. An inspiring feature about Valerie and WAMM was published in Mother Jones magazine:
http://www.motherjones.com/mother_jones/JF01/marijuana.html . For more info about WAMM, visit their website: http://www.wamm.org
WAMM co-founder Valerie Corral, who suffers from epilepsy, is a longtime medicinal marijuana activist. She was a member of Attorney General Bill Lockyer's medical marijuana task force and had been documenting ongoing research regarding the efficacy of various medicinal marijuana strains, as well as the use of medical cannabis for young people with multiple behavior disorders.
Santa Cruz has been at the forefront of medical marijuana efforts in California and nationally. In 1992, 77 percent of Santa Cruz voters approved a local measure ending the medical prohibition of marijuana. Four years later, state voters - including 74 percent of those in Santa Cruz - approved Proposition 215. And then again, in 2000, the City Council approved an ordinance allowing medical marijuana to be grown and used without a prescription.
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt called the DEA's actions "absolutely appall[ing]" and praised WAMM as an "extremely responsible collective; they have operated in a way that has been exemplary". Seventy-seven percent of Santa Cruz voters approved a local initiative in 1992 urging police to stop arresting medicinal marijuana users. Following passage of California's medicinal marijuana law in 1996, the Santa Cruz city council reaffirmed a local ordinance allowing legalizing the use and cultivation of medicinal cannabis by patients who possessed a doctor's recommendation. The council has passed a resolution condemning the raid <#newsItem2>
The Corrals are well known locally and nationally in the continuing debate over medicinal marijuana. They helped craft state Proposition 215, a voter-approved initiative passed in 1996 that allows marijuana for medicinal purposes.
But while Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon and Washington allow the sick to legally receive, possess, grow or smoke marijuana for medical purposes without fear of state prosecution, the federal government maintains marijuana has no medical benefits and is an illegal drug.
Valerie Corral said she knew a raid was always possible. The DEA has repeatedly cracked down on pot clubs during the past year, enforcing federal laws that don't allow for medical use. In February, agents seized hundreds of plants from a San Francisco club and arrested one of its suppliers, pot guru Ed Rosenthal, author of "Ask Ed: Marijuana Law. Don't Get Busted." Federal agents also raided three other cannabis clubs in California, a garden in Hollywood, and seized the records of 5,000 medical-marijuana users from a doctor's office near Sacramento.
The RAIDs
The WAMM raid marked the 22nd time since September 11, 2001 that federal officials have taken action against California patients, growers or medicinal marijuana cooperatives, according to statistics compiled by California NORML. In addition, medical marijuana cases have accounted for 50 percent of all federal marijuana cases filed this year in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, according to California NORML Coordinator Dale Gieringer, who adds that the majority of raids have involved individuals found in possession of a relatively small number of plants. Typically, federal law enforcement only becomes involved in marijuana cases involving 1,000 or more marijuana plants. Federal authorities have previously raided high profile medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento.
Agents Raid WAMM
Santa Cruz CA, Sep 5. - Federal agents raided a marijuana farm Thursday and arrested the owners, who just happened to help write the state law legalizing medical use of the plants. The Wo/Mens Alliance for Medical Marijuana was raided by a team of armed DEA agents early in the morning with no prior warning to the local sheriff. Agents woke patients residing on the property at gunpoint and handcuffed them.
WAMM Director Valerie Corral and Mike Corral were arrested Valerie and Michael Corral were arrested on federal charges of intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy, and taken to the federal building in San Jose. he said They were later released without charges pending possible criminal indictment, leaving them in legal limbo (like other cannabis groups that have been raided, such as the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center) The plants were cut down with chain saws, a scene captured on videotape by WAMM's security system and shown on KTVU -TV. Some 150 strong, healthy plants were taken.
DEA spokesman Richard Meyers claimed that the DEA was not targeting medical marijuana, but was rather concerned with the quantity of marijuana at WAMM. However, the WAMM bust was small by federal standards observed heretofore in a state where busts of 1000's of plants are common. Meyer said the raid was triggered by a tip from a confidential source, though the club has been in existence for years - it has been the subject of national media stories and has never hid its operation from area authorities. He also reported officers seized three rifles and a shotgun, even though they were packed away antiques and in no way associated with the "crime". Word from local US attorneys is that the Justice Department has ordered a crackdown on all of California's medical cannabis clubs. (!REF?)
"We're awaiting indictment," Valerie Corral said that night, promising the alliance would continue its efforts. "We just can't allow this type of harm to be caused," said Corral, who smokes marijuana to relieve pain caused by epilepsy. "I'm not going to stop. We will live to have another smoke."
``These are incredibly compassionate people who've worked closely with law enforcement to help the sick and dying in our community,'' said Ben Rice, an attorney for the Corrals. ``This is absolutely outrageous.''
The Corrals helped write the 1996 law that allows patients and their caregivers to grow marijuana for their own medicine. They work with local authorities to dispense their pot to people with doctors' recommendations to use marijuana.
Andrea Tischler, owner of the Compassion Flower Inn, where guests with doctors recommendations are allowed to use medical marijuana, said she was insenced.
``We're absolutely shocked that the DEA would step in like this at harvest time when so many patients would be able to benefit from this medication,'' she said. ``This is the one crop of the year they were growing.''
Suzanne Pfeil, an alliance member staying at the Corral's, said she was awakened by two-dozen camouflage-clad agents in helmets who pointed automatic weapons at her.
"They told me to stand up," said Pfeil, who suffers from post-polio syndrome and uses a wheelchair. "I told them I'm sorry. I can't stand up." She said some weapons seized in the raid - three rifles and a shotgun - were unloaded family heirlooms belonging to Michael Corral. Corral herself was taken to jail in her pajamas.
Although taken by surprise, out-manned and out-gunned - patients act!
The bust surprised county law enforcement and word spread quickly though the medical-marijuana community. While the DEA did their dirty work, patients organized a blockade of the narrow dirt road leading to the garden to block their escape. As agents worked to remove the plants, about 30 alliance members and their supporters gathered at a locked gate down a dirt road from the garden. Two DEA agents kept tabs on the supporters, who at times taunted the agents and sought to engage them in debate on the rights of states and the merits of medical-marijuana use.
"I'm just a worker bee," said one agent dressed in black and wearing a camouflage hat. "I wish I could solve the problem." One caregiver carried a sign reading "We Are Not Criminals."
The crowd threatened to block the road in protest. The DEA called on the local sheriff to help out; and at about 2:15 p.m., two deputies with the county Sheriff's Office arrived.
Local medical marijuana growers and advocates were not the only ones surprised by the raid. State police as well as the Santa Cruz County sheriff. were not notified of the Feds' action and did not participate in the raid. In fact, Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department spokesman Kim Allen the Oakland Tribune that his office had met regularly with the Corrals on their farm about 15 miles north of Santa Cruz, and had deemed WAMM to be in compliance and protected under California's medicinal marijuana law.
The sheriff was clearly dismayed at the raid. Under the administration of Sheriff Mark Tracy, the alliance had enjoyed cooperative relations. `
`The DEA didn't tell us they did this, not before, and not after,'' he said. DEA agents have recently cracked down on high-profile medical marijuana advocates and distribution clubs and bypassed local law enforcement agencies that have condoned them.(!)
County Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt, whose district covers the area, said the Corrals operated in an "exemplary" fashion. She called the raid an invasion.
"I am absolutely appalled by the actions ... on the part of federal agents," Wormhoudt said.
"Let our people go!"
The deputies sought to soothe the increasingly angry, but peaceful, gathering.
"The process you see here is a federal one," deputy Terry Moore told the crowd.
Valerie Corral, revered in the medical pot community, was reached by cell phone at the Court House in San Jose, and told them to let the agents leave. In return, the Corrals were released from jail.
A caravan of SUVs and trailers hauled the crop away. As the convoy of about 10 vehicles left, including two U-Haul trucks loaded with the uprooted plants, the crowd chanted, "Shame on you." The agents looked sullen and shamefaced, except for one young hotdog, an agent dressed in camouflage who looked out a passenger's side window and laughed.
Once the agents left, the crowd, shocked patients and supporters, walked up the road and visited the scene of the crime. They viewed what was by then a bedraggled garden, many openly crying in disbelief at the clear-cut scene of their year's lost labors. WAMM is a collective of some 250 patients, all of them seriously ill. Members take turns helping with harvesting and tending the garden, attending meetings, caring for each other's health, and sharing the crop amongst themselves. Because of space limitations, WAMM had to turn away many applicants and maintained a waiting list for admission. Alliance members salvaged what leaves and buds they could. Amid the stems, some the diameter of a fist, Tibetan prayer flags fluttered in the wind.
The plants had grown to about 7 feet tall and were a few weeks from fully budding. The buds are the most potent part of the plant. Alliance members even got to watch the garden's destruction via videotape in a nearby shed. A security camera had captured the action on film. As pot smoke wafted, alliance members wondered where they would get marijuana.
"We have no other source of medicine for our patients," said George Hanamoto, a cooperative gardener and a patient.
About 80 percent of the group's members are terminally ill, said Diana Dodson, an alliance board member.
"We've lost several members this year," she said. "We lose members constantly." The patients' stories were similar - cancer, AIDS, epilepsy. Dan Rodriguez, an AIDS patient, said marijuana eases his nausea and boosts his appetite.
"If I don't smoke a little, I can't eat," Rodriguez said. Like others at the garden, he said he didn't know where to turn now for marijuana.
"What are we going to do, go down to the river?" he said, referring to the San Lorenzo River levee in Santa Cruz, where illegal drug sales are a frequent problem.
Alliance member Hal Margolin agreed.
"I don't know what I will do, I really don't," Margolin said. "I wouldn't know where to go on the street. I've never done that."
The cooperative is a model program in that it shares marijuana with members, but doesn't sell it. The alliance also offers hospice care and support for its members and has a months-long waiting list of applicants.
"It is unique," Dale Gieringer of California NORML, a statewide marijuana-advocacy group, said of the alliance. "This is the only one I know where patients help with gardening."
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Feds Expand War on Medical Marijuana to Patients and Small-Scale Growers; Recent Raids Contradict DEA Claims of Low Enforcement Priority; More Arrests for Medical Marijuana than Terrorism in California
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 1. The U.S. Justice Department has begun to escalate its war on medical marijuana by pursuing small-scale providers and personal use growers in California.
Recent raids contradict prior claims by DEA chief Asa Hutchinson that the DEA is not interested in minor medical marijuana cases. Speaking at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, Hutchinson claimed, "I don't know of any instance in which there's been a federal targeting of any user; that's not within the federal priority system. We have gone after traffickers. If you have 500 marijuana plants, that is of concern "
In recent weeks, however the federal government has attacked patients with much smaller, personal use gardens with no connection to trafficking.
o On Aug. 15th, DEA agents destroyed a 6-plant patient garden belonging to Diane Monson of Oroville, openly defying a plea from Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey to leave her plants alone.
o The same day, DEA agents in Santa Rosa ripped up the medical garden of Alan MacFarlane, a cancer patient who was acquitted of growing 100 plants for his personal medical use in a jury trial last year. This time, the agents took 128 plants, which MacFarlane says were being grown for 10 seriously ill patients in accordance with Sonoma County guidelines.
o In Orange County, patient Michael Teague was arrested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms after his Prop 215 cultivation case was dismissed in state court. Teague, who had a legal handgun in his closet, was arrested on spurious charges of being an "unlawful drug user in possession of a handgun."
o In Mendocino County, the federal government filed charges against disabled patient David Arnett and his caregiver David Kephart for growing just 27 plants on BLM land after their case was dismissed by the D.A. under Prop.215.
Numerous prosecutions have been targeted at known medical marijuana activists involved in high-profile cases. Among them are Lynn and Judy Osburn, who were recently arrested by the DEA for growing a personal use garden of 35 plants at their Ventura County ranch. The Osburns had been raided last year for cultivating for the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center, but no indictment was delivered in that case. However, the government moved to forfeit their home, and they were put under DEA surveillance.
Another well known medical marijuana grower, Charles "Eddy" Lepp, was raided by the DEA in Lake County last week. Lepp who was acquitted for growing 132 plants in a high-profile trial in 1998, had been openly growing for himself and other patients. In Sonoma County, another former Prop. 215 defendant, Mike Foley, who was acquitted for providing marijuana to a San Francisco patients' group last year, was re-arrested by the FBI for growing a modest garden that was within county guidelines for personal use.
Medical Marijuana A Growing Federal Priority, Contrary to DEA Claims
Recent actions belie prior DEA claims that medical marijuana is not a major enforcement priority. A survey of current federal cases by California NORML shows that there have been more arrests for medical marijuana than terrorism in California since Sept. 11th. In Washington state, which also has a medical marijuana law, U.S. attorneys in the western district have announced that they will no longer adhere to Clinton guidelines of not prosecuting cases of fewer than 100 plants. Seattle defense attorney Jeffrey Steinborn says that prosecutors told him they are under orders from Attorney General Ashcroft to target medical marijuana providers.
So far, over a half dozen medical marijuana growers have been sent to federal prison this year for activities they had reason to believe were legal under state law. The latest is Brian Epis, convicted for growing marijuana for a Chico patients' group, who faces sentencing in Sacramento on Sept. 23.
In California, medical marijuana accounts for 50% of all federal marijuana cases filed in the U.S. district court in San Francisco this year. By way of contrast, only about 1% of California's 3 million marijuana users are medical patients, according to a recent survey by California NORML ( Medical marijuana advocates say this shows federal drug enforcement priorities are seriously distorted. "The feds are targeting honest providers who openly supply medicine to sick people under state law rather than large-scale criminal traffickers who clandestinely supply the recreational market," comments California NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer.
For a complete listing of federal medical marijuana cases since Sept. 11 see _______________________________________________________________________________
ACTION ALERT:
California residents (and ALL Americans in general) are urged to send a pre-written letter to their California Senators and Representative calling on Congress to denounce the DEA's recent actions in California (and potential actions elsewhere) by visiting: Californians CALL Sen. Barbara Boxer (202) 224-3553 and Dianne Feinstein (202) 224-3841
Protest the WAMM raid - demand an end to the DEA's war on the sick and dying
visit: To learn about upcoming local and national protests, please visit: A summary of federal medical marijuana cases in California since September 11 is available online at: You can also CONTACT:
NORML
_________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT / LINKs SUMMARY:
1001 Connecticut Ave., NW
Ste. 710
Washington, DC 20036
202-483-5500 (p)
202-483-0057 (f)
www.norml.org
norml@norml.org
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Action item |
Location |
CONTACT |
NOTEs |
ORG |
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PROTEST demonstration |
PORTLAND |
Madeline Martinez
www.ornorml.org |
Please join Oregon NORML for a at the DEA offices at 1220 SW 3rd St. downtown Portland on Monday, September 16, 2002 at 4:30pm. Please let's show our solidarity now before it is too late !! |
NORML Oregon |
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PROTEST demonstration? |
EUGENE |
Kevin Feeney Kevin Feeney |
Is anyone in Eugene interested in organizing a protest in front of the Federal Building for Mon. the 16th? I think this is really important, Locals, please contact me and let me know if you are willing or able to take action this coming Monday. |
Independent |
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PROTEST demonstrations and other ACTION (WRITE, CALL, etc.) |
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These peaceful demonstrations are being sponsored by the AAMC in conjunction with ASA, CAN and more! |
AAMC |
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Jay R. Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
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National Director: Medical Advisory Board: |
AAMC |
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Ryan Landers (916) 972-8853 |
State Directors: California: |
AAMC, Calif. |
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Arthur Livermore
mailto:alive@pacifier.com |
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AAMC, Ore. |
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John Beresford, M.D. |
Medical Advisory Board: |
AAMC |
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Chris Kenoyer |
Florida: |
AAMC State Directors: |
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Genevieve Baily |
Georgia: |
AAMC State Directors: |
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Tony Bender |
Idaho: |
AAMC State Directors: |
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Cher Ford-McCullough |
Kentucky: |
AAMC State Directors: |
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Bryan Krumm |
New Mexico: |
AAMC State Directors: |
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Ann McCormick |
Rhode Island: |
AAMC State Directors: |
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Keirsten Jordan |
Utah: |
AAMC State Directors: |
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Oregon, Curry county |
Robert Walker |
Oregon --Curry: |
AAMC, Oregon, County Directors: |
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Oregon, Deschutes county |
Shaun Heuston |
Oregon --Deschutes: |
AAMC, Oregon, County Directors: |
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James Freire, M.A. |
Oregon --Lane: |
AAMC, Oregon, County Directors: |
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Jon Wooldridge |
Oregon --Linn: |
AAMC, Oregon, County Directors: |
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Diane Densmore |
Oregon --Washington: |
AAMC, Oregon, County Directors: |
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<Link> |
http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/aamcoregon.htm |
The AAMC Exchange: |
AAMC |
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<Link> |
http://www.letfreedomgrow.org |
The AAMC Exchange: |
AAMC |
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ORG |
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Hilary McQuie Campaign Coordinator Americans for Safe Access 1678 Shattuck Ave. #317 Berkeley, CA 94709 Phone: 510-486-8083 Fax: 510-486-8090 <http://www.safeaccessnow.org>www.safeaccessnow.org |
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ASA |
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Steph Sherer Executive Director Phone: 510-486-8083 |
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ASA |
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Aundre Speciale (916) 320-1399 |
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ASA |
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Amanda Whittemore (916) 628-2716 |
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ASA |
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ORG |
Document/Link |
For citations, go to: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=109 |
We are asking for national support on this. 3000 people have pledged to participate in actions following a raid on patients- but folks in every town will have to mobilize them. |
ASA |
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Steph Sherer Executive Director Cannabis Action Network www.cannabisaction.net 1678 Shattuck Ave. #317 Berkeley, CA 94709 phone: 510-486-8083 fax: 510-486-8090 |
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CAN |
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Medical Marijuana Patients Union (http://www.mmpu.org) |
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MMPU |
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Safe Access Now (http://www.medicalmarijuananow.com) |
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SAN |
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ORG |
California, Santa Cruz county, Davenport |
Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana (http://www.wamm.org) |
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WAMM |
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Story |
<Link> |
"COUNTY, CITY CONDEMN DEA MARIJUANA RAID" Website: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ |
COUNTY, CITY CONDEMN DEA MARIJUANA RAID |
Info/link |
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Story |
<Link> |
http://www.motherjones.com/mother_jones/JF01/marijuana.html . |
An inspiring feature about Valerie and WAMM was published in Mother Jones magazine |
WAMM, info |
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Story |
<Link> |
visit: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2002/September/06/local/stories/01local.htm |
for more details on this story. |
WAMM, info |
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California |
California NORML (http://www.canorml.org) |
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NORML, Calif. |
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California, Marin county |
Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana (http://www.cbcmarin.com) |
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MAMM |
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California, X county, Sacramento |
Libertarian Party of Sacramento |
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LP, Sac. |
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California, X county, ? |
CHAMPS |
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CHAMPS |
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California, Los Angeles county, Los Angeles |
Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center (http://www.lacbc.org) |
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LACBC |
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Crescent Alliance Self Help for Sickle Cell |
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CASHsc |
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ORG |
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Dale Gieringer, Coordinator of California NORML, at (415) 563-5858. |
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NORML, Calif. |
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<Link> |
( http://www.canorml.org/prop/cbcsurvey.html ) |
In California, medical marijuana accounts for 50% of all federal marijuana cases filed in the U.S. district court in San Francisco this year. By way of contrast, only about 1% of California's 3 million marijuana users are medical patients, according to a recent survey by California NORML |
NORML, Calif. |
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<Link> |
http://www.canorml.org/news/fedmmjcases.html. For more information on this story CONTACT: Dale Gieringer (415) 563-5858 // canorml@igc.org // 2215-R Market St. #278, San Francisco CA 94114 |
For a complete listing of federal medical marijuana cases since Sept. 11 . Included are 21 cases involving some 37 defendants. Only one arrest for terrorism is known to have been reported in California in this time. Half the medical marijuana cases involve fewer than 300 plants; only two or three more than 1,000. |
NORML, Calif. |
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ORG |
Washington, DC |
Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director of The NORML Foundation, at (202) 483-8751 |
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NORML |
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ORG |
Washington, DC |
NORML 1001 Connecticut Ave., NW Ste. 710 Washington, DC 20036 202-483-5500 (p) 202-483-0057 (f) www.norml.org norml@norml.org |
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NORML |
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FUNC |
<link> |
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=100506&type=CO |
Send a pre-written letter to your Senators and Representative calling on Congress to denounce the DEA's recent actions in California (and potential actions elsewhere) |
NORML |
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California |
Sen. Barbara Boxer (202) 224-3553 |
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Govt! CALIF |
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California |
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (202) 224-3841 |
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Govt! CALIF |
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