Ken Hayes Sentencing August 5th at 2;15pm in San Francisco Federal Court

I saw Ken at my mother's funeral on June 10th. I am glad to see him after all these years. I will be there in support of Ken, as he was instrumental in getting me started on my advocacy for medical marijuana. His story is below.
Regards,
Christine/Tina Marie Flora
Secretary.Treasurer, and Spokesperson
SVCPU-Silicon Valley Cannabis Patients Union
svcpu@hotmail.com
Member of the Board of Directors
The Compassionate Coalition
www.compassionatecoalition.org

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Sacramento Moratorium Hearing on June 16th, 2009

Hello organizers,

I just got word from the Sacramento City Clerk that the moratorium will be on the agenda of the Law and Legislation Committee next week, Tuesday June 16th at 3pm. This will be at City Hall, 915 I Street, 1st Floor in the Council Chambers - Please show up to support!

The Staff Report on dispensaries is not available yet, but will be posted online by the end of the day at: http://sacramento.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=8

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Yuba-Sutter Chapter of The Compassionate Coalition
Yuba-Sutter Chapter of The Compassionate Coalition

Medical marijuana patients and advocates are working to defend the rights of medical marijuana patients, doctors and care providers. Your persistence and compassion will help to make a real difference in local communities!

We can't do it alone! We need your help to keep the movement moving!

To get involved or ask questions, contact Mel Garcia at (530) 743-6784 or meliposa59@gmail.com

Thank you for supporting the rights of medical marijuana patients!

Another Day at the Court of Appeal
Today, I had an oral argument before the Court of Appeal for the Third Appellate District, which is a state court in Sacramento.  The case is Williams v. Butte County , which involves a small patient collective, which was harassed by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.  Specifically, Williams and six other patients pooled their labor [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Another Day at the Court of Appeal", url: "http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=249" });

Rhode Island Shows the Way
The tiny state of Rhode Island took a big step last week when the House of Representatives passed a bill authorizing nonprofit associations to “acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or dispense marijuana” to legal patients. The Senate has already adopted a similar bill, and the 63 to 5 margin in the House [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Rhode Island Shows the Way", url: "http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=248" });

05-22 NORML News PodCast - May 22, 2009
US Supreme Court Rejects Challenge To State Medical Marijuana Laws; Cannabis Use Associated With Greater Adherence To Heroin Treatment, Study Says; Rhode Island: Legislature Approves Medical Marijuana Distribution Centers; California NORML's Dale Gieringer on Eddy Lepp sentencing.

Coburn Amendment Round II
I am blogging with good news from Washington, DC.  Today, ASA helped to kill an amendment aimed at obstructing the effective implementation of duly enacted state medical cannabis laws! Earlier this week, ASA’s National Office was notified that Sen. Coburn (R-OK) intended to add a medical marijuana amendment to S. 982, the Family Smoking Prevention [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Coburn Amendment Round II", url: "http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=247" });

Counties at a Crossroads
The US Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal in San Diego v. San Diego NORML, solidifying an important victory for medical cannabis patients in California. Americans for Safe Access (ASA) intervened on behalf of legal patients when the County of San Diego sued to overturn provisions of the state’s medical cannabis laws in 2006. [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Counties at a Crossroads", url: "http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=246" });

CA Weekly Alert 5/15/2009
1. Zip-Tie Program Approved for Mendocino Plants A Mendocino Health committee approved a proposal that would allow individuals qualified to use medical cannabis to purchase “zip-ties” from the county to help avoid law enforcement confiscation of legal plants. The program is voluntary and will be recommended by the Health and Human Services Committee to the full [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "CA Weekly Alert 5/15/2009", url: "http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=245" });

LA Times: New medical marijuana dispensaries not expected to sprout quickly - May 19, 2009

Cities and counties that view such operations with suspicion aren't likely to suddenly welcome them, despite the U.S. Justice Department's decision not to go after legal California dispensaries.

By Catherine Saillant
April 26, 2009
Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-medical-marijuana26-2009apr26,0,6883780,full.story

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LA Times: Supreme Court action upholds California's medical pot law - May 18, 2009

Justices reject appeals from San Diego and San Bernardino counties seeking to throw out the state marijuana law. Patients likely will be able to seek ID cards showing they're eligible to use the drug.

By David G. Savage
10:24 AM PDT, May 18, 2009
Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-court-marijuana19-2009may19,0,4902661.story

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05-15 NORML News PodCast - May 15, 2009
Marijuana Smoking Not Associated With Cancers Of The Head Or Neck; Legalizing Marijuana Tops White House 'Citizens Briefing Book'; Former Mexican President Calls For Drug Legalization Debate; Madeline Martinez announces Portland Mayor's Proclamation of Medical Marijuana Awareness Month.

In Case there was any Doubt…
A new study entitled Marijuana Effectiveness as an HIV Self-Care Strategy, which was released this past weekend in Clinical Nursing Research, indicates that persons living with HIV/AIDS rate cannabis as more effective in treating the symptoms of anxiety, depression, fatigue, diarrhea, and neuropathy than other prescription and over the counter medications. The study, which [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "In Case there was any Doubt…", url: "http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=244" });

ASA CA Weekly Alert 5/08/2009
1. Bryan Epis Conviction Upheld by Appeals Court The ten year mandatory minimum sentence handed down to California’s first federal medical cannabis defendant, Bryan Epis, was upheld by a three judge Appeals Court panel this week, bringing continued concern for an unclear and uncertain policy being handed down by the White House on whether medical cannabis [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "ASA CA Weekly Alert 5/08/2009", url: "http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=243" });

ASA Weekly Alert 5/1/2009
1. ASA Chief Counsel Gives Landmark Testimony in Lynch Sentencing Hearing ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford traveled to Los Angeles last week to give a landmark testimony in the sentencing of Charles C. Lynch, the medical cannabis dispensing collective operator who’s federal case has received national media attention, and may be the first to be sentenced [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "ASA Weekly Alert 5/1/2009", url: "http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=242" });

05-01 NORML News PodCast - May 1, 2009
HIV/AIDS Patients Report Greater Subjective Relief From Cannabis Than From Legal Medications, Study Says; Marijuana Viewed As An Alternative Treatment Option By Teens, Study Says; New Hampshire: Legislature Approves Physician-Supervised Use Of Medical Marijuana; Chris Goldstein reports on medical marijuana in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Toby “TigerHeart” Grear: Fighting for His Rights
Protecting and expanding the rights of medical cannabis patients is the primary goal of ASA’s California Campaign. Sometimes that work is done in the halls of the state capitol building, where ASA pushed legislation to protect employment rights all the way to the Governor’s desk last year. Other times it happens in the courtroom. ASA [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Toby “TigerHeart” Grear: Fighting for His Rights", url: "http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=238" });

Working Hard Helps, but ASA’s Working SMART, Too!
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the West Coast Regional Students for a Sensible Drug Policy conference in Berkeley, California.  It was exciting to see so many activists coming together to reflect on all of our recent successes and to talk about what we want to accomplish next and the strategies we [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Working Hard Helps, but ASA’s Working SMART, Too!", url: "http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=241" });

SF Supervisors Call for an End to DEA Raids - April 29, 2009

PRESS CONFERENCE April 28 City Hall 12:30pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Shona Gochenaur
Executive Director, Axis of Love San Francisco
(415) 240-5247
axisoflovesf@gmail.com

PRESS CONFERENCE AT SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, 12:30 P.M.
SF Supervisor, Advocates Address New Resolution Urging: The End of DEA Raids on Medical Cannabis Patient Collectives, The Appointment of a New DEA Administrator & Written Clarification of President Obama’s New Federal Medical Cannabis Policy

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04-24 NORML News PodCast - Apr 24, 2009
NORML Launches First Ever Nationwide Television Ad Campaign: "Legalization - Yes We Can!"; Maine: Initiative To Expand State's Medical Marijuana Law To Go Before Voters In November; Georgine DiMaria speaking at PhillyNORML / NORML NJ Freedom Forum on 4/20/2009.

04-17 NORML News PodCast - Apr 17, 2009
NORML Presents $14 Billion 'Cannabis Stimulus' Package To The U.S. Treasury - "All we ask in exchange for our $14 billion is that our government respects our decision to use marijuana privately and responsibly"; Mexican Lawmakers Consider Legalizing Marijuana; Concurrent Use Of Cannabis And Cigarettes Associated With COPD, Study Says; Fred & Georgi DiMaria on NORML NJ / PhillyNORML 4/20 Freedom Forum.

Obama disses online community: pisses off Bill Maher with town hall cannabis comments - April 10, 2009

Obama disses online community: pisses off Bill Maher with town hall cannabis comments
April 10, 1:15 AM
By: Shawn E. Hamilton, Sacramento Statehouse Examiner

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04-10 NORML News PodCast - Apr 10, 2009
Prohibition-Oriented Policies Do Not Deter Adolescent Marijuana Use, Study Says, "The data provide no evidence that strict cannabis laws ... provide protective effects"; Oakland: City's Pending Medical Marijuana Tax Could Raise "Millions" In Revenue; Hemp Farming Control Act Reintroduced In Congress; Allen St. Pierre and Glenn Greenwald discuss decriminalization.

04-03 NORML News PodCast - Apr 3, 2009
US Senators Introduce National Criminal Justice Act of 2009, Bill would "undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system"; Marijuana Compounds Have "Palliative" And "Curative" Effects On Cancer; Michigan: State Medical Marijuana Program Now Accepting Applicants; Allen St. Pierre reacts to Obama comments on marijuana legalization.

See Charles C. Lynch on Larry King Live tonight - March 27, 2009

Dear Supporter,

On March 23, 2009 the Sentencing date of Charles C. Lynch, Honorable Judge Wu ordered the Government to provide him with the New Government Policy regarding Medical Marijuana. The Government objected but judge over ruled and rescheduled sentencing for April 30, 2009. The judge said the new policy cannot take away the conviction of Charles Lynch but it could guide him in sentencing.

In other news Charles C. Lynch will be appearing on Larry King Live tonight, March 27, 2009. Check your local listing for time and channel.

Thank you for your support,
Charles C. Lynch

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Examiner: Assemblymember Tom Ammiano Reacts to DEA Raid of SF Cannabis Medical Dispensary - March 26, 2009

Examiner.com
March 26, 2009
By: Shawn E. Hamilton, Sacramento Statehouse Examiner

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03-27 NORML News PodCast - Mar 27, 2009
US Government: Nearly Four In Ten Admitted To "Treatment" For Marijuana Haven't Used Pot; Massachusetts: Lawmakers To Consider Measures To "Tax And Regulate The Cannabis Industry"; New Hampshire: House Votes To Authorize Physician-Supervised Use Of Marijuana; Richard Evans on the Massachusetts legalization bills.

Action Alert: Call President Obama to Stop Raids! - March 26, 2009

DEA Ignores Policy, Raids San Francisco Dispensary
Raids Defy U.S. President and Attorney General, and need your response!

Dear ASA Supporter,

We never expected that the DEA would defy the public statements of both the U.S. President and the Attorney General in such an arrogant and brazen way.

And yet yesterday, the Drug Enforcement Administration raided a legal, permitted San Francisco medical cannabis dispensing collective against the will of the President and the Department of Justice... and we need you to respond RIGHT NOW!

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03-20 NORML News PodCast - Mar 20, 2009
U.S. Attorney General Reaffirms Administration's New Pot Policy Stance; NORML Now Accepting Registrations For Fourth Annual Aspen Legal Seminar; Marijuana's Impact On Adolescent Brain "Subtle" Compared To That Of Alcohol; Dr. Mitch Earleywine on marijuana/alcohol study of adolescents.

03-13 NORML News PodCast - Mar 13, 2009
Institute Of Medicine Report On Medical Marijuana Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary Next Week; Decreasing Marijuana Penalties Does Not Increase Pot Use, Study Says; NORML Chapter Outreach Coordinator Russ Belville on Vancouver's CKNW radio.

03-06 NORML News PodCast - Mar 6, 2009
Inhaled Cannabis Aborts Cluster Headaches, Journal Reports "Marijuana use at the onset of his headaches consistently brought complete relief within five minutes of inhalation for each attack"; Cannabis Spray Shows Long-Term Benefits For Multiple Sclerosis; Study: Over 7 Million Americans Under prison Supervision In 2007; ASA Conference Call on California DMV policy change recognizing medical marijuana.

02-27 NORML News PodCast - Feb 27, 2009
California: Assemblyman Introduces Measure To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol - Proposal Will Raise Over $1.3 Billion Per Year, State's Tax Collection Agency Says; New Jersey: Senate Votes To Authorize Physician-Supervised Use Of Marijuana; Montana: Senate Votes To Expand State's Medical Marijuana Law; Dale Geiringer on AB 390.

02-20 NORML News PodCast - Feb 20, 2009
Zogby Poll: Nearly Six Out Of Ten West Coast Voters Support Taxing And Regulating Marijuana Like Alcohol - National Support For Pot Legalization Grows To 44 Percent; Marijuana May Be Protective Against Injury, Study Says; Congressman Introduces Bill Criminalizing Products Designed To "Defraud" Drug Tests; Washington State Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on decriminalization.

02-13 NORML News PodCast - Feb 13, 2009
NORML Comments On Obama's Rumored Drug Czar Pick, Calls Kerlikowske a "step in the right direction" and a "clean break" from his predecessors; NORML Responds To Latest Marijuana And Cancer Fears; Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper on current Chief Gil Kerlikowske as Drug Czar.

02-06 NORML News PodCast - Feb 6, 2009
Zogby Poll: Three Out Of Four Voters Oppose DEA's Medical Marijuana Raids -- Agency Continues To Bust State-Authorized Pot Dispensaries Despite President's Promise To End Federal Raids; NORML Responds To Phelp's Pot-Smoking Controversy; Vote Online For The Winner Of NORML's $10,000 Ad Contest; Degé Coutee live at Los Angeles protest of DEA raids.