The Compassionate Coalition

From: patientadvocates@riseup.net
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 10:20pm
Subject: Press Release - Patient Rally in San Francisco at Noon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Rally and Speak Out – Thursday, March 26, 2009, NOON
San Francisco Federal Building – 450 Golden Gate

DEA Raids San Francisco Medical Cannabis Dispensary

Despite Statements From US Attorney General That Ending Raids Is American Policy Patients Confused And Frustrated, Seek Clarification From House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

SAN FRANCISCO – March 25, 2009 - Medical cannabis patients, advocates and local elected officials will gather at 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2009, at the San Francisco Federal building at 450 Golden Gate to speak out against the aggressive federal raid on a local medical cannabis dispensary.

“We had hoped this was the end of federal attacks on medical cannabis patient collectives. The patient community is very frustrated and confused by this recent assault by the DEA. We want an explanation as to
why this happened,” states Shona Gochenaur, Executive Director of Axis of Love San Francisco. After patients and local elected officials speak with media, patient advocates will visit House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office
seeking answers to this ongoing problem.

“US Attorney General Eric Holder has stated that ending the raids is now American policy. Federal agents here in California don’t seem to have gotten that memo,” states Degé Coutee, Education and Advocacy Director for Patient Advocacy Network and cannabisSavesLives.com. “We need US Attorney
General Holder is issue a clear policy regarding his statements and make sure all federal field offices comply.”

US Attorney General Holder has also stated that federal authorities would not prosecute dispensaries that are in compliance with State law. At this time little is known as to why Emmalyn’s California Cannabis Clinic was
raided. No local authorities were witnessed at the raid and local police state they were not informed by federal agents that they were taking legal action against a dispensary in the community. The DEA states it will release a statement tomorrow.

Patients and advocates are encouraged to make their voice heard and demand answers. Why are federal authorities targeting patient facilities without the knowledge or consent of local police? This is not the change in policy US Attorney General Holder described.

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Sincerely,

Degé Coutee
Education & Advocacy Director
Patient Advocacy Network

www.CannabisSavesLives.com
(323) 334-5282