The Compassionate Coalition

Message from Aaron Smith, California Organizer for the Marijuana Policy Project: Sometime in the next few days, the full Assembly will be voting on A.B. 2743 -- MPP-sponsored legislation that would direct state and local law enforcement agencies not to assist with federal raids on state-legal medical marijuana patients and providers. I am writing to ask for a few minutes of your time to help make sure the bill passes. Even if you already e-mailed to your Assembly member, please make a personal phone call to his/her office today. You can obtain contact information for your legislator by visiting http://snipurl.com/ab2743

It is easy in an election year for a legislator to abstain from votes that he or she perceives as controversial. And some segments of the law enforcement community are heavily lobbying against this bill. That's why it's so important that constituents call on their Assembly members to defend the state's protections for patients: This bill can pass, but it needs your help.

Making the call is easy. Just visit MPP's action page (http://snipurl.com/ab2743), enter your zip code, and call your Assembly member at the number provided. Feel free to use the script provided to help guide you through your call. If you reach the office voicemail, please leave a message. If approved, A.B. 2743 – authored by Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) – will dramatically improve protections for California's medical marijuana patients and providers. You can read more about the bill here: http://www.mpp.org/states/california/ab2743-briefing.html

Federal raids on California's medical marijuana facilities often rely on significant help from local law enforcement agencies; in many cases, local agents have even asked federal agents to raid patients and providers. A.B. 2743 will create a policy of respecting the state's protections for medical marijuana patients and their providers. Passage of this landmark bill will not be possible without your participation. Making contact with state policy-makers is one of the most effective ways to help change the laws. Thank you for taking action to support our state's rights to self determination and safe access to medical marijuana for seriously ill and injured patients.

Please don't forget to forward this message on to friends, family, and co-workers in California, so that they too can take action.

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Cannabis compound 'halts cancer': “The CBD compound found in cannabis is non-toxic. A compound found in cannabis may stop breast cancer spreading throughout the body, US scientists believe.” - Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7098340.stm

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Two Modesto men found guilty in medical marijuana case: Luke Scarmazzo and Ricardo Ruiz Montes “...were convicted of manufacturing marijuana and distributing the drug, as well as operating a continuing criminal enterprise, a felony that carries a mandatory 20-year minimum prison term, with the possibility of life behind bars.” -Full story: http://www.modbee.com/local/story/300299.html

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Merced Patient Receives Court Ordered Fees for Confiscated Medicine and Suffering - Report from ASA: This week, Merced County Judge Ron Hansen ordered that medical cannabis patient, Sam Matthews receive $800.00 in compensation for his confiscated medicine and for his pain and suffering. Matthews filed a lawsuit against the city of Merced following the confiscation of his medicine in October 2006. According to a spokesperson for the city, the judge ruled in favor of Hansen because he was following the city's law. Judge Hansen ruled that $300.00 be awarded to Matthews to replace his confiscated medicine and additional $500.00 should be awarded due to pain and suffering. The city spokesperson also said the added compensation was awarded to Matthews because it was "in the interest of justice." -Full story: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/261990.html

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Patient Meetings:

Costa Mesa Meeting: June 2: The Costa Mesa Medical Marijuana Meetup Group meets on Monday, June 2nd at 7:00 PM, at Giovanni's Pizza, 922 W Williams Fullerton, Costa Mesa, CA 92627. For more information contact 1.877.OCNORML or visit: http://medmarijuana.meetup.com/138/

Sacramento ASA Meeting: June 3rd Sac ASA meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Crusaders Hall, 320 Harris Avenue, Suite H, Sacramento, CA. For more information or to get involved, please contact Lanette: cannacare@earthlink.net

Colorado Chapter Meeting: June 16: The CO. North Denver Medical Marijuana Discussion is every 3rd Monday, at the Front Range Community College LIBRARY, 3705 W 112th Ave Westminster, CO80031-2140, Room L211, from 7pm to 9pm. For more information contact Tim Tipton at (303) 438-7221 or email him at TTipper39@hotmail.com or join the Meetup: http://medmarijuana.meetup.com/119/

Next National Compassionate Coalition Meeting: June 17th: Supporters from Sacramento and beyond are invited to join us to discuss our plans for defending patients’ rights. Agenda items will include: Outreach, responding to DEA raids and seizures, educating public officials, court support, business items, and more. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM at Crusader Hall, 320 Harris Avenue, Suite H, Sacramento, CA. For more information contact info@CompassionateCoalition.org or (916) 709-2483

AAMC Meeting: June 28: The El Dorado County American Alliance for Medical Cannabis meets on the fourth Saturday of each month from 2:15pm until 4:20pm, at the Garden Valley Grange, 4940 Marshall Road, Garden Valley, California. For more information visit: http://www.eldoradocountyaamc.com/

Check out the Oaksterdam News calendar for other meetings and events: http://www.oaksterdamnews.com/WebCalendar3/month.php

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Other News Updates:

More News Updates from ASA: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/punbb/

More News Updates from NORML: http://norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=daily_news

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Sacramento Text-Message Alert System: Want to get a text-message on your cell phone when a local raid is happening? -Then join the Sacramento Emergency Response Text-Message list! We're looking for patients and supporters to sign up for this service and show up to protest when a raid happens. Please help defend our local dispensaries and patients from DEA persecution. Sign up here: http://www.compassionatecoalition.org/erlist

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The Compassionate Coalition is an all-volunteer, non-profit, educational organization. We work to defend the rights of medical marijuana patients and care providers, and your support enables our work to continue. Please consider making a donation today: http://www.compassionatecoalition.org/donate

Thank you for helping to defend patients' rights!

Nathan Sands
Vice President, The Compassionate Coalition
1500 Oliver Road, Ste-K, P.M.B. #248 Fairfield, CA 94533
www.CompassionateCoalition.org
Email: nathan@CompassionateCoalition.org
Phone: (916) 709-2483

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