The Compassionate Coalition

California Supreme Court Makes
Medical Cannabis Victory Final
ASA Goes on the Offensive to Fight for CA ID Cards

Dear ASA Supporter,

The California Supreme Court decided today not to hear an appeal from the County of San Diego, making our July victory in the appellate court final – federal law does not trump state law. Now, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) has gone on the offensive to be sure that county officials can no longer use federal law as an excuse for not obeying California’s medical cannabis laws!

ASA intervened in the lawsuit on behalf of patients in 2006, when San Diego County refused to issue state medical cannabis ID cards to patients, as required by law. We put an aggressive stop to this threat to California’s law. Please make a special contribution today to make sure ASA can keep doing this critical work.

The County of San Diego filed suit in February 2006, challenging the validity of California’s medical cannabis laws and refusing to issue patient ID cards mandated under Senate Bill 420 (2003). Both the superior and appellate courts ruled in our favor. The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear an appeal means that because of our victory, San Diego and all other counties must implement California law.

ASA is already working hard to make the most of this victory, but we need your support to keep fighting.

After we won in appellate court, ASA contacted every county in California, letting them know that it is against the law for them not to implement the ID card program, and that we were watching them closely. As a result, two California counties – Fresno and Kings – voted to issue patient ID cards almost immediately. Now, ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford is following up with a stern warning for remaining California counties that refuse to obey the law. “We are prepared to commence litigation to ensure implementation of the medical marijuana ID card program,” he said.

The implications of the San Diego victory are far-reaching. Elected officials at every level of government often cite federal law as a reason not to obey California voters. And officials across the country who are looking at medical cannabis in their own states are often unsure if federal law trumps state action. With this case they’ll know it does not.

In California, counties must implement our law or face the consequences. What this means for ID cards, patient collectives, and other medical cannabis law depends on how far ASA can push our advantage right now – and that depends on you.

Please take a moment right now to make a special contribution to support ASA, so that we can keep fighting for patients’ rights. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Don Duncan
California Director
Americans for Safe Access
P.S. Read more about the CA Supreme Court decision at www.AmericansForSafeAccess.org/SanDiegoDenied

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Americans for Safe Access is the nation's largest organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research.