The Compassionate Coalition

Hope for Medical Marijuana in 2009

Hello medical marijuana patients and supporters,

After years of struggling to defend patients and providers from merciless federal attacks, we now have reason to be hopeful for change in Washington D.C. President-elect Obama has vowed to end the DEA raids in states with medical marijuana laws, and our support in Congress is growing(see below).

But at the same time, raids on care providers continue(see below), several California counties still resist state law, and our success is not assured. So don't throw away your protest signs and banners just yet! -We still need your support to turn politicians' promises into reality! Keep reading to check out the latest news, find discussions online, join patient meetings, and more...

And as usual, please forward this email to any friends and family who might be interested!

-Nathan Sands, Vice President, The Compassionate Coalition

***************************************************************

Medical Marijuana Takes A Federal Step Forward

By Ben Morris of MPP: Not only did Tuesday’s election produce two major marijuana policy victories, but we also saw signs of progress in Washington, D.C. Barack Obama has consistently said that he does not support the federal government arresting medical marijuana patients in states where medical marijuana is legal. He also affirmed to MPP that he would not use federal resources to raid medical marijuana dispensaries in California, something his predecessor’s administration has done countless times.

And the Politico reported that Obama’s pick for drug czar may be Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton. Bratton is “totally supportive of the concept of medical marijuana” (Source).

There were some promising changes in Congress as well. With several elections still undecided, the Democrats are likely to pick up 22 new seats in Congress — 17 of which belonged to medical marijuana opponents in the last Congress. And every single Democratic incumbent who lost Tuesday was a medical marijuana opponent.

As I noted in an earlier post, a number of the most outspoken medical marijuana opponents faced tough opposition going into the election — and several of them were sent packing. Congressman Tom Feeney (R-Fla.), Congressman Ric Keller (R-Fla.), and Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) are the most notable lawmakers who MPP will not miss. Congressman Mark Souder (R-Ind.), who once called MPP’s executive director a “an articulate advocate for an evil position,” held on to his seat despite predictions that he might lose.

Additionally, candidates who are close allies of MPP won spots in the House of Representatives, like Nevada State Senator Dina Titus, who is a strong supporter of medical marijuana.

Source: http://blog.mpp.org/?p=210

***************************************************************

DEA Raids in Alameda County

Message from Dale Gieringer, Cal NORML: DEA agents raided the Garden of Eden coop in Alameda County today(Nov 13th). The Garden of Eden was the last of three supposedly licensed clubs remaining in the county. Alameda Sheriff Greg Ahern is suspected of being responsible for the raid.

Last month, the DEA raided We Are Hemp, the longest operating coop in the County. The Garden of Eden closed for a month following that raid. Yesterday, the Sheriff's office called Garden of Eden to inquire whether they were open. They said that they had been closed, but were re-opening today. They did so, and with no warning were raided by the DEA.

No one was arrested in today's raid, but the forces of law and order once again stole money and medicine. The third and largest club in the county, CCAC, was raided last year. Its directors were federally indicted despite having paid over $ 1 million in sales taxes.

President-elect Obama has promised to put an end to the DEA raids, but apparently the country is still not out of the Bushes. Sheriff Ahern needs to be held accountable for his underhanded support of the DEA's lawless raids on Alameda's legal medical cannabis coops. Evidently, he prefers for patients to be buying their medicine from black market dealers.

***************************************************************

Sacramento County ID Card Program Hearing Moved to December 16th

Message from Glennah Trochet M.D., Sacramento County Public Health Officer: Hello all, There is a new date for the Board of Supervisors' hearing on the Medical Marijuana ID Card program in Sacramento. It is now scheduled for December 16 at 2:45 p.m. as a timed item. Since this date has already changed several times, I recommend that you check the Board of Supervisors' agenda on Friday, December 12 by going to www.saccounty.net on the internet, and following the links to the Tuesday Board of Supervisors meeting agenda. At that time you will be able to confirm if the item is still on the agenda, and you will also be able to read the materials submitted to the Board of Supervisors for approval at the hearing.

***************************************************************

Patient Meetings:

Postponed: The November National Compassionate Coalition Meeting will be held on Nov 25th at 7:00PM at Crusader Hall, 320 Harris Avenue, Suite H, Sacramento, CA. Supporters from Sacramento and beyond are invited to join us to discuss our plans for defending patients’ rights. Agenda items will include: Election results and planning for 2009, ending DEA raids and seizures, the ID Card program, educating public officials, court support, business items, and more. (The group normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month) For more information contact info@CompassionateCoalition.org or (916) 709-2483

AAMC Meeting: November 22: 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/

Postponed: The High Desert MAPP meeting will be postponed to Nov 26th at 6:30 p.m. at the Castle Inn at 1388 N. Golden Slipper in Landers 92285. (this meeting usually held on the Third Wednesday of the month). Other MAPP Meetings: 1) Palm Springs/Coachella Valley MAPP meeting: First Saturday of the month at 3 p.m. at Copykatz Showroom, 210 S. Palm Canyon in downtown Palm Springs 92262 at corner of S. Palm Canyon and Arenas. 2) Western Riverside and San Bernardino Counties MAPP meeting (includes cities like Riverside, Ontario, San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Fontana and many others - total population - 3 million): First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at THCF Medical Clinic, 647 Main Street, Riverside 92501. For more information, Contact MAPP Director Lanny Swerdlow at (760) 799-2055, lannyswerdlow@earthlink.net or visit http://marijuananews.com/

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

***************************************************************

Message from "Friend of Charles C. Lynch" - Nov 17, 2008: Today in Federal court Judge Wu continued the request for Retrial of Charles C. Lynch until January 5. 2009. The judge wants to hear more arguments before he decides on the retrial request. During the hearing the judge ordered a date in December and then just as everybody was leaving he called everyone back in as it was realized that a December hearing would interfere with the Prosecutors planned vacation to Hawaii. Prosecutor David Kowal looked like he could use a vacation and was angry as usual because he wasn’t getting his way with the court. Lynch looked like he could use a vacation too but said he probably wouldn’t be going on vacation anywhere anytime soon.

Recently Lynch received a report from the Federal Probation department which after carefully reviewing the case and Lynch’s history recommended that Lynch receive 60 months (5 years the mandatory minimum) in Federal Prison followed by a 4 year probation which includes abstaining from alcoholic beverages. It was determined that Lynch has no money and so a fine was not recommended. Sentencing is still set for January 12, 2009 in Los Angeles.

In other News Lynch was contacted by ABC 20/20 John Stossel producers who are interested in airing Lynch’s story along with Melissa Etheridge in early 2009. First indications are that ABC will be working closely with www.Reason.tv to create a report about some of the worst cases the US Government has prosecuted. Also MSNBC will be traveling to Lynch’s home in Arroyo Grande, CA this week for more video footage for the Al Roker documentary regarding Marijuana in America.

Hope all is well for you and thank you for your support. -Charles C. Lynch - http://www.friendsofccl.com/

***************************************************************

Asset forfeiture on Daily Kos

Message from Don Duncan, California Director for Americans for Safe Access: The threat of civil asset forfeiture was a key element in the federal campaign of intimidation directed at California medical cannabis patients and providers this year. So far, the US Attorneys Office has not moved to seize property rented to one of the state’s legal medical cannabis dispensing collectives, but the threat is still potent in the minds of landlords and tenants alike. Collective and cooperative operators have seen bank accounts and other assets confiscated by DEA agents in raids that often do not result in criminal charges.

A post on the Daily Kos today will be an eye opener for the majority of Americans who have never heard of this tactic. DarkSyde writes: “Long before "9-11 changed everything," and George Bush declared war on the Bill of Rights, everything had already been changed and the Constitution already a victim. An ancient practice once used to enrich Kings and Warlords was sadly resurrected in the United States: Asset Forfeiture, a government issued license to steal, backed up by a crew armed to the teeth, and divisions of consiglieres and judges all in on the take that would make any old style Mafia Capo look like an amateur.”

Link: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/16/165756/35/133/658885

***************************************************************

Other News Updates:

More News Updates from Americans for Safe Access: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/punbb/

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

***************************************************************

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

***************************************************************

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

***************************************************************

***************************************************************