The Compassionate Coalition

Hello Medical Marijuana Activists,

I am happy to announce that all seats have been filled for this conference and there are no more slots available.

Below please find a copy of my letter to the editor published in today's Daily Republic.

Medical marijuana forum this week

It's puzzling to me why an entire county that claims to not be clear on a state-mandated law would choose not to become educated on it when an opportunity arises.

After Jan. 5, 2007, not being educated about medical marijuana laws will no longer be an excuse for the county to use; it will be a choice of ignorance instead. Solano Patients Group is hosting the only bar-approved course on medical marijuana Jan. 5 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2200 Gateway Blvd., in Fairfield. It's from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with an hour lunch. The course is will offer 6.5 college credits to attorneys for $199 and government attorneys, judges and non-profit attorneys for $150. Paralegals, enforcement officers, patients and anyone else who wants to attend can do so for $35. This price will include course materials and lunch. This course will be given by three attorneys who will discuss medical marijuana laws and court rulings in California

Solano Patients Group openly invited the county Board of Supervisors, district attorneys office, and public defenders office to attend this class. Sadly to say, no one has signed up for the course. We have public defenders and district attorney's from other counties who are going to attend, but Solano County doesn't seem to be interested in educating themselves in a law that they are in violation of. It really is sad to see such a lack of respect for the law in our county.

We voted for these county officials thinking they would uphold the law and respect the will of the people and it is very disappointing to have to be let down by the people we thought we could trust to run our county. The District Attorney's office continually tries to arrest and prosecute medical marijuana patients in our county only to have these cases dropped in court. This waste of taxpayer dollars calls for education in the District Attorney's office.

The county owes it to the citizens of Solano County to become educated on the 10-year-old law and now that the opportunity sits on their own front step, they should take advantage of it. It's not too late to sign up so I urge all county officials, judges and law enforcement officers of Solano County to attend this course because its time to stop playing the ignorance card and time to start educating yourselves.

If anyone else is interested in attending, please call 635-3752 or visit www.compassionatecoalition.org.

Linda Jimenez

Fairfield