May 23: Stockton, CA: Support Aaron Paradiso in Court!
Aaron Paradiso, a quadriplegic medical marijuana patient from Stockton and his mother Debra, who acts as his caregiver, were arrested in August 2003 and charged with felony cultivation and possession for sales. Charges were dropped against Debra, and Aaron's case was later dismissed on a technicality in December 2004. The DA immediately reinstated the case against Aaron AND his mother and is due to go to trial soon.

Please come out and support Aaron and Debra by protesting at and attending their pre-trial hearing:
Meet to protest at 9am before the hearing!
The hearing is Monday, May 23, 10 am
San Joaquin County Courthouse, 222 East Weber Ave, Stockton.

If you have questions or if you need a ride/can offer a ride, please contact Rebecca Saltzman, Executive Assistant for Americans for Safe Access: (510) 251-1856, www.safeaccessnow.org

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May 18: Sacramento, CA: Compassionate Coalition Meeting
Please join Compassionate Coalition patients and care providers in Sacramento for our planning meeting tomorrow night! Agenda items include: Dispensary ordinances, patient outreach, court support, upcoming festivals, fundraising, current news and more.

When: Wednesday May 18th at 7:00 PM.
Where: River City Patient Center, 1512 C El Camino Ave (NOT 'West El Camino'!! -And DON'T use MapQuest!!), Sacramento, CA.

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May 28th: Sacramento, CA: MCSP Meeting at the Million Marijuana March in Sacramento
The Medical Cannabis Safety Program (MCSP) will meet on May 28th to discuss self-regulation of dispensaries & growers to ensure legal compliance and best practices. This is the first public meeting of the MCSP, and we hope to have your input and participation!!

Note: The MCSP meeting will take place at the Sacramento Million Marijuana March, since many patient-advocates will be there anyway.

When: May 28th, 2005 at 2:00 PM.
Location: California State Capitol, Sacramento CA (During the Sac Million Marijuana March).

Background on the MCSP: The MCSP was created by Dana Jay of Ahimsa International to ensure the quality and safety of medical marijuana, and has been featured several times on CNN for their efforts to have the Mendocino County Agricultural Commissioner certify organic medical marijuana.

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More Medical Marijuana News:

Check out our discussion board to read about these topics:
*A new war on marijuana?
*Chronic Cooking
*Grower's Forum - Q&A
*Companies That Oppose Medical Marijuana
Click here: http://www.compassionatecoalition.org/phpBB2

Check out Americans for Safe Access to read these articles:
*Anti-Drug Group Calls For Testing Of Medical Marijuana Alternatives
*Medical pot plan taps into hospital
*Montel Williams pushes for medicinal marijuana
Click here: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=class&class=3