#337 Tell DEA To Stop Attacks On Medical Cannabis

Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2006
Subject: #337 Tell DEA To Stop Attacks On Medical Cannabis

TELL DEA TO STOP ATTACKS ON MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS!

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DrugSense FOCUS Alert #337 – Wednesday, 4 October 2006

Medical cannabis patients and providers are under attack! In just one
week the DEA has conducted raids on three dispensaries and several
medical cannabis grow facilities across California, restricting safe
access for patients across California. Take action now! Tell the DEA
to stop their assault on medical cannabis patients and their providers.

Here iss what has happened so far:

On Monday, the DEA conducted multiple raids in the San Francisco Bay
Area. More than a dozen individuals were arrested and DEA agents
seized medicine, patients medical records and other documents. At New
Remedies dispensary in San Francisco, one of the sites raided, ASA
advocates and local patient networks rushed to the scene to hold an
impromptu protest.

Last Wednesday the day after the City of Modesto voted to repeal a
provision that exempted non-profits from its ordinance banning
dispensaries federal agents raided the California Healthcare
Collective, a non-profit dispensary which had been operating in
Modesto. Four people were arrested and face federal charges.

And, last Thursday, four people were taken into custody after local
and federal law enforcement agents raided North Valley Discount
Caregivers dispensary in Granada Hills, seizing all medicine on-site.
The two operators of the facility are now facing state charges.

These raids triggered ASAs Emergency Response Project, resulting in
statewide demonstrations last Friday at DEA headquarters in Los
Angeles, Modesto, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and
Santa Ana. Hundreds of patients and advocates rallied statewide,
raising awareness and demanding an end to the attacks on safe and
legal access!

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Take Action to Defend Safe Access!

1. Call DEA Administrator, Karen Tandy on Friday, October
6th

DEA Administrator Karen Tandy has the power to stop the raids on
medical marijuana dispensaries and providers. This Friday, join
thousands of patients, doctors and supporters and call on Tandy to end
these senseless raids and restore safe access to patients.

DEA Headquarters: (202) 307-1000

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Script #1: Hepatitis-C Research Focus

Hello, my name is (Your NAME) and I live in (City, State). I am
calling to speak with DEA Administrator Karen Tandy about the recent
raids on medical marijuana dispensaries.

The DEA needs to stop raiding medical marijuana providers. New medical
research shows that Hepatitis-C patients who use medical cannabis are
“significantly more likely to remain on HCV treatment for at least 80%
of the projected treatment duration.

Safe access to medical marijuana improves the lives of countless
patients nationwide. Stop the medical marijuana raids and reschedule
marijuana now.

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Script #1: Multiple Sclerosis Research Focus

Hello, my name is (Your NAME) and I live in (City, State). I am
calling to speak with DEA Administrator Karen Tandy about the recent
raids on medical marijuana dispensaries.

The DEA needs to stop raiding medical marijuana providers. Research
indicates that as many as 43 percent of MS patients have used cannabis
therapeutically. Three out of four said that cannabis mitigated their
spasms, and more than half said it alleviated their pain.

Safe access to medical marijuana improves the lives of countless
patients nationwide. Please stop the medical marijuana raids and
reschedule marijuana now.

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2. Take Part in the National Day of Action to Stop DEA Raids in
January

When the 110th Congress convenes in January, 2007, patients and
advocates nationwide will convene at their local congressional office
to demand protection for medical marijuana patients. If you are
interested in organizing one of these actions, please contact
Rebecca: Rebecca@SafeAccessNow.org or (510) 251-1856 x 308.

Please look for further action alerts with date, locations, times, and
details in the coming months.

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3. Forward This Message to Your Friends, Family & Co-Workers

When our leaders hear from us and knows that we are watching they will
be more likely to support our fight for safe access to medical
cannabis for patients and researchers! Help ASA spread the word about
our campaigns to as many potential supporters as possible.

Urge everyone you can to support patients and defend safe
access!

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Prepared by: ASA www.safeaccessnow.org =.