Rally in Sacramento for MEDICAL MARIJUANA Sept. 23rd

From: Steph Sherer
To: dpfca [at] drugsense.org
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2002 8:01 PM
Subject: SAC Sept. 23 MMJ Event of the Year!

Dear ASA supporter,

In the wake of yet another federal raid at a California medical
cannabis dispensary, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is preparing for a
massive demonstration at the state capital building in Sacramento, CA. This
demonstration promises to be the single most important medical cannabis
event of the year, and the largest since 1997. ASA needs your help now to
make this happen.

On September 5th, DEA agents raided the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical
Marijuana (WAMM) in Santa Cruz, CA. This patient-grower cooperative provided
medication to over 250 legally qualified patients free of charge. Seven days
later, the DEA raided a second dispensary in Petaluma, CA. The Genesis 1:29
dispensary operated with the blessing of local officials and had applied for
federal permits to grow medical cannabis for research and therapeutic uses.

Since last fall, the DEA has targeted six California dispensaries and
thirty-five medical cannabis patients. There is little doubt that the
federal government is escalating its anti-medical cannabis campaign. ASA is
determined to stop this misguided effort and protect safe access in
California and across the country.

On Monday, September 23rd, ASA and a coalition of drug policy reform
organizations will demonstrate in Sacramento. This demonstration will be a
watershed event in the grassroots campaign for safe access to medical
cannabis. All over California, dispensaries and advocates are organizing car
pools, train rides, and charter buses to bring hundreds of supporters to the
demonstration.

I would like to personally invite and encourage you to join us on this
important day. At 9:00 AM we will gather outside the Federal building for
Brian Epis' sentencing. We will begin to gather on the west lawn at 11:00
AM, and the demonstration will begin at 12:00 PM. Free lunch will be served.
You can make a reservation for a seat on one of our comfortable charter
buses by visiting our Internet web site at http://www.SafeAccessNow.org or calling
our office at (510) 486-8083. We need to have a strong showing in
Sacramento, so we need your participation.

ASA also needs financial support for the demonstration. We must pay for
transportation for out-of-state speakers and accessible charter busses for
hundreds of patients. We must also saturate major cities with flyers, press
releases, and posters. ASA will also provide food, water, and First Aid for
those at the demonstration. All of these costs must be paid in advance.

Many of you have already donated to ASA. We sincerely appreciate your
generosity. We are asking everyone to make a special effort to support this
demonstration now. You can make online contributions on our Internet web
site at http://www.SafeAccessNow.org, or use your credit card by calling our office
at (510) 486-8083. Mail your check or money order payable to "Americans for
Safe Access - SEE" to ASA, 1678 Shattuck Ave. #317, Berkeley, CA 94709. You
will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation.

Thank you in advance for your continued support for ASA and vigilance
in protecting safe access. I look forward to seeing you all in Sacramento on
September 23rd!

Steph Sherer
Executive Director
Americans for Safe Access
http://www.SafeAccessNow.org
Tel. (510) 548-8083
Toll-free Hotline (888) 929-HEMP