Medical Marijuana Week Coming in February

Medical Marijuana Week is coming up! From February 15-22, patients and activists
across the US will be making our voices heard in support of patients’ rights. Please
join us!

During Medical Marijuana Week 2003, activists joined together in a National Day of
Action, serving "eviction orders" to DEA outposts in 12 states, did great street
theatre, parties, fundraisers, town hall meetings, and press conferences. We
generated tons of publicity for our cause, educated the public, pushed politicians,
and celebrated our unity! Three California cities officially declared 2-15 to 2-22
Medical Marijuana Week, and Dateline moved their special program on the Rosenthal
trial a week ahead so that would air during it. Rep. Sam Farr announced his Truth in
Trials Act, and both state and national legislators held press conferences in
support of medical marijuana because it was Medical Marijuana Week.
Medical Marijuana Week is even more important this year because the feds have backed
off some and the crisis has somewhat subsided, but remains unresolved. More than
ever, we have to create the opportunities for the 3 P's (public, press, politicians)
to remember the fight for safe access continues, that compassionate providers are
sitting in prison, that tens of thousands of patients who need safe access don't
have it, that the threat of arrest, prosecution, and incarceration still loom for
all.

Our suggested national day of action for 2004 will be “Spank You/Thank You” (or
thank/educate if you prefer) press events at congressional district offices for
their records on medical marijuana. Our goal is to get local coverage on both the
issues and the representative’s record in every hometown newspaper and local TV
station. . We need local organizers to plan for this national week of action.
Without you, there IS no medical marijuana week. ASA can provide resources such as
sample press releases, street theatre scripts, and outreach materials, but the rest
is up to you!! Here in the Bay Area, plans are underway for a Medical Marijuana
School (for credit) day at a local university, and a medical marijuana filmfest at a
local movie house. We're expecting most of the co-ops and dispensaries will throw
parties for their patient community, as they did last year.

We encourage creativity and events that will work best in your particular community,
but we also have suggestions for unified theme days for an even greater impact.
Recently a Washington Post reporter wrote that the medical marijuana organizing in
NH gave the ‘impression’ there was a real movement afoot…it’s time to let the 3 P’s
know that this is a reality, and we won’t stop now!

Ideas for Theme Days:

- Sunday, 2-15, MMJ Week Kick-off with community gatherings

- Monday, 2-16, "Spank/Thank" press conferences in front of Congressional district
offices (keep tuned for visual themes!)

- Tuesday, 2-17, Educate and spotlight HMO's in MMJ states that don't give medical
recommendations for marijuana. Evening: Medical Marijuana Filmfest!

- Wednesday, 2-18, Medical Marijuana School or other kind of educational event.
Reach out to your community!

- Thursday, 2-19, Educate and spotlight chapter offices of disease-advocacy
organizations that should be pushing harder for research and legal change on medical
marijuana, such as the MS Society.

- Friday, 2-20, Street theatre of your choice!

- Saturday & Sunday, 2-21, 2-22, Fundraisers for continued organizing, strategy
meetings for further action, activist workshops, street outreach, and celebrating
our unity!

For more info on ASA, visit our website at http://www.safeaccessnow.org/