September SLO ASA Meeting

September SLO ASA Meeting

    Hi everyone.  This month’s meeting was the smallest that we have had in a long time.  There were only three of us there.  We would like to hear input from our members about:

·       Where we would like to have the meetings held (winter is approaching and an indoor meet would be preferred)

 ·       Should we have the meeting the second Thursday of every month, or have a bi-monthly meeting?

The idea of holding the meetings at a Denny’s or IHOP was mentioned because it would be indoors and a free place to meet with enough space.  All suggestions are welcome!  Let’s keep the SLO ASA chapter alive and show our support for our county.  Thank you everyone, I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

IMPORTANT MEETING LOCATION CHANGE UPDATE

UPDATE:  Subsequent to this meeting, the offer of meeting at the mobile home clubhouse in Arroyo Grande was withdrawn.  Thus it is anticipated that the September meeting, to be held now on the 2ndThursday (September 13) would be held back at Petra Restaurant at 7:00 pm.

ASA Meeting Minutes September

Americans for Safe Access

San Luis Obispo Chapter

August 21, 2012 Meeting

The meeting convened informally a little after 6:00 pm.  Discussion ensued on possibly changing the meeting schedule.  Linda from Los Osos mentioned that a suggestion had been emailed to her about posting meeting minutes online to facilitate people being informed.  One member had suggested his willingness to take up this function if the meeting were held at a 7:00 pm time; but he was not present at this meeting.

Leslie from Arroyo Grande offered to have the meeting held at the clubhouse of the mobile home park she lives in, located in Arroyo Grande.

As some additional people arrived, attendees were informed that the County Board of Supervisors had just that morning at their meeting dealt with a consent agenda item concerning the recent Grand Jury report on medical cannabis delivery services.  The recommendation to the Board was that they basically take no action to set up a committee and instead wait until State guidelines have been clarified.

Leslie reported that she was working on a speech regarding medicinal cannabis to be presented at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

Group discussion then turned to the Federal angle, with comments regarding the view that pharmaceutical companies and their manufactured cannabis drugs, such as Sativex, which is currently under FDA review, would be the only legal form of marijuana likely to be supported in Washington.  Rich reported that eight pharmaceutical companies are now allowed to conduct marijuana research.

Returning to the matter of when to hold our monthly meetings, there was verbal consensus reached to change the meetings to the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm, in Arroyo Grande.  The resultant meeting calendar is:

Thursday, September 13, 7:00 pm

Thursday, October 11, 7:00 pm

Thursday, November 8, 7:00 pm

Thursday, December 13, 7:00 pm

Linda reminded those present that there had been some expression of interest of setting up a Cal-Poly-based section of SLOASA.   She advised that a student and a professor had been seen in discussion after the last meeting.  However, neither individuals were present this evening to provide information about this proposal.

Regarding the next meeting, on September 13, it was agreed to have a potluck at this meeting.  Comments were offered that meeting in South County might engender a good turnout due to the change of location.  Both Rich and Linda advised those present that they were both finding it necessary to back into a less prominent role, after maintaining active and public SLOASA endeavors since January, 2010.  Folks were reminded of the formal aspects of being a chapter of ASA National, with some reporting forms needing to be filled out, and an election of current officers needed.  As September stands as the end of the 3rd quarter of the calendar year, these would be primary agenda matters at the next meeting.

No further matters were brought up, and the meeting then adjourned.

UPDATE:  Subsequent to this meeting, the offer of meeting at the mobile home clubhouse in Arroyo Grande was withdrawn.  Thus it is anticipated that the September meeting, to be held now on the 2ndThursday (September 13) would be held back at Petra Restaurant at 7:00 pm.

Updates From Tuesday's Meeting

Hello all!

    The meeting that took place on Tuesday August 21st went well.  Linda and Rich had taken a break, but we are sure happy to have them back and the meetings are to continue again. 

We discussed if everyone would like to keep the SLO ASA chapter official or not.  We did not come to a conclusion and would like to hear more input from other members on this matter.

The ASA meetings will now take place the second Thursday of each month at 7:00pm.  One of our members has generously offered for us to use the club house at a mobile home park.  The new meeting dates are:  September 13th, October 11th, November 8th and December 13th at 7:00 pm. 
The new location is:  765 Mesa View Dr. Arroyo Grande, CA 93420. 

We will be doing a pot luck at the next meeting!  Bring anything you would like, but please do not feel obligated to do so.  We are really looking forward to seeing more people at the meetings.  Come show your support and enjoy some food. 

Hope to see you all there!  Cheers!

SLO ASA Meeting Tuesday, August 21st, 6:00 P.M.

The August meeting of San Luis Obispo Americans for Safe Access is set for:

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 6:00 pm
Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill
1210 Higuera St. (corner Higuera and Toro Sts.)
San Luis Obispo, CA

We meet in the downstairs room, so best access is the downstairs door on the Toro St. side. There is a short ramp in front of the door for handicap access.

After our chapter took a meeting break last month, we urge your attendance at this important meeting.  We will be re-assessing our chapter overall, including such aspects as:

- Keeping our meeting schedule (day/time/location) as is or making a change
- Possibly (hopefully) extending our formal chapter entity into Cal Poly
- Formalizing our chapter organization format (Coordinating Committee vs. specific Chair, Co-Chair, Treasurer, etc. positions)
- Determining action areas we want to focus on at this juncture

Let's have a really good turn-out so that we can put our heads together in a productive effort to address these matters.  Please mark your calendars now; and we'll see you at Petra on Tuesday.

Info:  asaprop215@gmail.com

SLO ASA June Meeting

The June meeting of San Luis Obispo Americans for Safe Access is set for:

TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 5:00 pm
(please NOTE earlier start time of 5:00 for this meeting, though if you cannot make it by 5:00, please join us anytime by 6:30 or so)

 
Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill
1210 Higuera St. (corner Higuera and Toro Sts.)
San Luis Obispo, CA

We meet in the downstairs room, so best access is the downstairs door on the Toro St. side. There is a short ramp in front of the door for handicap access.

Please try to join us.  We will be discussing the "complication" that arose relative to our plans for a petition concerning DA Shea's continued hard stance toward the "SLO 12."   Also, we are considering a meeting "hiatus" in July-August, and we need to discuss the overall plans for our chapter's viability.

In support of safe access, we hope to see you at Petra this Tuesday at 5:00.

Info:  asaprop215@gmail.com

A Special Event this Sunday, June 10

Herbal Elements Collective is hosting a Patient Appreciation Day from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm or so. The location is the Z-Club at 2010 Parker St. (right across from Smart N Final grocery store) in San Luis Obispo.

View Larger Map

NOTE: In order to attend this event, you MUST be a verified Herbal Elements patient. If you are not already a member of this collective, you must get verified with them ahead of time, no later than Saturday afternoon: contact Herbal Elements at 805-242-6849. Entry to the Z-Club on Sunday is free; however, you MUST have your patient recommendation document with you to get in.

SLO ASA will have an information table at this event.

May Meeting - Tuesday May 15th 7:00 pm

TUESDAY, MAY 15, 7:00 pm
Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill
1210 Higuera St. (corner Higuera and Toro Sts.)
San Luis Obispo, CA

We meet in the downstairs room, so best access is the downstairs door on the Toro St. side. There is a short ramp in front of the door for handicap access.

We hope to see you there!

Also...please HELP!  We are currently without a volunteer to post these meeting notices and action alerts on our sloasa.org and Facebook websites.  Could you volunteer to help out on this function?  It would take a real minimum of your time, and the text would be provided to you to merely paste in.  It would be a valuable service to our local effort.  

More info, etc.:  contact Linda at asaprop215@gmail.com.   

~ ~ Thank you ~ ~ 

San Luis Obispo Chapter ASA April Meeting

San Luis Obispo Chapter ASA
April Meeting

PLEASE NOTE LOCATION FOR THIS MEETING:

Tuesday, April 17, 2012
7:00 pm 2360 Main St., Morro Bay
(in North Morro Bay, next to Domino's Pizza)


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SLOASA March Meeting

The March meeting of San Luis Obispo Americans for Safe Access is set for:

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 7:00 pm
Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill
1210 Higuera St. (corner Higuera and Toro Sts.)
San Luis Obispo, CA

We meet in the downstairs room, so best access is the downstairs door on the Toro St. side. There is a short ramp in front of the door for handicap access.

Info:  asaprop215@gmail.com

ACTION ALERT! County Supervisors to Consider MMJ Outlet in Oceano THIS TUESDAY, MARCH 6

This coming Tuesday, March 6, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will hear the appeal of the Planning Commission approval (by a 4-1 vote) to allow a medical cannabis collective outlet in unincorporated Oceano.  Should the Board deny this appeal, a single storefront location anywhere in SLO County would be allowed for the first time in five years.

Board members have indicated that they will be directly influenced by the level of supportive turnout at this meeting.  Thus it is IMPERATIVE that patients and others in support of safe access come to the meeting and fill the seats in the room, even if you do not wish to address the Board during the comment period.   I know firsthand how important this is:  after Morro Bay residents voted not to ban dispensaries, the City Council decided not to continue pursuing guidelines to allow any dispensary outlet.  Council members stated specifically that they reached that decision by being strongly influenced by the lack of Morro Bay residents among the supporters in the audience that day.

Our local chapter of Americans for Safe Access has been steadily active for the past two years in promoting safe access to medical cannabis by those who are compliant with State law to obtain and use this medicine.  Despite the fact that a strong majority in the county support medicinal cannabis (and voters here in 2010 even passed Prop. 19 to legalize recreational use), it is continually apparent that our criminal justice agencies here are keeping patients and providers in such fear of arrest that they will not come out of the shadows, just as they did not turn out at the Morro Bay meeting.

Help us demonstrate to the Board of Supervisors that we the people DO want and need a satisfactory level of patient access to medicinal cannabis.   If you are a patient or a non-patient supporter, PLEASE ATTEND this most important meeting.  If you are willing to speak up during the comment period, even better!  But simply turning out anonymously and filling the seats will in itself help send this most important message to the Board.

This matter is on the Board's afternoon agenda, scheduled to convene at 1:30 pm.  The Board Chambers are located at 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo (between Santa Rosa Street and the Fremont Theater).  For additional information, email asaprop215@gmail.com.

Links:
San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors
Listen to live and archived meetings

Your support is needed at the SLO Board of Supervisors Meeting

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meeting meeting is Tuesday, March 6th, at 1:30 pm.

A storefront dispensary has
been approved by the County
Planning Commission. Your support
is needed to encourage the Board
to deny an appeal of this approval.

The Board will hear the appeal of the 4-1 vote of approval by the SLO County Planning Commission to allow a collective outlet in unincorporated Oceano. Should the Board deny this appeal, a single storefront location anywhere in SLO County would be allowed for the first time since Charles Lynch's dispensary in Morro Bay was raided and closed nearly 5 years ago. Board members have indicated that they may be directly influenced by the level of supportive turnout at this meeting. Thus it is imperative that patients and others in support of safe access come to the meeting and fill the seats in the room, even if they do not wish to address the Board during the comment period.

The Board Chambers are located at 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo (between Santa Rosa Street and the Fremont Theater). For additional information, email  asaprop215@gmail.com.

San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Dismisses Charges Against Three More of the "SLO 12" Delivery Service Providers

MEDIA ADVISORY

San Luis Obispo Americans for Safe Access

For Immediate Release: February 15, 2012

Contact: San Luis Obispo Chapter Representative Linda Hill 805-528-0808

National ASA Media Liaison Kris Hermes 510-681-6361

San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Dismisses Charges Against Three More of the "SLO 12" Delivery Service Providers

District Attorney is likely to appeal the dismissals.

In San Luis Obispo Superior Court, Judge Jacqueline Duffy on February 15 -- Medical Marijuana Day -- dismissed the charges against Shelly, Troy and Rianna Allred, three of the so-called "SLO 12" delivery services providers who were swept up in a Narcotics Task Force raid in late December, 2010. This follows other dismissals handed down in January.

Although the former commander of the now defunct Narcotics Task Force had asserted that there was "concrete proof" of guilt of these defendants, the 14 months of protracted hearings, motions and other actions -- all at taxpayer expense -- have resulted in not one case going to trial. As in previous cases, the District Attorney refused to agree to the jury instructions that had been developed for use in these trials.

However, SLO County District Attorney Gerald Shea's office has appealed the earlier dismissals, and it is expected that they will also appeal the dismissals involving the Allreds.

The San Luis Obispo Chapter of Americans for Safe Access plans to launch a petition/letter-writing campaign urging DA Shea not to appeal the Allred's cases, and to drop the appeals that have already been filed. SLOASA recognizes that the vast majority of people in San Luis Obispo County are strongly in favor of medical marijuana (the county voters even passed Prop. 19, legalizing recreational use, by 51%-49%.) Our chapter is urging the District Attorney to recognize the desires of the public, the weakness of these cases, and the continuing and unnecessary financial cost of pursuing these cases to the Second District Court of Appeals and to drop the appeals.

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With over 50,000 active members in all 50 states, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA works to overcome political and legal barriers by creating policies that improve access to medical cannabis for patients and researchers through legislation, education, litigation, grassroots actions, advocacy and services for patients and the caregivers.

Medical Marijuana Week

Hi Folks,

This is Medical Marijuana Week.   This mail-out from ASA National details actions we can take to further the cause of safe access.  As described below, even a minute or two of your time can really help:  contact the White House today, Congress tomorrow, and Gov. Brown on Wednesday.  Remember, you can enhance our effort from the comfort of your home by doing things like this.

Regarding the national Day of Action on Thursday, we are not holding a rally here in SLO County, as the rally is specifically planned at Obama re-election headquarters and/or at Federal buildings, which we don't have here.  In addition, we are concentrating this week on the "SLO 12," as another court date is 8:30 this Wednesday morning (on 2-15, Medical Marijuana Day, appropriately enough) for several of the defendants--join us to show our support.

 We will have our monthly meeting next Tuesday, Feb. 21st at 7:00 pm at Petra Pizza & Mediterranean Grill, corner Higuera & Toro Sts. in SLO.  We will have much to discuss, including the "SLO 12" status; the Medical Marijuana Control, Tax & Regulate Act petitions; the local appeal to the Board of Supervisors for a collective outlet in Oceano, and other activities.

Our organization here in SLO County IS making an impact; please help make our efforts even more successful by becoming actively involved, both in your individual actions such as those detailed here this week, and by visibly showing up at meetings (ours and local official bodies such as the Bd. of Supes), court dates, rallies we hold, and other public events.  Simply filling seats in a room or adding to a group outside helps convince our local officials to yield to the will of the people on the MMJ issue.

Thank you from SLOASA

SLO ASA January Meeting

The January meeting of San Luis Obispo Americans for Safe Access is set for:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 7:00 pm
Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill
1210 Higuera St. (corner Higuera and Toro Sts.)
San Luis Obispo, CA

We meet in the downstairs room, so best access is the downstairs door on the Toro St. side. There is a short ramp in front of the door for handicap access.

We are pleased to have several new paid members (THANK YOU!!), as well as a lot of people who have signed up for our emails:  our email list now numbers over 100 people, and there are several others without email.  So we hope you will put this meeting on your calendars and will plan to join us.

Discussion items will include:
Status of the court cases of the "SLO 12"
Upcoming appeal to the Board of Supervisors of the Planning Commission's APPROVAL (by a 4-1 vote) of a collective outlet facility on 4th Street in Oceano
Possible locations for future meetings

See you on Tuesday!