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!

Patients, Advocates to Acknowledge One Year Anniversary of Aggressive Police Actions Against Medical Marijuana Collectives Providing Home Delivery Services

MEDIA ADVISORY
San Luis Obispo Americans for Safe Access
For Immediate Release:  December 26, 2011
Contact: National ASA Media Liaison Kris Hermes 510-681-6361
San Luis Obispo Chapter  Representative Linda Hill 805-528-0808

Patients, Advocates to Acknowledge One Year Anniversary of Aggressive Police Actions Against Medical Marijuana Collectives Providing Home Delivery Services
Felonies, including child endangerment charges, were used to intimidate state law-compliant providers

San Luis Obispo County, CA -- Patients and medical marijuana advocates are planning a demonstration and protest rally outside of the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Courthouse to remind the public of the aggressive raids and arrests that took place on December 28th and 29th of last year. A majority of the "SLO 12" have still not had their cases go to trial, despite the hearings, motions, and other court-related actions taking place every month since their arrests -- at taxpayer expense. They are being drained emotionally, financially and physically by the lack of conclusive action being taken by the District Attorney. In the meantime, they are victimized, some of them even having felony convictions showing up in their background checks before they have even gone to trial!

What: Patients and advocates protest aggressive police actions against medical marijuana collectives providing home delivery services in SLO
When:  Tuesday, December 27th, starting  at 9:00 am
Where: In front of San Luis Obispo County Superior Courthouse, 1050 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo

Note:  The New Times in November ran a cover story about the "SLO 12":   http://www.newtimesslo.com/cover/6925/nothing-comic-about-it/

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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.

Patients, Advocates to Acknowledge One Year Anniversary of Aggressive Police Actions Against Medical Marijuana Collectives Providing Home Delivery Services

MEDIA ADVISORY
San Luis Obispo Americans for Safe Access
For Immediate Release:  December 22, 2011
Contact: National ASA Media Liaison Kris Hermes 510-681-6361
San Luis Obispo Chapter  Representative Linda Hill 805-528-0808

Patients, Advocates to Acknowledge One Year Anniversary of Aggressive Police Actions Against Medical Marijuana Collectives Providing Home Delivery Services
Felonies, including child endangerment charges, were used to intimidate state law-compliant providers

San Luis Obispo County, CA -- Patients and medical marijuana advocates are planning a demonstration and protest rally outside of the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Courthouse to remind the public of  the aggressive raids and arrests that took place on December 28th and 29th of last year.  A majority of the "SLO 12" have still not had their cases go to trial, despite the hearings, motions, and other court-related actions taking place every month since their arrests -- at taxpayer expense.  They are being drained emotionally, financially and physically by the lack of conclusive action being taken by the District Attorney.  In the meantime, they are victimized, some of them even having felony convictions showing up in their background checks before they have even gone to trial!

What: Patients and advocates protest aggressive police actions against medical marijuana collectives providing home delivery services in SLO
When:  Tuesday, December 27th, starting  at 9:00 am
Where: In front of San Luis Obispo County Superior Courthouse, 1050 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo

Note:  The New Times in November ran a cover story about the "SLO 12":   http://www.newtimesslo.com/cover/6925/nothing-comic-about-it/

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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.

Save the Dates! Dec 17 & 27th

Dear Friends,

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 and
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27

Support for safe access to medical cannabis here on the Central Coast is needed now more than ever:

You’ve probably learned that an application for a collective club outlet in Oceano has been approved by the County Planning Commission; however the approval was appealed, and this appeal will have to now go to the Board of Supervisors, anticipated in early February.

We know of an influential contingent that has been petitioning the Board of Supervisors to ban all medical cannabis services in SLO County until the conflicts between State and Federal law are resolved.  a county wide ban would unleash local law enforcement to pursue all medical cannabis collectives as well as cultivating patients who contribute to collectives,

We must continue to take visible actions to remind the public of our rights and to enlist more support..  The larger our numbers in public, the greater the impact we can have!

For December, we are combining our monthly meeting with a Christmas-season party.  We have a lot of things going on here to discuss, and we hope you will plan to join us:

WHAT:           SLO Chapter Americans for Safe Access meeting & party
WHEN:          Saturday, December 17, 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. (snacks provided)
WHERE:        2630 Main St., Morro Bay (next door to Domino’s Pizza in North Morro Bay)

San Luis Obispo ASA urges all collective operators, members, and safe access supporters (both patients and non-patients) to attend this meeting, and also to attend our:

Scheduled rally on December 27th on the San Luis Obispo court house steps at 9:00 AM.   The rally is set to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of the Narcotic Task Force raids and arrests of the “SLO 12” last December.