AEGiS-WOMEN ALIVE: 'The Summer of Resistance': Medical Marijuana and the LACRC

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in June 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

'The Summer of Resistance': Medical Marijuana and the LACRC

Women Alive; Summer 2002
From www.pottv.com and "How You Can Help" section submitted by The Patients' Hunger Strike for Life

The feds (specifically the DEA) are systematically moving through our state to destroy the cannabis clubs that provide safe access to medications needed by sufferers of terminal and chronic illnesses. The following is an update on the status of our local club and what you can do to help us defend our rights. For more information log on to pottv.com.

LACRC

Since the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center's closure after the DEA raid on October 25, 2001, at least nineteen members have died. Other patients' public safety is endangered as several have been robbed trying to acquire marijuana on the black market, and almost all have reported problems eating, sleeping, and keeping their meds down.

Asset Forfeiture

The Department of Justice served papers on Friday, May 31 notifying the LACRC, Wells Fargo Bank and the City of West Hollywood that they will be seizing over $600,000 in equity from the 1,960 current members of the cooperative because the federal government considers the medical marijuana club to be no different from the average crack house.

Criminal Prosecutions

Club organizers and employees will be notified of any criminal prosecutions by August 12. The mandatory minimum for running a drug house is 20 years. Club members held signs stating: "We're not criminals, we're patients."

The LACRC has operated in full accordance with the law and without incident for five years. All of that changed last October when the club was effectively shut down by the DEA.

Hunger Strike

The "Summer of Resistance" was successfully launched by patients of the LACRC led by Howard Jacobs, and supported by West Hollywood City Council, Senator Sheila Kuel's Office, Henry Waxman, and Assembly-member Paul Koretz. Hunger strikers Mary Lucey, Sarah Wright, Scott Imler, Pedro Jimenez, Nancy MacNeil, Roger Moore and Trey King fasted for six days. Because of the need for HIV medication compliance, hunger strikers are completing six day fasts rather than a permanent hunger strike. The encampment will be continuing with regular rotating fasting all summer, holding constant vigil over the patient owned club-building. Supporters are invited to fast for a day and to donate their lunch money to the cause.

You Too Can Help

To offer support for the community vigil, or to sign up for a guest fast, E-mail simler97@ix.netcom.com or call 323-874-0811. We also ask that you please contact your legislators and demand safe access to medical marijuana in America.

State Attorney General: Bill Lockyer
California Dept. of Justice
1300 I St., Ste. 1740
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel: 916-445-9555

It is the duty of the Attorney General to see that the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced. In addition, the AG establishes and operates projects and programs to protect Californians from fraudulent, unfair, and illegal activities that victimize consumers or threaten public safety, and enforces laws that safeguard the environment and natural resources. (Call the Attorney General and tell him to do his job. The DEA is threatening the public safety of medical marijuana patients.)

Governor Gray Davis
Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel: 916-445-2841

The Governor is running for reelection. Although he may be better than the alternative, call him and tell him if he wants your vote then he should uphold the mandate of Prop. 215, the will of California voters.

Representative Henry Waxman
US House of Representatives
2204 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Tel: 202-225-3976

Senator Dianne Feinstein
US Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: 202-224-3841

Senator Barbara Boxer
US Senate
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: 202-224-3553

Asa Hutchinson, Director
Drug Enforcement Administration
2401 Jefferson Davis Highway
Alexandria, VA 22301

Attorney General John Ashcroft
US Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20530-001
Tel: 202-353-1555
E-mail: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov

Ashcroft is fully responsible for the DEA raids, endangering our public safety and contributing to the death and suffering of patients. Call him and tell him to "Cease and Desist" the vicious attacks on patients.

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500
Tel: 202-456-1414
Fax: 202-456-2461
E-mail: president@whitehouse.gov

Sample Letter

The following is a sample letter. Please add your own thoughts, or write your own letter and send it to the list above.

I am writing to express my outrage over the forfeiture action filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles against the LACRC, which has operated under California State law to give some relief to those suffering with diseases like cancer and AIDS. It is absurd that federal resources are being used to fight the sick and dying in need of medication, when our nation faces unprecedented threats.

This action seems to reflect the moral and ideological views of the Department, instead of a rational evaluation of our most pressing national priorities. I strongly urge you to withdraw the complaint so you can devote more attention to protecting our nation against terrorism.

20020601
WO2002-0610

Copyright © 2002 - Women Alive Reproduced with permission of Women Alive, 1566 S. Burnside Ave., Mid-City Los Angeles, CA 90019; Phone (323) 965-1564, FAX: (323) 965-9886. You need permission from Women Alive to make more than one copy of any article in this section.

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