NORML E-Zine
Volume 5
Issue 37
September 26, 2002

The NORML E-Zine is a free weekly compilation of major news items
regarding marijuana policy. Text of archived stories is available on
NORML's website at:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3442

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TOP STORIES

* Feds Continue California Patient Crackdown
* Hundreds March On California Capitol To Demand Feds End Assault On
Medi-Pot Patients
* Join Us In San Francisco For The Fourth Annual NORML Benefit Party

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Feds Continue California Patient Crackdown
Raid Six-Patient Medicinal Pot Collective In San Diego

San Diego, CA: The federal government continued its crackdown on sick and
dying Californians this week when regional task force officials acting on
a federal warrant raided the home of Steve McWilliams and Barbara
MacKenzie - co-directors of San Diego's Shelter From The Storm, a small
medical marijuana collective that served six patients. Federal agents
seized approximately 20 plants in the raid.

No criminal charges have yet been filed in the case. Both McWilliams and
MacKenzie possess doctors' recommendations to use medical pot, and had
been working closely with local officials to abide by the city's pending
medical marijuana guidelines. McWilliams had previously served as a member
of the City Council's medical marijuana task force.

Under state law, the possession, use and cultivation of marijuana for
medical purposes are legal in California. Federal law prohibits possession
of the drug for any purpose. However, federal law enforcement typically
only becomes involved in cases involving several hundred marijuana plants.

"I've never seen a case with such a small amount [of marijuana,]" said
NORML Legal Committee member Patrick Dudley, who is representing
McWilliams and MacKenzie. "It's getting ludicrous. They're being targeted
[by the government] because they're speaking out."

McWilliams is a longtime advocate for medical marijuana, and had
sponsored a medical marijuana giveaway last week outside San Diego's City
Hall. Two days later, he received a letter hand-delivered by the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) and signed by U.S. Attorney Carol Lam
warning him to stop cultivating marijuana or face arrest.

"This case raises serious questions about the misuse of federal power to
try to silence a vocal critic of federal policy," NORML Executive Director
Keith Stroup said. "It is inconceivable that the Feds would become
involved in this case were it not for Steve McWilliams' effectiveness as
an advocate for the medical use of marijuana."

Since September 11, 2001, federal drug enforcement officials have taken
actions against more than 35 California medical marijuana patients,
growers and cooperatives - including raiding a pair of northern California
dispensaries earlier this month.

For more information, please contact NORML Foundation Legal Director
Donna Shea at (202) 483-8751. A summary of federal medical marijuana cases
in California since September 11 is available online at:
http://www.canorml.org/news/fedmmjcases

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Hundreds March On California Capitol To Demand Feds End Assault On
Medi-Pot Patients

Sacramento, CA: Several hundred demonstrators - including patients,
students and public officials - braved 104 degree heat to convene at the
California state Capitol in Sacramento on Monday to protest the federal
government's increasing crackdown on state medicinal marijuana patients
and providers, and demand state politicians stand up for the state's
medical pot law. The daylong protest marked one of the nation's largest
ever rallies for medicinal marijuana.

NORML Chapter Coordinator Kris Krane, who helped organize the event,
called Monday's demonstration a success. "It is truly heartening to see
hundreds of students join together with patients and other concerned
citizens to defend the rights of California's sick and dying," he said.
"Our hope is that this demonstration will send the message to state and
federal lawmakers that the will of the people must no longer be ignored."

Monday's demonstration was held in response to a wave of recent federal
raids on California medicinal marijuana collectives. Protestors also
demanded federal officials pardon Bryan Epis, a northern California
medical marijuana provider facing ten years in prison for marijuana
cultivation. Epis, who was convicted in federal court in July, is
scheduled to be sentenced on October 7. Approximately 30 demonstrators
were arrested blocking the doors of the Sacramento Federal Courthouse to
protest Epis' conviction.

For more information, please contact Keith Stroup or Kris Krane of NORML
at (202) 483-5500. To download video footage of local news footage of the
event, please visit:
http://www.news10-tv.net/news-story/September2002/092302/_video/Demonstr.ram


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Join Us In San Francisco For The Fourth Annual NORML Benefit Party

San Francisco, CA: The fourth annual NORML benefit party will be held on
Saturday evening, October 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the SomArts Gallery in
downtown San Francisco. This event will be co-chaired by San Francisco
District Attorney Terence Hallinan and Marsha Rosenbaum, Ph.D., the
director of the San Francisco office of the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA).

The official host committee for this year's NORML benefit includes state
Senator John Vasconcellos; San Francisco Supervisor (and Democratic
nominee for the State Assembly) Mark Leno; spiritualist Ram Dass; medical
marijuana patient and provider Valerie Corral of the Wo/Mens Alliance for
Medical Marijuana (WAMM); former California Congressman Dan Hamburg; and
local criminal defense attorneys Michael Stepanian and Tony Serra, among
many luminaries.

"We look forward to this event each year," said NORML's Keith Stroup.
"Please join us for an evening of good fun, good food, and good
fellowship, and learn about NORML's plans for the year ahead in California
and beyond."

Attendees are asked to make a minimum $100 contribution. There will be a
silent art auction and a special performance by the Extra Action Marching
Band (who stole the show at this year's NORML 4/20 conference party).
Proceeds from the event will be used to continue and expand NORML's
legislative and educational activities in California.

Individuals can register for the benefit party online at www.norml.org.
For additional information, please contact Kris Krane of NORML at
202-483-5500.


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Support NORML's efforts to change marijuana policy and educate the public
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