F R E E

w w w.OaksterdamNews.com Vol. 2 # 3 Summer 2006 510-836-NEWS (6397) C o n g re s s m e m b e r s , Federal Court: Juries free to acquit media ridicule FDA Appellate ruling affirms Feds can disregard medical rights, juries cannot be punished for their verdicts cannabis statement By Martin Williams By Chris Conrad When cannabis activist and “guru of g a n j a ” Ed Rosenthal was convicted on In a blatent political maneuver, the US cannabis cultivation charges in 2003, fed- Food and Drug Administration made an eral judge Charles Breyer gave him only a OPEN FOR BUSINESS out-of-thin-air announcement on April 20 day behind bars — time served — due to (4/20) that no studies support medical mar- Latest dispensary extenuating circumstances. ijuana. The release was timed to coincide reviews begin on page 12 with the national NORML conference Many considered it a victory; but not Rosenthal. He appealed his conviction, and Three weeks later, on May 15 the in an extraordinary turn of events, mem- agency announced that it has approved bers of his jury came forth to disavow their Cesamet, a second drug containing syn- own verdict after they learned that the thetic THC, the primary active compound cannabis was medicine and the grow-book in cannabis. Marinol is the other. It seems author was working as an appointed it is not the THC but the presence of nature deputy of the Oakland city government. itself that the FDA finds offensive. All medical evidence and discussion This raised obvious questions: Why is had been suppressed during the trial held THC medicine but not cannabis, and what in California, where state voters have happened to all the studies done over the legalized medical marijuana. However, past century? The answer, apparently, is that omission was not the reason the Ninth that the US government doesn’t like to Circuit federal appeals court overturned deal with logic or peer-reviewed studies. the conviction April 26. Instead, the court The 4/20 Interagency Advisory notice held that “Juror A” had improperly sought was intended to trump the 1999 National out a legal opinion from an attorney, who Academy of Science / Institute of told her she would be “in trouble” if she Medicine federal report that outlined and voted her conscience when she figured out analyzed scores of scientific studies and the medical nature of the case. identified specific compounds and bene- fits. The National Institute on Drug A b u s e “Jurors cannot fairly determine the out- Oaksterdam News photo come of a case if they believe they will by Jaime Galindo has catalogued many more, and new stud- face ‘trouble’ for a conclusion they reach ies are being reported in the international as jurors,” said the majority opinion. “The press on a regular basis. The New Yo r k threat of punishment works a coercive Ti m e s decried the FDA as “disingenuous. influence on the jury’s independence, and a The government is actively discouraging juror who genuinely fears retribution relevant research, according to scientists.” might change his or her determination of The FDA press release had a threaten- the issue for fear of being punished.” ing political tone. “[The] FDA, as the fed- U n f o r t u n a t e l y, while the three-judge eral agency responsible for reviewing the panel reversed his conviction because of safety and efficacy of drugs, DEA as the juror misconduct, it concurred with the federal agency charged with enforcing the CSA, and the ONDCP [drug czar’s off i c e ] , lower court on all other matters, including Hash Selection its not allowing “a ‘medical marijuana’ as the federal coordinator of drug control defense, introducing evidence or arg u m e n t p o l i c y, do not support the use of smoked aimed at jury nullification,” and that his marijuana for medical purposes.” being appointed a deputy did not shield “Despite the fact that you are respond- Rosenthal from prosecution. ing to a scientific question, your press Last summer, the US Supreme Court, release failed to provide any scientific in its Gonzalez v. Raich decision, again expertise. We call on you to show us the rejected allowing defendants to raise med- purported scientific evidence for the basis ical marijuana or state law as a defense of this response. There is no evidence that against federal drug charges. you have new scientific proof or that you oversaw clinical trials,” Congressman Legal activists argue that, by denying New police chief supports Measure Z Continued on page 2 jurors access to “the whole truth” about By Richard Lee tivation and use the city law enforcement’s cannabis offenses, federal courts give lowest priority and put the city on record in every juror the “reasonable doubt” needed The Oakland Cannabis Regulation and favor of taxing and regulating cannabis as D e l l u m s ’ v i c t o ry in to acquit cannabis defendants. They point Revenue Ordinance Oversight Committee soon as possible under state law. out that alcohol Prohibition also led to a heard from police Chief Wayne Tucker at mayoral race looks refusal of jurors to convict. their April 20 meeting. The Chief answer- Data show, however, that the Oakland ed questions about cannabis arrest statis- Coliseum is not a friendly place for Federal prosecutors have several good for Oaksterdam tics and Measure Z implementation issues. cannabis consumers while alcohol, a more options, such as asking the court to recon- dangerous recreational drug, is sold and By Justin Baker s i d e r, appealing to the Supreme Court or Measure Z was the 2004 voter mandate Continued on page 3 going ahead with a new trial. that made private adult cannabis sales, cul- Oakland political icon and former N O R M L boardmenber Ron Dellums took a commanding lead in the city mayoral race that may power him into office with- Mirkarimi receives award at NORML out needing a runoff vote. Dellums rode popular disaffection with conference for the SF dispensary plan the status quo of the entrenched political By Tristin Coffman director Allen St.Pierre in welcoming the machine represented by his main oppo- Comic Tommy Chong made a special crowd. “We have the best name recogni- nent, Ignacio De la Fuente. Council mem- guest appearance when the grassroots of tion of any drug policy reform group in the ber Nancy Nadel made a respectable third cannabis reform met in San Francisco c o u n t r y.” He said that NORML, norml.org , place showing in the race. April 20-22. The National Organization for relies upon its chapters to do local work When asked about Measure Z and the Reform of Marijuana Laws, NORML, and upon activists to pay membership dues whether his past cannabis advocacy would held its well-attended annual conference in that fund the Washington DC-based group continue, Dellums said “I’m here to sup- the Bay city to educate, network and strate- and its efforts. Despite government claims port you.” A January poll by O a k s t e rd a m gize with US activists. Supervisor Ross that cannabis reformers are well-funded, N e w s showed candidates who support Mirkarimi welcomed the attendees and St. Pierre said NORML is struggling and cannabis regulation gain votes when the needs donations. H O N O R E D — SF Supervisor Ross received an award for spearheading the public becomes aware of their position. De Mirkarimi received an award April 20. c i t y ’s dispensary ordinance. Panels included presentations on how la Fuente’s negative bias against cannabis Oaksterdam News photo by Rob Ryan “ N O R M L is the toker’s lobby,” said Continued on page 15 Continued on page 13 Page 2. Oaksterdam News Summer 2006 F D A hits patients, Colorado A S A e ffort, Emeryville pays e r t y. Blair learned that due to a burglary at an off - s i t e , secured police evidence Americans for Safe Access Highlights l o c k e r, many of his posses- sions, including cultivation By Rebecca Salzman value to permit FDA to release an inter- equipment and much of his Americans for Safe Access is a patient advoca - agency advisory, then they should be com- cannabis plants, were stolen. cy group on the fore f ront of the defense of pelled to answer our appeal without further p a t i e n t s ’ medical marijuana rights. A S A o rg a n - d e l a y. izes rapid response actions, as needed, and In response to the FDA press release, A S A hopes that cases maintains legal and political arms. Here are 24 Members of Congress have drafted a some recent highlights of its activities. such as the Emery v i l l e strongly worded letter to FDA asking the settlement will bring Questioning FDA s t a t e m e n t agency to either produce evidence of new research or explain the motivation behind about change. on medical cannabis its statement. This effort was led by The April 21 New York Ti m e s ran a front Representatives Hinchey (D-NY), Paul (R- It is A S A’s hope that page story headlined, “FDA d i s m i s s e s TX), Frank (D-MA) and Farr (D-CA) in financial pressures such as medical benefit from marijuana.” collaboration with ASA. Americans for Safe Access (ASA) sees Blair displays the remains of his medical garden. these will bring about Furthermore, A S A will be sending a Photo by Chris Conrad change. With this monetary three major problems with the Food and letter to HHS and FDA asking these agen- Drug Administration (FDA) claim: p e n a l t y, and A S A’s recent cies to explain their contradictory state- Access and I are going to force police success in reversing a mandatory seizure 1 . The FDA conducted no scientific study ments on medical marijuana and produce agencies to adopt sensible policies that policy by the CHP, patients are winning the of the evidence related to cannabis as med- any evidence that supports the administra- uphold patients’ rights.” battle for their rights under state law. icine to treat those with cancer, AIDS and t i o n ’s position. The FDA’s job is not to Widespread adoption of sound police poli- other serious illnesses. Their “inter- a g e n c y After the dismissal of criminal charg e s , play politics; it is to protect public health. cies on medical marijuana are within sight. advisory” was simply a press release that If the government is going to stick to its stemming from the 2003 raid on Blair’s contained no new information, yet still position that cannabis does not have home by Emeryville police (EPD), a Announcing the Colorado Superior Court judge issued a 2004 court received widespread national attention. medicinal benefits, then HHS should be Campaign for Safe A c c e s s 2 . The FDA’s dismissal of cannabis as a compelled to show us the science and order to return his property. When Blair safe and effective treatment for certain ill- respond to our DQA petition. If not, A S A went with order in hand to pick up his A cannabis dispensary. A legal support hot- nesses directly contradicts the 1999 will take the government to court. It’s that p r o p e r t y, it was verbally denied. Under line for patients. A diverse network of rural National Academy of Science / Institute of simple. threat of contempt of court, EPD finally and urban patient support groups. Only in Medicine report Marijuana and Medicine: agreed to return only some of Blair’s prop- Continued on page 5 Assessing the Science Base and a rapidly Emeryville pays patient growing body of research on the safety and $15,000 for lost medicine C o n g ressmen challenge FDA p ronouncement e fficacy of cannabis for treating a wide Medical marijuana patient James Blair was Continued from page 1 range of afflictions. Unlike the FDA’s arrested on cultivation charges in 2003 and press release, this million dollar study got had his medicine and equipment confiscat- Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) led a bipartisan group of 24 House members who wrote and almost no publicity because its findings ed. Blair, who is partially paralyzed from a signed onto a letter sent April 27 to FDAActing Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach. conflict with the Drug Czar’s agenda. diving accident, received a check for “It perplexes us that even though the FDA is responsible for protecting public health, the 3 . The timing of FDA advisory is suspect $15,000 from the City of Emeryville on agency has failed to respond adequately to the IOM’s findings seven years after the given that just nine days earlier, April 12, April 11, 2006, for cannabis seized by s t u d y ’s publication date.” the Department of Health and Human police. With help from ASA, Blair got one “If anyone needs proof that the FDA has become totally politicized, this is it,” said Services (HHS) which houses the FDA, of the largest cash settlements to date in a Bruce Mirken of the Marijuana Policy Project, mpp.org. “For shame.” for the eighth time postponed a decision on case of wrongful seizure. The City has now This is part of a recent US trend to force researchers to produce policy reports instead a medical cannabis petition filed pursuant adopted a policy of not confiscating of research. Prestigious scientists, including 20 Nobel laureates and several science advis- to the provisions of the Data Quality A c t , cannabis from qualified patients. ers to past Republican presidents, accused the Bush administration on Feb. 18, 2004 of which requires that federal agencies justify “By making government pay for their manipulating and censoring science for political purposes. In an open letter and in-depth regulatory decisions with scientific data. If transgressions through successful lawsuits evaluation, more than 60 top US scientists alleged the administration of misusing research HHS feels confident enough in their posi- like mine,” said Blair. “Americans for Safe to further its political objectives by “suppressing, distorting or manipulating the work tion that cannabis has no accepted medical done by scientists at federal agencies.” Summer 2006 Oaksterdam News. Page 3 California cities wrap up signature drives, get ready for the fall election By Mikki Norris* ballot requires 5,580 valid signatures. Committees in the cities of Santa Cruz, “ We feel the time is right for this initia- Santa Monica, and Santa Barbara wrapped tive,” said Hernandez. “George Bush has up their petition drives and submitted suf- made cannabis the number one priority, ficient numbers of signatures to place ini- and as a result over 700,000 people are tiatives on their city ballots making adult arrested on marijuana charges in the US cannabis offenses law enforcement’s low- each year. By passing this initiative, Santa est priority. This is a coordinated policy Monica voters can help to create a sensible e ffort to show widespread support for alternative to the war on drugs.” cannabis reform across California. Sensible Santa Barbara turned in their Santa Cruz Citizens for Sensible signatures May 31. Unlike the other cities, Marijuana Policy was the first to turn in which required 10 percent of registered over 6,000 signatures to the city clerk on v o t e r s ’ signature to qualify, they needed a P E T I T I O N I N G F O R E Q U A L RIGHTS — April 20. The county clerk took the allotted little extra time to collect 15 percent as it is Above: Santa Monica election officials thirty days to verify the signatures to considered a “special election” since no review signatures submitted by peti- tioners to secure ballot standing for a ensure that they had met the minimum other city initiative will be on the ballot. cannabis reform measure. amount required (3,423) and notified the They exceeded all expectations as they L e f t : Santa Cruz proponents Theodora proponents that they had qualified for the submitted more than double the 5000 such Kerry and Andrea Tischler gathered November ballot. signatures needed to qualify. signatures that were included in the “ Voters in Santa Cruz are tired of the Once the signatures are certified, each successful turn in that put their initia- failed and immoral federal war on drugs,” city council can either adopt the initiative tive on the city ballot. said Andrea Ti s c h l e r, chair of Santa Cruz as law or place it on the ballot. “We think Oaksterdam News photos by Mikki Norris Citizens for Sensible Marijuana Policy. this is a common sense policy, and we “ L e t ’s move to a more reasonable cannabis hope the city council will adopt it. We had p o l i c y, and make sure that our police and a really overwhelming number of signa- courts are not wasting their time and tures – 11,556. T h a t ’s almost as many resources arresting and prosecuting nonvi- votes as we would need to pass it,” said olent marijuana offenders. By passing this Heather Poet, proponent of the Sensible initiative, Santa Cruz can be a beacon of Santa Barbara initiative. light showing the way to a more sensible Meanwhile, activists in West Holly- policy that is compatible with the values of wood and San Francisco are pursuing city the majority of citizens.” ordinances similar to the initiatives. On the same day that Tischler got the Good endorsements that show broad good news, Santa Monicans for Sensible support for this policy change will be key Marijuana Policy turned in over 8,000 sig- to the initiatives’ success. To get involved natures to the Santa Monica city clerk’s and help garner support from community o ffice. On May 24, campaign coordinator o rganizations, respected individuals and Luciano Hernandez, proponent Corey leaders, or for online information on these Garnett, and consultant Mikki Norris, wit- e fforts, please check out these websites: nessed city clerk Maria Stewart and three s e n s i b l e s a n t a b a r a . o rg, sensiblesantamoni- assistants count and certify that they c a . o rg and taxandregulate.org . received the signatures. Next, the city clerk * N o rris is a board member of Oakland Civil sent the petitions to the Los A n g e l e s L i b e r ties Alliance and a consultant to the Cali - County Clerk’s office where they are cur- fornia Cities Campaign. For information rently being verified. Qualifying for the online, see taxandre g u l a t e . o rg. CAN: Cannabis A c t i o n M e a s u re Z p ro g re s s Network regroups Continued from page 1 heavily used there. The Berkeley-based legalization group Cannabis Action Network is holding regu- The Chief said that he saw taxing and lar meetings and planning a busy schedule regulating cannabis as workable, and of tabling at events this summer. CAN agreed with the committee that a change in believes that ending the war against our state law was urgently needed. fellow citizens starts with everbody getting Lt. Peter Sarna said that the OPD had educated and involved from the grassroots already made cannabis offences the lowest level up to the White House. The group priority before Measure Z became law meets the first Monday of each month at because of limited resources and more 1605 Ashby Ave. at 7:30 pm. serious crime problems. Cannabis Action Network is a nation- At its May meeting the committee wide team of individuals working to make voted to issue a report on the meaning of cannabis legally available for medicinal, “private” as it applies to cannabis sales, industrial, and personal uses. This network cultivation, and use in the regulation and unites over 250 groups, from 50 states and revenue ordinance. Vice Chair James around the world, in a powerful grassroots Anthony suggested using alcohol laws as a coalition. Its national headquarters, in model, noting the difference between pub- B e r k e l e y, serves as an information clear- lic and private alcohol use and sales. inghouse and support center for activist A subcommittee will draft a report for campaigns. the June 15 meeting. The Oversight For info, call 510-486-8093. Committee meets the third Thursday every month at 6 pm in Oakland City Hall. Page 4. Oaksterdam News. Summer 2006 Safe Access Now: S t a t e ’s voluntary cannabis ID card adds protections, responsibilities By F. A a ron Smith* through the patients county of residence. Having a state ID card gives California voters approved Prop. 215, the The status of different counties can be more access to the Compassionate Use Act, almost a decade looked up at safeaccessnow. n e t . cannabis dispensaries. Photo by Jaime Galindo ago. However, issues involving the medic- The ID card program works to provide inal use of cannabis continues to be a daily clear direction to state and local law subject in news and courts around the state. enforcement personnel throughout CA a n d The Act, now Health and Safety Code serves as an added layer of protection from 11362.5, affirms the legal right to cultivate, detainment, arrest or seizure of medicine. possess and obtain cannabis with a doc- For patients choosing to carry an ID card, t o r ’s approval. However, enforcement of the law is black and white. HS11 3 6 2 . 7 this law has been sketchy, at best. states, “No person or designated primary caregiver in possession of a valid identifi- cation card shall be subject to arrest for The status of different county-run possession, transportation, delivery, or cul- I D c a rd programs is available tivation of medical marijuana in an amount established pursuant to this article…” online at safeaccessnow. n e t . At this year’s NORML c o n f e r e n c e , founder Keith Stroup called the ID card a “get out of jail free card, or even a not-get- To clarify the law and provide further arrested-at-all card.” protection to patients, the legislature U n f o r t u n a t e l y, the debate is not over. adopted Senate Bill 420 (HS11362.7, et Many counties are still finding ways to cut seq.), signed into law in October 2003. It o ff safe and legal access to cannabis set minimum “floor” quantity and cultiva- through dispensary bans and moratoria as tion guidelines as a safe harbor from arrest well as refusal to offer the cards. marijuana laws are pre-empted by the fed- programs in the seven other states that and authorized co-ops and collectives to This program is supported by all major eral Controlled Substances Act. In the eyes have them, including Oregon’s, which has serve multiple patients, including limited of most legal experts, this case is without been in place since 1999. immunity from sales charges. medical cannabis advocacy groups but has not been completely embraced by the merit, but that didn’t stop San Bernardino A d d i t i o n a l l y, the DEA has already Without specific legislative direction, patient community, mainly due to concerns and Merced Counties from joining the suit seized thousands of patient records from procedures for state and local law enforce- over privacy. Many patients fear the feder- using local tax dollars to pay for this swipe various dispensary raids throughout the ment encounters involving medical mari- al Drug Enforcement Administration may at the voters. Other counties use the suit as state but has not indicated that they were juana are left up to each jurisdiction and, someday subpoena the patients’ d o c u m e n- a rationalization for not implementing the going to use them in any attempt to con- all too often, the personal discretion of tation retained by the counties. card program as they take a “wait and see” duct a mass-raid on individual patients. individual officers. In less progressive approach to the issue. Because of this concern, the state Even if they did have the resources to do communities, law enforcement will ignore Such counties oppose the program for so, they know it would be political suicide. a physician’s note, arrest, prosecute, and Department of Health gives counties the option of whether or not to retain patient the same reasons many patient advocates In a more equitable world, such a pro- leave it up to a court to sort out. Some support it. Once residents become valid patients are willing to fight charges and get records after issuing cards. Some counties, gram would not be needed. However, for such as San Francisco, Marin, and Sonoma card-carrying cannabis patients, counties the time being, the county ID card program property returned, but it is an unnecessary have no choice but to accept them as legit- hardship on the the patient community. either shred or return all applications after seeks to protect patients from needless the ID card is issued. imate. No more excuses about the diff i c u l- harassment by state and local police, who A key part of SB 420 was to create an ty of verifying a doctor’s recommendation In January, San Diego County filed a conduct almost all cannabis arrests. o fficial, statewide voluntary identification during a traffic stop after business hours; card program, to be made available lawsuit in State court claiming our medical This program also helps to form a more no more police speculation as to whether a positive perception of California’s ground- carded patient qualifies for immunity. breaking medical marijuana laws through- Making each county sign-on to the pro- out the nation. Statewide implementation gram locally means that every county’s of the here could have a politically positive Board of Supervisors will be on record as e ffect on cannabis laws both within the accepting the legality of medical marijuana state and nationally. in CA. For example, in Tulare County Prop The bottom line is that the cards are 215 only garnered 37 percent of the vote, voluntary and it is up to you to decide if it’s but the card program was approved by the in your best interest to apply for one — but Supervisors unanimous vote. Progress on making them available to those who want Tu l a r e ’s program was driven by local or need them is the right thing to do. patients and advocates who demanded that the county follow the law. * Smith heads up the Safe Access Now cannabis ID c a rd p roject. For more information about the state ID card pro - The federal government has made no gram in your county, contact A a ron Smith at 707-291-0076 attempts to seize the records of the registry or email [email protected]. OCBC gets Alameda county contract, retains its own cards By Tristin Coffman Oakland Cannabis Buyers Cooperative director Jeff Jones confirmed May 30 that his o rganization has been awarded the agency contract to issue the Alameda County patient ID cards as part of SB 420. He said that the popular and well-received non-governmen- tal OCBC card will continue to be an option offered by the group for all patients and care- givers that live in the State. The state ID card will be handled like a drivers license appli- cation, with information submitted and authenticated, a photo taken and a card picked up later at the center or issued by mail, with some records kept for purposes of county audit. The OCBC card will continue to be a option for patients or caregivers that do not want to be on the State list. OCBC plans on opening a Southern California ID Center by later this fall, to offer more support for patients statewide. “OCBC Members will continue to be part of the largest patient group in the country, although it is not clear if some protections offered by the state ID program will limit the legal protection of carrying your OCBC card and physicians statement,” said Jones.

The Oaksterdam News is a free speech publication owned and operated by The Oaksterdam News. This news quarterly promotes the community by providing news, pho- tos, features, directories, local information and service guides for locals and tourists alike. We support tolerance and believe that cannabis sales and cultivation should be legal for adult consumption. We provide a free listing for California cannabis outlets and patient support groups that are on the public record. Any service provider who is not interested in ¡ Yo hablo español! this feature needs to advise our office using the contact information below: Graduate of Yale College and Stanford Law School with years of experience 510-836-NEWS (6397) defending growers, patients and caregivers in California and federal courts. Richard Lee, publisher Chris Conrad, executive editor C o m p l i m e n t a r y case consultation. Jaime Galindo, managing editor 506 Broadway, San Francisco 94133-4507 • 415/986-5591 Gary Garrison, office manager w w w. o m a r f i g u e ro a . c o m 405 15th St., Oakland CA 94612 www.OaksterdamNews.com Email to: [email protected] Printed on recycled paper. © 2006. All rights reserved. Summer 2006 Oaksterdam News. Page 5 each campus had died as the result of alco- is certain to inspire a major debate about Battle for equality with beer d r i n k e r s hol overdoses. On each campus, students the wisdom of laws in this country that passed referenda urging the universities to prohibit the use of cannabis and end up motivates CO cannabis campaign make penalties for use of cannabis no steering people toward a more harmful worse than penalties for alcohol. substance, alcohol. A l r e a d y, SAFER has SAFER: On campuses, Director In spring 2006, SAFER helped coordi- participated in an hour-long live debate Mason Tverdt. nate similar referenda at Florida State U, U with Colorado Attorney General John on cable TV, and all over Suthers on the Colorado PBS station. B e l o w : g e t t i n g of Texas at Austin, and U of Maryland. T h e By Steve Fox signatures for referenda asked students whether the uni- For more information about the The Colorado-based organization Safer the SAFER CO versity should bring penalties for cannabis Colorado campaign or to make a contribu- Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, initiative. use and possession in line with those for tion to help support the signature drive, SAFER, that coordinat- alcohol violations. Students at all three please visit SAFERColorado.org online. ed the successful legal- universities overwhelmingly passed the ization initiative cam- referenda, by margins of 60-40, 64-36, and paign in Denver last fall, 65-35, respectively. South Dakota medical On each campus, SAFER worked with marijuana initiative chapters of National Organization for the A student on each Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) makes November ballot and/or Students for Sensible Drug Policies campus had died as South Dakota officials certified May 31 (SSDP). With the help of these two org a n- the result of alcohol that a petition drive had submitted enough izations and their chapters, SAFER signatures to qualify a medical marijuana o v e rdose; students expects to see 20-30 referenda on universi- initiative for the fall ballot. Sponsored by then passed ty campuses in the spring of 2007. South Dakotans for Medical Marijuana, re f e renda urg i n g In other campus-related news, SAFER s d m e d i c a l m a r i j u a n a . o rg, the initiative universities to make recently helped attract national attention to would make SD the twelfth state to pass a penalties for an outrageous action by the University of such a law; the first in the Midwest. Colorado Police Department (CUPD). The group turned in more than 24,000 cannabis no worse After the annual 4/20 event on campus, the signatures May 2. According to org a n i z e r s , than for alcohol. CUPD posted photos of participants on the the state initiative, if passed, would: Internet and offered $50 rewards to anyone willing to identify an individual pictured. • Protect seriously ill patients and care- is now fully engaged in SAFER decried this “snitching program” givers who possess and cultivate limited spreading its “marijuana to the media and brought two prominent amounts of cannabis with a doctors’ is safer than alcohol” civil rights attorneys to campus to inform approval from arrest and prosecution ; message across the Photos courtesy of SAFER students of their rights in this situation. A s nation. Over the past a result, SAFER was a prominent part of months, SAFER has the coverage of this story, with campaign SD would be the first state in the helped coordinate activities on major col- work with students to change cannabis director Mason Tvert appearing live on Midwest to adopt medical use. lege campuses and appeared on numerous policies on university campuses. In fact, MSNBC and Fox News. the organization was launched in the national cable news programs. At the same Some of the individuals pictured on the spring of 2005 on the campuses of • Create registry identification cards, so time, SAFER continues to press the enve- Web are considering suing the university Colorado State University (CSU) and the that law enforcement officials will be able lope and attract substantial attention in for violating their constitutional right to University of Colorado, Boulder (CU), to easily tell who is a qualified patient and C o l o r a d o . assemble peacefully. A number of students where four months earlier a student on who is not, and establish penalties for false One of SAFER’s primary goals is to have expressed an interest in doing so. statements and fraudulent ID cards; Colorado campaign update • Protect doctors from being punished Medical cannabis, A S A gain firm foothold in CO The focal point of SAFER moving forward for advising their patients that -- in their Continued from page 2 this year is its initiative campaign to make sincere professional judgment -- the bene- fits of the medical use of cannabis for the California, right? Wrong. These are parts of a burgeoning medical marijuana renaissance the possession of up to one ounce of patient would exceed the risks; occurring in the traditionally conservative state of Colorado. cannabis legal under Colorado state law. • Allow patients and caregivers to raise a One of the most longstanding medical marijuana states, CO has recently made consid- This campaign is being coordinated by the medical defense in court; and erable strides towards securing safe and reliable access for its approximately 750 licensed SAFER Voter Education Fund, which is patients. Many of these changes have been spearheaded by the Colorado Campaign for S A F E R ’s lobbying arm. • Prohibit the public use of cannabis and Safe Access (CCSA), a shared project of A S A and Sensible Colorado, which has emerg e d The grassroots support for this initia- driving under the influence of cannabis, as the state’s primary patient resource. tive is impressive. Since February, more among other restrictions. Begun in August 2005, the group serves as a combined organizing and legal campaign than 400 individuals in Colorado have vol- The SD legislature has refused to act aimed at protecting the rights of cannabis patients in Colorado. Through litigation, educa- unteered to help collect the 68,000 signa- on medical marijuana bills in recent years. tion and organizing, CCSA has helped the state reach a number of important milestones tures needed to qualify the initiative for the S i m i l a r l y, in the case of Matthew including opening its first dispensary and medical marijuana clinic, fostering the growth ballot. The deadline for turning in signa- Ducheneaux, a paraplegic Lakota who of numerous patient support groups, and establishing positive case law for patients. T h e tures is August 7 and SAFER is confident used cannabis to ease muscle spasms, the c a m p a i g n ’s well-traveled website features an array of legal and educational materials on that a sufficient number of signatures will SD courts passed on the opportunity to issues from housing and eviction to law enforcement encounters. be collected by that time. allow the medical necessity defense. On April 28, Sensible Colorado joined A S A at a press conference to officially launch Win or lose, the campaign in Colorado N o w, the voters will have their say. the Colorado Campaign for Safe Access. Several patients spoke at this event and local media outlets covered the story. To learn more about the vibrant and growing CO medical mari- juana community, please call 720-890-4247 or visit S a f e A c c e s s C o l o r a d o . o rg. For information on this and any A S A a c t i v i t i e s , visit safeaccessnow. o rg.

F o r a d v e rtising info, visit us online at OaksterdamNews.com

Click on advert i s i n g Submissions for articles and calendar of events: f rom the main menu Do you have news to re p o rt or a photo to show the world that would O r call us at i n t e rest California and other 510-836-NEWS (6397) cannabis consumers? O a k s t e rdam News invites you to electronically submit your materi - als for possible publication by email We’re here to help you Upcoming copy deadlines for 2006: get the word out. July 26 • Oct. 11 • Dec. 18 send submissions to [email protected] Page 6. Oaksterdam News. Summer 2006 Summer 2006 Oaksterdam News. Page 7 Cannabis pioneer ‘ D r. California racing North Dakota to To d ’ Mikuriya honore d D r. Tod Mikuriya, perhaps the world’s re s t a rt industrial hemp farming foremost cannabis practitioner, was recent- By Adam Eidinger y e a r. Canadian farmers have reported net ly honored by Patients Out of Ti m e , profits averaging $250 per acre over the N O R M L and the California Coalition Is 50 years of prohibition on “industrial” Against Prohibition. Mikuriya, shown here hemp farming about to end? T h a t ’s what past three years. This might seem low, but farmers say they are earning three to ten holding his CCAP award, was a staff US farmers are asking as they have new researcher with President Nixon’s S h a f e r reasons to believe 2007 could mark the times what they would make growing tra- ditional crops such as wheat, soy or corn. C o m m i s s i o n (1972) who also collected and first US hemp crop harvest since 1957. published the book Marihuana Medical Since demand for hemp seed and oil has In February, Commissioner Johnson, Papers, 1842-1972. He was among the exploded in recent years, legislative and along with agriculture commissioners first to recognize the value of cannabis as a legal challenges to bring back versatile from three other states, met with Drug safer substitute drug for alcoholics. low-THC hemp have new momentum. Enforcement Administration (DEA) off i- He contributed the phrase “any other Healthy hemp foods such breads, salad cials in Washington, DC to explore accept- dressing, cereal and snack bars as well as able rules on industrial hemp farming. T h e condition” to Prop 215, which gives physi- body care products such soaps and lotions o fficial meeting marked a turning point in cians great latitude to approve use of the are more popular than ever. With hemp the federal government’s relations with drug. He was targeted by both the federal imports including fiber products such as hemp-friendly policy makers who have drug czar and the state medical board for clothing and rope estimated at $250 to been routinely ignored by DEA o fficials. his work with thousands of patients. “I’m so used to having my work taken for grant- $300 million annually, US farmers feel left “This is seemingly an about face for an out and are speaking up. ed that it’s hard to know how to take being agency that has threatened to prosecute not taken for granted,” quipped Mikuriya, anyone who tries to grow non-psychoac- who has recently had health problems. tive hemp in America,” says Vote Hemp The official meeting marked a President Eric Steenstra whose org a n i z a- turning point in the federal tion is working to promote industrial hemp g o v e r n m e n t ’s relations with farming and was instrumental in getting hemp-friendly policy makers, the first federal hemp bill (HR 3037) intro- duced last year. who have been routinely ignore d by DEA o f f i c i a l s . N D has restrictive approach While ND’s rules would require farm- ers to secure a permit from DEA b e f o r e In response, North Dakota A g r i c u l t u r e their licenses would become eff e c t i v e , Commissioner Roger Johnson formally there is precedent for this as the DEA p e r- proposed rules May 3 to license farmers in mitted a test plot of industrial hemp in his state to grow industrial hemp under Hawaii from 1999 to 2003. ND’s proposed existing state law. Meanwhile the rules cover commercial hemp farming and California Senate is expected to pass hemp include a number of restrictions to allevi- farming legislation in early summer and ate law enforcement concerns. hemp industry experts are optimistic Proposed rules include: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will • Farmers must consent to a criminal back- sign the bill which has bipartisan support ground check including fingerprints; in the CA legislature. • How much and who the farmer sells to The progress in two of the nation’s must be documented within 30 days; D O C TO R S O F C O M PASSION — Prominent medical marijuana and pain physicians biggest agriculture states plays to the back- • Location of the field must be provided drop of farmers across Canada planting attended a party to honor Dr. Mikuriya. Around him, clockwise from top, are Drs. Jeff using geopositioning (GPS) coordinates; H e r g e n r a t h e r, William Eidelmann, Frank Fischer, Frank Lucido, William Courtney, over 30,000 acres of industrial hemp this Continued on page 18 Eugene Schoenfeld and Tom O’Connell. Oaksterdam News photo by Chris Conrad Page 8. Oaksterdam News. Summer 2006 Largest-ever federally-sponsored smoking study clears the air Online activism made easy NIDA: Even very heavy marijuana How to reform drug policy using DrugSense / MAP smoking does not cause cancer By Mary Jane Borden • How to be a MAP N e w s h a w k , By David F. Duncan, DrPH, FA A H B * some protective eff e c t . ” DrugSense is a 501(c)(3) non-profit org a n- M A P i n c . o r g/hawk.htm. Learn how to locate, format, and submit news articles to Opponents of the relegalization of marijua- Despite the existence of a body of epi- ization that provides accurate information the DrugNews Archive. na frequently argue that marijuana demiologic evidence finding no about drug policy, offers wide-raging serv- smoke contains a number of major health problems due to ices from an archive of news articles to • How to Become an Active Member of carcinogenic chemicals and cannabis use, Tashkin has web hosting, to promotion of broadcast M A P, MAPinc.org/how2.htm. Vo l u n t e e r s that therefore the prohibi- stated that he still media events. Everyone interested in drug drive MAP. Here are activities activists can tion of marijuana use believes marijuana is policy issues should be aware of the help- do to change drug policy. must continue to pro- potentially harmful. ful services it offers, including the Media • Features of the DrugSense.org tect the public from While his study adds Awareness Project, or MAP. Website. DrugSense.org/help/ Moving a lung cancer. From to the evidence of One frequently requested topic is H e l p : mouse over various features shows how to the standpoint of an no cancer risk, he how to find and use the myriad re s o u rc e s uses the DrugSense Web portal. e p i d e m i o l o g i s t , is only prepared to available on DrugSense We b s i t e s. Below • How to Handle the Media, these arg u m e n t s acknowledge that are a number of useful topics, which can be M A P i n c . o rg/ media2.htm. Learn how to have never been m a r i j u a n a ’s can- used to explore the many, versatile, and pitch stories, generate messaging, and credible. Persua- cer causing eff e c t s interactive components available to assist stage media events. activists in adding their voice to the grow- sive evidence that appear to be of • Tips for Writing Letters-to-the-Editor, ing chorus calling for reform. marijuana use caus- less concern than M A P i n c . o rg/re source/tips.htm. Platinum es cancer or con- previously thought. letter writer Robert Sharpe reveals secrets tributes to any seri- Clinging to the fact A treasure trove of services of a record-setting 1,000+ published LTEs. ous health problems that some chemicals • DrugSense Web Portal. All DrugSense • How to Get Drug Policy On A i r, simply does not exist. A The Marlboruana Man in smoke will cause services can be accessed by registering at M A P i n c . o r g / r e s o u r c e / m a f _ h o w t o . h t m . presentation in May at the Oaksterdam News photo cancer when adminis- by Mikki Norris D r u g S e n s e . o rg, including video, blogs, Learn how to gain local radio and T V c o v- American Thoracic Society tered in massive doses to and reform-focused collateral material. erage for drug policy topics. conference, reported that the lab rats, he continues to arg u e , • Media Awareness Project (MAP), • Media-Contact-on-Demand Tu t o r i a l s , l a rgest study ever conducted to in effect, that smoking cannabis M A P i n c . o r g, includes the DrugNews specifically test the hypothesis that m u s t cause cancer even if it doesn’t . M A P i n c . o rg/mcod/. Connect local media Archive of drug policy news clippings, to drug policy reform using the DrugSense cannabis use causes lung cancer has again The problem, Tashkin suggests, may be DrugSense Weekly e-Newsletter, and Media Contact Database. found no support for this idea. that in addition to all those purported car- resources pertaining to letter writing and • MAP Virtual Conference Room, This study, funded by National Insti- cinogens, cannabis also contains the chem- media activism. tute on Drug Abuse, was a case-control ical THC, which he suggests may kill M A P i n c . o rg/resource/Paltalk.htm. Join an • Drug Policy Central Web Services, Internet-based, voice conference on drug study that involved 1,200 patients in the aging cells and keep them from becoming DrugPolicyCentral.com. Web-based re- Los Angeles area who had cancer of the cancerous. In other words, the only reason policy topics by downloading software and sources for drug-policy groups: Web host- accessing this ‘room’. lung, neck or head, compared to an addi- they didn’t find any harm was that it is so ing, e-mail discussion lists, tech support. tional 1,040 persons without cancer, harmful that one harm cancels out the To reform the draconian drug policies matched for age, sex and neighborhood. other – a strikingly irrational argument. A • Media Activism Center, MAPinc.org / are dedicated activists ready, willing — Researchers found that even very heavy far more logical suggestion would be that resource. All you need to engage the media and trained — to respond proactively in cannabis smokers showed no increased any carcinogenic effects are compensated on drug policy issues: Internet meetings, the media. This is what DrugSense does, incidence of any of the three cancers stud- f o r, not by some cell destruction but by the media training, Drug Policy Writers Group heightens awareness of the extreme dam- ied. While no association between protective anti-cancer effect some studies for OpEds, and schedule of OnAir events. age caused by the flawed and failed system cannabis smoking and cancer was found, seem to indicate that cannabis possesses. • How to Search the DrugNews A r c h i v e , of drug prohibition, commonly known as the study did find a 20-fold increase in * Published with permission from the National M A P i n c . o rg/search/shelp.htm. Find news the “War on Drugs,” and informs the pub- lung cancer among people who smoked Association for Public Health Policy website, articles about drug policy in our lic on rational alternatives to the Drug Wa r two or more packs of cigarettes daily. n a p h p . o rg, May 28, 2006. Oaksterdam News first DrugNews Archive using one of three by helping organize citizens to take actions The principal investigator of this new re p o rted on this study in October, 2005. search forms. that bring about needed reforms. study was Dr. Donald Tashkin, of UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, who has been conducting studies for three decades searching for respiratory damage due to marijuana use. In the past, his studies have been widely quoted by the federal government and other defenders of the war on drugs and have been harshly criti- cized by epidemiologists and statisticians. Dr. Tashkin acknowledges that the study’s findings were contrary to his bias- es. “We hypothesized that there would be a positive association between marijuana use and lung cancer, and that the association would be more positive with heav- ier use,” he said. “What we found instead was no association at all, and even a suggestion of Summer 2006 Oaksterdam News. Page 9 Page 1 0. Oaksterdam News. Summer 2006

The patient gardener: Black hat / g reen bud I raise horses and was a professional farmer prior to get- ting RA, a blood disease. This form of arthritis requires c h e m o t h e r a p y. It sucked! I was issued a medical cannabis card and it saved me from wanting to quit liv- ing. The cannabis reduced my pain. I YOUNG PLANTS —This vegetative crop of cannabis plants sits on a balcony. It am mellow and can be relatively easy to cultivate a terrace full of medicine, once you know how. accepting of my fate; I have several Plant for a patient: more surgeries and a crippled body in G ro w e r ’s pride is part of the pro c e s s years to come. With this re- newed gift of of cultivating high quality medicine enjoying life, I am again showing horses and partici- pating in everyday life with joy. I am a

lifetime member of APHA/ A Q H A a n d N F Q H A — all horse breed registries. I am also vice president of our local club. Some people might be hard on me for saying I use medical marijuana. My career is important, but my love of life is a higher priority. I stand tall and sup- port rallies and politics to make medical mari- juana available to those who need it. This is the third crop that I’ve been able to grow, Here is the same crop of females a few months later, nearly mature. There is thanks to the approval enough medicine here to last some patients an entire year. Photos by Jorge Cervantes note that I’ve had just over a year. people understand how and why medicinal The first winner is the Thanks for letting cannabis helps them live a less painful life. Cowgirl in the Black Hat! me share, Of course we still encourage medical — Free 2 Farm By Jorge Cervantes* growers in a caretaker capacity to send in We do not advocate breaking any laws with the photos of their gardens and tell how they information provided in this column. are helping patients. We emphasize that Here we are with our first garden contest many patients are unable to grow for them- w i n n e r, and we’re already changing the selves and providing them with free rules. The Plant for a Patient idea was cannabis eases their stress level and the originally patterned after the Plant a Row financial burden of acquiring non-subsi- for the Hungry program. However, the first dized medicine. winning entry made it clear that we must * Cervantes is author of Marijuana Hort i c u l t u re : amplify that concept in order to support the Indoor/Outdoor Medical Gro w e r ’s Bible (2006), medical patients more. J o rge Cerv a n t e s ’ Ultimate Grow DVD (2005) Indoor Our expanded goal is to provide a pub- Marijuana Hort i c u l t u re: The Indoor Bible, Marijuana Indoors: Five Easy Gardens, Marijuana lication where patients can show their gar- Outdoors: Guerrilla Growing, Jorg e ’s Rx and Jorg e ’s dens, tell their story in a few words and Ultimate Grow DVD He writes for twelve magazines provide inspiration to other patients and in six languages. Jorg e ’s books are published in caregivers. By participating in this pro- Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish. Hit w w w.marijuanagrowing.com for more information. gram medical growers and patients help

How to enter the Odam News garden photo contest Every issue, O a k s t e rdam News will choose a winner of the contest for medical gar- dens and send them an autographed copy of Marijuana Hort i c u l t u re: the Indoor/Outdoor Medical Gro w e r ’s Bible – 512 full color pages and 1120 professional color images. We urge other publications and websites to start similar programs in their communi- ties to help raise the awareness of medical marijuana growers and patients. Here is what we are looking for: 1 . High quality digital images, at least 5 megapixel in size. 2 . Medical marijuana gardens only 3 . Send digital images with a short descriptive paragraph and return e-mail to: [email protected]. 4. Mail high-quality photo prints to Odam News, 405-15th Above: Part of the harvest. It was first manicured and St., Oakland CA, 94612, A t t n : Plant for a Patient hung to dry. The buds shown here have been removed Please include a few words to a paragraph or two about each photo you submit when from large branches. Photos by Jorge Cervantes possible. The information provided by the images of cannabis gardens will help other qualified medical growers produce better gardens. The contest will also help expand the Left: Cervantes working on a DVD on Vancouver Island. feeling of camaraderie within the cannabis community. Summer 2006 Oaksterdam News. Page 1 1 Page 1 2. Oaksterdam News. Summer 2006

Part three in our series: Odam News visits SF dispensaries by Jaime Galindo sion and democracy — and here’s what I Ok, here’s the city where the cannabis found. movement began. San Francisco has dozens of medical cannabis dispensaries Grass Roots available to visit and purchase low grade to 1077 Post St., San Francisco “one hitter quitter” type grade cannabis 415-346-4338 anywhere from 8 am to midnight. 10am-7pm 10-5pm Sun. I recently visited several to review the Accessibility: Van Ness BART s t a t i o n , atmosphere and quality of their merchan- Polk St. bus stop. Street parking. dise. I loved it and loved meeting the peo- Walk right in, have a seat if there’s a line Q U A L I T Y — Top left: the entrance to 208 Valencia. Above: GrassRoots collection. ple who make it all possible. and become mesmerized by the selections Oaksterdam News photos by Jaime Galindo The US government says buying mari- available on the menu here. Grass Roots juana from tax-paying, job-creating, com- reminded me of a hometown art gallery Good Fellows Smoke Shop sary portion of the shop, after picking out munity-minded cannabis dispensaries is no type space and setting. Very clean, well lit, the most beautiful, blown glass bong I’ve 473 Haight St. better than buying from a tax-evading thug and safe. Their mouth-watering buds are ever owned to display at our new on a dark street corner. displayed in large, clear, air tight glass jars. Open late 10-10pm 7 Days O a k s t e rdam News headquarters. T h a t ’s ridiculous, as anyone who goes I like the way they weigh your selection in 4 1 5 - 2 5 5 - 1 3 2 3 Good Fellows also stores cannabis in to the regulated outlets in places like front of you. This assures you get the Accessibility: Haight St. bus stop. Street glass jars and weighs the goods in front of Oakland or San Francisco clearly knows. weight you pay for. Grass Roots offers pre- parking. you. It was so hard to make a selection that There are some great, good-hearted people mium grades, high grades, oils, kief, hash, This was my favorite of them all, even I had to try five. I got some Ingred, Vi c t o r y, taking a positive step forward, inside local edibles and more. though there’s no smoking. As I entered Rom, Mystic and Blueberry. Many sell the and state governments that value compas- this fine establishment, I found myself in a same names. Only few have the real deal. cannabis connoisseur’s fantasy. Up high, They have the real. You’ll want to take they feature beautiful eastern hookahs. your time finishing a joint rolled with any B e l o w, all the San Francisco-made, intri- of their top shelf strains. Good Fellows cately blown glassware you desire, from o ffers too much to list, so you need to stop bongs to pipes. This smoke shop stocks it by and see for yourself. They have the all. Eventually, I did make it to the dispen- neon sign shown on the cover of this issue. Two new dispensaries to open in Oakland By Steve DeAngelo ments; a legal test; and an interview with In two long awaited announcements, the the City Manager. Despite these demand- City of Oakland recently released the ing requirements, 11 applicants participat- names of its final choices to receive med- ed in the highly competitive procedure. ical cannabis dispensary licenses. Stephenson is Oakland’s first A f r i c a n - Keith Stephenson won approval for his American licensed dispensary operator. In proposal for a facility at 415 Fourth St, his public hearing he stressed his deep ties downtown between Broadway and to the local community, and his willingness Franklin. Stephen DeAngelo and David to fully and faithfully comply with all City Wedding Dress were approved for a dis- regulations. Stephenson also stressed the pensary at 1840 Embarcadero, on the insights gained through his own experi- waterfront at the 16th Avenue exit on the ences as a medical cannabis patient, refer- 880 freeway. ring to himself as the “primary patient” rather than CEO. The decision ends several months of DeAngelo and Wedding Dress offer the suspense and speculation that began when Harborside Health Center, a state-of-the- the City declined to renew licenses for two art, 6500 sq. ft. facility, with easy freeway of its legally mandated four dispensaries, access, parking for fifty cars, and a holistic citing building code violations and other health care clinic. Both DeAngelo and irregularities. The City Manager’s off i c e Wedding Dress have long backgrounds in then launched a new, more rigorous appli- the activist community, as well as exten- cation process for would-be replacement sive business experience. dispensary operators. They promise a not-for-profit, commu- This included criminal background nity-service oriented dispensary that will checks; proof of adequate capitalization; provide superb customer service in unpar- s t a ffing, security and business plans; a alleled surroundings. location that met strict zoning require- Summer 2006 Oaksterdam News. Page 1 3 Purple Heart Alternative Patients Care 1326 Grove corner of Divisadero 953 Mission # 40 Sneak peek 4 1 5 - 4 0 9 - 1 0 0 2 415-618-0680 at the new 9-9pm Mon-Thu, 9-10pm Fri-Sat, 12pm- Hours:12-6 Mon - Fri, 11-5 Sat 6pm Sun. Accessibility: Plenty of street parking. G reen Cro s s Accessibility: Divisadero St. bus stop. APC has over a dozen strain varieties Private parking. available, from sativas to indicas, edibles, location Purple Heart is under new management. concentrates, and a small selection of “ We’ve been working These guys are part of the Bay A r e a ’s clones are also available. very hard to obtain a Safe Alternative Collective. The place was Everything is organic and soil grown. permit to provide our poorly managed before and this new col- Currently there is no smoking, but soon patients with a New lective is working hard to clean things up. APC will open a patient lounge in the same A D A compliant, Safe The interior is pretty bare and limited, until clean, safe building so patients can relax & Professional phar- these guys finish with their new redecora- and enjoy their selection. I look forward to macy located at 2701 tion. Meanwhile, I’d say their convenient stopping by and checking out the new Leavenworth Street. Here is a peak inside our new “potential” home,” almost fin- parking lot still makes it worth a trip. addition. The APC staff was professional ished. It may be a good time to start writing considerate and encouraging letters to and compassionate. They even provide planning department case worker “Aaron Starr” (Aaron.Starr@sfgov. o rg) Case # medicine to over 30 patients who are in 2006.0455D to ensure that the city has a file of supportive San Francisco citizens as 208 Va l e n c i a desperate need and can’t afford their med- we enter the Planning Department’s July 13, 2006 Discretionary Review Hearing on 208 Va l e n c i a icine. Some call themselves compassionate the The Green Cross application. I will keep you updated as we move forward, and Open late 8am-10pm 7 days caregivers, but APC lives up to that claim. please c/c me on any letters you may write. 4 1 5 - 6 2 1 - 0 1 3 1 “Thanks again for all your support.” — Kevin Reed Accessibility: 16th St. BART o ff of S a n c t u a r y Mission, Plenty of street parking. 669 O’Farrell From the street, 208 Valencia appears to be an ordinary home town style café/sand- 4 1 5 - 8 8 5 - 4 4 2 0 wich bistro; but once you are verified, a 12-8pm 7 Days 365 days a year secret door opens. Inside you will find it Accessibility: Civic Center BART, #38 to small but cozy. I would say it’s very remi- Geary St. bus stop. Street parking niscent of a Dutch coffeeshop. Too bad Sanctuary is my other favorite dispensary. t h e r e ’s no smoking. The establishment, Talk about healthy premium grade clones also in the Bay A r e a ’s Safe A l t e r n a t i v e available on hand and dozens more you Collective, is clean, well-lit, and feels very can special order from an extensive collec- safe. Not to mention a lot of great food to tion. Each strain in the catalog is meticu- eat — actual meals, not just snacks. lously described, education seems to be I would love to sample lunch items their niche. Want organic cannabis? while I sample some of their high grades. Sanctuary has Ak-47, Ak-48, Cinderella 99, Citral, Grand Daddy Purple, Hawaiian Maui Wowie, Hawaiian Snow, Hindu H o p e n e t Kush, Jack Flash, Hog, Master Kush, MK 223 9th St. Ultra, Mother’s finest, NYC Diesel, 4 1 5 - 8 6 3 - 4 3 9 9 Mango, Eraser Head, Pineapple Punch, to 12-7pm Mon-Sat name just a few! Accessibility: Civic Center BART s t a t i o n , Hash is another specialty here, as seen Howard St. bus stop. Street parking. in our cover photo. Sanctuary has some of Wow! This is a high-end cannabis dispen- the most potent hash I’ve tried, like the s a r y. Most patients I saw during my visit Train Wreck and Diesel hash I got to taste were in pressed, tucked, collared shirts. using their vaporizer. It’s a unique experi- ence. The staff is extremely educated on Nothing but the best at HopeNet; from the product line. Sanctuary staffers will high-end strains to hash, kief, chocolates give you personal attention, take you — you name it! They even have a small around and tell you what type and where outdoor garden you can smoke in and an things came from, and many other details indoor smoke room similar to a nice, cozy of the production and proper use of high living room. These fine folk maintain the quality cannabis. I’ll see you guys next same level of strength and determination in time. Thanks for your hospitality. their work for ending the war on cannabis. Even after being raided by US agents they continue to press ahead, only stronger. Hopenet is a “must see” when visiting SF. Mayoral race favors O a k s t e r d a m ’s future Happy Days F rom page 1 607 Divisadero St has been a sore point that has drawn angry 4 1 5 - 3 5 9 - 9 9 2 7 public comment at City Council meetings. 12-10pm Mon-Thu 12-12 Fri-Sat 11 - 5 p m As of press time, it looked like Sun Dellums would receive more than 50 per- Accessibility: Divisadero St. bus stop. cent of votes cast in the race and thus avoid Street parking. a runoff. In District 2, challenger A i m e e This place has a strong hip hop feel and Allison forced incumbent De la Fuente ally scene. I personally didn’t feel comfortable Pat Kernighan into a November runoff . here; too small and crowded. Some of the Allison supports taxing and regulating selections were over-priced. I don’t know cannabis in the city and supports Measure what else to say, so let’s move on. Z. If Allison wins this fall, it will add a reli- able vote for reform. Page 1 4. Oaksterdam News. Summer 2006 Summer 2006 Oaksterdam News. Page 1 5 Interview: I was really into it all and came to under- stand so much. When I smoke, I go back to that place of spiritual sensibility at a gut Chong revels in level that helps make sense of things. Like when you make a mistake, it’s stoner stereotype really a learning event. You don’t learn from your successes; you learn from your By Chris Conrad mistakes. People are so worried and brain- Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong was keynote washed that they have to be perfect but you speaker at the 2006 national NORML c o n f e r e n c e . Tommy Chong signs can learn some great stuff when you screw After the showing of his forthcoming documentary, autographs at the a joke. Still, the up. You learn what not to do. Then you A K A Tommy Chong was cancelled due to smoking in Oaksterdam News reality is that actually look forward to your mistake, the screening area, the former Drug War POW c a m e booth during the by to talk with me at the O a k s t e rdam News table. Kareem smoked because it’s like skiing or skateboarding N O R M L c o n f e r e n c e . you might get hurt — but you don’t do that Q : The film A K A Tommy Chong shows Photo by Jaime Galindo pot and it probably how your early career took you from being extended his bas- again, do you? ketball career by a couple of regular comics who played at Inset: The comic duo Q: I know you’ve got other people who strip joints to major movie stars, to social Cheech and Chong ten years by keep- want to talk, but is there anything in part i c - s t e reotypes, and then you end up as a Dru g in its day. ing him off other ular you’d like to say to our readers? War POW for smoking paraphernalia. drugs. Look at C h o n g: Well, maybe one thing. T h e r e ’s Ricky Wi l l i a m s , Chong: Yeah, I learned the hard way that I this whole unseen level of understanding who failed another should never put my picture on a bong. of reality that goes back and forth between drug test for pot that which is physical and real, and all Q: It looks like you were not initially into and got banned politics, just humor? these other things — the invisible aspects from football for of the world and reality: time, spirit, and all Chong: Nah, my arrest forced me to be a life. “Smoke a the possibilities they encompass. Certain spokesperson rather than just another joint and lose your people can naturally comprehend them and comic, but I’m glad that my celebrity gets career”? Yo u ’ v e others are drawn to try to understand it. people to hear what I have to say. got to admit it’s So if you have that natural curiosity Q : What are you up to these days? not very fair. people; they aren’t mean. They’re looking and interest in whatever is below the sur- Chong: Nowadays I’m an advisor — and to get high and get laid — and if you get Q : A re you coming to Seattle HempFest face, you go looking for it; exploring and my advice for people is to watch out for the high you don’t care if you get laid, so get- this year, the world’s biggest hemp rally? bringing back new insights to your daily Feds, because they’re really, really mean. ting high is more important. Chong: They just asked me, and I’m life. Basically, it’s that we’re in a multi- Q . Do you have a medical approval? Q: I know you’ve been to A m s t e rd a m thinking about it. You know, Wo o d s t o c k level, multi-dimensional reality but most Chong: Yeah, I’ve had my card for years because I saw Nice Dreams and even went was really the first cannabis event ever people get locked into their own little part n o w, but the feds took it when they busted to the Nice Dreams Coffeeshop back in the held at such a large scale; a half-million of it and don’t get any farther. If you open me. I got so much anxiety and stress from day; did you have anything to do with it? people with no plan. But it was all mellow. up to it, there’s so much more out there. them that I had to get a new one. Seriously, Chong: (Laughing) Nah, they did that on Without pot, that could’ve been a disaster. Most people will never know it. But pot I used weed to get off cigarettes. W h e n e v e r their own; I thought it was funny. Q : How did your arrest affect things? can take you there or give you a taste of it. I felt like a smoke, I’d just light up a joint Q: What do you think about transferr i n g Chong: There is no upside. When I went We’re so lucky to be able to get glimpses instead of a cigarette. It really worked: I’d the A m s t e rdam model to America? to jail, a lot of people wouldn’t come near of it, and once you do, you aren’t so afraid of life and what it holds, even if it involves f o rget I hadn’t smoked a cigarette. Chong: I’m not interested in that. We have me anymore. It’s easy to keep at arms mistakes or prison. It’s all a great adven- Q : When did you start smoking herb? to create our own system here, and it’s not length; even good friends abandon you. ture, and that’s what makes life so great. Chong: I first used it when I was 18. I got going to be the same as in A m s t e r d a m . Q : So what keeps you in this? Q: I never knew Tommy Chong had this high the first time and loved it. I nursed We’re creating our own system here and it C h o n g: I’ve always had profound spiritual h e a v y, philosophical side. that joint along for weeks. I call it the rat has to match our economic realities. Bush experiences. I went to Bible camp when technique, trying to make everything last. and Cheney are so criminal it reeks. We very young — seven or eight years old — Chong: Nobody does, and if you tell them, Q : A re you concerned about the stere o t y p e have to overcome that or fit into it. So, they won’t believe you anyhow. that your Cheech and Chong characters h e r e ’s the system. A plant grows that gives c reated and how they have created such a you all these gifts, one of which is it makes N O R M L c o n f e rence considers past, future of herb lasting stigma, like when the drug czar you happy. And that scares the shit out of re f e rred to medical marijuana as “Cheech these guys, so they try to get rid of us. But Continued from page 1 of a bong,” he quipped, “that made it real- and Chong medicine”? with pot, you’re not dealing with people to better argue for reform, the science and ly hard to deny it was mine.” Chong: I was actually kind of proud of who are criminals. So here’s the deal, the politics of medical marijuana, electoral Cannabis Consumers Campaign direc- that. A n y h o w, we created these stereotypes jails are now run by potheads. They’re the campaigns, international and national tor Mikki Norris was honored for women’s based on people that we liked and got a big smartest people in there and they do the updates, cannabis cultivation and conver- leadership, O ’ S h a u g n e s s e y ’s editor Fred kick out of being around. They became a clerical work, the gardening and come up sion, religious use, and much more. Gardner for journalism, SB Norml director with all the suggestions. Plus lots of guards stereotype for the right wing but are seen “The Drug War is an American obses- Lauren Vasquez as sudent activist, Jane sell pot. Just like the DEA busts dealers, as friends by friendly people. Look, what sion, not an American monopoly,” said Weirick in memorium, and Dr. To d takes their money and pot then lets them was Carl Sagan’s contribution to the move- Richard Cowan, warning of prohibition’s Mikuriya for his pioneering work in med- go … and the cops end up selling it. ment? He was a genius who smoked pot tentacles. “The US is working with many ical cannabis. O a k s t e rdam News p u b l i s h e r everyday; but when you point to some bril- You know what else is criminal; the of the most repressive and brutal regimes and OCLA boardmember Richard Lee was liant guy who comes up with scientific the- prisons are privately run. The one I was in in the world to maintain a UN majority in High Ti m e s’ activist of the year. ories while smoking pot every day, he’s was run by Wackenhut — who changed its support of a global albatross. Human rights D r. Tom O’Connell spoke of his work treated like an anomaly, not a stereotype. name to GEO — but what this whole thing and civil rights are trampled.” with state patients. “The architects of Prop about is making money for them. So we But most people aren’t geniuses and they No sooner had the lights gone out for a 215 faced arguments that cannabis was not already have a system, but you have to c a n ’t relate to him. He can’t be the stereo- screening of A K A Tommy Chong, a docu- a real medicine. They were working from realize that the US government is the most type because there aren’t enough people mentary on him and the 2004 federal para- the wrong patient profile and responded by corrupt in the world; people just don’t want like him. But everybody knows a Cheech phernalia raids, then they came back on as putting forth a serious-illness model with- to admit it. and Chong type, so it sticks. the hotel shut down the show claiming that out knowing what would really happen. Those fundamentalists are like talking Q: So why did they come after you? smoke detectors were about to unleash a Now they’re painted into a political corner to a stone; they can’t get far enough out Chong: I think my troubles began when I torrent of water on the audience. Chong, of that is not rooted in the real patient base, there in their moral condemnation, so you went to Missouri and started outing people the famous comic duo “Cheech and which is often those people who already c a n ’t reach them. With Cheech and Chong, on the radio, whether they really smoke it Chong,” told the audience that he had been had experience with using cannabis and we show the simplest guys getting high or not. They didn’t like it when I started politicized by his arrest after decades of other drugs. … They’re the ones who are and just getting goofy. They aren’t shown saying shit about these politicians, and seeing himself as a simple comic. “I guess experienced with cannabis and not afraid as geniuses or heroes. But they aren’t bad some callers got rather irate, but it was just it was a mistake to put my face on the front to try it when a medical problem arises.” Page 1 6. Oaksterdam News. Summer 2006 Freedom Calendar ... Get cannabis events listed here and Merriment! Waterfront Park. Contact Email to info@oaksterd a m n e w s . c o m 503-241-7368, [email protected], or h e m p s t a l k . o rg Boston Freedom Rally Ongoing activities Sept 16: Boston, MA w w w. m a s s c a n n . o rg Cannabis Action, Berkeley Santa Barbara Hemp Festival First Monday of the month, 7:30 pm at Sept 30: Eighth Annual Santa Barbara C A N N A B I S FREEDOM DAY 1605 Ashby Ave. The Berkeley-based Hemp Festival, Santa Barbara, CA. San Francisco May 6, 2006. legalization group Cannabis A c t i o n w w w. s a n t a b a r b a r a h e m p . c o m Network is holding regular meetings and Missoula Hempfest planning a busy schedule of tabling at events this summer. Date TBA: Hempfest and A l t e r n a t i v e Living Faire, Caras Park, Missoula, MT. June w w w.missoulahempfest.com ... Join the Fight Weedstock, W I October Americans for Safe A c c e s s Law Enforcement A g a i n s t w w w. s a f e a c c e s s n o w. o rg/ A patient sup- P ro h i b i t i o n June 2-4: Weedstock, a campout/music port network. 510-251-1856 event in Central WI; ‘Back by Court G reat Midwest Harvest Fest, W I w w w.leap.cc/ Current and former mem- O r d e r. ’ Details TBA, weedstock.com Oct 7-8: Annual event, Madison, WI. California NORML bers of law enforcement who support drug regulation rather than prohibition. Know your legal rights, SF Wonders of Cannabis, SF w w w. c a n o r m l . o rg / California NORML June 28, 6-9 pm: Central City SRO Oct. 28-29, 11-7pm, Couny Fair Building, 510-540-1066 c a n o r m l @ i g c . o rg Marijuana Policy Project Collaborative, 253 Hyde Street (at Tu r k Golden Gate Park. Ed Rosenthal’s 2nd Cannabis Consumers Campaign w w w. m p p . o rg/ MPP focuses on removing Street). Covers legal basics for handling criminal penalties for cannabis use, with a annual fall extravaganja, with music, w w w. c a n n a b i s c o n s u m e r s . o rg/ Come out cops, including questioning, searches, particular emphasis on making cannabis rolling contests, vendors, comedy, prizes, of the closet to stand up for equal rights. staying safe and legal, cops' dirty tricks, symposia, Ninth & Lincoln. Sponsored by medically available to seriously ill people and much more. For info, 510-444-6969 Cannabis Action Network. Change the Climate who have the approval of their doctors. w w w. c h a n g e t h e c l i m a t e . o rg/ Mass media Media Aw a reness Pro j e c t July November campaigns to open the dialogue. w w w. m a p i n c . o rg/ Have your voice heard; D R C Net M A P has helped generate for millions of Cannabis Rally, Washington DC National election day w w w. s t o p t h e d r u g w a r. o rg/ Drug Reform letters to the editor. Help gather news for July 4: Annual protest across the street Coordination Network is a national and their clearing house. from the White House; High noon. N o v. 6: Vote for a candidate that supports global network of drug policy reformers reform, or a voter initiative if possible. M A P S F reedom Run, SF from perspectives such as harm reduction, Work get out the vote for campaigns. sentencing and forfeiture law reforms, w w w. m a p s . o rg/ Multidisciplinary July 4, Freedom Run & Walk N O R M L Cannabis reform initiatives on the city medicalizing schedule I drugs, and pro- Association on Psychedelic Studies, 2105 Benefit, Golden Gate Park, SF, 10th & ballots of Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, motion of open debate on prohibition. Robinson Ave., Sarasota FL 34232. 941 JFK. 10K & 2 mile race. 8:30 am, regis- Santa Monica, possibly others. 924-6277. Membership-based, non-profit ter from 7:30 am. peopleevents.org / Harm Reduction Conference Drug Policy Alliance 501(c)3 research / educational group that Freedom_Road_2006.html 415-563-5858 helps scientists design, fund, obtain Nov 9 - 12, The 6th National Harm Re- w w w. d r u g p o l i c y. o rg/ DPA works on new S u m m e r Internship in East Bay drug policies based on science, compas- approval for and report studies of risks duction Conference, “Drug User Health: and benefits of cannabis and psychedelics. July 8- Aug 26: STRONG SEED Yo u t h The Politics and the Personal” Oakland sion, health, human rights and a just soci- Leadership & Entrepreneurial Summer Marriott City Center Hotel. Details, regis- ety free from prohibition. N O R M L Program. Socially Responsible Network tration online at harmreduction.org. Drug Policy Forum of CA w w w. n o r m l . o rg/ National Org a n i z a t i o n invites Bay Area youth & young adults Humboldt Hempfest Listserve for California cannabis and drug for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. T h e ages 16-21 to participate. Application due Nov 12 starting around 11 am: Annual event, war issues. Send email to original activist group; info, legal referrals June 21. For more information please c a n o r m l @ i g c . o rg to subscribe. and annual convention. 202-483-5500 contact [email protected]. near Garberville. All day event centered around Hemp. There are a large number of booths and Drug Sense N o v e m b e r C o a l i t i o n crafts centered around one of the earth’s most w w w. d r u g s e n s e . o rg/ A daily compilation w w w. n o v e m b e r. o rg/ National support August benign and purposeful plant. The stage is filled of drug-related news excerpts. group for Drug War POWs. Publishers of all day long with speakers, performers, and The Razor Wi re. Seattle HempFest, WA Native American dancers. Chris Skyhawk at 3 Family Council on Drug Aw a re n e s s Aug 19 - 20: Seattle Washington hosts the pm Mateel Community Center, 59 Rusk Lane, w w w. f c d a . o rg/ Accurate information on Oakland Civil Libert i e s Alliance w o r l d ’s biggest reform rally: two days, R e d w a y, 707-923-2586 the effects of various drugs and drug poli- w w w. t a x a n d r e g u l a t e . o rg/ Political action com- five stages, many bands and speakers. High Times Dutch Cannabis Cup cies. Offers downloadable literature for mittee behind Measure Z in Oakland. 1714 Free, but please donate generously as it local activists to print and hand out. Franklin Street, #100-118 Oakland, CA 94612 takes 1500 volunteers and a lot of coordi- Thanksgiving weekend, Amsterdam; great nation and money to pull off this event. c i t y, great bud. www.hightimes.com Harm Reduction Coalition S A F E R Oly Hempfest, WA w w w. h a r m r e d u c t i o n . o rg/ The HRC works w w w. s a f e r c h o i c e . o rg/ Safer Alternative For H I A Hemp Industries Convention to reduce drug-related harm among indi- Enjoyable Recreation. PO Box 40332, Denver Aug 27: Annual event, Heritage Park 5th Details TBA: Annual convention, viduals and communities, by programs CO 80204, [email protected] and Wa t e r, Olympia, WA. 360-456-3517 w w w. h e m p i n d u s t r i e s . o rg such as clean needle exchange. w w w. o l y h e m p f e s t . o rg Students for a Sensible Drug Policy Hemp Industries A s s o c i a t i o n w w w. s s d p . o rg/ December w w w. h e m p i n d u s t r i e s . o rg/ The HIA is a Students seeking to reduce the harms September non-profit trade group representing hemp caused by drug abuse and drug policies. Festivus Celebration, SF companies, researchers and supporters. P o rtland Hempstalk, OR Ed Rosenthal hosts this annual bash “for Vo t e H e m p Sep. 9-10: Portland, OR. Music, Mirth the rest of us.” Details TBA. H u m a n Rights and the Drug Wa r w w w.votehemp.com/ Lobby for industrial w w w. h r 9 5 . o rg/ This project puts the drug and horticultural hemp. war into the perspective of preserving and respecting human rights for all. Drug Wa r F a c t s w w w. d r u g w a r f a c t s . o rg/ Just the facts. Summer 2006 Oaksterdam News. Page 1 7 • NorCal Medical Cannabis Collective, Chico 530- 354-1114 [email protected] • Calaveras CC. 866-401-2228. delivery 7 days, 8- 8; low-income patients welcome. Patient Services Directory • Merced Patients’ Group (patient support) 209-726- 5216 [email protected] Thanks to the Oaksterdam News cannabis dispensa- • Grass Roots. 1077 Post St. 415-346-4338 10-8pm • Merced County Patient Coalition (patient support). [email protected] ry research team for compiling the most up-to-date • Sanctuary. 669 O’Farrell. 415-885-4420 12-8pm directory in the world with online updates posted at • California Healthcare Collective 1009 McHenry oaksterdanews.com. We make no representation as • Re-Leaf Herbal Center. 2980 - 21st St. 415-235- Ave. Modesto 3307 12-8pm to the service, quality, reliability or compassion of • MMJ Caregivers Association of El Dorado Co. • Mr. Nice Guy, 174 Valencia St. 415-865-0990. any of these groups. For a discussion of the legali- Placerville. 530-642-8258 ties of cannabis dispensaries, see CA NORML’s Open 11-9 Su -Th; 11-11 F-Sa Tips for Would-be Cannabis Providers at • Golden State Patient Care Collective. 233 Hwy canorml.org. Marin, North Bay 174, Colfax. 530-346-2514. M-Sat 10-6 Oakland • Marin Alliance for Medical Mj: 415-256-9328. • Dale’s Delivery Service (Nevada City, Roseville) cbcmarin.com 530-277-1810. M-F 10-6pm, Sa 11-3pm The Co-op Store (ID Cards Only). 510-832-5346. • Plumas Co, Feather River Coop. 530-283-4517 1733 Broadway. www.rxcbc.org. South Bay info • SR-71, 377 - 17th St. Open M-F 9-8; Sa 10-8; Su • Kind Care Resource Center 5423 Central Av. 510- • Jim’z Deliveries. Roseville area 916-519-5328, 10-6 796-KIND 10-8 pm 10-6. • CARE. 701 Broadway • Mobile Herbal Therapy (San Mateo, San Jose • San Joaquin, Medi-Caregivers deliv. 209-456-0680 • Harborside Health Center, 1840 Embarcadero* deliveries). 866-240-9121 • Shasta Patient Alliance. [email protected], • 415 Fourth St, downtown between Broadway and • San Jose area deliveries: Growth Unlimited. 1- info 888-MED-CANN • Compassion Center of Santa Barbara Co.#2- SBC Franklin.* * Coming soon • Shasta Caregivers 530-945-3571 Collective 119 N. Milpas St.#C San Barb. 805-963- • My Green Heaven Ministry. Millbrae. mygreen- • Siskiyou County Medical Cannabis Co-op Berkeley / East Bay heaven.org 9797 12-5pm Sat 11-3pm Research & Registration Ctr. Weed. 530-938-1768. • Santa Barbara Patients’ Group, 3114 State St. 805- • Berkeley Cannabis Coop. 3124 Shattuck Av. 510- [email protected] Santa Cruz 687-8988. M-SA 11-5. Fax MD documentation to 488-1025 10-3pm • Stanislaus/Central Valley Co-op: Primary Care- • Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Mj, WAMM 831- 805-456-0710. • Berkeley Patients’ Group. 2747 San Pablo Av. givers & Consultants. 209-818-2932. 425-0580. wamm.org • Helping Hands Wellness Center, 4141 State St. 510-540-6013. berkeleypatientsgroup.com 11-7pm [email protected] • Greenway Compassionate Relief 140 Dubois St #F-4 Santa Barbara 805-692-1419. Open 10:30-8:30 • Berkeley Patients’ Care Collective. 2590 • Tuolumne CC delivery 866-882-1129. 7 days, 8-8. #D. 831-420-1640. M-F 11-6, Sa 10-6 daily. Telegraph. 510-540-7878. low-income patients welcome. medicalmarijuanainfo.com Nn-7pm • Med Ex. Info: 831-425-3444 • Santa Barbara Patient Doctor Coalition. 805-687- • Yuba County CBC 530-749-7497 2380 [email protected] Contra Costa North Coast S a c r a m e n t o • Cal Alliance for Medical Mj Patients (Ventura Co) • MMPU, Medical Marijuana Patients Union POB 805-890-1365. ID cards, medical referrals stopar- • MED Dispensary 3823 San Pablo Dam Rd. El • River City Patients’ Center 916-649-0114 Sobrante 510-758-3269. 10-6pm delivery/ call for 2059, Fort Bragg 95437. 707-964-YESS. [email protected] appt. [email protected] • Capitol Alternatives. 2020 - 16th St. Sacto, 916- 497-0277 / 916-728-1967. Open 9-7 M-Fri; 9-5 Sa. OC, San Bernardino, Riverside • Maricare - 127 Aspen Dr. Pacheco (also deliver- • Herban Legend, 18300 Old Coast Hway#3, Fort ies) 925-459-2929. 10 - 8pm Bragg. 707-961-0113; M-Sa 11am-6pm. • Doctor’s Orders, 4011 Winters St. #A, Sacto. 916- • C3 714-618-5221 9-9pm (regional delivery) 564-2112. M-Th 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat • Holistic Solutions/Dragonfly 2924 Hill Top Mall • Mendo Remedies. 42400 Hwy. 101, Laytonville: • 420 Primary Caregivers (215 Patient Bakery). 421 Rd. Richmond 510-243-7585 11-6pm N.Brookhurst #130 Anaheim. 714-758-3500. M-Sa 11-7; delivery. 420primarycaregivers.com • Natural Remedies Health Center Coll., 3817 Macdonald Ave, Richmond 510-965-1735 11-7pm HS11362.5: “seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and • Pharmakeia (LA/OC/Riverside) 323-462-1516. M- Sa 10-5. pharmakeia.org, [email protected] Alameda County, Hayward A r e a use marijuana for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed • Inland Empire Herbal Caregivers Riverside Co. • Hayward Patients Resource Center. 22550 Foothill appropriate and has been recommended by a physician...” delivery 951-537-0235. Bl. daily 11-9; also delivery, MD clinics. 510-581- • CAPS. Palm Springs. 760-325-1112 8640. 888-389-6360. • CannaHelp, 73350 El Paseo #204, Palm Desert, 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-3pm • Local Patients’ Cooperative (22630 Foothill Bl. 707-984-7101; low-income welcome. 10-6pm 877-760-4367 Open 10-8 • Canna Care, 320 Harris Ave #G M-F 9-6; Sa-Su 2nd Floor). Daily 10-10 (wheelchair access to 9:30, • Caregivers Compassion Center 4349 Montgomery • OCMC Coop, Orange Co. 949-855-0310. 11-7 call first) 510-537-2405. 10-3. 916-925-1199. #D, Sta Rosa. 707-537-7303 M-F 1-6; Su 3-6. • Humble House deliveries to Orange and Riverside • Greenhouse 916-366-0420, 916-868-9566 call for • Garden of Eden, 21227 Foothill Blvd Castro • Resource Green Caregivers & Patients Group. counties 949-395-9588 Valley. 9-9 daily, 510-881-2160. . verification, directions; Daily 10-6. 532-D Sonoma Ave, Santa Rosa. (deliveries too) • Yorba Linda Alt. Herb Coop 714-692-0072, 714- • MedSac916: 916-806-2314. medsac916.com • A Natural Source 510-276-7224. 16360 Foothill 866-420-5020. 11-9 daily 276-4238. M-F 11-8, Sa-Su 11-7 Blvd, San Leandro. M-F 11-7pm. • End of Rainbow delivery: end-of-the-rainbow@ • North Bay Wellness Coop- 3386 Santa Rosa Ave, • KGB Meds delivery to San Bernardino, High hotmail.com 916-369-6000 or 916-698-6249. • We Are Hemp 913 E Lewelling Blvd, San Santa Rosa [email protected] Open Desert. 760-246-7047. [email protected] Lorenzo. 510-276-2628. M-Sa 11-8 10-6:45 M-F; 10-4:45 Sa. • Growth Unlimited deliveries Sacto/Solano/ • Northern Lights Church, statewide support. 949- Central Valley/San Jose. 1-888-MED-CANN San Francisco • Sonoma Alliance for Medical Marijuana. SAMM. 222-4209. Laguna Beach. northernlights-church.org 707-522-0292. patient support group • Sam’s deliveries 916-717-4848. Hours 10-6. / thehealingexchange.org City Dept of Public Health.(I.D. Cards Only) 1001 • Marvin’s Gardens. Guerneville. 707-869-1291 • Healing Hands of Nature delivery. Rancho Potrero Av. S.F. General Hosp.. 415-206-5555 Los A n g e l e s • Sonoma Co. Compassionate Services Delivery. Cordova/Sac/Citrus Hts area. 916-256-5277 • Purple Heart 1326 Grove St. 415-409-1002 11- 707-972-7818 • The Holistic Caregivers, 1321 E. Compton Blvd, 9pm Kern Co., Bakersfield • Cheops Herbal Apothecary Delivery (Sonoma Compton 310-889-4799; for deliveries phone 310- • Happy Days 607 Divisadero St. 415-359-9927 Co.) [email protected] 707-974-9465 • Nature’s Medicinal, 323 Roberts Ln, Bakersfield. 764-4740 M-Sa 9am-7pm. Nn-10pm 661-392-9353. Daily 11-9. • Holistic Solutions, 14240 Lakeshore Dr, • Inglewood Wellness Center 318 Market 310-674- • 208 Dispensary 208 Valencia St. 415-621-0131 8- Clearlake. Lake co. 707-995-9000. M-Sa 11-7. • Canna-meds, 1450 Crestmont Dr, Bakersfield 661- 4444. InglewoodWC.org 11-7pm 10pm 871-0420 Open 11-7 M-Sa • D & M Compassion Center, 15196 Lakeshore Dr. • A-1 Compassionate Col., 301 N Prairie Ave #512, •.SF Medical Cannabis Clinic #1, 122 10th St (at Clearlake Oaks. Lake Co 707-994-1320 10-8pm Central Coast, Santa Barbara, Inglewood 213-952-1857 M-Sa 11-7pm Mission) 415-626-4781 Open M-W 11-7; Th - Sa • Cal Medical Caregivers Assoc., 15838 Halliburton 10-7; Su 11-6., • Lake Co Alternative Caregiver Clinic, Clearlake Ve n t u r a Oaks. 707-998-0358. [email protected] Rd. Hacienda Heights 626-336-2652 daily 11-7 • CannaMed Care Center, 1211 Sutter St, lower. M- • Ukiah CBC Info. 707-462-0691 • PCH Collective 22333 P. C. Hwy. #102A Malibu • United Medical Caregivers Clinic, 1248 S. Sa 1-9, Su 1-6. 415-885-8007. cannamedcare.com Noon-8pm Fairfax, LA 310-358-0212 10-7 M-F. • Alternative Herbal Health, 442 Haight St. 415- • Hemp Plus Ministeries. 892 N. State St, Ukiah. 707-468-1478. M-Sa 10-6. • Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers 780 • Quality of Life Activities (QOLA )4323 W. 864-1300. (MD consultations by appt) Monterey Av. #B Morro Bay 11-6pm Melrose Silverlake - Los Angeles Call for info: 323- • The Vapor Room, 609A Haight St. (MD consulta- Central Valley to Redding • Hezekiah Inc, 92 - 2nd St. #H, Buellton 805-264- 644-1209 10-8 pm M-Sa. tions avail.) M-Sa 11-9; Su 12-8 • Healthy Choice Collective 4213 McHenry Av. #E 1774 - open M-F 9-5. • The Health Center of Studio City, 11324 Ventura • Patient’s Place , 4811 Geary Blvd, 415-221- Modesto 209-918-2849 • Compassion Center of Santa Barbara Co #1- SBC Bl. 11-7 daily. 818-509-0574. San Fernando Valley. HEMP 11-7pm • Amador Co. Sierra Foothills CC (delivery service) Collective, 2915 De La Vina St. San Barb. 805-682- • Hezekiah Inc. 6051 Hollywood Bl. #202. 10-6 pm • Love Shack. 502 14th St. x Guerrero. 415-552- 209-274-6727. 8383 11-6pm daily. 323-467-6484. 5121. lssf.com 10-7pm • SF Medical Cannabis Clinic #2, 194 Church St. 11-7 M-F, 11-5 Sa-Su. 415-626-4781 • Ketama, 14 Valencia St. 11-8 M-Sa, 12-6 Su. 415- 706-2679. • Holistic Solutions, 722 Columbus St. 415--296- 7614 11-6pm • New Remedies Co-Op. 1760 Mission x Duboce. 415-864-0114 8-8pm • Green Door, 843 Howard St. 11-8 daily 415-541- 9590 GreenDoorInfo.com • Alternative Patient Caregivers, 953 Mission St. #180. 415-618-0680. 12-6 M-F, 11-5 Sa. Clones. • Alternative Relief Co-Op. 1944 Ocean Ave, 12- 7pm, M-Sa. Natural herbs, tea. 415-239-4766. Deliver to SF hospital in-patients • San Francisco ACT-UP. 1884 Market St. 415-864- 6686 actupsf.com Nn-7pmfc • SF Patients’ Cooperative. 350 Divisadero St. 415- 552-8653. sfprc.org 11-5pm. • Hopenet Coop, 223 9th St. 415-863-4399. M-F 12-7, Sa 12-5 • The Green Cross. (moving to N. Bch.) . 415-648- 4420 thegreencross.org • The Divinity Tree. 958 Geary St. 415-861-1000 10-8pm except Tu • Mason St. Dispensary. 124 Mason St, downstairs 415-433-4420, 7-9 daily masondispensary.com • Emmalyn’s. 1597 Howard St. #A. 415-861-1000 10-8pm • Patients Helping Patients Home Bike Delivery. 415-240-7190 • Good Fellowes Smoke Shop. 473 Haight St. 415- 346-4338 10-10-pm Page 1 8. Oaksterdam News. Summer 2006 Continued on page 18 • San Diego area deliveries: medbud4u.com HS11362.775: Qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and • California Medical Center 5544 La Jolla Bl., 858- Patient Services the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and persons with 405-9496 Nn-7pm identification cards, who associate within the State of California in order • P.B.R., 1145 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach 858-270- collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, 6337. Open 11 -9. Directory shall not solely on the basis of that fact be subject to state criminal sanctions • Ocean Beach Dispensary, 4230 Voltaire Ave. #2. 619-549-2014 obdispensary.com. 11-8. Continued from page 17 under Section 11357, 11358, 11359, 11360, 11366, 11366.5, or 11 5 7 0 . • Co-Op Mira Mesa, 11271 Camino Ruiz, San • LA Compasionate Care Silverlake 13th - 2227 Diego 11-7 daily. 858-271-8020 Sunset Blvd 213-272-9488; en español 213-272- [email protected] 9489 Ventura Bvd, Tarzana. 818-345-5477. Healing, 8921 Sunset Bl. 310-626-3333. • Native Sun Dispensary, 3806 Rosecrans, San • California Patients’ Group, 6208 Santa Monica • Cannamed of Northridge, 9349 Melvin Ave. #9. • The Health Center. 8961 W. Sunset Blvd W. Diego 619-299-2837. Open M-Sa 9-7. Blvd (between Vine & 101) 323-464-7052 818-882-4849 - 10 am -8 pm daily. Hollywood. 310-275-0446. call for appt. • Co-Op SD (moved TBA) San Diego. 858-610- CaliforniaPatientsGroup.org Free valet service M-F • Valley Co-Op, 8363 Reseda Blvd #203, • LA Patients and Caregivers Group, 7213 Santa 1674. Daily 11-7. after 4 pm Northridge 818-727-1419. Hours 11-7 M-Sa, 11-5 Monica Blvd, W Hollywood x Formosa. 323-882- • Mother Earth Co-Op 2103 University Av.. San • Hollywood Patients’ Group, 6115 Selma Ave #103 Su. 6033. lamedicalmarijuana.com Diego. 619-955-5611 Daily 9:30 - 8pm Hollywood 323-464-6465 10-10 daily • Compassionate Care of Studio City (no relation to • AHHS (Alternative Herbal Health Services) 7828 • American Caregivers Co-op, North SD County • Earth Collective, 5115 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood “Compassionate Caregivers”), 11314 Ventura Blvd Santa Monica x Fairfax. W. Hollywood. 323-654- delivery 760-420-0478. 323-668-7633. 818-506-7207 (med. menu on website) ccscity.com 8792 call for hours. • The Healing Room 5805#A Mission Gorge Rd. • Hollywood Compassionate Collective (HCC), 11-8 M-F, 12-8 SA • Medical Marijuana Farmacy 323-848-7981. 7825 San Diego 619-501-1970 Open 11-7 except Sun. 1110 N. Western Ave #204, Hollywood 323-467- • North Valley Discount Caregivers, 15600 Santa Monica Bl. Delivery. 10-9. 7292. M-F 11-7; Sa 12 -8 pm Devonshire #203, Granada Hills 818-920-3110. • San Diego Compassionate & Safe Access, 3778 - hollywoodcollective.com. Open 12 - 8 daily. San Diego 4th Ave. 619-795-9447 Daily 11-8. • Caregivers Christian Alliance Discount • West Valley Caregivers, 23067 Ventura Blvd #102, • North County Medi Caregivers delivery 760-277- • Morena Care Group, 1231 Morena Blvd. San Dispensary - 122 S. Lincoln Ave #204, Venice 877- Woodland Hills 818-222-9212 Open 10 - 10 daily 4059 daily 12-9 [email protected]. Diego 619-276-1146 [email protected] Daily: 12-8. 219-3809. Open M-Sa 12-8 • HIM, 22831 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills 818- • San Diego Legal Ease, Inc. 4411 30th St. 619- • Marina Caregivers, 3007 Washington Blvd. #225, 225-2426. Open 12-8 everyday 516-2471 10-6pm • Farm AC, 6070 Mt Alifan Dr #202 (by Coco’s on Balboa) San Diego 858-278-5880 Daily 12-8 Mar. Del Rey 310-574-4000 12-11pm • RNS Caregivers United, 10545 Burbank Blvd, N • San Diego Caregivers. (delivery serving SD / • Lomita Vapor Lounge, 14829 Hawthorne Blvd Hollywood 818-763-7479 M-SA 11-7 south Riverside Co.) 760-580-0745 • Utopia Dispensary, 4843 Voltaire St. #A, San #203, Lawndale 310-432-3262 11-7pm daily. • Natural Relief Center, 7223 Owensmouth, Canoga • Lomita Collective - Palos Verdes deliveries 310- Park 818-703-8599 Daily 11-7 432-3262. • North Hollywood Collective, 10929 Vanowen St. * Comfort Care Group, 1720 Westwood Blvd, #110 818-763-4008. 12-7pm Will hemp be growing in US next year? Westwood 310-441-8315 Open 7am-10pm. Beach Cities Continued from page 7 • Crescent Alliance for Sickle-Cell Self-Help Group • Planted hemp must contain less than three-tenths of one percent T H C . (Sister Somayah) LA • Palos Verdes Collective 716 Warmouth Rd. #215 • Westside Compassionate Caregivers 2355 310-541-0608 12-8pm Many uses, such as foods, animal bedding, biofuel and composites, will be more Westwood Bl. W. LA 310-474-8459 10-8 Su 10-6 • Cancer Help Center Herbal Collective. 3381 LB viable if hemp is treated like other crops. “How can a raw material that’s legal to import, • WMP.C. 11618 Washington Blvd #D, Whittier Blvd x Wardlow, Long Beach. 562-424-HERB. M-F to sell, to eat and to use in all kinds of everyday products not be legal for farmers in 562-692-3576 Open 11 am - 7 pm. 11-8, Sa-Su 11-7 America to grow? No other agricultural commodity is restricted to just importation,” says Whittier Collective 12450#A East Washington Blvd. • CCLB — Compassionate Caregivers LB (not S t e e n s t r a . 562-696-9696. M-F 11-7; Sa 11-6; Su 10-3 affiliated with “Compassionate Caregivers”) 562- 621-9777 call for details. While ND progress could get hung up by DEA disapproval, lawyers with the hemp San Fernando Va l l e y • Med-a-Cab delivery service, Long Beach and mid- industry are preparing a court challenge if the DEA fails to cooperate with ND or CA • NoHo Caregivers 4296 Vineland N. Hwd. 818- cities 562-256-5066 everyday 11-7.pm when hemp legislation becomes law. The legal theory supporting the right of these states 754-0834 11-8pm • Freeway Farmacy delivery Beach cities El to regulate hemp farming stems from language in the Controlled Substances Act which • Trichome Healing Caregivers. 7100 Van Nuys Segundo - Huntington Beach 310-349-9135 exempts hemp from federal control. Blvd #204, Van Nuys. 818-373-5000. 10-7 daily • South Bay 420 Collective Delivery Service - Palos Using this legal theory the Hemp Industries Association created a legal precedent except Wed. - disabled access Verdes / So Bay beach cities. 310-561-3515; FAX 866-619-5942 [email protected] when the group which represents 300 hemp businesses won their lawsuit in 2004 against • Mother Nature’s Remedy Caregivers, 17302 DEA, protecting sales of hemp foods and body care the agency tried to ban. Building Saticoy St, Van Nuys 818-345-MEDS motherna- • Diamond Delivery - Long Beach to North Orange turesremedy.org. Hours 2:15 - 10 pm Tu-Su. Co. 562-331-5415 upon HIA v. DEA makes sense since its legal to grow poppy plants in the US even though • Therapeutic Medicinal Health Resources, 14836 West Hollywood i t ’s a controlled substance. Since the DEA ignores poppy cultivation so long as the farmer Burbank Blvd, Sherman Oaks 818-988-9615 Hours i s n ’t making heroin, one would think the DEA would also ignore hemp farming that is M-F 11-7; Sa-Su 12-6 • West Hollywood Caregivers. 7901 Santa Monica regulated by local authorities who ensure it is not the “marijuana” variety of cannabis. Bl #206. 323-656-2033. 10-7 daily. • Valley Collective Co-op, 12500 Riverside Dr Currently seven states (Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, ND and We s t #201B, Studio City 818-508-8787 M-SA 11-7pm Su • CA Cannabis Pharmaceuticals, 8464 Santa Monica 11-5pm Blvd, W. Hollywood 323-656-1600 Vi rginia) have passed pro-hemp farming laws. Sales of hemp foods in 2004/2005 grew by • Valley Independent Pharmacy, 10-7 daily. 19459 • West Hollywood Center for Compassionate 50 percent over the previous 12-month period. There are more than 2.5 million cars on US roads that contain hemp composites. Hemp cultivation in Canada is expected to exceed 30,000 acres in 2006, while European farmers now grow more than 40,000 acres. More information about hemp legislation and the crop’s many uses can be found at w w w. Vo t e H e m p . c o m . For updates on voter initiatives nationally: www. d r u g s e n s e . o rg/caip#take

Subscribe to Oaksterdam News Delivery to your Home / Office in just 3-5 business days! Deluxe subscriptions include 5 copies of Oaksterdam News every quarter and your choice of one of our collectible O’dam jerseys or classic tee shirts (mention your size). Both shirts are unisex. Subscriptions are $50 for one year. Just mail in your payment to the Oaksterdam News, along with your name, address, (e-mail and telephone optional) to: 405 15th St. Oakland CA 94612. Attn Subscription Dept. We will ship your tee shirt and newspapers within three to five business days after we process your payment.

Oaksterdam News respects your privacy and will never share any of your information. Visit us online at oaksterdamnews.com and check out our online gift shop. Summer 2006 Oaksterdam News. Page 1 9

To San Fran

O a k s t e r d a m Oaksterdam California

Visitor’s guide map O a k s t e r d a m Oakland, California USA

A brief history of the Oaksterdam district Some 220 years after the founding of the American Republic, California voters had qualified the first statewide medical marijuana initia- The Oaksterdam H Fox Theater, tive for the ballot and the San Map Key 1850 Telegraph Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club w a s A Bulldog Coffeeshop, I CARE, in its heyday. 1739 Broadway 701 Broadway Across the Bay, on July 4, 1996, Four Seasons Hydro, J Paramount Theater, J e ff Jones opened the Oakland 1735 Bdwy 2025 Bdwy The Co-op Stop, Cannabis Buyers Coop on the fifth K Kaiser rooftop garden 1733 Bdwy floor of 1755 Broadway. When the L Lake Merritt Park B SR-71, 377 - 17th St. OCBC was prevented from distribut- boat rentals C Oaksterdam News ing cannabis by the federal govern- M Norcal MMJ , 376 15th St. ment in 1998, other clubs opened, 1504 Franklin D Oaksterdam Gifts, starting with The Zoo at 1736 Four Seasons hydroponics store that dispensaries gave visitors a wide N Van Kleef Cafe 405 - 15th St. Telegraph Ave. Thus began the had just opened. selection of products and created 1621 Telegraph Ave. E Post office, uptown district of Oaksterdam. The Bulldog Coffeeshop opened hundreds of jobs in Oakland. O Americans for 1446 Franklin St The OCBC stayed open issuing in December 1999, followed by Oakland can be proud to have Safe Access (ASA), F Frank Ogawa Plaza medical cannabis ID cards and oper- Compassionate Caregivers the next helped thousands that came from all 1322 Webster # 208 ating a hemp store, moving to 1733 year at their original location, 1740 over the state before cannabis dispen- G Medicann, P Paid parking 1814 Franklin # 901 Broadway in 1999, next door to the Telegraph. By 2004, eight cannabis saries opened where they lived. Page 2 0. Oaksterdam News Summer 2006