Cannabis Saves Lives!

Cannabis Saves Lives!

Crowd funder

Free Gift With Donation of $20.00 or More Until March 15^th

Please help PAN reach its goal of raising $5,000.00 this month to cover urgent administrative expenses, professional fees, printing and reproduction costs, and renew hosting, domains and rebuild our site. 

Your contribution is always tax-deductible and PAN is offering a small gift with a donation of $20.00 or more from now until March 15, 2018.

Make a donation at www.CannabisSavesLives.org through our paypal donate button (or at our Blog – Cannabis Patient Voice at http://panorg.blogspot.com).  Indicate that you want the gift and PAN will mail you glossy, laminated bumper sticker at the end of the Crowd Funding Campaign.  Please allow 14 days after the close of the Campaign for delivery.  It’s our way of saying thank you, as so many of you have been with us since the beginning. 

PAN also accepts in-kind and/or cash donations.  Please contact us at (323) 334-5282 for details.

Current & Upcoming Programs

Patient Project Sacramento – Watchdog services keeping up with all changes and ramifications of the new cannabis regulatory system; Providing input to the California legislature to best protect patients and providers, keep cannabis, taxes and permitting fees affordable and fair.

Patient Advocates on The Hill – PAN is working to remove cannabis from the controlled substances act.  Please help us end the federal threat for good!

**Please share with all your social networks.**

Thank you!!

Patient Advocacy Network Joins Effort To Legalize Cannabis In California In 2014

MCLR Proponents are joined by Sac NORML at the California State House

In previous elections Patient Advocacy Network has refrained from involvement in past California statewide marijuana legalization efforts, mainly because those failed initiatives lacked protection for patients and clarity with respect to collective guidelines. 

However, there became a sense of urgency leading up to the Riverside Decision and it became clear that a statewide voter initiative was needed sooner than later to protect the spirit and intent of the Compassionate Use Act.   A strong contingency of cannabis advocates also wants legal hemp and adult recreational use. 

SaveCannabis.org recognized that previous attempts to move cannabis legalization forward in California lacked transparency.  Despite multiple attempts, no California cannabis initiative has passed the voters since Prop. 215, in 1996.   Many of these initiatives were drafted behind closed doors without stakeholder input.  SaveCannabis.org did something different; they formed to start an open-source document for any member of the group to provide input on what California’s cannabis legalization initiative should look like; membership to the group is open.  What transpired was a document of agreed upon ideas by some 1,200 people with input from over 800 people including: patients, providers, cultivators, advocates, community leaders, concerned citizens, doctors and lawyers. 

PAN President Degé Coutee and SaveCannabis.org co-founder Dave Hodges reached out to as many stakeholders as possible to provide input in time to file an initiative for the 2014 California General Election.  They worked together to edit provisions together to prepare the document for final legal review before submitting it to the Secretary of State. 

Coutee states, “These are the best cannabis guidelines for Californians: patients, consumers, cultivators, and concerned citizens.  We are pleased to be involved.”  Degé Coutee is one of four proponents of the of the Marijuana Control, Legalization and Revenue Act of 2014 along with John Lee, Bob Bowerman and Dave Hodges.  The full text of the initiative can be found at:  http://www.marijuanacontrollegalizationrevenueact.com/what/the-language-full-text/

Proponents expect to get a title and summary from the CA Attorney General in a few days and can begin gathering signatures immediately.  Supporters need 504,760 valid signatures in 150 days in order to qualify for the November 2014 election ballot.  PAN is taking donations for the campaign through its 501h election.  All donations are anonymous and tax-deductible.  All contributions will be used to print petitions and pay for signature gathering efforts.  Contributions directly to the campaign can be made at: http://panorg.blogspot.com/ -- click the “Legalize Cannabis Campaign” donate button; mail a check to P.O. Box 93845, Los Angeles, CA, 90093 or call (323) 334-5282.

Help End Cannabis Prohibition Forever!!

Many thanks Hollywood Hemptress Tere Joyce for putting together this video of some of our activism.

Let's End Cannabis Prohibition in 2014!!  

You can watch previous shows at:  http://www.youtube.com/user/HollywoodHemptress 

or listen on iHeart Radio at:  http://time4hemp.com/hollywood-hemptress-hour/ .

2014 – The Year To Invest In Cannabis Activism

Reputable polls continue to show Americans support marijuana legalization more than ever.  Twenty-one states now recognize medical cannabis, and two states allow adult recreational use with 5 more states looking at complete legalization in 2014.

Despite the lingering federal threat the marijuana industry is growing faster than the laws can keep up, which still puts cannabis cultivators and distributors at risk of federal prosecution or imprisonment.

Every major industry in America has supporters and advocates diligently lobbying on Capitol Hill whether its tobacco, beef or cars.  Fortunately, all of those are still legal but cannabis remains locked up in the Controlled Substances Act and has fewer advocates in Washington than any other group.  No wonder it’s taking over 77 years.

Other than grow her, sell her and smoke her, Mary Jane asks what have you done FOR her lately.  An investment in good cannabis activism is an investment in the end of federal prohibition.  What canna-business operator doesn’t want that?! 

How much is legal marijuana worth to you?  An ill loved-one?  Someone in jail?  What are you willing to give this year to ensure the best activists in the movement have the tools to can get the job done?  Done! 

Marijuana cannot legalize itself.  Fund her liberators and together we will change the world. 

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New CNN Poll Finds Americans' Support For Legal Weed Is Soaring

http://www.businessinsider.com/cnn-marijuana-poll-2014-1

For First Time, Americans Favor Legalizing Marijuana

http://www.gallup.com/poll/165539/first-time-americans-favor-legalizing-marijuana.aspx

Marijuana Market Poised To Grow Faster Than Smartphones

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/04/marijuana-market_n_4209874.html

U.S. Attorneys Say Marijuana Memo Won't Affect Their Anti-Pot Work

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobsullum/2013/09/09/u-s-attorneys-say-marijuana-memo-wont-affect-their-anti-pot-work/

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Patient Advocacy Network is a charitable organization.  Donations to PAN are tax-deductible and can be made at http://cannabissaveslives.org/

The Issue Of Rescheduling

Below is a link to a position paper PAN published in 2011,

Removing Cannabis From The Controlled Substances Act Why Rescheduling Marihuana Will Not End The State-Federal Conflict Over Medical Cannabis.

We are re-posting this link by popular demand as the issue of rescheduling cannabis v. reclassifying continues.  Marihuana penalties under Schedules II - V are more harsh than under Schedule I.  Collectives and personal cultivation would remain a punishable federal offense.  Rescheduling could do more harm than good and does nothing to put hemp back to work.  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dGbV4AWkufdXz1mTIGU9ME9IJ3-nQRWsCpgW3kEpQ9U/edit

How To Contact Your Congressional Representatives - It's Time To End Cannabis Prohibition

January 29, 2013

Representative Adam Schiff

2411 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington D.C. 20515

Phone: (202) 225-4176

Facsimile: (202) 225-5828

Dear Congressmember Adam Schiff,

I write you to about ending cannabis prohibition.  For too long prohibition has denied our business sector the opportunities that come with industrial hemp.  For too long the ‘War On Drugs’ has incarcerated non-violent Americans solely for possession of ‘marihuana.’  For too long America has missed out on the revenue from sales of cannabis products, whether industrial, therapeutic or recreational.  For too long the DEA has interfered with States that already have approved and supported medical cannabis laws on their books.  It’s time for Congress to draft sensible national cannabis policies and stop punishing people over a plant.

I personally have a long history as a cannabis activist and have worked with numerous organizations throughout the country on this issue.  Currently, I am the executive director of Patient Advocacy Network – a charitable 501(c)(3) organization providing education and training to medical cannabis patients and providers, and advocating for patients’ rights and protection.  I have seen first hand the violence and destruction of the DEA’s ‘smash and grab’ tactics here in Los Angeles. 

Please find enclosed a copy of a position paper published by Patient Advocacy Network regarding the issue of ‘rescheduling’ cannabis.  This brief paper explores the Controlled Substances Act highlighting that many of the penalties for cannabis offences under Schedules II – V are more severe than under Schedule I.  However, there are many options for regulating cannabis other than the CSA.

I thank you for your time and consideration.  I look forward to working with you and your staff on this issue until cannabis is safe and legal and all the prisoners of compassion and conscience are free. 

Truly yours,

CC:  President Barack Obama, Senator Barbara Boxer and Senator Diane Feinstein

Enclosure: Position Paper (12 pages)

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Removing Cannabis From The Controlled Substances Act Why Rescheduling Marihuana Will Not End The State-Federal Conflict Over Medical Cannabis

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/109706307/Removing-Cannabis-From-The-Controlled-Substances-Act-Why-Rescheduling-Marihuana-Will-Not--End-The-State-Federal-Conflict-Over-Medical-Cannabis

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It’s Time To End Cannabis Prohibition

We, the people, have the power to end cannabis prohibition.  When we all contact Congress together across the country demanding an end to the failed prohibition on marijuana and hemp, the support for change will be undeniable.  Constituents have great power but only if we use it.

President Obama, the Department of Justice and the Supreme Court have all stated that change in national marijuana policy must come from the Congress.  When PAN met with a number of Congressional offices, we were told that very few people and in some cases no one has contacted their office regarding cannabis issues.  We are about to change that!! 

Enclosed is this post is a three page action kit for you to download, print and share.  It provides the basic tools on how to find your representatives, how to contact your representatives and what to say/write.   

Cannabis Freedom Campaign 4/20 is a commitment by every American that supports the end of cannabis prohibition to contact their Congressional Representative once a month between now and April 20, 2014, when we will rally in Washington D.C. 

Save all your correspondence with your Representatives.  Send a copy of your letters to Congress, to President Obama.  Let him know you are regularly engaging Congress.  Follow-up with your Representative monthly. 

Have fun with this!  Get your friends and family involved.  Between 64 and 82 % of voting Americans support reforming of our marijuana laws.  Write letters together.  Hand-deliver them to your Congressional member’s district office.  Meet his/her staff in person; get their business cards.  Be kind and friendly, but make sure they know you are not giving up until Congress ends cannabis prohibition.  Make a video about your visit and encourage others to get involved.   Post your efforts to your social networks.   Issue a press release.  Write a letter to the editor.  Call in to your local talk radio programs.  Make it undeniable that there is a nationwide movement to get Congress to end its failed marijuana policies now.

It’s time to end cannabis prohibition, release the prisoners and put Mary Jane back to work -  for the health, safety and economy of America. 

Images From October 7, 2011, Emergency Response Rally

Patients Speak-out Against Further Federal Interference

On July 18, 2011, medical cannabis patient advocates took to the streets of Los Angeles and San Francisco to express concerns about recent statements from Washington DC including the Cole Memorandum. News is that it will be business as usual with respect to federal enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act. Patients are concerned that there will be more hostile smash and grab raids and selective prosecutions.

Patient Advocacy Network has reached out to nearly 90 Congressional offices to discuss medical marijuana, the Controlled Substances Act and continued federal criminal jeopardy for patients. Governors and State AG’s in all medical cannabis states have also been called upon by PAN to help end the federal criminal jeopardy for patients and their cultivators. It is PAN’s contention that cannabis is inappropriately placed in the CSA and needs to regulated more like beer or wine. This is the only legal model that keeps cultivators safe, as safe as those who grow grapes and hops.

While only a handful of patients participated in the LA rally, PAN got the attention of many media outlets: TV, radio, print and internet. “We feel it’s extremely important to be here and express the fear patients and their collectives have over further federal interference BEFORE there are any federal actions this season,” states Degé Coutee to the media during the rally. “The DEA got their funding today on the heels of some very strong statements from Washington. We fear federal raids and prosecutions on non-violent, otherwise law-abiding citizens, some of which are seriously ill or disabled.”

PAN encourages supporters to get involved with its Legislative Education programs and upcoming rallies and street theater by becoming a sponsor. All monetary and in-kind contributions are tax-deductible.