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allorganic said:
LA City Councilmember Zine Calls for an End to Federal DEA Interference/Raids
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*Americans for Safe Access
For Immediate Release: *July 24, 2007

*Los Angeles Moves Wednesday to Regulate Medical Marijuana Dispensaries*
Councilmember Zine Calls for an End to Federal DEA Interference

*Los Angeles* -- City Councilmember Dennis Zine will hold a press
conference prior to Wednesday's Los Angeles City Council meeting to call
on Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)Administrator Karen Tandy to
abandon her agency's tactic of threatening property owners who rent to
medical cannabis (marijuana) dispensaries and to allow the City to
proceed with regulations without federal interference. Councilmember
Zine, a former police officer, voiced his concerns in a letter to be
issued Wednesday to DEA Administrator Tandy, the same day a vote in
Congress is expected to occur, which would strip the DEA of funds it
relies on to carry out these types of tactics.

Although federal law prohibits the use of medical cannabis, Zine
requests in his letter that the DEA "abandon this tactic and allow this
City Council to continue the important work of regulating these
facilities without Federal interference." Despite the apparent conflict
between state and federal law, Zine affirms the need to "uphold the will
of our voters and adopt sensible guidelines to regulate the provision of
medical cannabis in our communities."

Zine's letter is in response to a notice sent by the DEA to as many as
150 property owners in Los Angeles threatening criminal prosecution and
asset forfeiture if owners knowingly rent to medical cannabis providers.
The City Council is expected to approve Zine's motion for a moratorium
on new facilities at Wednesday's meeting.

The move to regulate medical cannabis dispensaries and the
countervailing efforts by the DEA coincide with an anticipated vote
Wednesday in the US House of Representatives. The Hinchey-Rohrabacher
amendment to the Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill would bar
the DEA from enforcing federal law against medical cannabis patients and
providers in states where it is legal.

The amendment's co-author, Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) stated last week that
the DEA actions were "an example of the insane use of scarce law
enforcement resources. It is especially insulting the way in which these
resources are being used to supersede the votes of local people to
permit the legal use of medical marijuana."

"We need a federal solution to this problem," said Don Duncan, a
spokesperson for Americans for Safe Access, the nation's largest medical
cannabis advocacy organization. "Added pressure by Councilmember Zine
will hopefully make that happen."

Councilmember Zine's press conference will be held at 9:45am Wednesday
in the Media Room behind City Council Chambers, Room 350, at Los Angeles
City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., in downtown Los Angeles. The Zine letter
will be made available at that time.

For further information, refer to:
The DEA letter to more than 100 landlords in the Los Angeles area:
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloa...ord_Letter.pdf
ASA's one-pager on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment:
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloa..._One_Pager.pdf

# # #

With over 30,000 active members in more than 40 states, Americans for
Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national member-based organization of
patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens
promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and
research. ASA works to overcome political and legal barriers by creating
policies that improve access to medical cannabis for patients and
researchers through legislation, education, litigation, grassroots
actions, advocacy and services for patients and the caregivers.

--
Kris Hermes
Media Specialist
Americans for Safe Access
www.SafeAccessNow.org
1322 Webster Street, Suite 402
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-251-1856 x307
Fax: 510-251-2036
Email: kris@SafeAccessNow.org

Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest
national member-based organization of patients,
medical professionals, scientists and concerned
citizens promoting safe and legal access to
cannabis for therapeutic use and research.

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