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a l i for n ia Dispensar y Cases Reviewed State Supreme Court Vacates

Rulings in TwoTwo contro vers i a l medica l cannabis cases that have resulted in the suspension of some local dispensary ordinances are being re v ie wed by the Ca l i for n ia Supreme Court, along with two others involving dispensaries.

In one case, Pack v. City of Long Beach, the court ruled that some dispensary regulations may be preempted by federal law. In the other, City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patient's Health and We!ness Ctr., the court held that local governments could legally ban

distribution. The rulings in both cases have been vacated.

"It's no surprise these cases are being reviewed, as both flew in the face of established decisions," said Joe E l ford , ASA's Chief C o u n s e l , who filed a brief along with the

A m e r i c a n C i v i l L i b e r t i e s Union, the Drug Policy Alliance, and the County o f Santa Cr uz requesting review of the Pack case.

"Most importantly, by vacating the rulings, the California Supreme Court has stopped local governments from use them to deny access to medical cannabis for the neediest patients in their communities."

Although the October 2011 Pack decision contradicted other appellate court rulings, several cities and counties across California have used it as a basis for suspending regulatory ord inances or banning loca l distribution entirely. Even the U.S. Justice Department cited the Pack decision as a reason why local o f f i c i a l s shou ld not regu la te distribution.

One of the cases that contradicted Pack was the November 2011 ruling in the Riverside case, now also under review, which held that medical cannabis d istr ibut ion was not preempted by federal law, but cities could lawfully ban it anyway. The other two medica l cannab i s dispensary cases granted review by the California Supreme Court are Traudt v. City of Dana Point and People v. G3 Holistic.

It may be two or more years before the Supreme Court rules on the

cases.

"Now that these bad rulings are set aside, it's important that local officials help their communit ies by e s tab l i sh ing sound dispensary regulations,"

s a id ASA Execut ive Director S teph Sherer.

"Dispensaries provide safe access for those with the most

serious medical conditions who have few other options."

Effective talking points

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EL CAMINOWellness Center

M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R

Feb ’12

AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS Information from the Front

National Action Alert: Urge Obama to End Federal Interference!

Today is the start of Medical M a r i j u a n a W e e k , a n d Americans for Safe Access has created a week of action for you to participate in to save safe access.  Today's target is Obama. 

Despite his indication to take a more reasonable approach t o m e d i c a l c a n n a b i s , President Obama and his Administration have become more aggressive towards our community.  In addition to r a i d s , t h e O b a m a Administration has launched a variety of new tactics including patient privacy v i o l a t i ons , se i z i ng and shutting down of medical c a n n a b i s r e l a t e d b a n k accounts, manipulation of the t a x c o d e , t h r e a t s t o government officials and landlords, and interfering with medical cannabis patients’ Right to Bear Arms.  To read m o r e a b o u t O b a m a ’ s m i s t r e a t m e n t o f o u r community, click here. 

Our voice must be heard!  Ask Obama to work with our c o m m u n i t y i n o r d e r t o develop policies that work!  Rather than using scarce federal resources to interfere with state sanctioned medical cannabis laws, urge Obama to work with state officials to

harmonize state and federal law thereby legitimizing the medical cannabis community. 

C a l l t h e W h i t e H o u s e switchboard today, and tell O b a m a t o e n d f e d e r a l i n t e r f e r e n c e i n s t a t e sanctioned medical cannabis programs!  Dial 202-456-1414 and use the following script to help save safe access

President Obama--

As a candidate and our President, you indicated that you would take a more reasonable approach to medical cannabis; however, your administration has done jus t the oppos i te ! Your administration’s interference with medical cannabis laws is jeopardizing people’s lives who rely on a variety of access models to acquire their doctor recommended medication!  Stop wasting scarce federal resources to

c i r cumven t s t a t e l aws .  Instead, work with lawmakers to develop new policies that will harmonize federal law with states that work hard to prov ide safe access o f m e d i c a l c a n n a b i s t o qualifying patients.  End the federal attack on the medical cannabis community today!

After you take action, please share our blog post by copying the blog’s URL and encourage your friends and family to take action by posting it Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites. 

Thank you for taking a stand for safe access.  Keep and eye out for information related to tomorrow’s action targeting c o n g r e s s t o s i g n o n t o HR1983: The State’s Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act, and click here to view actions you can take all week!

EFFECTIVE TIPS FORLobbying Your City Council

So, you have decided to present your city counci l with our draft reso lut ion denouncing the federal intimidation and crack down on medical mari juana providers in Cal i fornia? First and foremost, let me thank you on behalf of MPP and medical marijuana patients everywhere. By applying enough public pressure on the Obama administration, we hope to change the conversation to one focused on respecting states’ rights and patient access.

It is most effective to schedule an in-person meeting with your counci l member, rather than calling or writing a letter. You may want to try to organize others to join you for the meeting as well, particularly, community leaders or people with a personal stake in the issue, such as medical marijuana patients with serious medical conditions.

Before you meet with your council member, please take a minute or two to read through the following lobbying tips and talking points. Preparation is key when attempting to influence policy makers. Make sure to bring with you a copy of the draft city council resolution to present to your council member. And p lea se fo l low up wi th MPP at state@mpp.org after your visit to let us know how it went.

Thank you for your advocacy, and feel free to contact us should you have any questions or concerns.

Tip #1: Professionalism, professionalism, professionalism

This cannot be stressed enough. Be professional across the board. Dress professionally and be well groomed. Be on time for your meeting, and watch your rhetor ic . Do not use s l ang for “marijuana.” Do not be overly disparaging when d i scuss ing the Obama administration. Remember, some of these local officials are supportive of the president and will be put off by sweeping attacks on his job performance or politics.

Tip #2: Stay on topic

You are attempting to get a resolution introduced and adopted denouncing federal interference with state medical marijuana laws. Stick to that game plan. Veering off course and advocating for l a rger po l i cy goa l s – such a s the legalization and regulation of marijuana for adult recreational use – will distract from your argument and may put off council members to the point that they stop listening.

Tip #3: Prepare

Take the time to read over — multiple times — the talking points found below. These talking points will give you a starting point from which to begin your conversation. If, at anytime, you feel the conversation is veering off topic, simply find a good way to transition back to one of the points. 

Tip #4: Know the specifics of the resolution

Beyond knowing the issue, you should also be prepared to discuss the specifics of the draft resolution you are lobbying on behalf of. You can print a PDF version of the resolution here, and a Word version here. Make sure to read through the resolution and know what it is you are asking your city council to resolve.

Tip #5: Know the legislator

Try to do some background research on the make up of the city council. Find out their politics and, if possible, some b iographica l in format ion on the members. Information like this can give you some valuable insight into their personalities and political platforms. Knowing this, you can better prepare your arguments to address specific policy concerns. For example, if you are meeting with a small-government conservative to discuss federal interference with state medical marijuana laws, remind him or her that federalist ideals argue in favor of al lowing states to regulate medical marijuana without federal interference. 

Tip #6: Be concise and do not waste time

Legis la tors a re ver y busy people , especially during sessions. Keep this in

mind. It is encouraged to engage in some initial getting-to-know-you conversation, but move the conversation along to the issue at hand as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

Tip #7: Do not get mad

Your council member may not agree that the federal government should let states regulate medical marijuana; do not let this anger you. Also, you may end up meeting with staff as opposed to the actual council member. Again, do not let this throw you. Anger is unproductive. Respectfully disagreeing and countering accusations with fact-based arguments is a better way to make your voice heard. Never talk over the council member or staffer, and do not get combative. Many policy makers come around on marijuana policy issues after further examination, but hostility will reduce their chances of doing so. However your council member may initially feel about your issue, it will be far better served if they see you as an informed, rational, and polite advocate for it.

Tip #8: Relax and enjoy yourself

Have fun. Council members are typically friendly and outgoing people; it’s hard to win an election otherwise. Smile and present yourself as a concerned citizen, regardless of whether or not you support the council member her or himself. If you are relaxed, friendly, and confident you will find the conversation flows better, and you’ll get your points across more accurately.  

Tip #9: Follow Up

Regardless of how the meeting goes or the council member’s receptiveness to the resolution, always follow up the meeting with a thank you card. If the council member or staffer says they will get back to you on a question, be sure to follow up po l i te l y to request an answer. Additionally, if your council member asks any questions you cannot initially answer, provide succinct answers to those questions.

ASAMedical Marijuana Week 2012

ASAMedical Marijuana Week 2012

ll too often in the world o f cannab i s , “impairment” and “under

the influence” can be used in such a negative connotation to descr ibe the use o f one ’s medicine. In this age of modern medicine, with a pill for every solution, many medicines are known to cause impairment or altered senses, however it is cannabis use that seems to draw the most attention to these implications. It doesn’t have to be that way. What if “under the influence” actually meant that your senses were enhanced? Such i s the ca se wi th Cannatonic, which provides h igher leve l s o f focus and concentration. This is possible with new strains high in CBD and the limitless possibilities could very well lead way to more pos i t i ve a s soc ia t ions wi th cannabis. The development of Cannatonic was through a long process of inbreeding in the lines of MK Ultra and G-13 Haze. The genetics of Cannatonic are not completely stable, so there are many different varieties of this strain all with varying levels of THC and CBD. One of the best phenotypes to emerge is high in both compounds, with test results showing 9% THC and 12% CBD. The effects that this can create are intense focus, alertness, quick thinking, and motivation. It is a cannabis flower like no other, giving the patient the complete opposite

re su l t s a s a re expected with most strains. Thi s s t i cky bud strikes the palate with a new variety of flavors. The smell of Cannatonic is sweet and f lo ra l , and t ick les the nose . The taste is rich and fruity with a zing, like a new type of citrus covered in spices. The smoke is easy going on the lungs, and seems to freshen the room up very well. However the intense effects of this cannabis may be bet ter exper ienced in moderation, no matter how tasty the toke. Overindulgence is often enjoyable but remember that many patients have little to no tolerance to the compound CBD because of how rare it is.So for pat ients who a re struggling with ADHD, or those wi th a l ack o f focus or motivation, Cannatonic could be the perfect cannabis. Although the name of this great strain is a l i t t l e mis l ead ing , most phenotypes will be uplifting and stimulating. This is also a great medicine for those who are looking for the medical benefits of a great Sativa without the negative side effects of anxiety, paranoia, and increased heart rate. Cannatonic will cause none of these ill effects. This strain

could have easily been called Cannarrific!Let society take one more step into the wor ld o f moder n medic ine and we lcome Cannatonic to join us. It has its place among the thousands of other strains of great cannabis, and this unique variety can aid a whole new array of ailments and conditions. This should be studied extensively in a scientific env i ronment and there i s potential that this can truly help change the awful stigma of cannabis use. Cannatonic could very well be the next medical miracle.

ASTRAIN OF THE MONTH

Cannatonic

A different way to medicate: Health Stone

In more recent years we have seen an influx of high grade medical cannabis oils and the tools to consume them. One tool that stands out is the Health Stone Glass vaporizer. This vaporizer works fairly simple, it consists of a custom bowl piece (comes in 18 or 14 mm) or a custom pipe, and the most important part, the stone its self. The stone is made from a very porous volcanic rock and can with stand the high

heat needed to vaporize your oils or waxes. The stones are made to fit nicely inside the bowl and can be replaced if needed. The stones are exclusive to the bowls they make, so the stone would not work in your nice custom bowl at home.

So to get started you need your Health Stone Glass device, a cigar torch lighter( preferably one with three jets so you can heat the stone evenly), and some ear wax or oil. Place the wax on the stone, then take the lighter and melt the wax in

to the stone while inhaling. You should now be feeling the incredible

sensation of high grade cannabis f lowing throughout your body. Replacement stones can be found online and are fairly cheap.

All in all this device is perfect for the medical cannabis patient who is looking for the next level of clean medication.

o Grow or Not To Grow?

That is the Question…

There a re many good reasons to grow your own. There are also some bad reasons to growing for yourself. In my grow book, “Bonanza o f Green” , I pret ty much t r i ed to encourage people to grow and I still feel that way. If we all had a small grow the mar i juana l aws wou ld become tota l l y unenforceable.

Growing your own saves a lot of money you might otherwise spend to buy cannabis, for one thing. More importantly is that learning to grow can enrich your life. Conversely, you could end up in prison or lose your kids to foster care. The laws here do allow for small grows in most cases but you could still lose your job.

Some people already lost their jobs and need a “Plan

B” to save their homes and pay their bills. Many of us have no chance but to grow for a living. Before you decide on this you must consider many factors.

Do you l i ve a lone? If married, does your spouse approve? Do you have small children or teenagers in the house? Ever yone in a househo ld that g rows indoors or in the backyard is affected by this decision. You might isolate your family by not wanting their friends around the house

Cost is a main factor and depending on how much you are spending per month on medicinal marijuana. Equipment needed for a small scale grow is stil l somewhat costly at the start.

Lights and electricity used are the main costs but fans, heaters, dehumidifiers and timers can also add up. You will need sufficient space to have a decent grow. Perhaps

you think a 100watt grow light will produce all you need. Very doubtful in my opinion! Most new growers need to learn to be efficient enough to stay in the stash.

Maybe i t ’s not so bad setting some money aside for buying legally from a nice club like El Camino Wellness. Then you can leave these concerns to us. Whatever you decide to do is totally your decision so consider before you decide. Is it worth it? If you do grow, get some BOG SEEDS, my Friends!! Enjoy!! BOG

T

BOG SEEDS PRESENTSBest Tips from B.O.G.

Information from Pure Analytics Lab

How THC and CBD Work TogetherBy Samantha Miller, President and Chief Scientist of Pure Analytics THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is in a class of substances called cannabinoids and is the main psychoactive substance in cannabis. THC has been found to have several therapeutic applications such as treatment of mild to moderate pain, appetite loss, insomnia, depression and nausea.

Recent pre-clinical trials conducted by the FDA have suggested that THC-rich inhaled cannabis significantly reduces the onset of neuropathy (nerve pain/degeneration of nerves) in patients who suffer from that condition. THC was also found to have potential benefits for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in studies recently conducted by International Association for Cannabinoid Medicine. The CB1 receptors in the brain that are stimulated by THC appear to play an important role in the ability to eliminate adverse memories, often at the core of PTSD.

CBD or Cannabidiol is another type of cannabinoid found in cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive and does not contribute to a feeling of “being high”. In fact, many patients report an alerting effect from CBD and thus care should be taken with consumption of high amounts of CBD near bedtime until you are familiar with your reaction.

CBD has also been found to have several therapeutic benefits. CBD has been found to provide relief from chronic pain due to muscle spasticity, muscle convulsions and inflammation. This type of pain is often experienced by patients who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia and Epilepsy. In addition to pain relief CBD has been shown to assist with general feelings of anxiety as well as cannabis-induced anxiety.

Recent research at Temple University has suggested that in CBD may also be a strong preventative for the onset of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, a side-effect of some of chemotherapy drugs.

From a general therapeutic perspective THC and CBD have important effects on one another when ingested together. When present along with THC, CBD prolongs the effects of THC-therapy by inhibiting the breakdown process of THC in our liver. If the THC breakdown is inhibited, its effects persist longer. When appreciable amounts of CBD (>4% CBD by weight for flowers) are ingested along with THC, the CBD may reduce the psychoactivity many patients would normally experience from the THC present.

Exciting studies that are currently being conducted at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco are demonstrating that specific amounts of THC and CBD injected into breast and brain tumors can eliminate those tumors completely, in 30 days.

As more and more federal funding for cannabis research becomes available we hope should see even more exciting therapeutic applications of THC and CBD both individually and together.

If you are interested in more articles like this one you can visit our blog, www.pureanalytics.net/blog. If you would like to test your cannabis with Pure Analytics you can drop-off your sample at El Camino Wellness Center.

We are now a drop off point for Pure Analytics Labs!

THC-CBD-CBN Potency Testing

Know how much active ingredient is in your cannabis.

Verify the presence and amounts of THC, CBD, and CBN

Precise, reliable chromatographic analysis

Only 1 gram sample needed

Potency Test Pricing:

1-4 Samples $ 110

5-19 Samples $ 100

20+ Samples $ 85

Mold and Fungus Screening

Know your medicine is safe and healthy.

Screen your medicine for mold and fungus through microscopic investigation

Only 1 gram sample needed

Mold & Fungus Pricing:

1-4 Samples $ 20

5-19 Samples $ 19

20+ Samples $ 16

Medibles & Concentrates Dosages

Customized testing and tools for producing edibles with known dosages

Training to produce your own accurate dosage labeling

TESTING

any patients wonder about the pure equatorial Sativa strains they have heard about that can take your

mind soaring like a rocket ship into the stratosphere on your way to the moon while somehow managing to keep your feet on the ground at the same time. The tales have been told of these sticky crazy buds, and some patients are buckled in and ready to go but they don’t know where to get this kind of cannabis. It is true that it will be rare to find such pure Sativa cannab i s ins ide a d i spensar y anywhere. However this does not limit your availability to these strains if you would like to grow them yourselves. Some seed companies like Cali Connection have developed great Sativa-dominant hybrids such as Jamaican D, and they have even provided seeds straight from the tropics with Jamaican Me Crazy.

The reason that you will rarely find these pure Sativa strains on the shelf of your favorite dispensary is because these types of plants are impractical to grow indoors or in almost any North American environment. The flowering time on these plants is 12-16 weeks, and they require a full range of sunlight. It is impractical but not impossible to grow them. Outdoor crops must be place on a South facing slope, and will have to be pulled early or they will compete with the fall rains. Indoor crops will be restricted to low yields with super high potency, but they will be twice as expensive

and take twice as long to produce . Greenhouse may be the best way to go, if you can control every a spect o f the environment. The possibilities of these plants are to reach 25 feet tall or more and ha ve tower ing immense colas of the sweetest stickiest and headiest cannabis on the planet.

When Ca l i Connection set out on their mission to improve their already potent line of Chemdogs and OG Kushes, they looked to the high hills of tropical Jamaica. During the 1970’s, high-grade marijuana on the east coast was known to come through Florida. A few American rebels were bringing some of this sweet sticky skunk bud from neighboring Jamaica. And the tales have been spread far and wide, and these were just common outdoor crops with seeds and stems and shake. Imagine the possibilities with we l l -grown p lants produc ing beautifully manicured, stinky, sticky green bud.

Now with Cali Connection seeds, provided to you here at El Camino Wellness Center, you can bring these plants into your garden. Jamaican Me Crazy is actually the pure Jamaican strain. These seeds are considered souvenir seeds, and are actually part of the batch brought back from Jamaica. This plant produces tall whispy colas that are covered in crystals. The Jamaican D is a result of crossing the JMC father into Chem D. Chemdog is the amazing sativa that originated in Colorado long ago. Of the three varieties that were originally isolated of Chemdog, it was the one known as Chem D which i s cons idered bes t for breeding. This is because of the gigantic buds it produces and it’s lack

of hermaphrodit ic tendencies . Jamaican D produces giant dense and rock-hard buds that are musky and skunky. Most variations of this strain are extremely high in THC, but one phenotype is known to be high in CBD.

These two strains offered to you by Cali Connection are not to be overlooked. They are truly special seeds that are waiting for the right grower. So if you can muster up the courage to care for these babies for twelve weeks or longer, and you understand that cola bigger than your head is only an ounce, but it will be the best ounce you ever smoked, then these may be the seeds for you. So prepare yourself and when you think you are ready, come on down to ECWC and pick up your packs of Jamaican D and Jamaican Me Crazy.

M

GENETICSCali Connection

MONTHLY CALENDARGrowing stronger, together

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1HASH 10% off

Patient Services3:30-5:30pm

2Massage Therapy3-6:00pm

3Chiropractor11:30-1:30pm

6Growing Class 1:00-3:00pm

5 6Acupressure3-6:00pm

7Massage Therapy3-6:00pm

8HASH 10% off

Patient Services3:30-5:30pm

9Ayurveda 12:00-2:00pmMassage Therapy3-6:00pm

10Chiropractor11:30-1:30pm

11Yoga 11:00-12:30Growing Class 1:00-3:00pm

15 13Acupressure3-6:00pm

14

Massage Therapy3-6:00pm

15HASH 10% off

ASA RALLY4:20PM

Patient Services3:30-5:30pm

16ASA RALLY12:00 noon

Massage Therapy3-6:00pm

17Chiropractor11:30-1:30pm

18Growing Class 1:00-3:00pm

Reiki 3:00-5:00pm

19 20Acupressure3-6:00pm

21Massage Therapy3-6:00pm

22HASH 10% off

Patient Services3:30-5:30pm

23Ayurveda 12:00-2:00pmMassage Therapy3-6:00pm

24 25Yoga 11:00-12:30Growing Class 1:00-3:00pm

26 27Acupressure3-6:00pm

28Massage Therapy3-6:00pm

29HASH 10% off

Patient Services3:30-5:30pm

lease join Sacramento area patients and advocates on

Wednesdays at 7PM for a candlelight vigil in front of the Federal Courthouse.

In the wake of October's DOJ Press Conference, safe access has been swiftly attacked in our region. A significant amount of dispensaries

have been ordered to close, are facing closure and/or have been prohibited from opening due to trickle down intimidation from our elected officials that have chosen bans rather than adopting sensible ordinances.

It is imperative that we keep the light shinning on the importance o f s afe access for medica l

c a n n a b i s p a t i e n t s . P lea se br ing c a n d l e s , f l a s h l i g h t s , g low s t i cks , dress warm for the ch i l l y weather and come share your pat ient testimonial.

P