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Provisioning Centers Fundraiser Anchors Big Marijuana Weekend

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The Compassion Chronicles

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http://www.thecompassionchronicles.com/2013/09/10/provisioning-centers-fundraiser-anchors-big-marijuana-weekend/

 

National organizations, House Representatives mingle with marijuana entrepreneurs and activists; Detroit, Ann Arbor to host activities

 

 

by Rick Thompson

 

September 10/FLINT- Michigan’s marijuana players will rub elbows with national guests and Lansing legislators this weekend as the spotlight remains hot on medical marijuana law reform. Executive Director of Americans for Safe Access (ASA) Steph Sherer will be appearing at all the gatherings of significance, including a major fundraising event on Saturday night at the beautiful Ann Arbor Art Center.

 

 

Steph Sherer, ASA Executive Director

The Events

Sherer will be speaking on Friday in Detroit regarding the recent Department of Justice policy change regarding states’ rights to legalize medical and recreational marijuana. As the Director of a powerful national organization, Sherer will explain the broad implications of the new policy- and the ramifications to Michigan’s 130,000 medical marijuana patients, to law enforcement and to legislators. This conversation is made more relevant by Tuesday’s testimony before a US Senate committee from Assistant Attorney General Cole. The event is free to the public and media is invited to attend.

 

The action moves to Ann Arbor on Saturday with two events, both at the Ann Arbor Art Center. Sherer will hold a Raid Preparation Workshop, which begins at 5 pm; the National Patients Rights Association (NPRA), along with the Ann Arbor Medical Cannabis Guild (the Guild), will host a fundraising event immediately afterward. That gathering is scheduled for 6-9 pm.

 

The Raid workshop comes at a crucial time for Michigan’s 100 remaining dispensaries, as three recent raids on dispensaries were conducted by federal DEA agents executing state-issued warrants. Use of federal agents to perform state raids is a trend that many fear will continue, as it provides advantages for the state and creates difficulties for defense counsels. Additionally, raids in Detroit on distribution centers underscore the need for everyone involved in the medical marijuana program to become educated on the tactics being used against them, and how to best handle all manner of police encounters. Sherer has done this raid training in Michigan in the past.

 

By far the crown jewel of the weekend’s actions is the Saturday night fundraiser for NPRA to fund the lobby effort for passage of HB 4271, the Provisioning Centers Act. This event is the latest in a series of fundraisers for 4271 hosted by the Guild; previous events have drawn Michigan’s best and brightest in the industry to the Art Center.

 

In addition to Sherer, the national organization Patients Out Of Time (POT) will have a representative at the fundraiser. POT educates doctors and nurses about cannabis and its uses in seminars held across the country; they sponsor a huge conference every year where physicians from all over the world gather to discuss cutting-edge science and the best methods to spread that information to health care providers and the public.

 

 

NPRA lobbyist Kevin McKinney of Lansing’s McKinney and Associates

‘Fundraiser’ is a word that doesn’t cover the breadth of the Saturday night event. In a first for the NPRA, many of Michigan’s non-profit organizations will have display tables at the Center, distributing literature and showing videos. Corporations and products will be on display, too, and the diversity of merchandise and services offered to Michigan patients or businesses will amaze even the most informed activists.

 

Despite the new theme of incorporating exposure for the state’s often-underrepresented small business community, the Fundraiser will feature all of the exciting aspects you would expect at a $200 a plate gathering: soft music, cocktails, great food and even better speakers. Reps. Callton and Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, will address the crowd and explain the progress of the Provisioning Centers Act through the legislature. Sherer leads the list of dignitaries who will capture the stage. Also appearing will be:

 

Mark Passerini, emcee- member, The Guild and Michigan ASA member

 

Kevin McKinney- Lansing lobbyist for NPRA

 

Theresa Daniello- the Ohio Rights Group and Patients Out Of Time

 

Rebecca Hamilton Brown- director of Michigan’s own Pediatric Cannabis Network

 

Robin Schneider and Drew Driver- NPRA representatives

 

Representatives from Michigan Compassion and Michigan’s chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

 

 

 

The Players

ASA has sued the DEA to reschedule marijuana; their Peace for Patients program has elevated the issue of federally incarcerated state-legal medicinal marijuana patients from across the country into a national dialog; they have held protests and lobby days in Washington, D.C. and in a dozen states. ASA’s Michigan chapter protested in front of the federal courthouse in downtown Detroit earlier this year and has entreated Michigan’s medical marijuana agency to allow input from the marijuana community regarding future changes to the program.

 

The National Patient’s Rights Association is the lead lobbying entity in Lansing representing the needs of medicinal marijuana users and the right to safe access centers. Through their lobbyist, Kevin McKinney, and key members Robin Schneider and Drew Driver, NPRA has pushed for legislation allowing legalized distribution of medical marijuana via dispensaries, referred to in HB 4271 as Provisioning Centers.

 

The Ann Arbor Medical Cannabis Guild is a band of safe access centers that has lobbied their City Council for an ordinance that would regulate and protect their businesses and the patients that use them. This fundraising event is the latest in a cooperative effort between the Guild and the NPRA to advance the Provisioning Centers Act.

 

 

 

The Details

Friday 9/13/13 Detroit

ASA Update: DOJ announcement and importance to support HB 4271 and regulated distribution

Led by Americans for Safe Access Executive Director, Steph Sherer

When: Friday 7pm-9pm

Where: Andrews on the Corner

Address: 201 Joseph Campau Ave, Detroit, MI 48207

Cost: FREE (Donations welcome)

 

Saturday 9/14/13 Ann Arbor

When: Saturday 5-6pm Raid training for operators and associates led by Americans for Safe Access Executive Director, Steph Sherer

Where: Ann Arbor Art Center

Address: 117 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Cost: FREE (Donations welcome)

 

Saturday 6PM

Fundraiser for NPRA in support of HB4271

Same location as above

Cost: $200 a person, $300 a couple

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solabeirtan Advanced Member

solabeirtan

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We know they are the reason for the latest bs MAC ruling , along with the numerous other atrocities that have plagued this program from the beginning primarily from their attempts to push their Agenda$. Including the Redden, King, McQueen and numerous other cases of Patient Abuse they persist in pu$hing their $elfi$h Greedy Agenda. Giving away our money and our grow right$ ! 

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greenbuddha Advanced Member

greenbuddha

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its an interesting question.

do we trade the cartels for dispensaries ?

 

the only problem is how to fund a complete-legalization with no restrictions, grow it like tomatoes signature drive?

 

Well, with the cartels we still have the shoot outs and LEO kicking doors in to confiscate an oz  of cannabis and throwing people in jail for it.

 

I think I'll go with 'legalization' with the best options we can get. And that would include being able to legally purchase cannabis and to grow a reasonable amount for personal use.

 

Unless a person can go to the mountains in India or the hills of Jamaica, you're not going to be able to grow cannabis openly and freely.  And even in those places you still risk being thrown in jail unless to can come up with the $ to bribe your way out of it.

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solabeirtan Advanced Member

solabeirtan

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We can grow right here. legally since 2009 basically. Let's see who's profitting the most right now from our activities? The Electric Co.$ ! Shareholder$ ! LARA, Doctors, Lawyers, ... Provi$iniminting Center$/Di$pen$arie$ ?

 

Truth be told We should be more concerned with the violence our Administration is responsible for.
We need to mellow out and quit friking with everybody. It's just not natural or even healthy for anyone. 
 
Here are some recent gun violence figures...
Deaths/100,000
 
USA 10.3
 
Mx 11.2
Panama 17.6
Honduras 64.8
Guatemala 36.3
El Salvador 41.11
Columbia     28.14
 
Our Cartel$ {DEA,CIA,FBI,HS,TSA} are responsible for the lion share of those unfortunate #s. Which represent the ultimate human rights violations imaginable... 
Not including Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Pakistan, Syria, ...
 
....better watch your mirrors, or something ...
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greenbuddha Advanced Member

greenbuddha

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We can grow right here. legally since 2009 basically. Let's see who's profitting the most right now from our activities? The Electric Co.$ ! Shareholder$ ! LARA, Doctors, Lawyers, ... Provi$iniminting Center$/Di$pen$arie$ ?

 

Truth be told We should be more concerned with the violence our Administration is responsible for.
We need to mellow out and quit friking with everybody. It's just not natural or even healthy for anyone. 
 
Here are some recent gun violence figures...
Deaths/100,000
 
USA 10.3
 
Mx 11.2
Panama 17.6
Honduras 64.8
Guatemala 36.3
El Salvador 41.11
Columbia     28.14
 
Our Cartel$ {DEA,CIA,FBI,HS,TSA} are responsible for the lion share of those unfortunate #s. Which represent the ultimate human rights violations imaginable... 
Not including Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Pakistan, Syria, ...
 
....better watch your mirrors, or something ...

 

BOTH the 'cartels' and the  'U.S. enforcement agencies' should be out of the 'Drug War' business.

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solabeirtan Advanced Member

solabeirtan

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greenbuddha, on 11 Sept 2013 - 15:44, said:

BOTH the 'cartels' and the 'U.S. enforcement agencies' should be out of the 'Drug War' business.

Before the "Drug War" we were chasing Commies. In fact today is the 40th anniversary of the Military Coup that ousted the democratically elected President of Chile, SA, by the CIA backed Authoritarian Military Regime of Gen Augusto Pinochet Edited by solabeirtan
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greenbuddha Advanced Member

greenbuddha

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Before the "Drug War" we were chasing Commies. In fact today is the 40th anniversary  of the Military Coup that ousted the democratically elected President, by the CIA backed Authoritarian Military Regime of Gen Augusto Pinochet 

 

Yep! Totally agree.

 

Having an enemy to fight against is a sure way to keep the population in fear and ready to back a war.

 

What will change that though is anybody's guess.

 

But right now, I'd be happy with a change in the cannabis laws. At least that would be one less thing to keep us off balance and unable to move in good directions.

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solabeirtan Advanced Member

solabeirtan

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It was very reassuring that the People can make a difference and seemed the impetus that kept us out of Syria. Along with an amazing display of global cooperation with our former "ArchEnemies". We are truly breaking new ground on the status quo. 

 

...Wait a min, we just had a change in the Cannabis Law.  I agree it definitley helps!   I haven't felt this content in a long while .....  

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greenbuddha Advanced Member

greenbuddha

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It was very reassuring that the People can make a difference and seemed the impetus that kept us out of Syria. Along with an amazing display of global cooperation with our former "ArchEnemies". We are truly breaking new ground on the status quo. 

 

...Wait a min, we just had a change in the Cannabis Law.  I agree it definitley helps!   I haven't felt this content in a long while .....

 

Never thought I'd live to see even the progress we've made so far.

 

Glad to hear you're feeling good.

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Celliach Advanced Member

Celliach

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Unfortunately I think that is the only way the greedy politicians will back down on prohibition .

 

Then we get new politicians.  Let's not cave in and give them what they want just to get legal.  We should hold out and get what we want instead.

 

Remember, they didn't want legal MMJ, either.

 

This isn't about what the politicians want.  It's about what we want!

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