Pubdate: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Copyright: 2002 Hearst Communications Inc. Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388 Author: Adam Eidinger INSPIRING ACT Editor -- The sanctioned distribution of medical marijuana to seriously ill people by the Santa Cruz City Council Tuesday was the most inspiring act of direct action by elected officials I have seen in a long time. While patients across the nation are preparing for more DEA raids on cannabis cooperatives by moving operations underground (or out into the open as in Santa Cruz), thousands of people are expected to travel to Sacramento Monday to protest the federal sentencing of Bryan Epis. He is the person convicted by federal authorities for operating the Chico Medical Marijuana Caregivers. At trial, no mention of his compliance with California law or his own medical necessity was permitted. He is expected to receive a mandatory-minimum sentence of 10 years. This witch-hunt of the sick and their caregivers is immoral and is the result of a drug war run amok. Now is the time for people to stand up and fight back (see www. safeaccessnow.org/). Adam Eidinger Americans for Safe Access Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Alex