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ASA Undermines Axis of Love
There is dissension amongst medical cannabis activist, One group is attempting
to take credit for the actions of another group.....
to take credit for the actions of another group.....
Hello freedom fighters!
This is what, false history does, historically.
Is co-opt and write out of history what and who really made things move.The publication,west coast leaf, is taking Kris Hermes-media chief from American for safe access story surrounding our community's achievements with chairman John Conyers jr.and has rejected a direct report from PAN- patient advovacy network -who directly worked with Conyers staff .
Which , if we look at already posted history of ASA as to how this happened- will only allow one women entrance into ''legend'' ,is my guess, i hope i am wrong!
-when it should be five, Rachel king,dege,mira,caren and myself for Conyers letter to head of DEA.
And overall ,Senator Carole, Anna from Lenos office,
Christina from Midgens- Nancy from Mayor Newsom,Cahty Smith of hope.net co-op, -the list is too long -really.
Only Caren ? , the daughter of affluent corporate lawyer, and lead lobbyist in DC,for asa? Woodsum who has only her gender, as a hold back -In which, it definitely has been a boys only club, in our world,of cannabis news for sometime!
so hats off to her! for getting to the top as a female of privilege,,even with that amount of privileged it takes some might!no lie....
its not a crime to have been born into privilege its how you choose to take action and share with your privilege -to be clear-Caren is doing a great job advocating for a social justice change
However it is still not okay to stand aside and allow your fellow hardworking advocates get white washed out of history- its your duty to say something,and from your heart .
- stop the press- be a true ally.
print aspects of both story's,
gain a balanced perspective-what harm does that bring?? to me this only brings a better educated community!
but to not allow a story,TO CENSOR???
that the publication asked for? is uncalled for and unfair!
false history? it wipes out working class women and women of color,women who are significantly disabled/in wheelchair, who helped construct one of the most significant changes in cannabis history .
- please post Dege story everywhere, you can, across the net, tonight.And email chris and encourage him to post both stories - dont be unfair to chris ! he is a great person who made a mistake -it happens to the best .
yes!there is political dissonance in her story. Because that's really what happened. We pressured the speaker of the house local office! I personally was in contact with her aide for several hours before we received the famous statement from the chairman! and remain in loving support of his efforts to help our community!
- So it all worked out for the good, of us all. There is no danger in telling the truth of how things evolve- because we are human and mistakes and miscommunication and communication breakdown, all a part of the process!
The speaker of the house is with us. Her local office is very supportive of our local efforts to help low income patients - fear of the truth? is misplaced., lets tell it as it was and as it is.
w/o fear a strong voice for justice as Dege Coutee has . - writing African American women out of cannabis history cant be tolerated!
and I for one, am sure that this is not what Mikki Norris or Chris Conrad. The couple that publishes this publication had in mind. But often we don't understand cause and effect,so lets take a moment and move forward with awareness. -How will other cannabis cultures across California, may see this ?- knowing that Dege was commissioned to write this story.? Lets move forward without fear and publish edited verison of each - I think that's the only fair approach, that is respectful ,of all our stories!
In Solidarity,
Shona.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Axis Love
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Subject: Re: What is NOT being printed
To: patientadvocates [at] riseup.net
Cc: Sister Dana
what is being printed my love - did mikki stab us in the back?what white dude is telling the story um there were not a single white man at the table it was all women - caren being the opnly white upper class person there -did they have kris or someone coopt weverything ? going to call and if mikki did call her out on it and send the story out today to variuos publications - this is wrong
On Sun, Jun 1, 2008 at 2:29 PM, wrote:
Hey, Shona -
Below is the story I wrote that is not being printed in the WCL. It
appears that our work can only be authenticated and written about by white
men. Others get to tell our story. Not us.
D-
DEA Tactics Questioned
Congressman Conyers Requests Accountability
By Degé Coutee
Early this month House Judiciary Chair Congressman John Conyers, Jr.,
(D-MI) sent a letter to the acting head of the Drug Enforcement
Administration Michele Leonhart (her permanent appointment appears
eminent) questioning the administration's tactics with respect to raids
and threats of asset forfeiture in California. Grassroots medical
cannabis advocates worked months to get Congress to take action on this
issue.
On December 7, 2007, Axis of Love San Francisco and Patient Advocacy
Network held an emergency press conference outside House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi's district office in response to the ongoing threats and harassment
by the DEA. Both organizations provide education, advocacy and social
service programs to medical cannabis patients throughout the state.
Frustrated elected officials were prepared to go on record stating that
Speaker Pelosi failed her constituency by not acting sooner.
Advocates had been diligent since January 17, 2007, when 14 dispensaries
were raided simultaneously in Los Angeles, to educate the Speaker's office
about the seriousness of the DEA's continued efforts to undermine a
movement that started in Pelosi's district. In July of 2007, the first
landlords received the now well-known DEA threat letter informing owners
that properties were under ongoing investigation, that medical marijuana
dispensaries are known to be on the premises and their failure to do
anything about it could result in asset forfeiture and imprisonment.
Under the fear and pressure, dispensaries started closing rapidly. Since
the letters were not threatening landlords in San Francisco yet, Pelosi's
staff informed the directors of Axis of Love and PAN that their office did
not see a need to act.
On December 5, 2007, the DEA issued its press release stating that every
landlord renting to a dispensary in Northern California would receive the
threat letter and the emergency press conference was called. Knowing that
local officials planned to go on record condemning Speaker Pelosi's lack
of action and patients were organizing a two-week long vigil for the dead
and imprisoned at the hands of the DEA, Pelosi's office promised Axis of
Love and PAN that a statement would be read by the Speaker's staff at the
press conference. However, the statement did not come from Speaker
Pelosi, it came from Congressman Conyers, Chair of the House Judiciary
Committee. He stated, "I am deeply concerned about recent reports that
the Drug Enforcement Administration is threatening private landlords with
asset forfeiture and possible imprisonment if they refuse to evict
organizations legally dispensing medical marijuana to suffering patients.
The Committee has already questioned the DEA about its efforts to
undermine California state law on this subject and we intend to sharply
question this specific tactic as part of our oversight efforts."
As no good deed goes unpunished, Shona Gochenaur, executive director of
Axis of Love and Degé Coutee, president of PAN sought to insure oversight
efforts happened and immediately began working with staff of the Judiciary
Committee in Washington, DC. Additionally, Shona and Degé sought the
active support of local elected officials and soon Senate Joint Resolution
20 was on the floor. City councils across the state started presenting
resolutions supporting Congressman Conyers statements, condemning the DEA
and demanding immediate action from Congress. All state and local
resolutions and statements from California mayors have been presented to
the Congressman Conyers. The pressure from patient advocates prompted him
to suggest a letter to the acting head of the DEA and requested advocate
input on the line of questioning.
Although not all of the advocates' questions appear in the final letter,
the important matter of asset forfeiture is in the forefront. The letter
asks if the DEA is going to take action against property owners, patients
and caregivers and if this is a good use of their resources. The letter
seeks to learn the status of the property seized thus far and the
resources spent on raids. The letter also inquires about the DEA's
willingness to work with states that have passed their own medical
cannabis laws and includes copies of the all the resolutions being passed
in California condemning the DEA and demanding Congressional action.
It is not anticipated that the DEA is going to respond favorably if at
all. However, it is the first strong step in opening oversight hearings.
The deadline for the DEA to respond is approaching quickly – Axis of Love
San Francisco and Patient Advocacy Network are prepared to for the next
step.
This is what, false history does, historically.
Is co-opt and write out of history what and who really made things move.The publication,west coast leaf, is taking Kris Hermes-media chief from American for safe access story surrounding our community's achievements with chairman John Conyers jr.and has rejected a direct report from PAN- patient advovacy network -who directly worked with Conyers staff .
Which , if we look at already posted history of ASA as to how this happened- will only allow one women entrance into ''legend'' ,is my guess, i hope i am wrong!
-when it should be five, Rachel king,dege,mira,caren and myself for Conyers letter to head of DEA.
And overall ,Senator Carole, Anna from Lenos office,
Christina from Midgens- Nancy from Mayor Newsom,Cahty Smith of hope.net co-op, -the list is too long -really.
Only Caren ? , the daughter of affluent corporate lawyer, and lead lobbyist in DC,for asa? Woodsum who has only her gender, as a hold back -In which, it definitely has been a boys only club, in our world,of cannabis news for sometime!
so hats off to her! for getting to the top as a female of privilege,,even with that amount of privileged it takes some might!no lie....
its not a crime to have been born into privilege its how you choose to take action and share with your privilege -to be clear-Caren is doing a great job advocating for a social justice change
However it is still not okay to stand aside and allow your fellow hardworking advocates get white washed out of history- its your duty to say something,and from your heart .
- stop the press- be a true ally.
print aspects of both story's,
gain a balanced perspective-what harm does that bring?? to me this only brings a better educated community!
but to not allow a story,TO CENSOR???
that the publication asked for? is uncalled for and unfair!
false history? it wipes out working class women and women of color,women who are significantly disabled/in wheelchair, who helped construct one of the most significant changes in cannabis history .
- please post Dege story everywhere, you can, across the net, tonight.And email chris and encourage him to post both stories - dont be unfair to chris ! he is a great person who made a mistake -it happens to the best .
yes!there is political dissonance in her story. Because that's really what happened. We pressured the speaker of the house local office! I personally was in contact with her aide for several hours before we received the famous statement from the chairman! and remain in loving support of his efforts to help our community!
- So it all worked out for the good, of us all. There is no danger in telling the truth of how things evolve- because we are human and mistakes and miscommunication and communication breakdown, all a part of the process!
The speaker of the house is with us. Her local office is very supportive of our local efforts to help low income patients - fear of the truth? is misplaced., lets tell it as it was and as it is.
w/o fear a strong voice for justice as Dege Coutee has . - writing African American women out of cannabis history cant be tolerated!
and I for one, am sure that this is not what Mikki Norris or Chris Conrad. The couple that publishes this publication had in mind. But often we don't understand cause and effect,so lets take a moment and move forward with awareness. -How will other cannabis cultures across California, may see this ?- knowing that Dege was commissioned to write this story.? Lets move forward without fear and publish edited verison of each - I think that's the only fair approach, that is respectful ,of all our stories!
In Solidarity,
Shona.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Axis Love
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Subject: Re: What is NOT being printed
To: patientadvocates [at] riseup.net
Cc: Sister Dana
what is being printed my love - did mikki stab us in the back?what white dude is telling the story um there were not a single white man at the table it was all women - caren being the opnly white upper class person there -did they have kris or someone coopt weverything ? going to call and if mikki did call her out on it and send the story out today to variuos publications - this is wrong
On Sun, Jun 1, 2008 at 2:29 PM, wrote:
Hey, Shona -
Below is the story I wrote that is not being printed in the WCL. It
appears that our work can only be authenticated and written about by white
men. Others get to tell our story. Not us.
D-
DEA Tactics Questioned
Congressman Conyers Requests Accountability
By Degé Coutee
Early this month House Judiciary Chair Congressman John Conyers, Jr.,
(D-MI) sent a letter to the acting head of the Drug Enforcement
Administration Michele Leonhart (her permanent appointment appears
eminent) questioning the administration's tactics with respect to raids
and threats of asset forfeiture in California. Grassroots medical
cannabis advocates worked months to get Congress to take action on this
issue.
On December 7, 2007, Axis of Love San Francisco and Patient Advocacy
Network held an emergency press conference outside House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi's district office in response to the ongoing threats and harassment
by the DEA. Both organizations provide education, advocacy and social
service programs to medical cannabis patients throughout the state.
Frustrated elected officials were prepared to go on record stating that
Speaker Pelosi failed her constituency by not acting sooner.
Advocates had been diligent since January 17, 2007, when 14 dispensaries
were raided simultaneously in Los Angeles, to educate the Speaker's office
about the seriousness of the DEA's continued efforts to undermine a
movement that started in Pelosi's district. In July of 2007, the first
landlords received the now well-known DEA threat letter informing owners
that properties were under ongoing investigation, that medical marijuana
dispensaries are known to be on the premises and their failure to do
anything about it could result in asset forfeiture and imprisonment.
Under the fear and pressure, dispensaries started closing rapidly. Since
the letters were not threatening landlords in San Francisco yet, Pelosi's
staff informed the directors of Axis of Love and PAN that their office did
not see a need to act.
On December 5, 2007, the DEA issued its press release stating that every
landlord renting to a dispensary in Northern California would receive the
threat letter and the emergency press conference was called. Knowing that
local officials planned to go on record condemning Speaker Pelosi's lack
of action and patients were organizing a two-week long vigil for the dead
and imprisoned at the hands of the DEA, Pelosi's office promised Axis of
Love and PAN that a statement would be read by the Speaker's staff at the
press conference. However, the statement did not come from Speaker
Pelosi, it came from Congressman Conyers, Chair of the House Judiciary
Committee. He stated, "I am deeply concerned about recent reports that
the Drug Enforcement Administration is threatening private landlords with
asset forfeiture and possible imprisonment if they refuse to evict
organizations legally dispensing medical marijuana to suffering patients.
The Committee has already questioned the DEA about its efforts to
undermine California state law on this subject and we intend to sharply
question this specific tactic as part of our oversight efforts."
As no good deed goes unpunished, Shona Gochenaur, executive director of
Axis of Love and Degé Coutee, president of PAN sought to insure oversight
efforts happened and immediately began working with staff of the Judiciary
Committee in Washington, DC. Additionally, Shona and Degé sought the
active support of local elected officials and soon Senate Joint Resolution
20 was on the floor. City councils across the state started presenting
resolutions supporting Congressman Conyers statements, condemning the DEA
and demanding immediate action from Congress. All state and local
resolutions and statements from California mayors have been presented to
the Congressman Conyers. The pressure from patient advocates prompted him
to suggest a letter to the acting head of the DEA and requested advocate
input on the line of questioning.
Although not all of the advocates' questions appear in the final letter,
the important matter of asset forfeiture is in the forefront. The letter
asks if the DEA is going to take action against property owners, patients
and caregivers and if this is a good use of their resources. The letter
seeks to learn the status of the property seized thus far and the
resources spent on raids. The letter also inquires about the DEA's
willingness to work with states that have passed their own medical
cannabis laws and includes copies of the all the resolutions being passed
in California condemning the DEA and demanding Congressional action.
It is not anticipated that the DEA is going to respond favorably if at
all. However, it is the first strong step in opening oversight hearings.
The deadline for the DEA to respond is approaching quickly – Axis of Love
San Francisco and Patient Advocacy Network are prepared to for the next
step.
For more information:
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As I keep observing in my job at a dispensary, you can't let a nonprofit call itself "grassroots" and run a movement that should be coming from the grassroots. ASA has to put its name out there, because that's how they justify their work to their funders. I think that we should be doing a _lot_ more on a lot more fronts, but I can see how having basically 2-5 major national organizations working on the same thing can limit what other people can do (especially in terms of getting funding to be able to do it full-time).
And ultimately, this Conyers stuff is not that big a deal. People are dying without their medicine because this decriminalization process is going so slowly. This is not going to lead directly to the rescheduling of cannabis. I'm sorry. It is a very, very small step. Just keep doing your work and pulling more people in to do other aspects of the work that needs to be done.