Thanks to your help, National Medical Marijuana Awareness Week was a tremendous success in 2003. The actions of advocates raised awareness of the issues facing patients and the injustice of prosecutions. Great events across the country produced news stories in leading newspapers, network programs on patients and providers, and the launching of major national legislation. 

The momentum from last year's National Medical Marijuana Awareness Week has propelled dramatic advances in protecting patients' rights, with increasingly lenient federal sentences, major Constitutional victories in federal courts and more favorable laws proposed and enacted.

The movement for safe and legal access to medical marijuana is gaining ground with a growing coalition. But we are at a critical moment. The achievements of the last year will come to nothing without further action. Medical Marijuana Awareness Week is our chance to be heard, to shine a light on the truth about a safe, effective medicine. The vast majority of Americans understand that the sick and suffering deserve legal access to marijuana if it helps them. Accelerating medical research holds enormous promise for patients suffering from many afflictions, and the medical community shows signs of a growing acceptance of cannabis therapy.

But not everyone knows about the advances in science or the ongoing injustice of federal prosecutions. We've won some battles but not the war. This is our chance to raise awareness even further.

Right in the middle of Medical Marijuana Awareness Week two caregivers in Los Angeles, Lynn and Judy Osburn, will be sentenced for helping provide medicine to the 1,000 patients who were served by the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center in West Hollywood, before a federal raid shut its doors in 2001.  Other patients and caregivers are facing prison in courts around the country. Our actions during Medical Marijuana Awareness Week can ensure that more good people will not go to prison.

On Wednesday, February 18, we ask everyone nationwide to send a "Thank You" or "Spank You" message to your congressional representative.

For a "Thank You" Certificate, right click here and choose "save target as" to download 

For a "Spank You" Certificate, right click here and choose "save target as" to download 

For a sample Press Release for the action at Congressional offices, right click here and choose "save target as" to download the Word doc  

Last summer we had a chance to see where each of our members stood when they voted on the Hinchey amendment to de-fund DEA attacks on patients. Those that did the right thing and voted Yes on the amendment deserve our praise. They also may need reminding that there are 2 bills they should co-sponsor that protect patients' rights. To see how your member voted, visit

Those that voted No on the Hinchey amendment need to be held accountable to their constituents. If your member of Congress is one of these, we need YOU to help organize a press event outside their local offices on February 18! Please call or write Hilary at 510-486-8083 or hilary@safeaccessnow.org if you can help. We'll provide all the materials and press support you need to make your event a success!

Other events planned in this time will ignite the movement. In the Bay Area, we already have a Medical Marijuana Filmfest planned, a kickoff 215 party, and a "Festival of Lighting Up" evening procession to shine the light on the gov't war on patients, and remember our POW's with a festive vigil of lighting up with fiery and lighted costumes and creations. We are having a Medical Marijuana School at UC Berkeley, and are planning actions at both VA Hospitals and non-supportive medical societies. You could do any of these in your own community, or whatever would move your local priorities forward!

Our best chance for real change is now. With your help 2004 will be the year that ends the persecution of patients and their caregivers.