CEASE AND DESIST
On May 2, 2011, California medical For decades, we have urged federal poli-
cannabis patients Dr. Molly Fry and her cies that recognize scientific evidence and
husband, Dale Schafer, will surrender patient experience. Federal raids, prosecu-
themselves to federal authorities to each tions, intimidation, and harassment of the
serve five-year mandatory minimum sen- medical cannabis community are unreason-
tences in federal prison for cultivating able and contrary to the will of the Ameri-
medical cannabis. They were targeted for can people, who overwhelmingly favor
helping members of their community who safe, legal access to medical cannabis. We
suffer severe, debilitating conditions. are sick and tired, but we are organized
and have the support of 80% of the public.
This is just the latest example of the U.S.
federal government targeting patients THEREFORE, it is time to end this war on
and interfering with the medical cannabis patients, let science lead public policy, and
programs in 15 states, despite President allow states to protect their most vulner-
Obama’s promises to respect state law. able citizens.
DEA raids and other forms of federal in- IT IS HEREBY ORDERED by American for
timidation and interference continue to Safe Access and others who stand in soli-
plague patients in California, Colorado, darity with patients and their providers
Michigan, Montana, Hawaii, Washington, that all persons acting under the author-
Oregon, Rhode Island, and Nevada. ity of the U.S. federal government CEASE
AND DESIST from interfering with State
Despite the increasing number of states laws, and create policies that protect medi-
that recognize the legitimate therapeutic cal cannabis patients from further harm.
and palliative benefits of medical canna-
bis, the Obama Administration continues ENFORCEMENT POLICY
to subvert state rights in favor of an inhu-
TAKE NOTICE that, effective immediately,
mane policy that denies the scientific con-
any person who interferes with medial
sensus on the medical uses of cannabis.
cannabis patients and/or their providers
With over a million Americans now utiliz- will be subject to coordinated grassroots
ing state medical cannabis programs, this response by the public at large in local and
continued harassment presents a state of national forums.
emergency. Raids and threats from this
administration are a direct attack on de-
mocracy in states that have implemented
sound, safe and responsible laws.