Coalition for Cannabis Standards & Ethics

The Coalition for Cannabis Standards & Ethics is a patient operated group of Collective Gardens, Medible Providers, Doctors and Scientists working together to ensure safe access in Washington. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-36100388-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[ccsewa-blog]

State Of The Coalition Update

CCSE has recently changed the format of our weekly Thursday meetings.  By recent member vote, the group now gathers alternating Thursdays to do committee work in lieu of a regular meeting,  The second Thursday is designated as the open meeting for the general public and the last Thursday is the members-only meeting for voting. 

This Thursday, November 15th, the group packed the house to meet for an organizational committee meeting.  The committee discussed CCSE membership applications from two prospective member organizations. Both companies were well received, and the organizational committee agreed to forward both applications on to the members only meeting for a vote on membership in CCSE.

Because of Thanksgiving, this month’s members only meeting will occur November 29th, the fifth Thursday.   The organization committee also addressed the issue of allowing non-cannabis industry professionals to become members of CCSE.  The group held an engaged and intelligent conversation about the pros and cons of granting membership to lawyers, accountants, realtors and other professionals who serve and support the cannabis industry.  

The outcome of the group discussion was for the membership to create a new class of CCSE member called “Allied Professionals”.  The committee recognized that many allied professionals already have a standard of ethics governing their work and don’t need CCSE ethics rules. However, the prevailing sentiment at the meeting was that CCSE should consider requiring allied professionals to undergo a minimum cannabis education to ensure that the professionals are sensitive to the special needs and concerns of the cannabis industry.

The committee felt an Allied Professional sub-committee was the right place to work out the details of any cannabis education requirements. After sparking the question of allied professional membership, the one attorney who has applied for CCSE membership shall be submitted for membership vote on November 29.

The next CCSE Meeting open to prospective members and visitors will be Thursday, December 13th, 2012. If you’d like more information about becoming a member of this exciting organization, please send us an email at [email protected].

[ccsewa-blog]

Prominent Washington State Law Enforcers Explain Why Marijuana Should Not Be A Crime

Via Think Progress:

Washington is one of three states that will take up a ballot initiative on Tuesday to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana. Support for the measure has been particularly widespread in the state, including among law enforcement officials, who have touted the initiative as a necessary fresh alternative to years of expensive arrests and prosecutions that have not achieved public safety or public health goals.

Among those who strongly support the initiative are Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes and former Seattle FBI Special Agent in Charge Charles Mandigo. ThinkProgress spoke with Mandigo and Holmes in Seattle. Watch it!

[ccsewa-blog]

Steve DeAngelo speaks out regarding the importance of supporting the WA 502 initiative on the 2012 ballot that will legalize cannabis for all people 21 and older.

Steve DeAngelo, a 40 year political activist for the reform of cannabis and one of the the nation's preeminent movement leaders, is on the forefront once again fighting for all medical patients and providers as he tries to set precedent defending Harborside against property forfeiture action by the DEA.

Full transcript of 502 Endorsement by Steve DeAngelo On July 9th, Harborside Health Center became the latest of hundreds of dispensaries nationwide that have been threatened with property seizure by the US Department of Justice. By that time, similar threats had already succeeded in intimidating over 600 California dispensaries into shutting their doors, and dozens more in Colorado and Washington. But Harborside has no intention of closing—we will never abandon our patients. So we filed our own lawsuit against the Feds—on behalf of ourselves and every other medical cannabis patient in the country, and we convinced the City of Oakland to join our action; and now it is the Feds who will have to defend themselves in court. I have been so focused on resisting the current federal crackdown, which threatens all the gains we have made, that I have for too long neglected to speak out in support of Initiative 502. Today, I call on all my fans and supporters; all sincere activists; all lovers of cannabis and freedom, all medical cannabis patients; and all those who provide patients with the medicine their doctors recommended for them: please do all you can to pass Initiative 502. No initiative is perfect, including 502. There are certainly elements of it that I wish were not present. But politics is not the art of wishful thinking. Politics is the art of the possible. Our community should always vigorously debate our strategic options, but once a pro cannabis measure makes it on the ballot, we cannot allow differences over details to sabotage the unity that is necessary for victory.  We learned that lesson the hard way in California, with the loss of Prop 19. Major segments of the cannabis community voted against Prop 19, believing it would endanger their medical cannabis status, or lead to corporate takeover. Today, many of those same people and organizations have been put out of business by the federal crackdown that followed our loss at the polls. Elections have consequences, and we cannot afford to lose even one of them—even those we have some disagreement with. If 502 is voted down, the world will hear this message: "Another Progressive West Coast State Voted Against Reforming Cannabis Laws" or "Voters Say: Keep It Illegal". They will not hear that 502 failed to adequately protect patients, or about the DUI provision, or any other small details. They will hear that the cannabis reform movement suffered another loss at the polls. Given recent history, it is virtually certain that such an outcome would result in the same kind of crackdown in Washington, that we have seen in California—where we have lost over 35% of our dispensaries. The best way to preserve the rights we have already won, and extend those rights to all those who need and deserve them, is to campaign and vote for Initiative 502. Take it from one who has lived through it—if we lose this election, it will invite further federal crackdowns. The brunt of those crackdowns will fall on medical cannabis providers in Washington, just as it has in California. Let's send a resounding message of unity. Let's make it clear to the Feds that the people of Washington are ready to chart their own course to a sane cannabis policy, and want an end to the intimidation and crackdowns. Let's make it clear to the Feds that we are one people, bound together by one plant, sharing one destiny, completely determined to claim our rights and defend one another. Our time is now!

[dreamcreamer]

[ccsewa-blog]

Seattle Response To Feds Intervening In Washington State Law (via OneManBandSeattle)

Seattle City Hall Press Conference with Washington State Legislator Roger Goodman, Seattle City Council Member Nick Licata and Greta Carter with Coalition for Cannabis Standards and Ethics. Also watch protesters march to the Federal Courthouse and demonstrate.

September 20 2012

[ccsewa-blog]

The House I Live In - Official Trailer (In Theaters on 10/5) (via drugwarmovie)

The Coalition for Cannabis Standards & Ethics supports this fantastic movie and it's powerful message.

[ccsewa-blog]

September 20th, 2012 - Seattle, Washington

Kristin Flor, daughter of Richard Flor, rocks the house and shames the DEA on the steps of the Federal Courthouse. Her father died needlessly due to archaic and oppressive laws against a beneficial plant.

via Youtube

Coalition for Cannabis Standards & Ethics

[ccsewa-blog]

Thanks to Everyone for coming out and supporting safe access to medical cannabis!

We all have to work together peacefully and passionately to make sure the "DEA Goes Away" from legitimate medical cannabis collectives. You all showed the positive power the medical cannabis community can gather when it wants to.

Coalition for Cannabis Standards & Ethics

[ccsewa-blog]

Yesterday's Cannabis March to the Federal Courthouse

(Photos courtesy of Activate Washington)

Coalition for Cannabis Standards & Ethics

[ccsewa-blog]

If you missed the medical cannabis rally at Seattle's Federal Courthouse yesterday, catch up on what you missed by watching this video walkthrough.

Follow us on Ustream and Twitter to keep up to date on our broadcasts.

[ccsewa-blog]

Raw Footage from yesterday's press conference at Seattle City Hall.

This conference was held to respond to recent letters sent by U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan threatening local businesses with asset forfeiture. The media turnout was incredible as everyone came to cover speaking points from Washington Representative John Goodman, Seattle City Councilman Nick Licata and Executive Director of the Coalition for Cannabis Standards and Ethic's very own Greta Carter.

This is the entire 27 minute long conference, we will have a edited version including footage from the rally available to you shortly.

[ccsewa-blog]

Hello! We just created a tumblr so that we could ask you a question. We are Magic Tree Collective, a fairly new dispensary in Seattle, Wa and we appreciate your post about N.M.M.A.G being fake since we have had many patients from this place. There are a few other places which we think may be fake. They are: Natural Medicine Clinic, Earthly Alternative, and Herbal Solutions. All of which claim to be located in Seattle. If you hear anything about these places we would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks for writing in. There is a good chance one of our member collectives have knowledge of these other clinics. We will bring this list up at our next meeting and get back to you with the information we gather.  Please email us at [email protected], we'd love to see you at one of our weekly meetings. Also contact us if you have more info or any scanned copies of dubious or verified fake authorizations.

[dreamcreamer]

[ccsewa-blog]

HUGE MEDICAL CANNABIS RALLY TODAY!

1:30 PM - Pre-Meeting at Westlake Park

2PM - 5:30 PM - Demonstration at Federal Courthouse

(700 Stewart St, Seattle WA 98101)

(pic via dreamcream -Puget Sound Sativa)

[ccsewa-blog]

Support Safe Access To Medical Cannabis!

Join An Epic Rally To Save Patients! 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th

Please Dress in Green

1:30 PM - Pre-Meeting at Westlake Park

2PM - 5:30 PM - Demonstration at Federal Courthouse

(700 Stewart St, Seattle WA 98101)

SHARE THIS!

[ccsewa-blog]

(click link to download)

August 28, 2012

The Coalition For Cannabis Standards and Ethics responds to Federal Letters sent by the Justice Department ordering certain storefront dispensaries to close. Thousands of local Cannabis patients have access to their medicine threatened.

Their message to the feds: “Stop subverting Washington State law. Threatening the sick and dying is not a good use of federal resources.”

To the Attorney General of the United States of America,

On Thursday, August 23rd letters were sent to “23 marijuana storefronts” ordering their closure due to their proximity to an “educational facility or other prohibited area.” No attempt was made in these letters to reveal what the actual “prohibited area” was. In a number of cases the “prohibited area” does not appear to have anything to do with a school. The United States Department of Justice has threatened the building owners with forfeiture of their property and the businesses with prosecution.

In 1998 the citizens of the State of Washington overwhelmingly voted to allow for cannabis to be made available to sick people with the recommendation of their doctor. Federal intervention to subvert state law is not welcomed here in Washington State unless it is requested. There have been no requests for assistance in this matter by the local authorities because our State and local authorities have the situation under control. While you may believe this is protecting ourcommunity, our community has not asked you for protection. This action is therefore heavy handedand unwelcome.

The stated policy of the U.S. Justice Department is outlined in the Ogden Memorandum. The U.S. Attorneys “should not focus federal resources in your States on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana.” The “1,000 feet of an educational facility or other prohibited area” test that is being used in this action is not state law but a federal penalty enhancement which has nothing to do with state law. Proximity as is stated in the letters is not Washington State law.

You as the United States Attorney General have given sworn testimony before congress that only entities in violation of State Law are being targeted by the U.S. Justice Department. These letters indicate that there has been either a radical change in policy that should be articulated to the American people or should serve as evidence that you have perjured yourself before Congress.

”We demand that you freeze all current adverse action against the medical cannabis community and review your stated policy and public promises” states Greta Carter, Executive Director for the Coalition for Cannabis Standards and Ethics.

[ccsewa-blog]

Many patients who depend on cannabis to live balanced, healthy lives have been severely affected by the DEA asset forfeiture letters that went out last week. Without the media doing their jobs, Seattle providers and their patients could suffer in silence while the Federal Government disassembles safe access to a safe plant.

In addition to releasing a Press Release, the CCSE has prepared a multiple pronged and effective campaign to spread public awareness and counter the threat of asset forfeiture.

Thanks to Komo 4 for shining light on this story!

[ccsewa-blog]

FIGHT CRIME NOT CANNABIS – by Greta M Carter

On July 23rd at 11:00 AM a group of patients and everyday people became political activists as they stepped up to show their solidarity in a peaceful rally at Obama Headquarters the day before President Obama was to arrive for a fund raiser. The message was loud and clear….”We want President Obama to keep his promise to respect state medical cannabis laws. They reinforced this message with a request of the Obama HQ to respond why the federal prosecutor’s actions are inconsistent with AG Holder’s sworn testimony to the US Congress, that only individuals and organizations that are out of compliance with state laws would be subject to DOJ enforcement actions”.

The conflict is blazingly apparent in WA where raids have occurred this last year and most recently with the attack on what is considered the model dispensary, Northern California’s Harborside Health Center.  “We want the President to freeze and review all enforcement actions against medical cannabis, and make sure they are consistent with publicly announced administration policy” stated Sean Green .

About 50 patients showed up to rally. When they encountered locked doors and closed communications from the staff at the Headquarters, they did not give up. They stepped up the request by sitting in front of each of the entrances and exits around the building. It was nearly impossible for deliveries to be made and/or employees to enter or exit. Their chants and request were the same. “We just want someone to hear our plea for clarification” stated Lydia Ensley.

Many of the participants voted last election for Obama and feel deeply betrayed. They want to give him an opportunity to respond. But he hasn’t.  Police were called. Multiple patrol cars and the paddy wagon showed up. Six of the protestors blocking the front entrance and were prepared for arrest in order to get their message heard while dozens of others stood their ground in solidarity on the street chanting and supporting them.

Seattle’s police department along with the city of Seattle have been very vocal and supportive of their medical cannabis patients rights to safe access.  When the message was delivered to the Seattle Six (the ones willing to be arrested for the cause) you are trespassing and you can be arrested if you don’t leave….Greta Carter responded with “We have great respect for our police department….this is not something we want to do – but we have too – we do not know what else to do to get our message heard”.  One police officer responded with” If it wasn’t for this uniform – I’d be sitting with you.’   

Eight hours later, one can only believe that the SPD were successful in their negotiations with the Obama administration to drop the trespassing charges. They (law enforcement) left the property and the protestors celebrated a victory and no one went to jail.

[ccsewa-blog]

SaveHarborside.org