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Sonoma Alliance for Medical Marijuana (SAMM) Dedicated to education, advocacy, research, and networking related to the medicinal uses of marijuana, and the implementation of the |
In
November 1996,
Sonoma Alliance for Medical Marijuana was formed immediately after the passage
of the Compassionate Use Act. SAMM
anticipated that implementation of the law would require educating law
enforcement, and the community, on the real needs of patients and caregivers. Between 1997 and the present, we met numerous
times with the Sheriff's Department, District Attorney, Public Health
Department, Sonoma County Medical Association, and the DEA. The process was
arduous at times, but paid off in May 2001 when District Attorney J. Michael
Mullins and the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chief's Association adopted SAMM's Guidelines for cultivating and using medical
marijuana - the Sonoma County Medical Marijuana Guidelines - based on DEA yield
studies.
The
Guidelines allow patients or caregivers to cultivate three pounds per year per patient. The gardener may cultivate up to 100 square feet of plant canopy
(the square footage of all the plants added together - see SAMM's
Conversion Chart), and may cultivate up to 30
plants per patient. Caregivers
may cultivate for more than one patient.
For legal reasons it is advisable never
to exceed 30 plants no matter how many patients a caregiver is cultivating for.
SAMM
drafted resolutions in support of medical marijuana for the City of Sebastopol
and the City of Santa Rosa. Both
resolutions passed. The Santa Rosa City
Council passed the resolution unanimously in December 2002. The Sebastopol resolution, passed in November
2002, calls for the city police to refrain from sharing information with the
DEA on cases that are in compliance with the Sonoma County Medical Marijuana
Guidelines. The councils showed
understanding and compassion for medical marijuana patients and caregivers, and
the courage to do something about it.
In
February 2002, we hosted a political candidate's forum before the March
primary. A number of candidates,
including Santa Rosa Mayor Martini, District Attorney J. Michael Mullins and
challenger Stephan Passalaqua attended and gave their
positions on medical marijuana. The
forum was taped by KRCB and aired a week later.
In
addition, SAMM assumed the task of informing the public of the County's medical
marijuana policies. To accomplish that, we have several public meetings per
year at public libraries. We also have booths at the Health & Harmony Fair
and the Petaluma Progressive Picnic every year. Our annual concert at the
One
of the more important services SAMM provides is to advocate for patients who
have been arrested and find themselves in court. Alone, patients find the court system
frightening and difficult to understand.
As a friend in court who helps explain things and is supportive, SAMM
has helped to alleviate much suffering by medical marijuana providers and
patients.
SAMM
does not distribute marijuana or profit from it in any way. We consist of a six-member working group that
operates by consensus, and two spokespersons—Mary Pat Jacobs and
We
believe that patients, caregivers, and small cooperative gardens that operate
within the Sonoma County Medical Marijuana Guidelines will be reasonably safe
from prosecution from law enforcement within Sonoma County. We look forward to a time when patients can
obtain marijuana in a safe and affordable manner without fear or threat of
prosecution by the federal government.
Thank
you for your interest and support,
UPDATED:
March 2008.