WEAKLY COVERAGE OF CANNABIS RAIDS by C. Brown

It strikes me odd that Citybeat an established "alternative" weekly paper here in LA carried absolutely no coverage, not even a single mention of last Wednesday's big story of mass DEA raids on eleven cannabis clubs in West Hollywood, and the ensuing protests.



I've heard the Citybeat's publisher is a stout republican, but considering his advertisers are some of the same cannabis clubs that the DEA forced to shutdown, I sincerely hope he decides to pick up the ball real soon.

Meanwhile a new paper, the Westside Chronicle, covered the story on their front page:

PROTESTERS PLEA: "Stop Arresting Medical Marijuana Patients"


SAFE ACCESS?—Supporters of Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, approved by voters in 1996, which made marijuana available by prescription for medicinal uses, protest outside West Hollywood City Hall Thursday outraged at the recent raids on medical marijuana dispensaries in and around the city. Photos by Andrea Simpson

DEA raids in West Hollywood prompt medical marijuana supporters to take to the streets.

By Andrea Simpson

“Imagine that you are already suffering from some sort of illness and your doctor tells you that there is one thing that might be able to help you. The good news is that there is something that can help you. The bad news is you get put on the federal government’s wanted list,” said Steph Sherer, founder and executive director of Americans for Safe Access.
This is the same sentiment felt by the mass of people who stood in protest with banners and signs held high and voices loud chanting “DEA go away” outside West Hollywood City Hall Thursday to fight against what they believe are unlawful acts by the federal government to storm medical marijuana facilities and confiscate patients records and medications. This is exactly what happened Wednesday afternooon.

CONTINUED

Allison Margolin Libertarian Alternative Interview

TAKE A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME

Please Write To Medical Cannabis Political Prisoner Stephanie Landa

Dublin, CA Jan 6, 2007 -- Medical cannabis political prisoner Stephanie Landa is having a rough time of it in county jail and really could use your cards and letters of appreciation and love.

Please address your cards and letters to: Stephanie Landa
ULI552
c/o Santa Rita Co Jail
5325 Broder Blvd
Dublin, CA 94568

"I'm going to jail...hopefully so that others won't."

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin - July 4th, 1776

In four short days Stephanie Landa a fun loving,compassionate friend to many in LA will be body searched by prison guards and then ordered to put on her prison jumpsuit. Ms Landa, now sixty, faces up to 3 1/2 years behind bars This is just sick!

Today we are having a going away party and at that time we plan to show Stephanie her new FaceBook group and all the cool people that support her. Please join and please let Stephanie Landa know that you support her. "Give us our Landa back"

Thanks in advance,& Peace

Allison

"I'm going to jail...hopefully so that others won't." Stephanie Landa - Five days before her prison sentence begins (2006-12-30)

A cool blurb in the ABA Journal

FROM THE DECEMBER ABA Journal
TECHNOLOGY REVIEW

Beyond the talk: The trends, programs and gadgets that add punch to your practice

Top Ten in Tech

By Jason Krause

Web 2.0

A lot of people use the term Web 2.0 even though there’s no agreement about what it means. It could be one of those buzzwords that come and go, but the phenomenon behind it is real—the proliferation of free or inexpensive publishing tools that allow anyone and everyone to have a Web presence. With blogs, podcasts, social networking sites like MySpace and video Web sites like YouTube, anyone can be a digital star. Robert Ambrogi from Rockport, Mass., and J. Craig Williams from Newport Beach, Calif., have become nationally known legal experts through their Web logs and Coast to Coast, a free podcast (an audio program the attorneys post on the Internet).

And Beverly Hills lawyer Allison Margolin made a three-and-a-half-minute video for YouTube about her practice and her position on issues such as marijuana laws, getting her noticed by commentators all over the Internet.


The whole article

A fellow Columbia Grad's Review

Why Fast Food Flick Flopped



By Gabrey Milner

By the time this story goes to press, you won’t find “Fast Food Nation” in theatres anymore. The movie, based on the best selling book was as huge a failure as the book was a success. How did this happen? Sure, the marketing wasn’t very good or pervasive, but an indie movie doesn’t rely on ads the way that the latest James Bond flick does. It opens small, gets a few people to see it and leave the theatre excited, then relies on them to tell all of their friends that they have to see this flick. No one had that reaction to, “Fast Food Nation,” because it was adapted to the big screen in a way that didn’t make good use of what cinema has to offer...

CONTINUED

CRAZY NICK by Scott Beddome

You could say that Nick Won is crazy and he'd likely agree. His hope and vision as expressed by his new venture, PC Jjang’s, definitely qualifies him. But before you write him off, you may first want to listen to his story..
Nick's been through a transformation that is much more than the 60 pounds he lost and his new six pack abs. Nick sees things through different eyes, or so you'd think, that maybe they were actually removed and replaced with different ones that have built in rose colored lenses. His new vision is so clear and pretty it draws you in. If you are a young person in this impersonal, inhuman age of disconnect, he is especially concerned....

CONTINUED

A John Lennon tribute by Allison Margolin

Today is the 26th anniversary of John Lennon's death. It is especially significant in these times to remember the message he propagandized through billboards in the time before his death: War is over if You Want It.

Continued

Attention Defenders of Freedom:

Medical Marijuana Defendant Stephanie Landa has been summoned to appear in federal court on Tuesday, December 5th, 2006. You are strongly encouraged to write a kind letter to the judge on behalf of Stephanie immediately, attend her rally and court hearing and forward this message widely. More details below.

Continued

Finding Your Way Home

By Sherri Margolin

As I sat in an fairly difficult, long hold variation of supta virasana, the instructor , who enjoyed elaborating on the philosophy behind why holding my body in a position, that most reasonable people would call uncomfortable, is good for us. She said that we should think of settling into the pose as finding your way home.

Continued