CARE GIVER BRINGS DEBATE TO ALAMEDA

Longtime Pot Advocate Ed Rosenthal Will Speak At Temple Israel On Wednesday

ALAMEDA -- Ed Rosenthal, whose controversial conviction for growing and
distributing marijuana to medical patients has sparked new debate on the
issue, will speak about his case at Temple Israel in Alameda.

Rosenthal, a longtime marijuana advocate faces up to 85 years in federal
prison when he is sentenced on June 4.

When he visits the synagogue on Wednesday, he will address issues
surrounding his recent trial. The case drew national attention when several
outraged jurors said they would have voted differently had the court not
withheld vital information about the case.

Jurors knew Rosenthal, 58, grew the pot for medical purposes, but U.S.
District Judge Charles Breyer omitted from evidence the fact that Rosenthal
was an agent of Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative, an organization
authorized by the City of Oakland to grow it.

The judge withheld the evidence because federal law, which bans any and all
marijuana growth, preempts California law, which allows the use of
marijuana for medical purposes.

Juror Marnie Craig said, at the time of the trial, that convicting
Rosenthal was "the most horrible mistake I've ever made."

Rosenthal, an Oakland father and author, said facing a prison sentence "is
not a pleasant prospect."

But the case is helping to pave the way toward legalizing marijuana,
particularly for medical use, he said. It is a cause he's advocated for
nearly 35 years.

Rosenthal's 1996 book "Why Marijuana Should be Legal," was reissued this
month with added notes about his arrest and subsequent trial.

As a result of the case, California legislators are urging Congress to
approve pending legislation that would allow patients and providers to use
medical defenses in federal court trials in states where medical marijuana
use is permitted, Rosenthal said. And people are taking the issue of
legalizing pot -- once a "wink, wink" issue, Rosenthal said -- more seriously.

"I'm satisfied that we've made a major change in the way people view this
issue," he said.

Rosenthal will speak as part of an ongoing adult education series at Temple
Israel, a Bay Farm Island synagogue.

The temple has hosted speakers on such issues as the death penalty and
anti-Semitism on college campuses.

Rosenthal will speak at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at the synagogue, located at
3183 Mecartney Road. The event is free and open to the public.