PROTESTERS ASK DEA TO CHANGE DRUG LAW

To Francisco Garcia marijuana is a medicine that helps ease the pain
in the Vietnam veteran's aching leg.

But to federal drug enforcement officials, smoking marijuana is a
federal crime because pot is an illegal drug.

Garcia was among demonstrators in front of the Oakland Federal
Building yesterday who rallied for the freedom to use marijuana
medicinally, like state law allows.

"I'm here because I truly believe in my medicine," Garcia said. "I
don't see any harm in it. The marijuana helps the throbbing in my leg
go away so I can get some rest and some sleep."

Medical marijuana supporters, patients and city officials demanded
during the demonstration that the federal drug agency stop raiding
local medical marijuana dispensaries.

The demonstration was a part of a national protest at 55 DEA offices
on "National Day of Action" for which participants had planned
non-violent civil disobedience events to disrupt "business-as-usual."

Demonstrators in Oakland carried signs reading "DEA Go Away" and "No
War On Patients," while medicinal marijuana supporters and city
officials criticized the tactics of the federal drug agency.

"The law is on our side, the people are on our side and yet the
government continues to be out of step. We will not have our people
looking for medicine in the dark and dangerous alleys," said Don
Duncan of the Berkeley Patient's Group.

The Oakland rally was organized largely by Americans for Safe Access,
a local grass roots coalition of medical marijuana patients, their
friends, families and supporters.

In November 1996, California voters passed the Compassionate Use Act,
allowing marijuana use for medical reasons. The state law, however,
conflicts with the federal law - the Controlled Substances Act - which
says using, possessing and distributing marijuana is illegal.

Thursday's protests doesn't change that, said the DEA's Richard Meyer,
public information officer at the San Francisco's office.

"We support the right of every American to express his or her beliefs,
they have that right," Meyer said. "But the fact remains that
marijuana is an illegal substance under the Controlled Substance Act."

Tomorrow the U.S. District Court for Northern California is expected
to determine that federal drug laws supersede state laws.

According to Meyer, the protests do little to change the federal
policy which contends that marijuana has no medical value. "We can't
really have a dialogue because there hasn't been a change in federal
law," he said. "We view medical marijuana dispensaries simply as
marijuana distribution centers."

Recent DEA raids of cannabis cooperatives in San Francisco and
Wednesday's raid in Santa Rosa heightened an already tense debate over
access to the leafy green plant.

Jeff Jones, Director of the Oakland Cannabis Buyer's Cooperative, a
not-for-profit cooperative supporting patients who benefit from
medical cannabis, says since the raids his organization changed the
way it does business.

The Oakland cooperative was a cannabis distribution center. Today its
an advocacy organization that empowers patients with information they
need to get utilize medical services.

Oakland Councilmember Nancy Nadel supports the cause. "We need to make
sure that access to every possible thing is available to patients,"
Nadel said, adding that patients can contact her for help.

Ed Rosenthal, author of "Why Marijuana Should Be Legal," said the
federal agency is committing an injustice by depriving patients of
marijuana.

"What we have here is theft on the grandest, highest level," Rosenthal
said, while shouting in the direction of the Federal Building. "We're
putting you on notice. Your days are numbered. We are all tired of
this."

The DEA's raids were legally, with warrants, Meyer said, adding that
the raids are not high priorities.

"These raids are not a priority but they are a responsibility," said
Meyer.

According to the DEA's Web site, marijuana is harmful. The site says
that more than 200,000 Americans have entered substance abuse
treatment programs that are primarily for marijuana abuse and dependence.

For Garcia, a medical marijuana user, Thursday's rally represented a
chance to stand up for a cause he believes in.

"I'm here because I truly believe in my medicine," Garcia said. "I
don't see any harm in it. The marijuana helps the throbbing in my leg
go away so I can get some rest and some sleep."

Garcia, one of the patients who attended the rally, has lived in
Oakland for 50 years. He is a Vietnam veteran. He says that no
prescription drug provides the relief that marijuana does.

"I really believe I'm not doing anything wrong," Garcia said. "I think
the federal government should change its policies. I've got to stand
up and be counted."

According to Oakland resident Don Konecny, more than access to medical
marijuana is at stake.

"I'm here for a couple of reasons today," Konecny said. "I love
America and I love democracy. I want to see democracy served. This is
not just about cannabis, it's also about democracy."