Minutes March 2002
Minutes of CCRMG BOD Meeting 3/8/02
Present: Tod Mikuriya, John Trapp, Sally Light, Mollie Fry, Dale Schafer,
Dale Gieringer, Frank Lucido, Tom O’Connell, Richard Hansen
AGENDA:
1. Introductions
2. Agenda review and approval
3. Update on Medical Board situation
4. Legal updates
5. Political update – impact of elections
6. Web Board for CCRMG – face sheet
7. July conference of ICRS
8. Strategy discussion
9. Next meeting
1. Introductions.
Introductions were done round-table style.
2. Agenda review and approval.
Agenda was approved.
3. Update on Medical Board situation.
Tod explained that he is under investigation by the Medical Board, but no specific
allegations have been made yet. A number of complaints lodged against him
were typically by people who lost their court cases and the next day, as
a result, filed their complaints. The Medical Board is being manipulated
by Attorneys General, malicious prosecutors and D.A.s.
4. Legal updates.
On the issue of patient privacy, John reminded everyone that a judge has stipulated
some ground rules.
Tod filed in San Francisco to keep away from Sacramento’s obvious
conflicts-of-interest and extreme bias against him. Also, venue rules
specify that a court hearing can’t be more than 50 miles away from
one’s place of business, so in Tod’s case, Sacramento is ruled out.
He is waiting for the next move to be made. Bill Simpich, his lawyer,
is also waiting to see who will be named in the federal suit. Tod believes
he will win eventually because he will focus on the behind-the-scenes
process, and his opponents don’t like the publicity (e.g., Tod publishes
transcripts on his web site and this garners a lot of public support) – they
prefer to work under cloak of secrecy.
Re: harm reduction, Frank asked what are the legal issues for patients
(he cited a patient who has been able to keep off alcohol for 5 years
due to MM). This started up a general discussion. Dale Schafer said
this often arises in probation cases. He and Mollie often point patients
on probation to attorneys who can help. He stressed the need to work
with probation officers/agencies and the courts to get MM approved
for patients. Dale Gieringer said that there is a city-run agency in
San Francisco that refers people to MM sources.
5. Political update – impact of elections.
There was a wide-ranging discussion about the primary election results. Dale
Schafer explained that although he lost his bid for election, he did get
15% of the vote. This means that his support is needed by those who made
it to the upcoming election. Further, for the first time, he is in a position
of power when dealing with the D.A.s in his area (including Sacramento).
A dual federal agent is running for D.A. in his county, and 3 judgeships
and a supervisor seat are also up for election. He will demand public position
statements from all candidates on our issues.
Dale Gieringer said that Simon has stated he would enforce state law
on MM, as contrasted with Davis who is very conservative. He believes
it is a “sleeper” issue at the state level.
6. Web Board for CCRMG – face sheet.
John has created a Web Board for CCRMG, with one section for public discussion,
and another for Board members only. It was agreed that Tod would post a draft
for a shared face sheet, and other Board members would offer their feedback,
ideas, etc., so that a common face sheet can be developed using the Web Board.
7. July conference of ICRS.
There will be a conference in July 2002, in Idylwild, CA, of the Int’l Cannabinoid
Research Society (ICRS). It was decided that the CCRMG Board would make a presentation
on the situation in Calif. and US (as contrasted with that in Europe and other
areas of the world), and also hold a press conference during the conference.
8. Strategy discussion.
A broad discussion ensued re: a variety of strategies and issues:
Light of day helps us, not our opponents, as we have the high moral
ground.
Presentations we give increase legitimacy of the issues and reduce
demonization of both us and MM.
The press conference planned for the July ICRS conference will help
us put a face on MM, and give a better public understanding of who
our patients are.
Our developing a common face sheet will facilitate 1) establishing
guidelines and standards for data collection, 2) gathering data that
can be input for a variety of statistical applications, 3) creating
MM guidelines we can proffer as the leading professionals, and 4) many
other productive ends.
9. Next meeting.
The next Board meeting will be Friday, June 14, 2002.
The meeting was adjourned.
Minutes prepared by Sally Light.