Contact: Degé Coutee, Executive Director, Patient Advocacy Network

(323) 334-5282 patientadvocates@riseup.net

www.CannabisSavesLives.org

@PAN4Compassion @Occupy420

MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS & ADVOCATES CALL ON GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN TO PROTECT PATIENTS, STATES’ RIGHTS FROM FEDERAL ATTACK, KICK-OFF OCCUPY 420 IN SAN FRANCISCO & LOS ANGELES SATURDAY

LOS ANGELES – October 15, 2011 – Medical cannabis patients and advocates kick-off Occupy 4:20 this Saturday in San Francisco and Los Angeles at 4:20 p.m. In San Francisco supporters will gather at the Federal Reserve Bank at 101 Market Street. In Los Angeles supporters will gather at Los Angeles City Hall at the corner of 1st and Spring Streets.

“Enforcement of our State’s medical cannabis laws must come from State authorities, not federal. We urge Governor Jerry Brown to demand a moratorium on any further federal raids. We need our governor’s help!” states Degé Coutee, executive director of Patient Advocacy Network, an education and advocacy organization based in Los Angeles.

Coutee delivered a letter to the Governor’s office this week listing several requests of Governor Jerry Brown to protect patients, cultivators and our Constitutional rights. Advocates have also started a petition to the Governor pleading for his help and protection from the federal attack.

U.S. Attorneys announced last week that the U.S. Department of Justice indents to crackdown on medical cannabis dispensaries throughout California putting patients across the state on notice despite its 15 year-old law. Additionally, federal authorities have threatened banks, landlords and the media for their indirect involvement with patient collectives.

Marquis Ausby, co-founder of Students For Medical Cannabis Protections at San Francisco City College is circulating the petition has been in communication with Occupy SF and states, “We’re well-received and our 4:20 rally is welcome. We’ll be planning other actions together in the future.”

Patient advocates have called on the Governor to take action before the federal government’s 45-day deadline for collectives to close.

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