San Diego 11/15/2002: EU Parliamentarian Speaks in Support of Medical Marijuana

California NORML Press Release

San Diego Press Conference - City Hall Concourse, Nov 15th 11 am

European Parliamentarian Joins San Diego Patient Advocates in Opposition to Federal War on Medical Marijuana

Local Prop 215 Supporters Say Opponents Funded by ONDCP

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 15 - European Union Parliamentarian Marco Cappato will be joining local medical marijuana activists at a press conference to protest the DEA's arrest of patient Steve McWilliams on marijuana cultivation charges. The conference will take place at the concourse of San Diego City Hall (2nd and C St) this Friday, Nov. 15th at 11 am.

Cappato, who has been nominated as one of the most influential members of European Parliament by European Voice (http://www.ev50.com/poll/ ), is a prominent opponent of drug prohibition. He has been arrested for civil disobedience in support of Colin Davies, of the Manchester, England cannabis club, and is a leading organizer of the International Anti-Prohibitionist League in association with the Transnational Radical Party.

Steve McWilliams, a vocal advocate for Prop. 215 patients in San Diego, was arrested by the DEA on October 11th while growing a modest caregiver garden for himself and other seriously ill medical marijuana patients at his home in Normal Heights. McWilliams and his partner, Barbara MacKenzie, have been ordered not to use marijuana while out on bail, and say they are suffering increased pain due to lack of proper medication.

Also attending the press conference will be patient advocate Michael Barbee of the San Diego task force on medical marijuana. Medical marijuana supporters say that their efforts to establish city guidelines for Prop. 215 have been opposed by anti-drug groups funded by the federal Office for National Drug Control Policy. The ONDCP has issued a list of "Talking Points" contesting the medical benefits of marijuana and emphasizing its harmfulness for youth. The ONDCP has provided some $400,000 in funding to San Diego groups opposing medical marijuana,

Contacts: Michael Barbee (619) 249-7904; Steve McWilliams (619) 528-1850.

Release by: Dale Gieringer, California NORML (415) 563-5858