Two student organizations at UC Santa Cruz will host ‘Drug War Awareness Week’ May 16-19. The UC Santa Cruz chapters of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) have formed a coalition to combat “the misguided and harmful policies that have kept the War on Drugs going despite years of ineffectiveness and outright societal degradation,� said Daniel Bear, a member of both groups.

Drug War Awareness Week features a variety of events appealing to all members of the community, including an open mic night, film screenings, a lobbying phone slam, and a panel discussion entitled ‘Real Life Co$ts of the Drug War.’ Speaking on the panel are noted UC Santa Cruz professor and chair of the Women’s Studies department Angela Davis, Valerie Corral of the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM), representatives of the ACLU Drug Law Reform Project, other professors, and Friends Outside.

See also: Phone Slam California Senators (5/16)

[ NORML/SSDP of Santa Cruz || Letter to D.A. Bob Lee || NORML's State By State Guide to Marijuana Laws || Students for Sensible Drug Policy ]

Sentencing for local medical marijuana provider Roger Mentch, took place May 2, in the chambers of Superior Court Judge Samuel Stevens. Nearly two years ago, the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs drug task force raided the Felton home of Roger Mentch, managing director of the Hemporium, a medical marijuana consultant and delivery service, with about 20 clients.

The prosecutor who tried the case, Thanh Ngo, argued for a 150 day jail sentence and demanded the DA's office retain all evidence, particularly the cash seized by sherrif's deputies. Judge Stevens handed down, a 5-day jail sentence, giving Mentch credit for time served, and summary probation for 3 years. He was also ordered to pay $220 in court costs. Throughout the hearing, Judge Stevens repeatedly stipulated Mentch could continue to operate his marijuana deliveries, saying, "If he wishes to conduct himself under the law, he will not be in violation of probation." Read more...

Roger Mentch comments: First and foremost I want too thank eveyone that has played a part in supporting me/us in this medical marijuana battle. We are very happy with the verdict, timed served and probation and a $220 fine. A different outcome could of easily distroyed this family unit and the service we provide for many local patients. After my sentencing today I signed documents starting the appeals process. Read the full comment...

Another commenter writes: While Roger and friends were pretty happy about the sentence (no jail time), it still leaves unsettled the question of why Mentch was prosecuted in the first place to the tune of $80,000 in public funds (or so says Mentch) and if he can be prosecuted again for selling medical marijuana to patients with medical marijuana cards. What was never clear to me (perhaps someone can enlighten me?) is what was illegal about what Roger Mentch did in 2003 that prompted his eightteen month ordeal. Read the full comment...

Audio: Rockin' the Boat: Medical Pot Provider Gets Leniency

Photos: Roger Mentch will continue the Hemporium, LLC. a Professional Caregiving Service

Roger Mentch, a local medical marijuana provider and caregiver, currently faces up to seven years imprisonment for possessing 1 1/2 oz. of marijuana. Come out to the Santa Cruz County Courthouse steps on Monday, May 2 at 8:00am and stand in solidarity with Roger as he faces sentencing. Please demonstrate through your presence that you support honest medical marijuana providers and reject the current politically-movtived oppression of medical marijuana providers in California and the rest of the United States.

Besides Roger Mentch being prosecuted, Santa Cruz's Pacific Cannabis Collective was shutdown in the last month. Since the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana was raided in September 2002, the two most recent actions have effectively cut off the medical marijuana supply in Santa Cruz County. The only option for many medical marijuana patients is to travel an hour and a half or more to the San Francisco Bay Area to a medical marijuana dispensary. For many, this is not an option because of immobility and lack of financial resources. It is also problematic because many Bay Area medical marijuana dispensaries are coming under law enforcement scrutiny and several have recently been shut down. [see Indybay's Drug War page]

See also: Letter to Judge Samuel Stevens Concerning Roger Mentch

Audio: Interview of Roger Mentch on Bathrobespierre's Broadsides (interview is halfway through file) Download the mp3

On Friday, April 22, a reggae extravaganza featuring Rocker-T, Soul Medic and R-evolution was held at the Vet's Hall (846 Front St.) from 8:00 pm to midnight. The evening of music, food and raffle drawings was a fundraiser for the legal defense of Roger Mentch, a medical marijuana provider and caregiver who currently faces up to seven years imprisonment for possessing 1 1/2 oz. of marijuana. (.pdf flyer for 4/22/05 benefit)

On June 6, 2003, the home of Roger Mentch was raided by the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs drug task force. A warrant was issued because the money smelled funny, Monterey Bank stated. At 7:30am guns were drawn on Mr. Mentch as well as his girlfriend and 8 year old daughter.

Previous coverage: Medical Marijuana Provider and In-Home Caregiver on Trial in Santa Cruz

On Tuesday, March 8th, legal proceedings started in the trial of Roger Mentsch, local medical marijuana provider and in-home caregiver. After waiting nearly two years to stand trial, Mentsch is facing several charges that could possibly result in over ten years in prison. Local medical marijuana patients and humanitarian activists are rallying around Mentsch, claiming the charges are the result of a witchunt by the District Attorney looking to make an example out of Mentch despite his status as a certified medical marijuana provider.

On June 6th 2003 the home of Roger Mentch was raided by the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs drug task force. A warrant was issued because the money smelled funny, Monterey Bank stated. At 7:30am guns were drawn on Mr. Mentch as well as his girlfriend and 8 year old daughter.

Audio: Listen to a streaming FRSC interview with Roger or Download the mp3

Health Care For All Event with State Senator Sheila Kuehl at Louden Nelson Center, November 28th, at 7:30 p.m.

Review of Sustainable Technologies for Renewable Energy, Eliminating Waste, Recycling and for Real economic Progress.

Many Links to sustainable technology, Recycling, organic gardening-farming, renewable energy, Permaculture and disaster relief web sites.

No Experimental Pesticides in California's
K-12 Public Schools

We've heard how Hurricane Stan has ripped through Central America and Mexico. Here is one way you can help prevent death for the most vulnerable victims.

ASPARTAME, the artificial sweetener which is found in 6000 products in the USA, including diet drinks, chewing gum, coffee sweeteners, low fat yogurt, and childrens' vitamins and drugs, even though it turns to formaldehyde, is in a heap of trouble in New Mexico with effort to ban it in toto.