Following an auto
accident in 1973 that caused a brain trauma and resulted in my becoming epileptic,
I began using marijuana as an adjunct medicine. This treatment replaced a rigorous
pharmaceutical regimen. With deliberate application and mindful monitoring,
marijuana was to eventually become the medicine that has continued to control
my seizure activity.
In 1992 I was arrested
with my husband, Mike for the cultivation of five marijuana plants. Spurred
by this arrest I became involved in the campaign to legalize medical marijuana.
As the first patient in the state of California to challenge existing law and
based on a defense of necessity I was ushered into the legal, political and
social foreground of this health issue. The spring of 1993 brought judiciary
success. In response to this victory the Wo/Men's
Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) was born. Later that year we were
rearrested for cultivation and distribution to other patients.
September 5, 2002
brought the DEA to our collective garden. They arrested my husband Mike and
me. On September 17th we organized an action joined by Santa Cruz City and County
officials, mayors past and present, supervisors, physicians and other supporters
while thousands gathered to observe 13 WAMM members receive their marijuana
medicine on the steps of City Hall. WE have not faltered form our work, in fact
WAMM has grown stronger. WAMM has been joined by both the City and the County
of Santa Cruz in lawsuit against John Ashcroft, the DEA and the Drug Czar requesting
an injunction against the federal government so that we may continue to grow
in our collective garden barring any reprisal from federal authorities. We have
also engaged in a lawsuit for return of the marijuana taken by the DEA on September
5th.
