Court Deals a Blow to Patientsâ?? Access
Help ASA Stop Workplace Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients!

Dear ASA supporter,

California Assemblyman Mark Leno and Americans for Safe Access (ASA) are moving quickly to protect medical cannabis patients from employment discrimination in the wake of todayâ??s disappointing ruling form the California Supreme Court. In Ross v. Ragingwire Communications, the Court held that Proposition 215 does not prevent employers from denying employment or firing a legal patient if he or she tests positive for cannabis use.

Assemblyman Leno and ASA need your help to fight back against this serious challenge to patients all over California! Donate today to help us end patient discrimination and protect patientsâ?? jobs!

Anticipating the possibility of todayâ??s negative ruling by the CA Supreme Court, ASA has been working with state lawmakers to develop legislation that will protect patientsâ?? employment rights. Assemblyman Lenoâ??s decision to introduce ASA-sponsored legislation marks the first step of a new phase in the battle to end patient discrimination â?? but there is a long way to go.

ASA is bracing for a dramatic increase in calls for legal assistance and advice, and we must now gear up for a tough campaign to educate lawmakers and build grassroots support behind this crucial measure. We count on your help to keep fighting for patientsâ?? rights.Please take a moment to support ASA today!

ASA has been working on the Ross case for years and spent a tremendous amount of time and resources bringing this case to the Supreme Court. Gary Ross was fired for failing an employer-mandated drug test in 2001, because he uses medical marijuana on his doctorâ??s advice. â??All I am asking is to be a productive member of society," Ross told reporters after the ruling. Gary Ross is not alone - Here at ASA, we receive calls on our toll-free patient hotline every week from patients who are facing similar dilemmas.

ASA is grateful that Assemblyman Leno has come to the aid of patients by introducing a bill to prevent employment discrimination. We need help from our supporters right now more than ever to help move this bill forward. Please join ASA today and make your voice heard! Click here to help. Thank you for helping us defend the rights of Gary Ross and untold thousands of legal medical cannabis patients!

Sincerely,

Don Duncan
California Director
Americans for Safe Access

P.S. For more information, please see ASA's press release in response to today's ruling.
MVP Reviewed by MVP on . California Court rules that employers may fire workers for using MMJ off duty... Bosses may fire workers for using medical pot off duty, California's high court says By Maura Dolan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 12:36 PM PST, January 24, 2008 SAN FRANCISCO -- California employers may fire workers for using medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation while off duty even if the drug does not impair an employee's performance, the California Supreme Court ruled 5 to 2 today. The state high court's ruling weakened an already beleaguered 1996 law that Rating: 5