Press Conference 9/14, 10 am - SF Marijuana Poll Release

MEDIA ADVISORY September 14, 2005 -
CONTACT: Dale Gieringer (415) 563-5858 or Hilary McQuie (510) 333-8554

Poll Finds Clear Majority of San Franciscans Support Medical Marijuana
Dispensaries
Medical Marijuana Advocates Explain Local Policy Implications

Press Conference Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 10 AM:
Goodlet Steps of SF City Hall

San Francisco- Despite recent negative publicity, the results of a
just-released poll of likely voters show a very solid majority of San
Franciscans not only support medical marijuana but also the dispensaries
where patients receive the medicine.

Ninety-one percent of those surveyed said that they supported “medical
marijuana for people whose doctor recommends it” and three-quarters favored
allowing medical marijuana patients to use marijuana at dispensary sites. A
22 point majority (52% to 30%) also believe that medical marijuana
dispensaries are good neighbors. The opinion research firm the Evans/
McDonough Company conducted the poll in late August with a 4.9% margin of
error.

Actions by the federal government over the past several years, including
federal Drug Enforcement Administration raids on medical marijuana
dispensaries have aimed to shut down their operations. Actions by the
federal government, however, appear to be in sharp contrast to the will of
San Francisco voters. Three-quarters of those polled believe that marijuana
policies should be controlled locally as opposed to handing them over to the
Drug Enforcement Administration.

A press conference on Wednesday September 14 at 10 AM on the Goodlet Steps
of San Francisco City Hall will give reporters access to representatives
from the National Organization for Reformation of Marijuana Laws, Americans
for Safe Access and the Drug Policy Alliance as well as members of medical
marijuana dispensary collectives in San Francisco.

What: A press conference in advance of a San Francisco County Planning
Commission meeting addressing proposed ordinances for medical marijuana
dispensaries.

Who:
Salvador Becerra, Evans/ McDonough Company (firm that conducted the poll)
Dale Gieringer, California NORML
Caren Woodson, Americans for Safe Access
Annie Chen, Drug Policy Alliance
Members of medical marijuana dispensing collectives in San Francisco

When and Where: 10 AM, Goodlet Steps of San Francisco City Hall

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