Iva Cunningham introduced her new clinic, Alternative Medical Choices. "We are excited to show everyone our new building. We will be hosting a open house on September 1, 2010, from 9am to 8pm. Please come join us, meet the staff and share in our excitement at 4867 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Portland, OR, 97211, 503-349-2946."

Eric A Dover, MD - Family Practice in Portland - The doctor has become a target of the Oregon Medical Board, which oversees all Oregon doctors, and all patients are a target. The board is attempting to ban all doctors from recommending marijuana. They are willing to make up lies, withhold records and will not investigate. Steve Nelson has been generous and created a website at http://drdovervsoregonmedicalboard.com/. This is about Oregonian rights; citizens have voted on this twice . Postcards addressed to Attorney General, Governor, and State medical board are available on the website. He would like to see the Oregon Medical Board leave the doctors alone. Please send a postcard to pressure the governor and Attorney General to rein in the medical board. Take the time to defend yourselves.

Paul Loney, Attorney, had some quick remarks about how he is the conscience of our group. He reminded us to medicate only in private. He also went over what to say to a police officer: "Am I free to go, Officer; I do not consent to any searches; I wish to remain silent, and I wish to speak to my attorney." Memorize these in hopes that you never need to use them.

Rebecca announced the next Womens' Council Meeting - "We meet at the full and new moons to tap into the energy of the universe. All faiths welcome. Please bring jewelry making stuff to the next meeting at cannabis cafe August 24, 2010 at 6:30PM . We will discuss cannabis."

John Lucy, Attorney - "When you have marijuana you want to keep it out of public view. Don't smoke in your car; keep you pot in the trunk; use opaque containers. Remember to carry only a small amount; don't take your pound with you in the car." He just won a case where seven pounds was recovered, but this took a lot of time and money. Do not smoke in public; you lose the rights the OMMP card affords.

Russ Bellville, National NORML Outreach Coordinator, spoke on legalization - In CA prop 19 is on the ballot . Yet Russ must write every day defending legalization from people who would nitpick the proposition. Remember, being a medical marijuana (mmj) patient is only half a right. As a mmj patient you have no rights to work. Polling on legalization shows 50% nationwide. In CA it varies from 46% up. More states are voting on mmj. By the end of 2010 there could be 15 states with medical marijuana laws in place. Women's support has risen by 12% recently. Alcohol prohibition ended with the work of Pauline Sabine and repeal followed in four years. Only 1 of 5 Americans believe people should be jailed for marijuana. Also, cannabis consumers are a growing group, representing 41% of the American people who have smoked. From the ages of 39 and below, more than 50% have used cannabis. Twenty-two million people will use cannabis this year.

Many patients and advocates including Madeline and Russ have been to the State house many times for medical marijuana. Now it's time to fight for the rights of all cannabis consumers. Please support Oregon NORML's mission to end cannabis prohibition for all adults.

Veterans Group meets first Monday the month at 4:20 PM at the Cafe. See LK for details.

The cardholder meetings are held the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Doors open at 11:00 at the Cafe address: 322 SE 82nd Ave, Portland 97216.

The meeting scheduled for September 11, 2010 is canceled due to the national NORML Conference and Hempstalk. We hope you will join us and attend these two important events!.

[08/17/10-Updated 08/21/10 A]