I want to share my situation with you and bring you up to date on my case. We all knew we would be in for a long haul with Prop 215 and the war against medical cannabis. I did not realize how low those in authority would sink in their abuse of power, persecuting the sick and dying, and disregarding the majority of voters who favor medical marijuana and passed Prop 215.

I am still in the California state prison reception center and have begun serving my 6 year sentence. For helping very sick people obtain free marijuana, I stand accused of wrong doing and of being nothing more than a sophisticated street dealer using Prop 215 as a front. When the undercover officer who led to my arrest (himself posing as a patient and giving me a doctor's letter stating he was a patient whom marijuana would help) testified, he made it clear in court that I told him that cannabis was free at our co-op.

We asked for any kind of donation to help pay for our copies, telephone bills, and other bills. These donations were not to pay for cannabis, but to pay for our organization's operating expenses. I formed a nonprofit organization called "Orange County Patient, Doctor, Nurse, Support Group Cannabis Co-op." Its sole aim to help the sick and dying people who are in need of medical cannabis. I never profited from my volunteer work and there was never any personal gain of money in this for me. The city of Garden Grove even gave me a business license. As a patient of Prop 215, I suffer from Ankylosis Spondyitis, Fibromyalgia and herniated vertebrae in my neck and lower back. These are chronic conditions. I tried all kinds of medications from 1991 until April of 1996.

The side effects of these pharmaceuticals were so hard on my body, mind and spirit that I became a zombie and hermit. I decided that I would educate myself and take charge of my medical situation. My doctor and I sat down and discussed the use of medical cannabis. I got approval to use medical cannabis for my condition from my doctor.

That is when I decided to make a commitment to help promote California's Prop 215. I became a patient activist to restore patient's hope and to improve the quality of other patient's lifes. I wanted to help others receive medical care and to educate patients, doctors and nurses about the medicinal properties of cannabis.

As a political prisoner of Prop 215, I was sent to state prison for 6 years because I have acted according to my beliefs and in fulfilling the will of the voters who approved Prop 215. I wanted to help others and also help relieve my own pain and suffering. The officials in Orange County are trying to shut me down and to discourage me, but my faith and spirit are strong. They cannot keep a good patient down. I'm making a stand so that others, as well as myself, can exercise our rights as Americans. With the help of God and people like you, we can and will prevail.

While I'm at Wasco State Prison Reception Center until they move me, I'm attempting to reach out to other patients with medical conditions and educate them about their rights and about Prop 215. The state prison officials are denying me the use of cannabis as my medication. Since I have been here, I have not received the necessary medical care I need. I need you to witness and tell others about what I'm doing as a patient activist. What they are causing patients is anguish, pain and wrongful punishment, and they are inflicting this torture upon sick and dying Americans.

Now that the changing of old guard has taken place, as a political prisoner of Prop 215, there is now hope. With the new guard in office (Governor Davis, Attorney General Lockyear, Orange County Sheriff Carona, State Senator Vasconcellos and others), the old guard has been removed (Governor Wilson, Attorney General Lundgren, Orange County Sheriff Gate, Orange County district Attorney Capizzi and others). They took an oath and have a duty and responsibility to enforce the voters initiative, Prop 215. I give them a big heroes welcome and thank them for standing up and letting their voices be heard for sick and dying California people.

We need them to face down the federal government and uphold Prop 215. As a patient activist, I was up front and used common sense in a common language, with straight talk and with the truth. I believed that would hold up under fire. We, the patients, are living proof that medical cannabis does help us.

In the Orange County Register, dated April 3, 1999, they reprinted a report from the Sacramento Bee about a meeting between Drug Czar General McCaffrey, US Attorney General Janet Reno and California Attorney General Lockyer. The federal officials were both very clear that medical cannabis use violates federal law.

McCaffrey said a massive additional research effort is needed. If this is the case, why is the federal government providing medical cannabis to 8 medical patients and it costs the taxpayer over $250,000 as of November 1996. Then, federal Drug czar McCaffrey threatened our California Attorney General Lockyer with arrest if he implements a state law passed by the people of this state.
See
McCaffrey Threatens Lockyer With Arrest If California Does Research On Medical Marijuana,
But Says "A Massive Research Effort" Is Needed To See If Marijuana Has Any Medical Value;
New Stalling Begins -- 3 Articles

The federal Drug Czar has abused his power. Just like any other war, there are victims and prisoners. I am a prisoner of war, and I have lost other friends in this drug war. We are threatened by our own government with jail and prison and told we must live in fear.

Our positive spirits have brought us together. It is important to remember we are upholding the truth. The truth will set us free. Please keep us strong in our faith and hope. Please give one another the support we all need in our different ways.

The government has cut off my disability payment. I'm reaching out to anyone who can help me. A trust fund has been put together on my behalf. Please make a donation to my trust fund. Please make out a check or money order and mail it to Marvin Chavez, Sr. Trust Fund

P.O. Box 6826
Santa Ana, CA 92706
Please write to me at

Marvin Chavez, Sr.
P28708 C3A 111L
Wasco State Prison Reception Center
P.O. Box 5500
Wasco, CA 93280-5500

Please do not use sticker address labels. I may receive a book of 20 stamps.

If you'd like to interview me, please write your questions and send them to me. I will answer them. I will be transferred at any time from here at Wasco State Prison Reception Center. I don't yet know when or to what prison they will transfer me to for the majority of this 6 year prison sentence the state has given me for helping other patients.

The mail here is very slow to get to us. It takes 12 to 15 days. Here is the telephone number for the California Department of Warrants. You can contact them so that you may keep track of where I am. Their number is 916-445-6713.

My attorneys are

James M. Silva, 310-450-2690

J. David Nick, 415-552-4444

You may use the information in this letter in any way you like (newspaper, Internet, etc). Please share this message with others.

Would you please send a copy of articles about medical marijuana to me, especially anything on Prop 215. I would like to be as up to date as possible in my incarcerated predicament. I will share the information you send with others and educate them about Prop 215.

I want you all to know that I thank you for your support. I need your words and donations. I send my love to you all. There will always be a special place in my heart for you. Because you have helped me, I am still able to help others to help themselves.

There is an old saying, "What comes around goes around." May you all know love and peace forever.

Please tell everyone that I say hello. Tell them that my spirit is strong. I'm asking those that are sitting and watching to make a stand for the principles and values that will end this Drug War. Please join together and help groups that are working to end this madness. I thank you. God bless you all and bless the other medical cannabis patients.

Yours truly,

Marvin Chavez, Sr.

Founder/ Director, Orange County Patient, Doctor, Nurse, Support Group