UNION OF MEDICIAL MARIJUANA PROVIDERS

321 ½ E 1st Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-626-2730(phone), 213-616-1443(fax)

UnionMMP.org

June 18, 2008

Calling To All Artists

The Union of Medical Marijuana Providers is sponsoring a benefit art contest and traveling exhibit.  Part of the proceeds of all sales go to the Union.  The theme of the contest is "Stop the War on Medical Marijuana" and will be curated by Mike Russek.  The show will start at Arts District Healing Center on July 26 and then travel throughout California.  The purpose of the contest and show is to raise awareness about the "The War on Medical Marijuana" and the efforts of the Union and, raise money for the Union to continue its federal lawsuit against the DEA.  Please see letter below for some history of the Union of Medical Marijuana Providers and visit their website at UnionMMP.org.

Submissions may be of any medium.  Work must be READY TO HANG or GALLERY READY.  Any work received not in this condition will be removed from the show.

An email containing a jpeg of your work clearly photographed and info (size, medium, etc.) must be received by July 15, 2008 at:  ArtContest@UnionMMP.org

Contest prizes are as follows:

Best in Show Award: $800

3 "Hell Yeah" Awards: $500 ,$350,$200

Off the Hook Creativity Award: $500

Accepted art will stay with the gallery as long as the show is ongoing. 

Commissions on art sales are as follows: 50% artist, 30% Union and, 20% curator/production.   Silk screens and other merchandise sold in multiples will continue to sell through the Union web site at UnionMMP.org

            Hello my name is James Shaw.  I am the Executive Director for the Union of Medical Marijuana Providers.  The Union represents approximately 20 medical marijuana collectives in California. 

The DEA is a police agency that acts like it is also the courts and the US Attorney.  Last fall, the DEA raided Arts District Healing Center.  Arts District was the first collective to stand up to the DEA when the collective took the issue of the DEA landlord letter to court.  In typical DEA fashion, the DEA raided Arts District between hearing dates trying to influence the court process.  Arts District Healing Center prevailed because they stuck to their plan of standing up to the DEA and are continuing their fight against the DEA today in federal court through the efforts of the Union of Medical Marijuana Providers.

The Union of Medical Marijuana Providers is suing the DEA in federal court for extortion for the DEAs delivery of a letter that threatens Commercial Property Owners for leasing to MMJ collectives.  In the DEA letter to landlords, the DEA gives opinions about the law which are incorrect and then the DEA threatens to hurt the landlords if the landlords do not follow the DEAs incorrect interpretation of the law.  The Union feels a moral imperative to stand against this kind of behavior.  When a police agency acts like the courts and the executioner it is time to make a stand.

The people of California have a legal right to use marijuana for medicinal purposes.  Collectives and cooperatives have the right to lease commercial property to organize and serve their members.  The More Rights You Assert, The More Rights You Have.  Please join the Union today in taking a stand against the draconian tactics of the DEA.

Who we are:
The Union of Medical Marijuana Providers (UMMP) is a legal advocacy group based in Los Angeles, California. The Union's membership comprises legally compliant cooperatives, collectives, and caregiver groups throughout the State of California. UMMP was founded in 2007 to address the shared concerns of legally compliant medical marijuana patient groups.

Browse our archives to view copies of press releases, our history and, to learn more about what we are doing and have accomplished.