From: gcom@ix.gen.com

Can you please spread this letter far and wide?

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From a safe house and sanctuary in the rain forest of British Columbia, Canada On June 10th at the Supreme Court in Vancouver a date for a trial will be set for my extradition from Canada to the USA. As it currently stands I will be fighting for my life while facing the full force of the largest most powerful Government in the world - alone. At this point, I cannot afford to properly defend myself. I am a 29 year old woman who is facing 10 years mandatory minimum to life in a U.S.

Federal prison, to me it is a death sentence. I have never harmed any one, or knowingly any thing in my life. I am only guilty of being too trusting and under estimating the power and determination of some very dark forces in my government. My trouble started from my desire to help people. I was in California working for Todd McCormick, a cancer patient and medical marijuana advocate, while under the protection of Proposition 215. Proposition 215 states that patients with a prescription or a doctors recommeendation, may cultivate or us marijuana medicinally. (The world is finally remembering how beneficial this healing herb is). Todd was researching how different strains help different illnesses . The findings were to be published in a book on the medicinal effects and proper dosage of a variety of strains of marijuana. On July 29, 1997 the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) descended on our gentle passive group with the speed and aggressiveness of a military attack.

I was arrested and charged with eight others. The charges against me are conspiracy to cultivate, possession of and intent to distribute marijuana each count is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison without parole. I deny these charges in the strongest terms. Three months after my arrest, I was told the charges against me were dropped. I decided to come and experience the calm and safety of Canada for a while and take a break from the intensity of the US. While visiting Canada and without my knowledge, the charges were reinstated and I was listed on a fugitive warrant. Recently, I was arrested at a medical marijuana garden in Canada. A routine Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) check revealed my charges in the US were reinstated. I was immediately arrested and brought to jail where steps toward my extradition to the US were initiated. All my money and that of my friends was used to bail me out and there was $2,500 left over for my extradition lawyer. While outside the courtroom aw

aiting my hearing, two RCMP Special Agents arrested me and began fast track extradition proceedings. The $2,500 for my lawyer was spent on bail. I was told that the US government has spent over $250,000 to get me back. There is the fear of bounty hunters seeking the reward for my return to the US. They have been known to capture a person, put them in the back of a van and drive across the border. If I lose, not only will I be deprived of my freedom, but according to Amnesty International I can expect to be sexually and physically abused. While being detained in Los Angeles after my arrest, I was strip searched 15 times in 72 hours, some of which were in front of male guards who made threatening and degrading remarks. It is because of this that I am seeking protection through Canada's Refugee Board, if successful it will be the first time Canada has ever protected an American citizen from their own government. Besides true justice, what I need the most is money for lawyers. Both my parents phones are monitore

d and they have been told that if they help me in any way, they will be charged with aiding and abetting a fugitive, which is a felony. Thank you so much for reading this letter and considering my situation. Right up front I will tell you that this letter is a plea for help. If you cannot or if you do not agree with my request, I would like to know why, so that I can change my approach. I am new at the trying to save my life business. If you can help, good, let me know how. Money +Lawyers + Expert Witnesses + Public Awareness + Political Pressure = Freedom If you can contribute financially, please mail check or money order to the Renee Boje Defense Fund, P.O. Box 35, Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada V0N 1V0 Please see my website at:

http://www.thecompassionclub.org/renee

If you cannot help with money, perhaps you can spend a bit of time and spread the word about me, either through e-mail, letters to politicians and media or word of mouth. Only a few of the Canadian media and High Times magazine have covered my story. The American media does not seem to care or is nervous about bringing the story of me and others like me forward to the public. I need time to wait out the inevitable changes in public awareness and US law as it pertains to marijuana. A recently announced White House study revealed that marijuana is not addictive, is not a gateway to cocaine or heroin and has powerful medicinal properties.

This is just one of the sign posts that reveal that change is just down the road. Love and Peace Renee