Pubdate: Thu, 03 May 2012
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

STRENGTH AND COMPOSURE

Sacramento Activist Joy Cole, 1963-2012

The Sacramento cannabis community is in shock: Joy Cole, tireless and 
compassionate medical-cannabis activist, passed away on Sunday.

Cole, who was named "Best Cannabis Activist" in SN&R's 2011 Best of 
Sacramento issue, was also a stage-four lung-cancer survivor and had 
an unwavering commitment to medical marijuana.

"Joy Cole's passing is an immense loss for our community and for all 
of us who were touched by her love and dedication," said Courtney 
Sheats, regional director with medical-cannabis-advocacy group 
Americans for Safe Access. "Joy has been a long-standing champion as 
a grassroots organizer and a dear friend to so many of us. I am so 
thankful to have gotten a chance to stand with her during many 
patient events and to have known her personally as a graceful, 
passionate and inspiring woman."

Born in Southern California, Cole got her start as a cannabis 
activist shortly upon graduating from Ventura High School. After 
moving to Sacramento, she founded the Sacramento Patients Alliance 
and began spearheading activism efforts.

It was Cole's dedication and inspiration that many people will 
remember. Ron Mullins, former manager at J Street Wellness dispensary 
and founder of the End Cannaphobia campaign, credited Cole with 
inspiring his activism.

"She was always positive, she always gave all she had, even when she 
was exhausted," Mullins said. "She braved through cancer and many 
other adverse circumstances to do what she did. The Sacramento 
cannabis community has lost a leader and a hero, and we will all miss 
her terribly."

Activist Kimberly Cargile, with Common Roots Collective, remembers 
Cole for her fearlessness. "She was fighting the good fight. Standing 
up for not only her own rights, but for those like her," Cargile said.

Cargile recalled one moment when, at a Sacramento County Board of 
Supervisors meeting, Cole brought with her a bottle of water with 
medical-cannabis tincture inside. "[She] drank it right in front of 
them!" Cargile said.

"She did what was right. She did it with a great strength and composure."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom