Janet Reno
United States Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Washington, DC 20530

November 9, 1999

Re: CR 97-997(A)-GHK UNITED STATES REQUEST FOR EXTRADITION OF RENEE BOJE FROM CANADA

Dear Ms Reno,

I am an American citizen currently residing in Canada. On July 29th, 1997, I was arrested in California for allegedly cultivating, manufacturing and conspiring to distribute marijuana. These charges are punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, with a maximum sentence of life in prison.

A fugitive warrant from the United States has been issued against me. The government has requested that Canada extradite me back to the United States to stand trial in California with eight other's who were arrested at a medical marijuana garden which was legal under The California Compassionate Use Act (Proposition 215), a state law that entitles patients with doctor's recommendations to use and cultivate marijuana for medical purposes.

I have legal counsel who has launched a vigorous defense with instruction by me to appeal every unfavorable decision up to the Supreme Court of Canada.

In mid-January, 2000, my case will be submitted to The Honorable, Anne McLellan, the Canadian Minister of Justice. I have garnered a great deal of support in opposition to my extradition, the issues of medical marijuana, drug law reform and the harsh treatment of women in American prisons.

I plan to maintain a high level of attention being focused on the United States through a news media that is recognizing another view of the use of marijuana as a medical issue. Voters in 8 states passed Propositions to legalize medical marijuana, including those in the District of Columbia. Twenty other states have similar legislation pending.

Change is coming and I plan to be one of those helping to move it along, in or out of prison. I intend to continue to focus world wide attention on how the United States is out of step with much of the world, including it's own citizens in regards to the medicinal use of marijuana.

Despite the 9th District Court of Appeals ruling to the contrary. Last week Judge George King in Los Angeles ruled that Peter McWilliams and Todd McCormick, two of my co-defendants in the marijuana garden arrest in Los Angeles were denied the right to inform their jury that the doctor recommended marijuana they use play a significant role in sustaining their lives. It is also forbidden to inform the jury that the marijuana being grown at McCormick's garden was for medical research which Todd was conducting in order to discover which strains were best for which illnesses. This ruling guarantees they will be convicted and sentenced to long prison terms

Both have been denied their medicine and will continue to be kept from it during any period of their incarceration. Peter McWilliams suffers from both Cancer and AIDS. Smoking marijuana is the only treatment that is effective for him in stimulating his appetite and combating severe and constant nausea. His physical condition is declining rapidly. Much of his deteriorated health can be attributed to his being denied medicinal marijuana. The extreme weakness of his immune system ensures that he will die from infections such as tuberculosis contracted while housed in a medical facility in prison. He would, however, have the strength to function with dignity if he were able to have access to medical marijuana again.

In view of the above, I would like to make a proposal.

I am prepared to voluntarily surrender myself to the United States Marshals at the Canada/United States Border at Blaine Washington, on the following conditions.

1. The prosecution of Peter McWilliams be stopped, his charges dismissed and he be given an exemption from prosecution by way of a federal permit allowing him to smoke and grow marijuana for his own medical needs.

2. My unwarranted charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana are dismissed.

Peter's condition is rapidly worsening. He will spend his trial in a gurney with a drip in his arm and a pail for him to vomit in. A prompt reply to my request is required.

This offer is open to acceptance until 9am November 16th , the day Mr. McWilliams trial is set to commence.

Upon the solemn undertaking of yourself or one of your officials to fully comply with the conditions of this proposal in writing, I am prepared to surrender myself into the custody of the US Marshals.

I am using the American Consulate in Vancouver to assure the timely delivery of these letters to you.

Please direct any questions to my attorney John Conroy, at: (604)852-5110.

Sincerely,

Renee Boje