Hon. Irwin Cotler
C/O Renee Boje 
PO Box 1557 
Gibsons, BC, V0N1V0 

Dear Mr. Cotler, 

I am writing to you on behalf of a U.S. citizen, named Renee  Boje, who  has made a rare application for refugee status, stating she fears she will  suffer cruel and unusual punishment for her alleged involvement in a medical  cannabis garden in California where medical cannabis is legal. Despite the  will of the people, the Federal Government has ignored the laws that the  people have voted on and are prosecuting people for medical cannabis  regardless of the fact that it is legal under State law. If convicted,  Boje's punishment will be a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in a U.S.  Federal Prison 

According to Amnesty International's current campaign against the violence inflicted upon women in US prisons, women are often raped and tortured by male prison guards and sold to male prisoners for sex. They are given seriously inadequate medical care and improper nutrition and some are even shackled to bedposts while giving birth. A report which recently came out by the UN revealed that the conditions  of US prisons are now similar to those in 3rd world countries. 

Boje was held for 72 hours at the Federal Corrections Facility for Women in downtown Los Angeles, during which time she was strip searched an astounding 15 times. Two of the searches were done in the presence of male officers who made lewd and threatening remarks. 

Boje strongly denies any wrong-doing. The cannabis was grown for medical research under the protection of  a California State law, Proposition 215. Proposition 215 ensures that patients and their primary caregivers, residing in California, who cultivate, obtain, and use cannabis medicinally, upon the recommendation of a physician, are not subject to criminal prosecution or sanction. 

Boje risks further physical abuse and humiliation at the hands of U.S. authorities, and the extreme severity of current U.S. Federal penalties for cannabis-related offenses. A conviction for her charges could result in up to life in a Federal Penitentiary, where she can expect to suffer further abuse and humiliation. In Canada, punishment for a similar offense would result in a fine. We, the undersigned, are asking that you do not allow the U.S. to extradite Renee. We are demanding that Renee be granted Refugee Status so that she is able to live in peace, here in Canada, where she is safe. 

Sincerely, 

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