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Below is a letter sent to the Washington State
House of Representatives Healthcare and Wellness Committee. The letter was in
response to the medical cannabis community being largely over looked in favor
of high powered lobbyist from the newly created recreational marijuana market, at
a recent Healthcare
and Wellness Committee hearing on the Cannabis Patient Pain and Suffering
Act, 5052. Surprisingly, the committee chair did not feel it was necessary to
call to testify anyone from Americans for Safe Access, the nation’s largest
medical cannabis activist network, which was well represented at the hearing.
In addition, the committee refused to call representatives from other well
established medical cannabis activist groups.
However, what was most disturbing was the fact some of these recreational
marijuana lobbyist represented deep pocketed special interest that gave money
directly to members sitting on the committee. This gave the appearance of a
“pay to play” mentality on the Healthgcare and Wellness committee, which
resulted in Allison Bigelow, a constant advocate for cannabis patien rights in
Washington State, writing the following letter. The article
mentions the co-founder of the Medical Marijuana Coalition of Washington State,
Lukas Barfield, so we have decided to post it on our Blog in the hopes the word
will get out that medical cannabis is under attack in Washington State. Big
money lobbyist representing a for profit system designed for those who want to
get “High” are coming together with pay to play politicians to break a world
class non-profit medical cannabis system that was designed by and for people
with debilitating conditions. In other words, the full force of the Washington
State Government is coming down on sick people in favor of money.
“--------
Forwarded Message --------
Dear House Health Care and Wellness Committee, I'm unsure how to proceed with these words, because I am pleading for help. I am not trying to start trouble. I really need your help. Yesterday I left my house in Mount Vernon at 3am to drive to Olympia to testify for the hearing on Medical marijuana. I stopped on my way down to pick up Lukas Barfield, a Precinct Committee person in his district in South Tacoma, and a medical cannabis patient who happens to be blind and must use a cane to navigate. Lukas and I arrived at 6:45am and stood near the front of the line for about 45 minutes until staff had people sign in. We put our names on a sheet with the number 1 at the top. There were multitudes of people that were behind us waiting to sign in. when it became apparent that neither of us would be given an opportunity to testify, I mentioned our plight to staff who promised to pass along our testimony. Lukas, angry (edit-upset) with the injustice, gave staff 15 voter registration forms, one for each member, with one of his business cards attached, hoping they would get the message that he is active in the political arena and was not happy. I sent my testimony in an email to Lucinda Duvall, the very nice person who apologized for the lost opportunity to testify. When I got home last night I was shocked to read in a Seattle Times article that your committee's chairperson, Representative Cody, had been one of several political candidates to receive a contribution from the Washington Cannabusiness Association, which had 6 out of 42 members who testified before you yesterday. “Recipients of WACA money — $26,000 in all — included contributions to both major parties’ spending committees and to Republicans in leadership positions, such as Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond; Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville; and House Republican Leader Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish. Included among the Democrats were Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, who sponsored her own bill, and Rep. Eileen Cody, D-West Seattle. Cody chairs the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, where SB 5052 will be heard Thursday.” I hope you can understand why I am beginning to think Representative Cody refused to hear our testimony on purpose. Instead of hearing from the patients who traveled a long way to be heard, she allowed 6 WACA members to testify at the hearing. None of these 6 were in front of me in line. That is just not right. I sent my testimony to you yesterday, and I hope you have had a chance to read it. I've attached it here for you just in case, along with the Seattle Times article which details some of the biggest concerns from the patient community. I hope you will please help me make sure that the voices of seriously ill patients do not continue to be silenced by business owners with an obvious financial incentive and the lobbyists who represent them. Sincerely, Allison Bigelow”
How to Speak Out
Against the Injustice
Call the Committee to tel them to vote “No” on The
Cannabis Patient Pain and Suffering Act, 5052
For more information, and to follow the progress of these
bills, “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mjismedicine
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A blog about medical cannabis.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
“Help, Inappropriate Use of Power!” A Letter Sent for Patients, not Big Money Marijuana
Thursday, February 12, 2015
One Deliberate Voice 2/12/2015
One Deliberate Voice
2/12/2015
The political system works best when groups are
talking with one voice. These voices are best delivered in a positive way that
encourages dialog. As frustrating as the current situation is, it remains essential
to be positive when communicating with Olympia. it is very important the MMJ
community speak with one thoughtful and deliberate voice. Here are some places
to start. Pick one that interest you the most, write a couple notes and call
with the intent to discuss your topic. Many voices saying the same things are
way louder than a couple voices screaming and yelling.
Talking Points
Starting point
·
Accessing needed
medication, including medical cannabis, is essential for all Washingtonians.
·
Medical cannabis patients
seek regulation for dispensaries.
·
We want full implementation of the medical
cannabis bill originally passed in 2011, but largely vetoed by then-Governor
Christine Gregoire.
·
As one of the first states to legalize medical
and recreational cannabis, Washington is poised to model a working regulatory
system for other states.
Discussion starters
·
Under the current law,
recreational cannabis users are protected from arrest, but cannabis patients
only have an affirmative defense in court. We want to remove existing barriers
for patients going forward.
·
Medical cannabis is an
effective alternative to opioid pain medications and other pharmaceuticals,
which can often lead to addiction and other health issues, including death.
Medical Benefits of Cannabis
·
Cannabis provides effective pain control for a
number of common medical conditions, including cancer and nausea from
chemotherapy, chronic pain from rare or undiagnosed illnesses, glaucoma,
multiple sclerosis, seizures and wasting disorders.
·
Promising new research also shows benefits in the
treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
disease as well as traumatic brain injuries.
·
More research and training
on medical cannabis is highly desired by the patient community, physicians, and
scientists. As a trailblazer in medical innovation, Washington state should be
leading the way when it comes to therapeutic use and research of cannabis.
Economic Impact of Medical Cannabis
·
There are an estimated 500 medical cannabis
businesses in the state. If Washington moves ahead with licensing and
regulation of medical cannabis providers, the state will generate revenue
through licensing, product development, and job creation.
·
The Department of Revenue
collected $14 million from medical collectives in FY2014, including Business
and Occupation taxes, despite remaining uncertainty about applicability of
sales tax.
·
Licensing medical and recreational businesses
will differentiate them from unlicensed storefronts and black market sellers
while providing revenue to the state and medicine to patients who need it.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
MMJ is Under Attack in WA! Please Help!
Medical Cannabis is under attack in Washington State. In favor of a new “legal cannabis” system, law makers are coming to the sick and disabled for a bale out.
Help us fight back by making a small donation. All donations will go to direct political action in Olympia.
Please help us save the most open and patient centered medical cannabis system in the world. Make a small donation at the link below.
Thank you from the Medical Marijuana Coalition of Washington State!
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Social Media Volunteers Needed
MMCWS is seeking Social Media volunteers. Use Twitter, and
other Social Media platforms, to educate the public and lawmakers of the compassionate
considerations of a patient based medical marijuana system here in WA.
This is a perfect opportunity for a college student seeking experience
to add to their resume. Also, we encourage Veterans and people with
exceptionalities, aka disabilities, to inquire. If interested send an email to…
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