TLR
Well-Known Member
So for those who live in MA and closely follow our journey to legalize both medicinal and recreational marijuana, it hopefully should have already come to your attention that a medical bill was not among the 30 bills filed that will eventually be voted on state-wide.
The article on MassCann.org that unveiled this news also discusses the fact that there still is a possibility a workable bill could be passed this year, but I am unable to come up with any further information detailing how this could happen (Does anyone know how?).
However, in light of this sad evidence that potential medical marijuana patients in Massachusetts may have to wait another year, I was given a glimpse of hope and a shot of happiness at the same time last night.
Last night I met some friends of a friend and, as friends do, hung out and conversed. The topic of conversation quickly changed to marijuana and the two new friends (Joe and Jane) I had just met were discussing their success in bringing a chillum on a plane during their recent travels. I quickly asked if Joe had cleaned it before he left, to remove any resin, to which he replied he had not. I told them that that was an unwise decision, but was rebutted by Jane when she told me she had her medical card so it probably wouldn't have been a big deal.
I quickly asked if she was from Rhode Island or any of the other states closely surrounding MA that have medical programs.
She proceeded to tell me she was a resident. Here. In Massachusetts. And had a medical card.
...
My head was filled with questions and tremendous amounts of excitement.
After talking to Jane for a while, I learned these things:
So after gathering all this information, I've got some questions and topics for discussion.
-Why the hell is this program so secretive?
-Why, if this program is being undergone, is no one (news agencies) reporting on it in any way, shape, or form?
-Why, if this program is being undergone, is a medical bill not on the damn list of 30 filed for state-wide voting?
Why, why, why!?
It is my dream to become a legal caregiver and hearing all this information filled my heart with joy that Mass. is making progressive steps toward legal medical marijuana, but at the same time I feel let down.
Let down at the fact that no one seems to know this program exists and no one seems to be reporting on the apparent success (I don't think I've heard anyone who smokes medical mj for a serious illness finds it to be inaedequate for relief) of this program.
Granted, I only have positive testimony from this one person, but medical marijuana really does help (ask anyone from the 10+ states who have it) and the knowledge of it helping patients here needs to be reported on so Mass-ers can see the benefits of medical marijuana and recognize the fact that medical mj, at the very least, should be made available to those suffering from horrible illnesses.
So, has anyone else heard of this program or know anyone involved? The word needs to be spread! Mass. needs medical marijuana!
I'm really considering interviewing Jane on-the-record and possibly submitting an article to a newspaper around here for publication, if such a thing is possible.
So, enough of my rambling. It's time for you, RIU'ers, to...
Discuss!
The article on MassCann.org that unveiled this news also discusses the fact that there still is a possibility a workable bill could be passed this year, but I am unable to come up with any further information detailing how this could happen (Does anyone know how?).
However, in light of this sad evidence that potential medical marijuana patients in Massachusetts may have to wait another year, I was given a glimpse of hope and a shot of happiness at the same time last night.
Last night I met some friends of a friend and, as friends do, hung out and conversed. The topic of conversation quickly changed to marijuana and the two new friends (Joe and Jane) I had just met were discussing their success in bringing a chillum on a plane during their recent travels. I quickly asked if Joe had cleaned it before he left, to remove any resin, to which he replied he had not. I told them that that was an unwise decision, but was rebutted by Jane when she told me she had her medical card so it probably wouldn't have been a big deal.
I quickly asked if she was from Rhode Island or any of the other states closely surrounding MA that have medical programs.
She proceeded to tell me she was a resident. Here. In Massachusetts. And had a medical card.
...
My head was filled with questions and tremendous amounts of excitement.
After talking to Jane for a while, I learned these things:
- Jane has leukemia.
- Jane has a medical marijauna card (I totally had a brain fart and didn't ask to see it though, d'oh!)
- Jane is a medical recipient of marijauna from the government and is sent montly 'doses' of marijuana
- She is one of few here in Mass. who is undergoing this experimental program
- She is a strong proponent of medical marijuana and the benefits it provides her
- No one knows about this damn program!
So after gathering all this information, I've got some questions and topics for discussion.
-Why the hell is this program so secretive?
-Why, if this program is being undergone, is no one (news agencies) reporting on it in any way, shape, or form?
-Why, if this program is being undergone, is a medical bill not on the damn list of 30 filed for state-wide voting?
Why, why, why!?
It is my dream to become a legal caregiver and hearing all this information filled my heart with joy that Mass. is making progressive steps toward legal medical marijuana, but at the same time I feel let down.
Let down at the fact that no one seems to know this program exists and no one seems to be reporting on the apparent success (I don't think I've heard anyone who smokes medical mj for a serious illness finds it to be inaedequate for relief) of this program.
Granted, I only have positive testimony from this one person, but medical marijuana really does help (ask anyone from the 10+ states who have it) and the knowledge of it helping patients here needs to be reported on so Mass-ers can see the benefits of medical marijuana and recognize the fact that medical mj, at the very least, should be made available to those suffering from horrible illnesses.
So, has anyone else heard of this program or know anyone involved? The word needs to be spread! Mass. needs medical marijuana!
I'm really considering interviewing Jane on-the-record and possibly submitting an article to a newspaper around here for publication, if such a thing is possible.
So, enough of my rambling. It's time for you, RIU'ers, to...
Discuss!