I am a criminal...

I am a criminal. I go to work 40 hours a week. I pay income taxes, sales taxes, city/property taxes. I pay for insurance on a car.

I am a criminal. I care for others, I don't fight, I don't steal I don't kill. I don't even hunt!

I am a criminal. I rescued my dog from an abusive home, took her to the vet and found she had worms and fleas and anxiety. I cared for her so she would heal and feel safe.

I am a criminal. I bought a house and pay a mortgage every month. I pay my electric bill, my gas bill, my Internet bill and my phone bill.

I am a criminal. I obey speed limits (this isn't a lie!) I slow down for officers when they are on the side of the road, or anyone else on the side of the road for that matter. I pay my registration every year. I take my used motor oil to a recycling facility with every change and make sure it does not pollute the earth.

I am a criminal. I recycle all the trash I can. I repurpose and reuse items when possible. I bring reusable bags to the grocery store. I care about pollution.

That's right. I am a criminal. I am a criminal because I choose to occasionally use a plant that grows out of the ground from a seed that has been around as long (longer?) as human kind in a recreational and self medicating manner.

I am a criminal...

Oh for where art thou....HR 2306

February 27, 2012

HR 2306. A real game changer. This house bill is an important one for the cannabis community. The reason? HR 2306 aims to repeal prohibition of marijuana at the Federal level. The bill, were it passed, would remove all mentions of Marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) allowing states to decide how they want to manage the use of the plant. Couple that with the many states who have medical cannabis laws, and the states with repeal movements, and we see an environment where cannabis prohibition no longer or is greatly reduced. Such an environment would allow the growth and cultivation of hemp as well, helping to reduce our need for foreign products.

HR 2306 was introduced by Rep. Barny Frank and is cosponsored by 20 additional representatives (a complete list will be made available at the bottom of this page). The bill was introduced in June of 2011, and was referred to committee in August.

And still it sits...

You see, the process of a getting a bill signed is a long and tedious one. The bill is submitted, referred to committee, possibly more than one, gets approved in committee then is returned to the house for vote, then goes to senate committee, then returned to senate vote, and finally it'll make its way up to the president who can then sign it, or veto it should he so choose.

So we are in February of 2012 and the bill still sits with no movement at all. This writer personally believes this is a possible tactic to keep the bill under wraps and to try and have it die in committee. To fall to the wayside, like so many other bills.

We, as a nation must stand up for this bill. But, what can we do? After all the bill sits in committee awaiting those in charge to see it fit for discussion.

Committees are made up of representatives. Think of a committee like a mini congress. We can contact these individuals (especially those people they represent) and voice interest in HR2306 and request (demand?) the bill be discussed. Phone calls tend to work very well because typically the call is logged as far as what the caller was on the line about. Letters are also good, especially if you can get a receipt showing delivery.

The following list shows who is part of the committees in charge of this bill. The bill was referred to 2 separate committees.

House Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health
Members:

Philadelphia
Joe Pitts (PA)ChairContact
Tim Murphy (PA)Contact

New Jersey
Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ)Contact
Leonard Lance (NJ)Contact

Texas
Michael Burgess (TX)Vice ChairContact
Charles A. Gonzalez (TX)Contact
Joe Barton (TX)Contact

Michigan
John D. Dingell (MI)Contact
Fred Upton (MI)Contact
Mike Rogers (MI)Contact

Kentucky
Ed Whitfield (KY)Contact
Brett Guthrie (KY)Contact

New York
Edolphus Towns (NY)Contact
Eliot L. Engel (NY)Contact

Illinois
John Shimkus (IL)Contact
Jan Schakowsky (IL)Contact

California
Lois Capps (CA)Contact
Henry A. Waxman (CA)Contact

North Carolina
Sue Myrick (NC)Contact

Texas
Marsha Blackburn (TN)Contact

Wisconsin
Tammy Baldwin (WI)Contact

Georgia
Phil Gingrey (GA)Contact

Arkansas
Mike Ross (AR)Contact

Ohio
Bob Latta (OH)Contact

Utah
Jim Matheson (UT)Contact

Washington
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA)Contact

Louisiana
Bill Cassidy (LA)Contact


House Committee on the Judiciary: Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security
Members:

Wisconsin
Mr. James Sensenbrenner, Chairman (WI)
Contact

Texas
Mr. Louis Gohmert, Vice-Chairman (TX)Contact
Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee(TX)Contact
Mr. Ted Poe (TX)Contact

Virginia
Mr. Robert Goodlatte (VA)Contact
Mr. Randy Forbes (VA)Contact
Mr. Robert Scott (VA)Contact

Tennessee
Mr. Steve Cohen (TN)Contact

Georgia
Mr. Henry Johnson(GA)Contact

Puerto Rico
Mr. Pedro Pierluisi(Puerto Rico)Contact

Utah
Mr. Jason Chaffetz(UT)Contact

California
Ms. Judy Chu (CA)Contact
Mr. Daniel Lungren(CA)Contact

Arkansas
Mr. Tim Griffin(AR)Contact

Florida
Mr. Ted Deutch (FL)Contact
Ms. Sandy Adams (FL)Contact
Ms. Debbie Wasserman Schultz(FL)Contact

Philadelphia
Mr. Thomas Marino(PA)Contact

South Carolina
Mr. Trey Gowdy (SC)Contact

Illinois
Mr. Mike Quigley (IL)Contact

Arizonia
Mr. Ben Quayle (AZ)Contact

Next to each persons name is the link to their website. On each website is a contact link with information on how to get in contact with the representative. We especially need citizens who live in the representatives district to make contact.

With your help, we can make HR2306 a reality and finally help end a foolish, senseless, racist, hate driven war against the people of this country. Help restore our economy and reduce our need for foreign supplies. Help patients be treated as first class citizens instead of 2nd rate drug junkies. Help reduce our prison population and bring justice to the non violent criminals being help against their will. Prohibition did not work with alcohol and it is not working with cannabis. We are creating black markets with cannabis prohibition, just like alcohol prohibition created Al Capone. Only this time most of the gangsters are located in Mexico. We are sending all of our money out of our country and into the hands of Mexican cartels with the prohibition policies in place.

It is time for real change and this bill is the first step in that direction. Please get involved and contact your representatives. I plan to contact mine and many others as well to really get the point across that we do not want this bill falling off the table never to be seen or heard from again.


cosponsors of HR 2306

Michigan Judiciary Committee Hearing discusses proposed changes to Michigan Medical Marijuana Act

February 23 2012
1:42pm
updated February 24 2012
3:52pm *added video*

Earlier today, around 10am, a hearing to discuss proposed changes to the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act was held. The hearing, lasting about 2 hours, discussed the language of the four proposed bills to amend the act.

The bills are listed below:

HB 4834

This bill discusses the proposed need for a photo to be added to the cards supplied to patients and caregivers. The proposal would require a 2in x 2in photo be added to the cards. The patient or caregiver would have the option to use their existing SoS photo.

My take: I feel this is not a needed addition. While many of the other states with MMJ programs do have this requirement, I feel this is a low priory compared to many other pressing issues. I also feel in most cases when required to display the card, an individuals drivers license will surely be produced as well. The concern is that individuals may be able to lie about being issued a card without a photo affixed to the card.

HB 4851

This bill discusses changes regarding a '"bona fide physician-patient relationship". The goal of this proposed change is to try and prevent abuse of the MMJ program.

Clicking on the link produced above will give you the full text regarding the changes. The summary is that the doctor signing a recommendation has completed a full assessment of the patient,their medical history and current condition. This is to be performed IN PERSON. The bill also states the physician has treated the patient for said qualifying medical condition prior to the patient looking to receive a recommendation. The bill goes further to state the physician has an expectation to perform follow up care, examination and treatment.

This bill also defines an "enclosed, locked facility" and further defines that ONE of the following is allowed access:

(1) If a registered qualifying patient who has not designated
a primary caregiver maintains the facility, by that registered
qualifying patient.

(2) If a primary caregiver maintains the facility, by that
primary caregiver.

My take: My biggest concern with this proposed bill is regarding access. I am concerned this bill will make it very difficult for a patient to gain a recommendation for MMJ as many doctors are unwilling to produce such recommendations for fear of repercussions. Other doctors may be unable to issue recommendations based on practice policy. I also do not care for the provision stating the "enclosed, locked facility" is only accessible by the caregiver OR patient, and not both. I feel that ultimately in the end, the caregiver is providing a service to the patient in tending to their medicine. The caregiver in this case, more or less "works for" the patient and that patient should have the right to inspect the work the caregiver is performing in tending to their medicine. Additionally if the final product will end up with the patient anyway, where is there the potential for problems if the patient AND caregiver have access?

HB 4853

This bill amends the code of criminal procedure. The bill adds "selling marijuana in violation of registry identification card restrictions" to the list of felonies.

My take: Meh....


HB 4856

This bill would put in place restrictions regarding transportation of medical marijuana. The bill requires the medicine be"

1) Enclosed in a case
2) Carried in the trunk of the vehicle
3) Inaccessible from the interior of the vehicle

The bill goes further to state anyone violating this is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days, a fine of not mare than $100, or both.

My take: This bill is the silliest bill proposed. During the hearing today it was stated that this bill was modeled after gun transportation laws. During the hearing the point of vehicles without trunks (ie, vans) was also brought up. I personally feel this bill oversteps the need. I also feel a jail sentence of 93 days for violation of this law is unreasonable. Personally? As long as the medicine is out of "plain view" I think it is enough. What is the reasoning behind this restriction on transportation?

There you have it. Please do your own research as well and become educated on these bills. in approximately two weeks time, there will be public hearings regarding these proposed changes. This time is when the public can voice their opinion on the changes and tell their stories about how the MMMA has helped them. It is important to be involved.

From a topical view, these bills don't sound TOO bad. However, when you read into the bills, there are a few changes that are (in this humble citizen bloggers opinion) unneeded, too restrictive, or too harsh.

Want more? Here is a recording of the event for your viewing!

Tell us what you think in the comments below!