For the first time in history, a decriminalization initiative appeared on the statewide ballot in Massachusetts, and voters passed it by a huge majority. This initiative will rid all penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana and replace it with a fine of one-hundred dollars. This fine can be paid through the mail, much like a traffic ticket, without the need for attorneys or court appearances.
Another huge step was taken in Michigan, where voters passed MPP’s medical marijuana initiative, making Michigan the thirteenth Medical Marijuana state. Michigan is the first state in the Midwest, and the second largest in the country, to permit the use of medical marijuana by seriously ill patients.
According to an email I received from Rob Kampia, the Executive Director of the MPP, “As a result of tonight’s victory, almost one quarter of the nation now resides in states with medical marijuana laws.”
For the first time in a very, very long time, I am proud to be an American citizen. Maybe this all means everyone is getting their shit together and the sand out of their vaginas. Here’s to hoping…
Last year, the New York Assembly voted to pass legislation that would make it legal to use marijuana medicinally under a doctor’s care. The Senate Majority Leader, Joe Bruno, quickly killed the bill. On Wednesday, The New York Assembly voted again, 89-52, to pass Assemblyman Richard Gottfried’s (revised) medical marijuana bill, A.4867B.
Similar to the laws in effect in the other 12 medical marijuana states, this bill allows registered patients to grow plants for their own medicinal use. As soon as the Federal government gives the state permission, it will start regulating distribution. A.4867B is more strict in that it will apply strictly to patients with life-threatening or debilitating conditions, who’s doctors believe marijuana would be the most effective treatment.
Monday, June 23rd, is the day the Senate will adjourn, and New York state needs you to help convince the Senate, and Joe Bruno, to pass this legislation. First, call Joe Bruno. Urge him to bring the bill to a vote. After that, call your senator, whether you already have or not, and have them commit to asking Joe Bruno to bring the bill for a vote.
With nearly the entire state medical community and 76% of voters supporting medical marijuana, there is no good reason for them not to take up the bill! Many senators, including Joe Bruno, have expressed their support for medical marijuana; it’s up to you now to make them take action on their words.
The Marijuana Policy Project recently began airing television ads in New York in favor of pending medical cannabis legislation. In the commercial, Burton Aldrich, a quadriplegic man from Kingston, explains how medical marijuana helps with his excruciating pain and spasms by saying, “I … don’t know if I would be around if it wasn’t for marijuana.”
Being a New Yorker, this hits very close to home. This man doesn’t live even an hour away from me. I really, truly hope that legislation passes and New York becomes the 13th Medical Marijuana state, not only for my own sake, but for everyone in New York suffering like Mr. Aldrich.
If you’re from New York, I urge you to please visit NYPatients.org and contact your legislator. All you have to do is fill your information into the form – The letter is pre-written for you. It can’t get any easier than that! You can also learn more about this issue by going to NYCompassionateCare.org.
I'm looking for all people that smoke the lovely sweet leaf to write a post explaining why it is that they smoke weed so I can post the collection here on Sweet Leaf Tribune. I'd love for all of you to send me an email with the following information:
your name (an alias is fine if you're worried about work or something)
A little bit about yourself, so I can write an author blurb at the bottom of the post
Your email address (will be kept private. I promise!)
Your post about why you smoke
I'm always looking for more authors for Sweet Leaf Tribune. I'd love for it to become a real e-based magazine, so I need lots of authors! If you'd like to blog about more than just why you smoke pot, please also send me an email with a sample of your writing and what kind of ideas you have for stuff you'd like to write about. Basically anything is fine, so long as it pertains to marijuana law reform or cannabis culture. If you don't know if your topic fits, please don't hesitate to ask me and I'll let you know. ;)
