On November 7th, 2009 Alabamians for Compassionate Care will hold a meeting in Birmingham to prepare for the upcoming legislative session in 2010. The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act will again be sponsored by Rep. Patricia Todd of Birmingham. Rep. Todd will also be in attendance our meeting to tell everyone what to expect and what things they should be doing to help get this bill passed.
This meeting will take place from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Libertarian Party Headquarters located at 2330 Highland Ave. South (on Southside...not in Irondale). Refreshments will be served. So, load up your car with people who are interested and meet us there!!
If you plan to be there please RSVP to this post or to lorettanall@gmail.com so that we can properly prepare and have enough refreshments for everyone.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, May 07, 2009
What happened to HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act?
Folks,
I have been getting a number of emails and phone calls inquiring about the status of HB434. It seems that when I pulled the bill back in April I let the folks who were actively involved with ACC know, but forgot to post about it to my larger reading audience. Sorry about that. Here is what I can tell y'all about what happened.
Our bill, HB434, was slated to come up in judiciary committee on April 1. On the day before, our sponsor Rep. Patricia Todd, informed me she was ill and would not be in the legislature all week so she couldn't be in committee to talk about her bill. Rep. Laura Hall, who was the original bill sponsor, was conveniently absent from the committee that day and had indicated to our consultant that she would not be there the day it was voted on....whichever day that might happen to be. HB434 was then carried over til April 8.
Now, before the bill was to come up in committee I and another member of ACC contacted every member of the judiciary committee to determine if we had the votes to get the bill passed out of committee as written. WE DID! But, with Rep. Hall saying she wouldn't be there to vote on it (because she is running for Senate and didn't want that on her record) we didn't have the votes. It would have been a tie.
However, on April 7 Rep. Todd contacted me and said that the committee had sent word to her that they would NOT pass HB434 but would pass the version introduced in 2006. That was UNACCEPTABLE.
The 2006 bill was written by a certain lobby firm, who shall not be named, and not by the patients who actually need the marijuana as medicine. This lobby firm bill stipulated that medical marijuana could only be dispensed through an FDA licensed pharmacy. That pretty much killed the whole bill because marijuana is not an FDA approved drug and therefore cannot be dispensed by a pharmacy. That bill left patients with no safe, legal way to get their medication.
Since I refuse to drag very ill people from all corners of the state to fight for a bill that won't do a damn thing to protect them in acquiring their medication I pulled the bill this year when Rep. Todd told me what had happened. I saw no need to keep spending our meager resources when the outcome would have been far less than desirable.
So, what happens next?
I've spoken to our sponsor Rep. Todd about what comes next. She has voiced her willingness to help us craft a new bill for the next session during the break between sessions and to be the sponsor again next year. I want everyone reading this to know that we could not possibly have a better sponsor than Rep. Todd. Her plate was full this year and she took the medical marijuana bill as a favor. Next year she has indicated that it will be one of her priorities and when she sets her mind to something it has a way of actually happening. Rep. Todd knows all about medical marijuana. She was the executive director of AIDS Alabama for many years and had to resign that position in order to sponsor this bill. That, my friends, is dedication. None of what happened this year was her fault and she is deserving of our praise and thanks for taking the bill to begin with. Please email (reptodd@gmail.com) her and tell her how much you appreciate her help and how much you love her for having the courage to take on this highly controversial and politically charged issue.
Over the break between sessions we will be meeting with Rep. Todd and crafting another bill for the next legislative session. If you are a patient, physician, nurse or member of the clergy who would like to have some say in what goes in the bill then you need to email me at lorettanall@gmail.com so I can let you know when and where we plan to meet.
Additionally, if you would like regular updates then you can join our Yahoo discussion group by clicking this link.
I have been getting a number of emails and phone calls inquiring about the status of HB434. It seems that when I pulled the bill back in April I let the folks who were actively involved with ACC know, but forgot to post about it to my larger reading audience. Sorry about that. Here is what I can tell y'all about what happened.
Our bill, HB434, was slated to come up in judiciary committee on April 1. On the day before, our sponsor Rep. Patricia Todd, informed me she was ill and would not be in the legislature all week so she couldn't be in committee to talk about her bill. Rep. Laura Hall, who was the original bill sponsor, was conveniently absent from the committee that day and had indicated to our consultant that she would not be there the day it was voted on....whichever day that might happen to be. HB434 was then carried over til April 8.
Now, before the bill was to come up in committee I and another member of ACC contacted every member of the judiciary committee to determine if we had the votes to get the bill passed out of committee as written. WE DID! But, with Rep. Hall saying she wouldn't be there to vote on it (because she is running for Senate and didn't want that on her record) we didn't have the votes. It would have been a tie.
However, on April 7 Rep. Todd contacted me and said that the committee had sent word to her that they would NOT pass HB434 but would pass the version introduced in 2006. That was UNACCEPTABLE.
The 2006 bill was written by a certain lobby firm, who shall not be named, and not by the patients who actually need the marijuana as medicine. This lobby firm bill stipulated that medical marijuana could only be dispensed through an FDA licensed pharmacy. That pretty much killed the whole bill because marijuana is not an FDA approved drug and therefore cannot be dispensed by a pharmacy. That bill left patients with no safe, legal way to get their medication.
Since I refuse to drag very ill people from all corners of the state to fight for a bill that won't do a damn thing to protect them in acquiring their medication I pulled the bill this year when Rep. Todd told me what had happened. I saw no need to keep spending our meager resources when the outcome would have been far less than desirable.
So, what happens next?
I've spoken to our sponsor Rep. Todd about what comes next. She has voiced her willingness to help us craft a new bill for the next session during the break between sessions and to be the sponsor again next year. I want everyone reading this to know that we could not possibly have a better sponsor than Rep. Todd. Her plate was full this year and she took the medical marijuana bill as a favor. Next year she has indicated that it will be one of her priorities and when she sets her mind to something it has a way of actually happening. Rep. Todd knows all about medical marijuana. She was the executive director of AIDS Alabama for many years and had to resign that position in order to sponsor this bill. That, my friends, is dedication. None of what happened this year was her fault and she is deserving of our praise and thanks for taking the bill to begin with. Please email (reptodd@gmail.com) her and tell her how much you appreciate her help and how much you love her for having the courage to take on this highly controversial and politically charged issue.
Over the break between sessions we will be meeting with Rep. Todd and crafting another bill for the next legislative session. If you are a patient, physician, nurse or member of the clergy who would like to have some say in what goes in the bill then you need to email me at lorettanall@gmail.com so I can let you know when and where we plan to meet.
Additionally, if you would like regular updates then you can join our Yahoo discussion group by clicking this link.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
HB434 The Micheal Phillips Compassionate Care Act in Committee April 8
I just got the following note from Rep. Patricia Todd.
We have another delay with the bill. It seems that the Leg Ref Ser gave me a version of the bill that is NOT the same as the version passed by Judicary in 07. I will have to get LRS to draft a substitute bill that is the same so the committee will be able to pass it.
This means another week delay.....
Representative Patricia Todd
1320 58th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35222
205.599.2856 Home
205.567.9419 Cell
reptodd@gmail.com
www.patriciatodd.com
DO NOT SHOW UP IN MONTGOMERY TOMORROW!
All,
Our bill, HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act
will be in the judiciary committee THIS Wednesday (tomorrow) April 8.
Needless to say I am very excited and I know all of you are too.
I need to know today who all is definitely coming to Montgomery on Wednesday.
Get that information to me as soon as you read this email.
Here is the plan.
We will all meet up in front of the State House located at 11 South Union St. in
Montgomery around 8:15 AM. It is critical that you be there early because the
meeting room is small and we want to get all the seats if we can. Once the room
is full the door is closed and no one is allowed in. If you want a seat then be
there on time. If you are late and we are not standing outside then proceed to
the elevator, go down to the first floor and take a right until you come to room
123. That is where the committee meeting will be held.
There will be no testimony by patients or opponents on Wednesday. Our plan all
year has been to get this bill out of committee on a voice vote so that it
doesn't get hung up or assigned to sub-committee. We still expect it to pass on
a voice vote.
During the committee hearing we will not talk. We will not roll our eyes at each
other over some of the undoubtedly borderline insane things some of the
committee members might say. We will not show anger. I do however give my
blessing to an eruption of applause and cheers when the bill passes on a voice
vote.
Dress appropriately. Dress like you are going to church. Wear comfortable shoes
though because we might pay visits to your individual representatives after the
committee meeting is over. The dress protocol is so very important. If you have
a green ribbon or something similar that you would like to wear that will be
fine. I wish I had some "STOP ARRESTING PATIENTS" buttons but I don't. No pot
leaves anywhere. No anything that confuses this issue with outright
legalization.
You have to go through a metal detector to enter the State House. Please leave
things like pocket knives and such in your cars. If you forget they will take it
at the door and you can get it on the way out.
If any of you need to talk to me via phone please call me at 1-877-528-5647.
My cell phone number is 256-625-9599. You will need it for Wednesday.
I hope to see all of you on Wednesday. If there was ever a day to pack out your
car with supporters and make the trek to Montgomery Wednesday will be the day.
The more people who show up the more legislators will understand that we are
serious and want this bill passed.
Loretta Nall
We have another delay with the bill. It seems that the Leg Ref Ser gave me a version of the bill that is NOT the same as the version passed by Judicary in 07. I will have to get LRS to draft a substitute bill that is the same so the committee will be able to pass it.
This means another week delay.....
Representative Patricia Todd
1320 58th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35222
205.599.2856 Home
205.567.9419 Cell
reptodd@gmail.com
www.patriciatodd.com
DO NOT SHOW UP IN MONTGOMERY TOMORROW!
All,
Our bill, HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act
will be in the judiciary committee THIS Wednesday (tomorrow) April 8.
Needless to say I am very excited and I know all of you are too.
I need to know today who all is definitely coming to Montgomery on Wednesday.
Get that information to me as soon as you read this email.
Here is the plan.
We will all meet up in front of the State House located at 11 South Union St. in
Montgomery around 8:15 AM. It is critical that you be there early because the
meeting room is small and we want to get all the seats if we can. Once the room
is full the door is closed and no one is allowed in. If you want a seat then be
there on time. If you are late and we are not standing outside then proceed to
the elevator, go down to the first floor and take a right until you come to room
123. That is where the committee meeting will be held.
There will be no testimony by patients or opponents on Wednesday. Our plan all
year has been to get this bill out of committee on a voice vote so that it
doesn't get hung up or assigned to sub-committee. We still expect it to pass on
a voice vote.
During the committee hearing we will not talk. We will not roll our eyes at each
other over some of the undoubtedly borderline insane things some of the
committee members might say. We will not show anger. I do however give my
blessing to an eruption of applause and cheers when the bill passes on a voice
vote.
Dress appropriately. Dress like you are going to church. Wear comfortable shoes
though because we might pay visits to your individual representatives after the
committee meeting is over. The dress protocol is so very important. If you have
a green ribbon or something similar that you would like to wear that will be
fine. I wish I had some "STOP ARRESTING PATIENTS" buttons but I don't. No pot
leaves anywhere. No anything that confuses this issue with outright
legalization.
You have to go through a metal detector to enter the State House. Please leave
things like pocket knives and such in your cars. If you forget they will take it
at the door and you can get it on the way out.
If any of you need to talk to me via phone please call me at 1-877-528-5647.
My cell phone number is 256-625-9599. You will need it for Wednesday.
I hope to see all of you on Wednesday. If there was ever a day to pack out your
car with supporters and make the trek to Montgomery Wednesday will be the day.
The more people who show up the more legislators will understand that we are
serious and want this bill passed.
Loretta Nall
Friday, April 03, 2009
Sen. Larry Dixon Implies Medical Marijuana Makes You Lesbian
At least I guess that is the point Senator Larry Dixon and the hosts of Morris/Montiel were trying to make this morning on WACV 107.9 FM in Montgomery.
I got an email from a friend of mine who called in and asked Senator Dixon how come he never responded to repeated requests for his position on HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act. Senator Dixon's response was that he would never support it and that the sponsor of the bill was none other than Lesbian Patricia Todd.
Y'all reckon that pissed me off?
So, I called in and asked the following questions of Senator Dixon.
The first question was "Since you don't support medical marijuana does that mean that you support locking up cancer patients in prison?"
The second question was, "Why did you find it necessary to bring up Rep. Todd's sexuality in reference to this bill as it has absolutely nothing to do with medical marijuana?"
He answered the second question first and said, "Well, she is a lesbian, and she ran her campaign on being a lesbian and she advertises it at the State House you know she does she advertises it at the state house...that she is a lesbian. She is a lesbian and she advertises it and I was just letting people know who she is. I'm older now and more accepting of people that ain't like me you know and I like Rep. Todd just fine...we get along just fine...but she is a lesbian."
One of the hosts pointed out that Rep. Todd is a 'liberal democrat' and that the medical marijuana bill is a liberal bill. I wonder if he thinks that cancer, HIV/AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimer's, chronic pain, glaucoma, epilepsy and illness of that nature are liberal illnesses that only attack those bad liberal people who just beg to be attacked?
They of course never answered why they thought it was important to discuss Rep. Todd's sexuality in the context of the conversation about HB434. I guess maybe they were trying to imply that smoking medical marijuana for cancer might turn you into a lesbian. I suppose if Ms. Laura Hall had still been sponsoring the bill they would have implied that smoking medical marijuana would turn you black.
How can people be so deliberately ignorant and willfully stupid? Are the listeners of that show equally ignorant and willfully stupid? I hope not. I know at least two that do not fit that description and that would be the friend who emailed me about Senator Larry Dixon being on the show and a gentleman named Andrew who called in after me, identified himself as a conservative and said he supported medical marijuana and the right of people to be gay as long as no one was being hurt. I'd say Andrew is a TRUE CONSERVATIVE.
Back to the first question which was, "Since you don't support medical marijuana does that mean you support locking cancer patients in prison?"
Sen. Dixon, "No, No I don't support locking cancer patients in prison. There are no cancer patients in prison. I have just as much experience with cancer as you do (and how much would that be and how much experience do you reckon he thinks I have with cancer?) and there are oncologists studying this thing and"
At this point one of the hosts jumps in and says "Yeah and there's pain doctors"
Sen. Dixon, "Yes pain doctors and Marinol which is Tetra-Hydra-Cannabinol (boy he sure knows a lot about marijuana if he knows the scientific name for THC and how to say it for someone who does not support the bill) in pill form that can be prescribed. There's just no way to enforce such a law about who can smoke it and who can't."
Unfortunately they control the phones at the station and cut you off as soon as you ask your question so I didn't get a chance to respond. I did record it but messed up the file because I didn't have the audio turned up loud enough so it can barely be heard. If anyone out there knows how to boost the audio on a WMA file please let me know.
If I had gotten the chance to respond I would have pointed out the obvious, which is that Marinol isn't covered by most insurance companies and costs about $700 a month for 30 pills. Plus the fact that cancer patients often have trouble taking pills because they cannot keep anything down due to nausea and vomiting caused by the chemo/radiation. Not to mention that the government has no business interfering in the doctor/patient relationship and as 'conservatives' who oppose 'large government' in general (yuk yuk) and socialized medicine (on the grounds that it will put the government between you and your doctor) they sure aren't acting 'conservative' on this issue.
It's amazing how two radio hosts and one Senator think their uninformed opinions mean more than what a doctor says regarding medical marijuana. I'd wager that none of them have ever been to medical school. I'd also wager that if anyone in their family is ever stricken with a terrible ailment that medical marijuana can help they will go and find some.
This is also not a partisan issue. As I stated earlier disease and terminal illness and chronic pain don't discriminate between liberals, conservatives, libertarians, independents, black, white, straight or gay, so how can medical marijuana be a 'Liberal' issue?
For those of you who would like to tell the show what you think you can do so by signing up on their forum here. Also feel free to let Senator Dixon know what you think.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
HB434 Hearing Rescheduled
All,
I just got word from our sponsor Rep. Patricia Todd that our bill HB434 has been carried over until next Wednesday, April 8 2009. Rep., Todd is sick and cannot make it to Montgomery to handle the bill.
DO NOT SHOW UP IN MONTGOMERY TOMORROW!
Please pass this along to everyone you know who was planning to be there.
Loretta
I just got word from our sponsor Rep. Patricia Todd that our bill HB434 has been carried over until next Wednesday, April 8 2009. Rep., Todd is sick and cannot make it to Montgomery to handle the bill.
DO NOT SHOW UP IN MONTGOMERY TOMORROW!
Please pass this along to everyone you know who was planning to be there.
Loretta
HB434 in Committee Tomorrow April 1
URGENT UPDATE:
All,
I just got word from our sponsor Rep. Patricia Todd that our bill HB434 has been carried over until next Wednesday, April 8 2009. Rep., Todd is sick and cannot make it to Montgomery to handle the bill.
DO NOT SHOW UP IN MONTGOMERY TOMORROW!
Please pass this along to everyone you know who was planning to be there.
#################################
Just a reminder that HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act will be heard in judiciary committee tomorrow, April 1 at 9 a.m.
If you plan to attend we will be meeting up on the steps of the State House at 8:15 a.m. The State House is located at 11 South Union St. in Montgomery and the judiciary committee meets in room 123. If there is any way possible that you can be there we would love to have you.
If you can't be there please take a moment today to call the following members of the judiciary committee and ask them to vote yes on HB434 tomorrow. Currently these members plan to vote NO and they really need to hear from a huge number of people today about this bill. 76% of Alabamians support medical marijuana and their NO vote indicates a complete disregard for the will of the people. Please take a moment and give them a call.
Spencer Collier - (334) 242-7719 spencer.collier@alhouse.org
Paul DeMarco -(334) 242-7740 paul.demarco@alhouse.org
Jamie Ison -(334) 242-7711 jamie.ison@alhouse.org
Yusuf Salaam - 334-242-7746
Steve McMillan - 334-242-7723 steve.mcmillan@alhouse.org
Howard Sanderford - 334-242-4368 howard.sanderford@alhouse.org
I hope to see you at the State House tomorrow.
All,
I just got word from our sponsor Rep. Patricia Todd that our bill HB434 has been carried over until next Wednesday, April 8 2009. Rep., Todd is sick and cannot make it to Montgomery to handle the bill.
DO NOT SHOW UP IN MONTGOMERY TOMORROW!
Please pass this along to everyone you know who was planning to be there.
#################################
Just a reminder that HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act will be heard in judiciary committee tomorrow, April 1 at 9 a.m.
If you plan to attend we will be meeting up on the steps of the State House at 8:15 a.m. The State House is located at 11 South Union St. in Montgomery and the judiciary committee meets in room 123. If there is any way possible that you can be there we would love to have you.
If you can't be there please take a moment today to call the following members of the judiciary committee and ask them to vote yes on HB434 tomorrow. Currently these members plan to vote NO and they really need to hear from a huge number of people today about this bill. 76% of Alabamians support medical marijuana and their NO vote indicates a complete disregard for the will of the people. Please take a moment and give them a call.
Spencer Collier - (334) 242-7719 spencer.collier@alhouse.org
Paul DeMarco -(334) 242-7740 paul.demarco@alhouse.org
Jamie Ison -(334) 242-7711 jamie.ison@alhouse.org
Yusuf Salaam - 334-242-7746
Steve McMillan - 334-242-7723 steve.mcmillan@alhouse.org
Howard Sanderford - 334-242-4368 howard.sanderford@alhouse.org
I hope to see you at the State House tomorrow.
Friday, March 27, 2009
HB434 in Committee April 1, 2009
Folks,
HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act bill is finally scheduled for next Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 9 am in room 123 at the Alabama State House located at 11 South Union Street in Montgomery.
I WANT YOU TO HELP ME PACK THAT ROOM OUT!
We will not be giving any testimony on that day. We do expect this bill to pass on a voice vote. If you plan to come then here are the rules.
1. Dress like you are going to church. No t-shirts and jeans please. No pot leaf insignias ANYWHERE. No tye dyes. No Bob Marley. You get the idea. Suits and ties for the men or upscale dress casual (polo's khakis). For the ladies wear a dress, skirt or business suit. Sweaters and dress casual pants are fine too.
2. Be polite
3. Don't say a word during the meeting
4. Be prepared to talk to reporters after the meeting is over. We will talk about what to say at tomorrows meeting in Birmingham.
Our last meeting before this bill comes up in Committee will take place from 1-3 pm at 2330 Highland Ave. South (on Southside beside Caldwell Park) TOMORROW (Saturday March 28, 2009). BE THERE!
HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act bill is finally scheduled for next Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 9 am in room 123 at the Alabama State House located at 11 South Union Street in Montgomery.
I WANT YOU TO HELP ME PACK THAT ROOM OUT!
We will not be giving any testimony on that day. We do expect this bill to pass on a voice vote. If you plan to come then here are the rules.
1. Dress like you are going to church. No t-shirts and jeans please. No pot leaf insignias ANYWHERE. No tye dyes. No Bob Marley. You get the idea. Suits and ties for the men or upscale dress casual (polo's khakis). For the ladies wear a dress, skirt or business suit. Sweaters and dress casual pants are fine too.
2. Be polite
3. Don't say a word during the meeting
4. Be prepared to talk to reporters after the meeting is over. We will talk about what to say at tomorrows meeting in Birmingham.
Our last meeting before this bill comes up in Committee will take place from 1-3 pm at 2330 Highland Ave. South (on Southside beside Caldwell Park) TOMORROW (Saturday March 28, 2009). BE THERE!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Medical Marijuana Letters Published on Sunday
Birmingham News
Bill protects medical users
I write today concerning House Bill 434, which would provide protection for physicians who recommend and patients who use medical marijuana in Alabama.
I am a patient who suffers from constant chronic pain resulting from a near-fatal motor vehicle accident nearly 22 years ago. In 2005, I became unable to work and began taking morphine, which was prescribed by a pain-management doctor. This medicine was horribly addictive and completely destroyed my quality of life.
Medical marijuana is a natural alternative to narcotic pain medicine. It is a plant that has many medicinal purposes and very few side effects, none of which is as bad as the stuff constantly advertised on TV.
In 13 other states, medical marijuana is a legal option for people who are suffering from chronic pain and terminal illnesses. In Alabama, however, those of us who choose to use medical marijuana are considered criminals and face dangerous circumstances to acquire it and prison if we are arrested for using it.
I am not a criminal. I am a patient. Does Alabama really want to continue the practice of arresting and prosecuting people with terminal illness and chronic pain? Only barbarians would engage in such a practice.
Please contact your representative in Montgomery and ask him to support HB 434, the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act, when it comes before the House of Representatives for a vote.
Christie O'Brien
Hoover
Improves quality of life
I was Ms. Wheelchair Alabama 1996, and I carried the Olympic torch through Birmingham. I am a wife, mother, grandmother and medical marijuana user. I have suffered from multiple sclerosis since 1982.
Medical marijuana reduces muscle spasms so I can get good, restful sleep instead of being awakened often throughout the night. I can wake up aware of the world and not with a doped-up feeling that legal medications give me. Medical marijuana gives me a quality of life so I can enjoy my grandchildren while they are little.
Acquiring marijuana puts my family at risk. If one of my family members were arrested and jailed for buying my medicine, my whole family would be devastated. What if they were killed trying to get medicine for me? Who would care for me then? My doctors know I use it but cannot recommend it for fear of losing their medical licenses.
A bill in the Alabama House of Representatives would provide protection under the law for physicians who recommend medical marijuana and protect the patients from arrest and prosecution.
Please call the members of the committee and ask them to support the bill when it comes before them for a vote.
Margaret Ann Newman
Homewood
Bill protects medical users
I write today concerning House Bill 434, which would provide protection for physicians who recommend and patients who use medical marijuana in Alabama.
I am a patient who suffers from constant chronic pain resulting from a near-fatal motor vehicle accident nearly 22 years ago. In 2005, I became unable to work and began taking morphine, which was prescribed by a pain-management doctor. This medicine was horribly addictive and completely destroyed my quality of life.
Medical marijuana is a natural alternative to narcotic pain medicine. It is a plant that has many medicinal purposes and very few side effects, none of which is as bad as the stuff constantly advertised on TV.
In 13 other states, medical marijuana is a legal option for people who are suffering from chronic pain and terminal illnesses. In Alabama, however, those of us who choose to use medical marijuana are considered criminals and face dangerous circumstances to acquire it and prison if we are arrested for using it.
I am not a criminal. I am a patient. Does Alabama really want to continue the practice of arresting and prosecuting people with terminal illness and chronic pain? Only barbarians would engage in such a practice.
Please contact your representative in Montgomery and ask him to support HB 434, the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act, when it comes before the House of Representatives for a vote.
Christie O'Brien
Hoover
Improves quality of life
I was Ms. Wheelchair Alabama 1996, and I carried the Olympic torch through Birmingham. I am a wife, mother, grandmother and medical marijuana user. I have suffered from multiple sclerosis since 1982.
Medical marijuana reduces muscle spasms so I can get good, restful sleep instead of being awakened often throughout the night. I can wake up aware of the world and not with a doped-up feeling that legal medications give me. Medical marijuana gives me a quality of life so I can enjoy my grandchildren while they are little.
Acquiring marijuana puts my family at risk. If one of my family members were arrested and jailed for buying my medicine, my whole family would be devastated. What if they were killed trying to get medicine for me? Who would care for me then? My doctors know I use it but cannot recommend it for fear of losing their medical licenses.
A bill in the Alabama House of Representatives would provide protection under the law for physicians who recommend medical marijuana and protect the patients from arrest and prosecution.
Please call the members of the committee and ask them to support the bill when it comes before them for a vote.
Margaret Ann Newman
Homewood
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Medical Marijuana Letters Published This Week
Last week Alabamians for Compassionate Care started a letter writing campaign to newspapers across Alabama informing voters about HB434, The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act. So far two letters have been published. One has been published twice.
Author: Don Seibold
Medical Marijuana Bill Should Pass (Montgomery Advertiser)
Please Support Medical Marijuana Bill (Tuscaloosa News)
Author: Gil Joiner
Medical Marijuana (Anniston Star)
Many other letters have been written by the patients and family members who make up the membership of ACC. Mrs. Margaret Ann Newman, who was Miss Wheel Chair Alabama in 1996, carried the Olympic torch through Birmingham that year, is a wife, mother, grandmother, multiple sclerosis patient and medical marijuana user wrote a very moving letter, as did Christie Reeder, who is a chronic pain patient who survived a horrific auto accident 22 years ago. Another letter writer is the son of a woman who was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He had a gun put to his head recently while trying to acquire medical marijuana for his mother. We are hoping that many of the letters that have been written but not yet published will appear in papers across Alabama in tomorrows Sunday editions.
If others have written letters that have been published please send them to me so that I can post them here.
Author: Don Seibold
Medical Marijuana Bill Should Pass (Montgomery Advertiser)
Please Support Medical Marijuana Bill (Tuscaloosa News)
Author: Gil Joiner
Medical Marijuana (Anniston Star)
Many other letters have been written by the patients and family members who make up the membership of ACC. Mrs. Margaret Ann Newman, who was Miss Wheel Chair Alabama in 1996, carried the Olympic torch through Birmingham that year, is a wife, mother, grandmother, multiple sclerosis patient and medical marijuana user wrote a very moving letter, as did Christie Reeder, who is a chronic pain patient who survived a horrific auto accident 22 years ago. Another letter writer is the son of a woman who was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He had a gun put to his head recently while trying to acquire medical marijuana for his mother. We are hoping that many of the letters that have been written but not yet published will appear in papers across Alabama in tomorrows Sunday editions.
If others have written letters that have been published please send them to me so that I can post them here.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Compassionate Care Meeting Saturday, Action Day Tuesday
Hi Everyone,
We are having our Compassionate Care Meeting this Saturday Feb 28 from 1-4 pm at the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge located at 4th Ave. N and 17th St. in Downtown Birmingham (Second floor...use the elevator). This meeting is CRITICAL because on the following Tuesday March 3 we are all going down to the state house for Action Day in the legislature. I need y'all to find as many people as humanly possible to be at this meeting and to attend on Tuesday.
At Saturday's meeting we will set the agenda for Tuesday. We will divide off into groups, each group will have a leader and a schedule of meetings with six members of the judiciary committee and meetings with each person's elected representative. We will provide breakfast and lunch for the day in Montgomery and of course there will be munchies at Saturday's meeting. I also have the STOP ARRESTING PATIENTS shirts for the patients and maybe a few left over for others.
I need to know as soon as possible if you plan to be at the meeting on Saturday and the action day on tuesday and how many people you are bringing with you. I also need to know if anyone needs a ride on Tuesday. Laura, a family member of a cancer patient who recently passed will be coming from BHAM and has said some can ride with her as long as they don't smoke or wear perfume (bad allergies). Christie O'Brien may also have some room and the Libertarian crew might also have a few seats available in their caravan. We'll discuss all of the logistics at Saturday's meeting.
See you on Saturday. Pass this along to everyone you know. We want a HUGE turnout for Tuesday. Nothing puts the fear of God in a legislator than a large group of people taking the time to show up and discuss the issues they care about.
--
Loretta Nall
Executive Director
Alabamians for Compassionate Care
251-650-2271
lorettanall@gmail.com
We are having our Compassionate Care Meeting this Saturday Feb 28 from 1-4 pm at the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge located at 4th Ave. N and 17th St. in Downtown Birmingham (Second floor...use the elevator). This meeting is CRITICAL because on the following Tuesday March 3 we are all going down to the state house for Action Day in the legislature. I need y'all to find as many people as humanly possible to be at this meeting and to attend on Tuesday.
At Saturday's meeting we will set the agenda for Tuesday. We will divide off into groups, each group will have a leader and a schedule of meetings with six members of the judiciary committee and meetings with each person's elected representative. We will provide breakfast and lunch for the day in Montgomery and of course there will be munchies at Saturday's meeting. I also have the STOP ARRESTING PATIENTS shirts for the patients and maybe a few left over for others.
I need to know as soon as possible if you plan to be at the meeting on Saturday and the action day on tuesday and how many people you are bringing with you. I also need to know if anyone needs a ride on Tuesday. Laura, a family member of a cancer patient who recently passed will be coming from BHAM and has said some can ride with her as long as they don't smoke or wear perfume (bad allergies). Christie O'Brien may also have some room and the Libertarian crew might also have a few seats available in their caravan. We'll discuss all of the logistics at Saturday's meeting.
See you on Saturday. Pass this along to everyone you know. We want a HUGE turnout for Tuesday. Nothing puts the fear of God in a legislator than a large group of people taking the time to show up and discuss the issues they care about.
--
Loretta Nall
Executive Director
Alabamians for Compassionate Care
251-650-2271
lorettanall@gmail.com
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Who is Your Rep. and Head Count for March 3 Action Day
Hi All,
Just wanted to give everyone an update on where we are with the Compassionate Care Act HB434. For the last couple of weeks I have been surveying the judiciary committee to get a vote count on this bill. About half of them have gotten back to me. There are still 6 that have not returned my phone calls or emails so it is time to switch strategy. Here are the six members that have not returned calls or emails regarding their stance on the Compassionate Care Act
Tammy Irons (Lauderdale County)
Jamie Ison (Mobile District 101)
Marc Keahey (Choctaw, Clarke & Washington Counties)
Charles Newton (Butler, Conecuh and Crenshaw counties)
John Robinson (Jackson County)
Howard Sanderford (Madison County)
If any of you live in these counties and this is your rep please let me know at once. If you are not sure if any of these people are your reps go here and look them up by zip code.
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/house.html
Also, if you are in Selma I need you to go and talk to Rep. Yusuf Salaam who is convinced that allowing cancer patients to use marijuana will ensure that they will move on to heroin and home invasions. If you live in Mobile and Steve McMillan is your rep then I need you to go and talk to him. He and Rep. Salaam are currently NO votes on the committee.
If none of the people represent you then think of who you know in their districts who would be supportive of the medical marijuana issue and willing to pay their elected official a visit. We have to have a comprehensive vote count before we drop this bill in committee. We currently have 5 yes votes and we only need three more to know we can get it out of committee.
On March 3 we are having our Action Day at the State House. I need to know ASAP who all plans to be there so we can work out the logistics and for food purposes. Please email me back today and let me know if you plan to attend the action day on March 3 and how many people you are bringing with you (as many as you can fit in your cars I hope). THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!
Loretta Nall
Just wanted to give everyone an update on where we are with the Compassionate Care Act HB434. For the last couple of weeks I have been surveying the judiciary committee to get a vote count on this bill. About half of them have gotten back to me. There are still 6 that have not returned my phone calls or emails so it is time to switch strategy. Here are the six members that have not returned calls or emails regarding their stance on the Compassionate Care Act
Tammy Irons (Lauderdale County)
Jamie Ison (Mobile District 101)
Marc Keahey (Choctaw, Clarke & Washington Counties)
Charles Newton (Butler, Conecuh and Crenshaw counties)
John Robinson (Jackson County)
Howard Sanderford (Madison County)
If any of you live in these counties and this is your rep please let me know at once. If you are not sure if any of these people are your reps go here and look them up by zip code.
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/house.html
Also, if you are in Selma I need you to go and talk to Rep. Yusuf Salaam who is convinced that allowing cancer patients to use marijuana will ensure that they will move on to heroin and home invasions. If you live in Mobile and Steve McMillan is your rep then I need you to go and talk to him. He and Rep. Salaam are currently NO votes on the committee.
If none of the people represent you then think of who you know in their districts who would be supportive of the medical marijuana issue and willing to pay their elected official a visit. We have to have a comprehensive vote count before we drop this bill in committee. We currently have 5 yes votes and we only need three more to know we can get it out of committee.
On March 3 we are having our Action Day at the State House. I need to know ASAP who all plans to be there so we can work out the logistics and for food purposes. Please email me back today and let me know if you plan to attend the action day on March 3 and how many people you are bringing with you (as many as you can fit in your cars I hope). THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!
Loretta Nall
Friday, February 06, 2009
Making the Case for Medical Marijuana
Many, many thanks Courtney!
By: Courtney Haden Birmingham Weekly
MAKING THE CASE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA
As the planning session broke up in elegant old Prince Hall downtown, the former gubernatorial candidate strode over and asked a visitor, "So, do you think we're batshit crazy?"
All Loretta Nall and the Alabamians for Compassionate Care want to do is persuade our monumentally intractable legislature, on the cusp of an election year, to disregard 70 years of social taboos and a federal pharmaceutical jihad to ordain that the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes shall be legal throughout the state.
Of course they're crazy. But folks like Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr. used to be called that, too.
For many, the phrase "medical marijuana" conjures up visions of tie-dyed zonkers malingering their way through bales of government ganja. ( In terms of image, Nall says, "Cheech and Chong have not necessarily been our friends." )
The people at Prince Hall Saturday afternoon looked neither hippie nor dippy. For them, medical marijuana is a crucial factor in improving the quality of life for chronically ill people, and they couldn't be more serious about changing the law.
Our modern hysteria over the use of marijuana would have bemused our ancestors. The Chinese employed it 4,000 years ago as an anesthetic, in ancient India, doctors prescribed it to mothers in labor and the Egyptians of long-ago dynasties even used it in suppositories for hemorrhoids. Here in America, many of the Founding Fathers grew hemp on their plantations, and marijuana was widely used as a pain reliever in an age before the invention of aspirin.
READ THE REST
By: Courtney Haden Birmingham Weekly
MAKING THE CASE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA
As the planning session broke up in elegant old Prince Hall downtown, the former gubernatorial candidate strode over and asked a visitor, "So, do you think we're batshit crazy?"
All Loretta Nall and the Alabamians for Compassionate Care want to do is persuade our monumentally intractable legislature, on the cusp of an election year, to disregard 70 years of social taboos and a federal pharmaceutical jihad to ordain that the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes shall be legal throughout the state.
Of course they're crazy. But folks like Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr. used to be called that, too.
For many, the phrase "medical marijuana" conjures up visions of tie-dyed zonkers malingering their way through bales of government ganja. ( In terms of image, Nall says, "Cheech and Chong have not necessarily been our friends." )
The people at Prince Hall Saturday afternoon looked neither hippie nor dippy. For them, medical marijuana is a crucial factor in improving the quality of life for chronically ill people, and they couldn't be more serious about changing the law.
Our modern hysteria over the use of marijuana would have bemused our ancestors. The Chinese employed it 4,000 years ago as an anesthetic, in ancient India, doctors prescribed it to mothers in labor and the Egyptians of long-ago dynasties even used it in suppositories for hemorrhoids. Here in America, many of the Founding Fathers grew hemp on their plantations, and marijuana was widely used as a pain reliever in an age before the invention of aspirin.
READ THE REST
HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act
HOORAY!!! We have a bill number for the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act.
HB434 is sponsored by Rep. Patricia Todd (she's awesome!) and named in honor of the young man in the picture below. You can read Michael's story here
Right now our next step is to get this bill out of committee. Thank you all so much for all of the calls you have already made. The Judiciary committee hears us loud and clear and for right now we do not need to make any more calls to the committee. We expect this bill to be in committee either this coming Wednesday or the next Wednesday. That could change and of course as soon as I know exactly when I will let all of you know.
Please DO call your own member of the House in Montgomery and ask them to support HB434 when it comes to the house floor for a vote. This is especially important if your member of the house is also on the rules committee as I understand that is where it will go after it passes out of judiciary. It has to go through the rules committee before it can go before the entire house for a vote.
If you don't know who your elected official is in Montgomery go here (for the House) and look them up by zip code.
Go here for Senate
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Medical Marijuana Bill Moving Fast
All,
I got word yesterday that we can expect our bill to be in the que tomorrow (Thursday) and that we may have it in judiciary committee by next Wednesday. This is moving a lot faster than I had anticipated, which is good. What we are trying to do at this point is have it passed out of committee on a voice vote and save patient testimony for when it goes to the house floor for a full debate. However, if this bill comes up in committee next Wednesday I want each and every one of you packing out the committee room at the state house. I will order our STOP ARRESTING PATIENTS shirts today so that we will send our message loud and clear without saying a word.
Today Christie O'Brien and I will be contacting members of the judiciary committee and figuring out if we have the votes to pass this. I would also like for each and every one of you (starting Thursday) to contact them as well and ask them to support the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act when it goes to committee. Phone calls are best and the sooner you make them the better. We do not have a bill number yet but we will hopefully have one by tomorrow. If any of you need a phone skit let me know and I will send you one.
Here are the members of the judiciary committee and their contact info with notations about who needs to be called and who doesn't.
Here are the members of the judiciary committee and their contact info with notations about who needs to be called and who doesn't.
Marcel Black (do not need to call. Marcel doesn't get a vote as chair of the committee)
Room 516-F
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7667
Spencer Collier (Burn his phone up)
Room 540-D
11 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7719
Paul DeMarco (Burn his phone up)
Room 537-F
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7740
Priscilla Dunn (supporter no need to call)
Room 540-B
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7702
Chris England (Burn his phone up)
Room 539-B
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7703
Laura Hall (former sponsor and supporter no need to call)
Room 518
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7688
Tammy Irons (Burn her phone up)
Room 526-B
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL. 36130
(334) 353-9032
Jamie Ison (Burn her phone up)
Room 527-B
11 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7711
Marc Keahey (Burn his phone up)
Room 630-A
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7748
Steve McMillan (Burn his phone up)
Room 532
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7723
Charles Newton (Burn his phone up)
Room 541-E
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-4460
John Robinson (Burn his phone up)
Room 534-D
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7728
Yusuf Salaam (Burn his phone up)
Room 539-E
11 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7746
Howard Sanderford (Burn his phone up)
Room 528-B
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-4368
Cam Ward (No need to call he is a supporter)
Room 625-C
11 S. Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-7750
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Compassionate Care Meeting Jan. 31
Our next Compassionate Care meeting will take place on Jan. 31 from 1-3 pm at the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge (same place as last time) located at 4th Ave N and 17 st. This will be our last meeting before the legislative session starts so it is important that y'all be there with as many people as you can round up.
Pass this invite along to everyone you know and I hope to see you on Saturday Jan. 31.
If anyone needs further info I can be reached at 256-625-9599 or lorettanall@gmail.com
Best,
Loretta Nall
Monday, January 05, 2009
Compassionate Care Meeting Jan. 10
Hi All,
Hope everyone had an enjoyable Holiday season with family and friends. We had a great one at my house. Now it is time to get back to work.
We have set the next Compassionate Care meeting for this coming Saturday Jan. 10. It will be from 5 pm to 7 pm at the following address
Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge
2nd Floor Auditorium
1630 4th Avenue North
This meeting will be a training session in preparation for the upcoming legislative session which begins on Feb. 5 I believe. Please bring your friends, family and anyone else who might be interested. Food and snack items will be provided.
See you there!
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