Pubdate: Mon, 18 Mar 2013 Source: Northern Express (MI) Copyright: 2013 Northern Express Contact: http://www.northernexpress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3079 Author: Steven B. Thompson NEW WAR ON MARIJUANA We pride ourselves on how we take care of the sick in this country. We have the best hospitals in the world, as well as the finest doctors. You would think that America totally supports people getting better with whatever resources are available. But wait just one minute. If you choose to medicate with cannabis, (aka: marijuana), not only are you NOT supported by most of the medical industry (which won't treat you if you have THC in your system), but you may find yourself in a jail cell for growing and using it. Not only that, but you're technically driving under the influence every time you get behind the wheel of a car as the active ingredients in cannabis stay in your system for months. Medical marijuana laws enacted throughout the United States for sick people have been mercilessly attacked by lawmakers (unlike the pharmaceutical industry which has the full support of the justice system), and judges and prosecutors are locking up caregivers for having too much cannabis in their possession. It's a senseless waste of tax dollars, law enforcement resources, and ultimately hurts us all. Yet the war wages on. In Michigan, a recent State Supreme Court decision makes criminals out of caring providers of cannabis, who are now declared "public nuisances." And instead of helping the sick get better, our government is condemning our choice of medicine, kicking in our doors, taking away our children, breaking up our families, and even murdering some of us. So much for helping the sick get better. Please contact your State House of Representative member and tell them to support and demand a vote for HB 4271 (The Provisioning Center Act) to give us back safe access to our choice of medicine and stop this insanity. Rev. Steven B. Thompson, Benzie County NORML - --- MAP posted-by: Matt