Thursday, April 29, 2010
Legislature Medical Marijuana's Dramatic Rebound: How It Looked from the Inside
Posted by Jim Ridley on Thu, Apr 29, 2010 at 12:51 PM
Thousands of Tennesseans suffering from cancer and other maladies — and thousands more of their families, spouses and loved ones — got a boost of hope when the House Health and Human Resources Committee voted Tuesday to send a proposed medical marijuana bill for further study by the State Board of Pharmacy.
It was a remarkable turn of events for the dogged citizens' coalition that has been pushing the Safe Access to Medical Cannabis Act. (And not just because it seemed to slap the smirk off some of the state media covering the issue.) Just last week, the bill appeared on slippery footing as the same committee members voted 12-9 against the measure recommending study. This time, though, the measure passed with bipartisan support, with just four Republicans voting no.
What made the difference? According to Bernie Ellis, the voting-reform advocate who has emerged as a leader in Tennessee's medical-marijuana movement, it was a combination of factors — including hundreds of constituent emails bombarding legislators; an amendment adding the TBI and the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association to the study group; a lobbying effort that put representatives in touch with Tennesseans directly affected by the bill; and a full hearing three weeks ago that helped convince lawmakers the issue was both serious and urgent.
Above all, Ellis says, it was a meeting between two men that made the difference: John Donovan, a 25-year-old Red Bank, Tenn. resident who began suffering at age 16 from juvenile-onset rheumatoid arthritis — a condition portrayed movingly in a widely read Chattanooga Times Free Press article — and Rep. Joey Hensley, the Republican MD from Hohenwald who chairs the committee.
Below, Pith excerpts an email Ellis sent describing the process that led to the vote.
John [Donovan] and I spoke and we decided he should come to Nashville yesterday (Monday). Starting around noon, John visited with perhaps 15-20 legislators, slowly limping (painfully) from office to office. He was accompanied by Chad Fowler, an Iraq War vet who uses cannabis medically (and illegally) for injury-related degenerative joint disease.Both John and Chad shared their stories, giving copies of the Chattanooga paper and letters describing their conditions and need for safe access to cannabis. Several more of us accompanied those two patients and also discussed support for the bill with the same legislators. (I mainly ran to the next office to see if there was anyone John and Chad could speak with.)
Perhaps the pivotal meeting was with Rep. Joey Hensley, the only physician in the legislature. Dr. Hensley gave John almost 30 minutes face-to-face and he also gave Chad about 15 minutes one-on-one. I gave him more information and [medical-marijuana advocate] Paul Kuhn likewise brought requested information to Rep. Hensley. I do believe that Dr. Hensley's willingness to listen to these men's stories and to have his own questions answered really changed the climate. From being the leading voice of opposition last week against moving forward on safe access, Dr. Hensley became a clear and vocal supporter of further study today. His voice carries a lot of weight, but I also believe that having many legislators meet actual patients and give them a few minutes spoke volumes and provided a personal education on this issue that perhaps has been lacking for many of them.
Right up to the last minute, I wasn't sure whether our amendment would pass. I was tracking down two legislators to get them back in the committee room to vote, so I missed most of the discussion on the amendment. I did hear (and do support) adding the TBI and representatives of the Sheriffs Association to the study process, which was recommended by Rep. Dean. The only thing I heard was when I walked back in the room and heard a call for "yeas" (which were noticeable) and then "nays" (that were noticeable by their [relative] absence). Then it was on to a round of press interviews and coming home to see Andy Sher's (Chattanooga) story on the Safe Access vote having already made it to AP and on to 2 dozen web-sites.
Let me tell you ... the world doesn't look like the same place right now. ... The policy arena around cannabis is shifting mightily on all levels and in all directions today and Tennessee is both a beneficiary and a contributor to that change. It's about time.
Comments (9)
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Here we go. Just like Colorado, you'll be able to find dozens of strip mall offices with onsite Dr Nicks more than willing to prescribe and dispense medical marijuana for all sorts of real and imaginery ailments.
Take that as either a positive or a negative.
like
dislike
Well, first there's the small matter of the bill passing first. And since the Tennessee bill limits the qualifying conditions to "real or imaginary ailments" such as cancer — I believe only 12 diseases or afflictions apply, all either life-threatening or gravely serious — it's not going to be a pothead's holiday. In fact, a lot of marijuana enthusiasts are reportedly unhappy with how unfriendly the bill is to recreational users.
Foot in door, unintended consequences, etc.
I just hope the recs don't ruin it for the folks that need it.
I would hate to see the recreational drinkers get their foot in the door, it might cause some bad things to happen to good and bad people. Any body wants to drink, fine with me. You have your reasons, its your choice, & responsibility. I have two medical issues, both load me with pain. IT IS WHAT IT IS. There are all kinds of pain meds out there. Some work some can cause problems. They are chemicals. I would like to at least try this med Cannubis, just maybe it could releive me of some pain naturely. The growers can cross breed most if not all of the high, buzz, or intox., out of the plant. The recs will always have access there's plenty out there. Just get some info. that will lead to knowledge about the plant. GOD BLESS YOU & YOURS........Mike4
I think what the recs hope is that someday — it wouldn't happen for years after the severely restricted program had been implemented — there will be a "cannabis dependency" medical classification that would allow tokers to purchase without stigma or legal reprisal from pharmacies. But as I said, there's the minor hurdle first of passing the bill, then getting the program operational. And even then, good luck getting the General Assembly to go along.
"I just hope the recs don't ruin it for the folks that need it."
Really don't think we need to worry about that, Terence. Medical weed prescriptions are available, almost by mail. (Not sure about that. But seems like it.) Legal possession and use is then no longer an issue.
The point being: in a manner not unlike undocumented Latinos, just a little preparation removes difficulty. Let it be.
let's see..people drink and drive and die/kill or die as a result of alcohol abuse at a rate of approximately 150,000 a year (just in the U.S. alone)... but that's okay..it's legal!
By comparison: people smoke and prefer NOT to drive (unlike alcohol, cannabis does not cause "Superman Syndrome" and smokers are aware of their altered condition), are NON-violent...AND cannabis has PROVEN efficacy (wiki that word if you don't know what it means)....these are just a few of the facts. want more? Try these websites: L.E.A.P (law enforcement against prohibition), NORML, MPP.org, ASA.org, MAMA.com, DOJ.gov......
Before you comment...educate yourselves... you are obviously ignorant of the facts Terrence (and Mike4). This prohibiton has gone on for 70+ years...enough is enough!
VERY interesting account. Thanks.
I hope, for all the citizens in Tennessee, that this bill passes.
Yes, there will probably be some abuse of it, as there is of many medications. Unlike the situation with oxycontin or methaqualone or others, however, there won't be any fatal overdoses with marijuana!
