Rick Jones And Patient Attutudes Towards Senate Bill 17

[Croppled1]

It is hard to have a opinion different then so many here but because I love my fellow patients as myself I feel these words must be shared . So many of us are so vulnerable and weak we are willing to give up rights out of fear hoping to avoid confrontation or change . It will occur where ever lines are drawn - we must accept it and politely fight for what is moral and correct .

 

Rick Jones recently released a draft of Michigan Senate Bill 17 to disallow patient's right to assemble and use their own medicinal Cannabis together in a private setting as a club similar to the Eagles , VFW , Moose , Knights of Columbus , or Fraternal Order of the Police all do with alcohol for recreation .

 

I never propose to compare medical Cannabis use to recreational alcohol use but how ironic is it that this diametric treatment could exist in any reasoning or code of law in absolute terms . I support their freedoms and I expect them to respect mine . Medicinal Cannabis use on private property with other parties that believe the same is legal now under our State Law . Sharing the cost like in the Fraternal Order of the Police through memberships only makes sense . Any deviation from this is a ploy of the prohibitionist's or their interests to restrict patients and continue decades of discrimination against them .

 

How repressed do a sub group of our society ( especially cannabis patients who support this restriction ) have to be to even think making it illegal is logical for patients who are suffering severely ..sometimes in the process of dieing and unable to get out without medicating and help ; along with nowhere to go where they can be accepted as ill as they are . Patients that are already so restricted as to where they can use their medicinal cannabis unlike any other medications . Why should they sit alone like prisoners in a cage !

 

Forget that there are those that can get around easier then others with more opportunities but what decent patient organization would not carry on as the Marines and leave no patient behind especially those alone in isolation . I emphasize many people cannot leave the house without treating hourly where some need assistance also , others just need to be medicated .

 

If it only takes medicinal cannabis use to help them have the desire to get out , to do more , to focus through suffering , what can it hurt . All of us patients have seen improvement over time from it in many cases . What can it hurt to allow people to assemble in patient clubs with others of similar needs and knowledge pertinent about their conditions to share and through fellowship promote healthier outcomes by example . Patients who have fallen need a place to climb back up Maslow's ladder of self actualization .

 

 

We need clubs the sick and injured can use in private as qualified patients , where recreational therapy is available and also healthy inexpensive foods . Let us strive to keep proper balance in these lives - for healing's sake and for the spillover benefit's it will unlock .

 

All work and no play made Jack a dull boy and suffering with disease , injury and restricted abilities they create often leads to patients struggling more and more to accomplish the same amount of daily activities meeting basic needs of survival with severe pain ( mental and physical ) . Activities these patients were used to completing in the past easily leading to stress , frustration leaving little access or time for recreation or socialization with others and a more rapid decline . Patients loose all balance of work and play in their lives .

 

Nobody more then patients are aware of how often cannabis use does slow the detrimental effect's of injury/disease on many leading to improved mental and physical health from accompanied increased activity as they respond in less pain and a better mood when experiencing medicinal cannabis effect's . Experiencing them on their own dosing terms of comfort and implementing more activity at their own pace . These items also spur a desire to eat more foods and if they are among a group espousing and providing healthier choices with easy access the results are amazing . This can be accomplished in social clubs . Sitting at home alone using cannabis will not provide all patients need to gain full benefit from medicinal cannabis use .

 

Suffering is giving patients incentive to use Cannabis after other medications have failed them . Suffering is giving patients who were barely moving motivation to grow their relief or work toward being able to do that if not able and that physical and mental activity with access to proper nutrician and socialization lost previously to illness /injury , heals and or ad's to quality of life .

 

 

Patients need more places to use their medicinal Cannabis in a sheltered ( that means with people tolerant , familiar and empathetic toward hidden and visible disability ) point of safety to meet with others hopefully benefiting from the social interaction , support and sharing of ideas on how to recover and maintain health . Believe me patients often have as much or more constructive knowledge then most professionals about healing themselves and Cannabis is bringing many together in fellowship . Legal patients invite law enforcement to stop by to support them just not restrict or discriminate against them . Many cannot stand up to arrest and change in daily , medicinal routines or living environments .

 

I hate to be so dire as to say shame on people who espouse more restrictive viewpoints but , what is the problem ? Do you not believe in the saftey of what your participating in ? Are you not seeing many using less real dehabilitating medications with severe side effects ? Are you so repressed and afraid from discrimination of the past you feel you must give up rights to authorities who do not like our Act due to guilt ? Where in the act or anywhere else in law or society do we give up these rights to assemble in private ? You are not doing anything wrong why do patients buy into guilt and feel they must concede their God given right to live unmolested in society as the Act provides because some are fighting for more access through enhanced dispensation and change in attitudes . You have the right not to leave your home or drive if you feel unsafe when using cannabis or not to partake at a private club and the converse must also be upheld .

 

It is fine if you don't think Compassion Clubs should have those activities but to ban assembling and using Cannabis in private clubs for for everyone in every instance is wrong . I can assure you I will support a VFW, Moose , Eagles , or Fraternal Order of the Police type cannabis patient club format and so will many others . I hope we do not see illegal speakeasy type environments develop which are unsafe for patients , would promote more illegal activity and would not be beneficial or in the spirit of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act . The need for social outlets for qualified patients where their medicinal needs are met clearly exists .

 

It is sad to divide on this point of basic freedoms within our community . Again due to fear and non education of the realities of common sense policy in real world practice .

 

The whole point of the program was to bring use out in the open to safer enviroments , protect vulnerable patients, end discrimination , and espouse medicinal investigation that wasn't occurring though we know Cannabis has medicinal qualities . Dozens of pages in the 1914 Department of Agricultural Annual Report document it , as well as , thousands of substantiated reports our Government will not recognize nor investigate .

 

When people get all worried about patients driving it's ridiculous thinking because this is our medicine and we become accustom to it . 6% of the Population has been using Cannabis recreationally and driving all during the drug war and it's prohibition . I have never seen evidence there are anywhere close to 1/20 accidents with people who have Cannabis in their system involved . Throw away the mores of the past they were built on propaganda . You can work , you can drive after you adjust to medicinal Cannabis use just like any other medicinal item . If you feel you can't then it is your individual responsibility to stop use or don't participate . We do not need a blanket zero tolerance law that effects qualified patients . Courts must act in a just matter and follow the Act's guidelines and protections - truth and justice will prevail in time . The evidence of impairment making for dangerous drivers or workers when users are familiar with their own Cannabis dosing is just not there.

 

People ask how can we fix this situation , all the argument's in our State , the fact some in Goverment want to change our Act and appease the people who are angry saying they didn't expect what is happening ?

 

You do it with honest expression of needs , and you fight for your rights to be treated the same as any other patient on any other medicinal item because you have the rights their trying to take from you . If your too sick thats OK then you rest and get back into the fight when you can and know that others will carry on for you so nobody has to suffer from discrimination for using medicinal cannabis one day . This is medicinal ,helping and each of you worried and giving up rights to appease those who never will be appeased need not do so . It won't help . You must keep your rights and lead by example being as productive as you can , showing your self worth and this Cannabis community is one of the richest in that regard I have ever witnessed . We are no different then any other user's of medicinal items and have all the same needs .

[+Dizledot]

This is such an accurate description of many of our feelings right now. Great post!

 

Dizz

 

 

[Bisharoo]

[Frank R]

...

When people get all worried about patients driving it's ridiculous thinking because this is our medicine and we become accustom to it . 6% of the Population has been using Cannabis recreationally and driving all during the drug war and it's prohibition . I have never seen evidence there are anywhere close to 1/20 accidents with people who have Cannabis in their system involved . Throw away the mores of the past they were built on propaganda . You can work , you can drive after you adjust to medicinal Cannabis use just like any other medicinal item . If you feel you can't then it is your individual responsibility to stop use or don't participate . We do not need a blanket zero tolerance law that effects qualified patients . Courts must act in a just matter and follow the Act's guidelines and protections - truth and justice will prevail in time . The evidence of impairment making for dangerous drivers or workers when users are familiar with their own Cannabis dosing is just not there.

...

 

Safety is a always great cover for promoting any and all ideas, especially Vehicle Safety.

Should anyone under the debilitating influence of any internal or external agent be driving a vehicle?

Well, I say, in for a penny, in for a pound.

 

Sen. Jones, expand upon the city of Troy's eating-while-driving-ban, and push to ban driving for all activities and conditions that are shown to increase the probability of vehicular accidents:

• 
   
  
• Lack of sleep
  
• Child tending
  
• Talking (phone and passengers)
  
• Eating
  
• Drinking
  
• Texting
  
• Reading
  
• Medicated
  
• Intoxicated
  
• Mental instability
  
• Diminished capability due to age or illness
  
• Rain
  
• Snow
  
• Fog
  
• Night/Dawn/Sunset
  
• Etc
  

 

So, Sen. Jones, pick up the banner of Vehicular Safety on all fronts, allow no blind spot to be left hidden.

Otherwise, Bill 17 is really nothing more than a thinly veiled attack on a very vulnerable segment of Michigan's community.

 

A very strategic attack, disabling the enemy's transportation and communications systems is crucial in any war.

Bill 17 is one of many fronts in a war on the sick and the dying.

[+washtenaut]

Safety is a always great cover for promoting any and all ideas, especially Vehicle Safety.

Should anyone under the debilitating influence of any internal or external agent be driving a vehicle?

Well, I say, in for a penny, in for a pound.

 

Sen. Jones, expand upon the city of Troy's eating-while-driving-ban, and push to ban driving for all activities and conditions that are shown to increase the probability of vehicular accidents:

• 
   
  
• Lack of sleep
  
• Child tending
  
• Talking (phone and passengers)
  
• Eating
  
• Drinking
  
• Texting
  
• Reading
  
• Medicated
  
• Intoxicated
  
• Mental instability
  
• Diminished capability due to age or illness
  
• Rain
  
• Snow
  
• Fog
  
• Night/Dawn/Sunset
  
• Etc
  

 

So, Sen. Jones, pick up the banner of Vehicular Safety on all fronts, allow no blind spot to be left hidden.

Otherwise, Bill 17 is really nothing more than a thinly veiled attack on a very vulnerable segment of Michigan's community.

 

A very strategic attack, disabling the enemy's transportation and communications systems is crucial in any war.

Bill 17 is one of many fronts in a war on the sick and the dying.

 

The original post and Frank's reply both bring up great points. I've felt for many years that the DUI laws are built around what can be easily measured rather than actually determining the driver's abilities at his current level of intoxication.

 

I would get in the passenger seat with a regular drinker that had a blood alcohol level greater than .08 but I would demand the keys from an inexperienced drinker with a .04 level. The same applies to blood THC levels, as Croppled has so eloquently pointed out.

 

Good posts!

[solabeirtan]

Dis crim iii nation !!!

[Medcare]

Well said Croppled1. I will copy and paste this into my compilations of thoughts and testimonies if I may.

[Croppled1]

Well said Croppled1. I will copy and paste this into my compilations of thoughts and testimonies if I may.

 

 

Please do use it in any way you can to help us . I wish people would answer the Lansing State Journal Ediitorial on the subject from yesterday in any polite constructive manner they can . This is a very pivitol issue for all patients and persons rights in the State of Michigan . Further many people do not understand how their rights are also being trampled in Court procedures in cases like infront of Judge Geddis and others ...there are many who are denying truth to be told in a Court of law around the State . We all suffer as Citizens when this is allowed . People should watch the videos of UP North TV of actual Court Hearings , read transcripts and watch how evidence is locked out of court procedures that the MMMAct or its protections even exist which is true in Federal Court but not in the State of Michigan whose voters have recognized the medical efficacy of Cannabis and denounced reference to its scheduled status under law .

[+Silverblue]

Croppled1, thank you so much for writing your beautiful, heartfelt letter. This is such a deeply passionate thread, I wish everyone could see it. The need to socialize is something I've been dealing with all my life. These are the same kind of people who ruined my life. We all need to be there in May, to stare down our oppressors. All across the world, people are rising up- they're tired of being abused, and so are we. I'm reclaiming the life they stole from me and I wanna stand with all of you if I can.

Sincerely, Sb

[+JuztBudz]

Thank you Croppled1, your heartfelt post has a lot of power...Peace...j.b.

[mizerman]

I concur with JuztBudz.

 

As a fledgling writer myself, your letter was sensational!

 

Now, I've got to access that link Blueberry provided and chime in with a few choice words of my wisdom.

 

And, if you don't mind...I'd like to copy your letter and use it for further use in other areas to expose the oppression against us (in Oakland County) and other areas of the state that are like "The Twilight Zone".....

 

Mizerman

 

p.s. (Howell, Michigan: Our own little slice of Egypt)

[hofner67]

I concur with JuztBudz.

 

As a fledgling writer myself, your letter was sensational!

 

Now, I've got to access that link Blueberry provided and chime in with a few choice words of my wisdom.

 

And, if you don't mind...I'd like to copy your letter and use it for further use in other areas to expose the oppression against us (in Oakland County) and other areas of the state that are like "The Twilight Zone".....

 

Mizerman

 

p.s. (Howell, Michigan: Our own little slice of Egypt)

 

 

Mizerman, great post on the lsj comments. I wasn't so sure this was going to be a good issue for us....but the compassion comes through. Even if we lose this one, with the compassion focus, they are going to have a very hard time trying to take away our right to grow and/or negatively define a patient/doctor relationship. I am very hopeful, we are organized and with a consistent message. Thanks BB and all. Your laser like focus bodes well.

[northerngal]

The more intensely we feel about an idea or a goal, the more assuredly the idea, buried deep in our subconscious, will direct us along the path to its fulfillment. - Earl Nightingale

[Retta]

Senator Jones reply to my email:

 

Hello,

 

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to write me about Senate Bill 17, which I introduced to limit the number of impaired drivers on the road.

 

 

 

I introduced this legislation due to many "marihuana clubs" or "bars" opening allowing consumption on the premises which are opening in response to Michigan voters approving marihuana for medicinal uses in 2008. Bars and clubs that have opened and allow using the drug on site encourages impaired driving.

 

 

 

This bill would not prohibit interested individuals from having a forum for discussion of the drug in a club or business, only the use and consumption of the product on-site. Licensed users under this bill can still meet together for the purposes of discussion, simply not consumption. Facilities that are exempted under this bill are licensed hospices, nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities.

 

 

 

As former Sheriff of Eaton County, I have seen firsthand the often tragic results of impaired driving. Public safety is a top priority of mine as an elected official, and I believe this bill will save lives.

 

 

 

Thanks again for your interest, and should you have further questions or need clarification please don't hesitate to get back to me. Thank you.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Rick Jones

 

State Senator, 24th District

 

(517) 373-3447

[Guest knucklehead bob]

I just called Mr. Jones office and asked where Mr. Jones obtained his documentation regarding Cannabis related traffic fatalities ? Brian , one of his assistants couldn't answer , I have to call back on that one . I also asked if this legislation applies to establishments where people gather and also consume alcohol , given the astounding documentation relating to traffic fatalities ? Brian answered , No it does not .

[LITLJON]

Please do use it in any way you can to help us . I wish people would answer the Lansing State Journal Ediitorial on the subject from yesterday in any polite constructive manner they can . This is a very pivitol issue for all patients and persons rights in the State of Michigan . Further many people do not understand how their rights are also being trampled in Court procedures in cases like infront of Judge Geddis and others ...there are many who are denying truth to be told in a Court of law around the State . We all suffer as Citizens when this is allowed . People should watch the videos of UP North TV of actual Court Hearings , read transcripts and watch how evidence is locked out of court procedures that the MMMAct or its protections even exist which is true in Federal Court but not in the State of Michigan whose voters have recognized the medical efficacy of Cannabis and denounced reference to its scheduled status under law .

Try and get this published as a opinion piece!?

[Croppled1]

Try and get this published as a opinion piece!?

 

That would be real nice especially if you credited to Croppled1

[+420Atheist]

Senator Jones reply to my email:

 

Hello,

 

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to write me about Senate Bill 17, which I introduced to limit the number of impaired drivers on the road.

 

 

 

I introduced this legislation due to many "marihuana clubs" or "bars" opening allowing consumption on the premises which are opening in response to Michigan voters approving marihuana for medicinal uses in 2008. Bars and clubs that have opened and allow using the drug on site encourages impaired driving.

 

 

 

This bill would not prohibit interested individuals from having a forum for discussion of the drug in a club or business, only the use and consumption of the product on-site. Licensed users under this bill can still meet together for the purposes of discussion, simply not consumption. Facilities that are exempted under this bill are licensed hospices, nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities.

 

 

 

As former Sheriff of Eaton County, I have seen firsthand the often tragic results of impaired driving. Public safety is a top priority of mine as an elected official, and I believe this bill will save lives.

 

 

 

Thanks again for your interest, and should you have further questions or need clarification please don't hesitate to get back to me. Thank you.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Rick Jones

 

State Senator, 24th District

 

(517) 373-3447

 

 

I got the same form letter reply. Here was my answer back.

 

To the Honorable Senator Jones,

 

I am from Battle Creek. In the first 18 months since we have had Compassion Clubs open in Battle Creek our city police department reports 4 arrest for driving under the influence of marijuana. During that time we have had over 200 arrest for DUI alcohol related. This is not about getting impaired drivers off the road or you would tackle the larger issue.

 

Calling them "bars" is a weak ad hominem. Lets be honest. This is about shutting down the mom and pop clubs in favor of the larger dispensaries that Senator Jones is working with. It is a anti free market bill that favors an industry that will be sending it's profits to Colorado and California. The impaired driving argument is an excuse to stifle a free market and lacks any evidence that it is truly a problem.

 

I would ask that you rethink this bill and the people who you are working with.

 

Sincerely,

[+wolfgang]

I know of someone that drives daily wearing the fentanyl patch ,which I've heard is 5 times stronger than heroin.

The hate the senator feels in his heart for patients gathering at a private location like the American legion,and I'll bet a great deal of our pt's have served this great country as well,but I'll bet I can say pretty truthfully these "bars" the senator speaks of is the only source of social activity these patients do or have done in years,they find encouragement,friendships and the senator just says "no,you ppl stay home in your basement where you belong" f*** that and f*** you senator

[MORE COWBELL]

I just called Mr. Jones office and asked where Mr. Jones obtained his documentation regarding Cannabis related traffic fatalities ? Brian , one of his assistants couldn't answer , I have to call back on that one . I also asked if this legislation applies to establishments where people gather and also consume alcohol , given the astounding documentation relating to traffic fatalities ? Brian answered , No it does not .

 

 

i guess all bars and nightclubs should be banned and made illegal on MR JONES point of view...there are plenty of statistics proving ALCOHOL use to be deadly for thousands upon thousands of drinkers throughout the ages...

this is ridonkulous!

[trix]

I know of someone that drives daily wearing the fentanyl patch ,which I've heard is 5 times stronger than heroin.

 

I personally have done this for many years,100mcg 72hr patches and add oxycodone every 4 hours onto of that for breakthrough pain.

 

I began smoking MM, and quit all pain meds that I was on... didn't take not one patch or pill up till the day the judge ordered me to stop smoking for a bond restrictrion... even though my doctor wrote 2 letters saying she rather me smoke then be on pain pills cause they were causeing my kidneys to fail...

 

Trix

[Guest knucklehead bob]

.

 

I began smoking MM, and quit all pain meds that I was on... didn't take not one patch or pill up till the day the judge ordered me to stop smoking for a bond restrictrion... even though my doctor wrote 2 letters saying she rather me smoke then be on pain pills cause they were causeing my kidneys to fail...

 

Trix

Isn't it time one of these Judges is brought up on charges for practicing medicine without a license ? I mean forcing a patient off of there Doctor recommended patient preferred NON-TOXIC medication and on to some possibly fatal pharmacy poison that is plastered with harmful side affects ?

[Retta]

Senator Rick Jones is quite enthusiastic introducing bills in Lansing:

 

Senate bill 99

02-01-2011

 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/billintroduced/Senate/pdf/2011-sIB-0099.pdf

[Retta]

Is this bill still pending? http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/pdf/2010-hIB-6299.pdf

[+Silverblue]

"Isn't it time one of these Judges is brought up on charges for practicing medicine without a license ? I mean forcing a patient off of there Doctor recommended patient preferred NON-TOXIC medication and on to some possibly fatal pharmacy poison that is plastered with harmful side affects ?"

 

YEAH!!!!

 

Sb