Joint Committee on Public Health Hearing Bill H.3885 An Act for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana Initiative

Joint Committee on Public Health Hearing Scheduled for 4/10/2012 @ 10:30 AM in Gardner Auditorium 

Bill H.3885 An Act for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana Initiative

c/o mass.gov

Today, I walked into the State House with a very new perspective, on my part, of the war on patients. I was there to advocate for the Bill H.3885 An Act for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Medical Marijuana. Patients of all shapes, colors, and backgrounds are seeking a safer way to receive Medical Marijuana.. 

We listened to a Former State Trooper that would rather use Medical Marijuana to maintain her healthy life after suffering a stroke for her kids and her family, but finds it embarrassing to have to seek out a drug dealer. She would rather go to a dispensary. 

We listened to a patient that has decreased the use of opiates in his pain treatment for Cervical Disc Degeneration. 

We listened to a Nurse Practitioner who has a variety of health conditions resulting from Ulcerative Colitis and the Health Care System that we have now does nothing to alleviate the costs of being prescribed Marinol. 

There was a range of opposition from Medical Doctors that abide by FDA rulings and Drug Abuse Prevention Groups..

Nichole Snow Dawson was called.. 

"I have testified in front of this committee before in support of medical marijuana in the past. I am coming to you today, not as an expert.. I do not have facts or figures. I am coming to you as a citizen and a wife to my first patient, my husband. 

 

My husband was born with a Neurodegenerative Disorder called Neurofibromatosis Type 1. His nervous system is plagued with tumors. Tommy is 22 today. He was born with NF1 and at the age of two his parents and doctors were faced with the decision to amputate his leg because of a severe bowing of his tibia. Dr. Kasser of Boston Children's Hospital performed the first tibial allograft procedure in order to save his leg. 

I am losing my husband to pain. 

Tommy wanted to be here today to tell you about his experience but the pain was too much last night. I stayed awake with him until he fell asleep and now I am here today to tell you that Medical Marijuana is the only thing that works for him. The options are synthetic heroin, advil, or tylenol.. I love Tommy. He's young, he's 22.. I want to see him flourish and be healthy.

There is talk of the issue with Cannabis and it's psychoactive components. There is a clinic on the West Coast called "Leaf" that juices Marijuana Plants. They put it in a juicer and it doesn't get you high. It helps you. It's a Medicine. 

Please listen to these good doctors and patients that come before you with good and true information. Cannabis IS a medicine. It has helped so many people already. 

I implore you to be compassionate.. Please listen to the advocates with their facts and findings of medical marijuana. 

Thank you."