I have worked at the capitol for several years now. Many issues have passed through here in that time. However, medical marihuana is one personal to me. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and she is a registered Michigan Medical Marihuana patient. I believe in this program! I do not want my mother to die at such an early age and have hope this will help her. However, having said that, I must also say that the reason for this post is that I am totally disgusted with the vast majority of the leadership within this movement. I have watched and listened in amazement as virtually every leader or group representing medical marihuana who comes to the capitol are here to advance their own personal agendas. They do so using the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act and it's participants as bargaining chips.
I could no longer remain silent. I had to be sure the common people within this movement were aware of what is really happening when your leaders come to Lansing to "fight for you."
I could not sleep at night if I thought this was happening and all of you were unaware. It is sad, but one of my friends said they had overheard some of the representatives talking after a small group had left and she was appalled. She knows how ill my mother is and how hopeful our family is regarding medical marihuana. She said they were laughing and saying how funny it was that "these guys are definitely all about the money." She said they were saying the people in that group didn't give a sh*t about medical marihuana or sick people. That they only cared about how much money they could make off dispensaries. There must have been a lawyer in the group according to her because of something they had said referring to him "wanting to join them" or "be one of them" by moving up the ladder and this issue being a feather in his hat if he delivered? If you know what that means I hope it helps you in this fight. She said they were also laughing about how split this movement was and that the leader on this site was fighting to stop everything when everyone else was fighting so hard to change everything.
I cannot come forward. It would cost me everything. Right now, my mother is counting on me financially so I am doing the only thing I can do. I am here telling you all that you cannot trust what the groups coming to Lansing meeting with your representatives are saying and doing. One other thing she said was one of them had said they didn't think the lawyers wanted things to settle down because they were making so much money from the court cases. From everything I have heard and witnessed I think it's true. Personally, I think the groups and leaders meeting with the representatives are actually trying to make it worse for patients and their caregiver. The buzz around here is dispensaries in, caregivers out. My friend said the only one she had heard that did not want any changes to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act was a Marine who was the leader on the michiganmedicalmarijuana.org site. She said he came up here with a stack of folders and a presentation showing how the legislators could address their concerns without passing any bills or making any changes to the Act as it was passed by the voters. She said they had been impressed by his knowledge but that everyone else who had met with them wanted change. Apparently that included the lawyer who had been with him as they had laughed about the lawyer saying something different and being with someone different every time they saw him.
There have been many instances in which either I personally witnessed an incident or conversation or someone I know did. I do not want the alternative of medical marihuana taken away from my mother or any of the thousands who need or want this option. I do not know what else to do other than provide you with the information which I have gleaned from working in close proximity to the "players" in Lansing.
I, personally, among others are praying for this movements success.
After a few days of thinking about this post,I looked up the meaning of representative.
A state representative helps people and tries to move society forward and also trys to make society a better place for all people to live in. Some of the responsibililites of a state representative are:
1. Vote on laws.
2. Assist people with constituent services.
3. Try to improve the communities they represent.
4. Protect the taxpayers money by making sure tax dollars are spent on education, affordable housing, reasonable transportation, fire and police protection, etc.
If communities do not have strong representatives that listen to the voice of the people, you end up with representatives that dictate their own goals and agendas, and represent special interest groups that give them money.
A state rep should also have had a strong background in community involvement and advocacy prior to becoming a state representative. This service need not have been on a political level but one should be able to look at their history and see that this is a person that cares for the well-being of others and have made positive contributions and is unselfish.
While staying in the shadows how are you improving the lives of the ppl you represent? Many of us have put our lives,our lively hood all for the sake of this law,many of us have lived the past three years in fear of our doors being busted down. I'm praying you step forward and HELP us,you have your foot in the door,these ppl know you on a personal level and may look at this law in a different light because of you. I'm not judging you or your decisions in not coming forward,I'm just asking questions. Every movement has fractures in it,our own govt is fractured all over the place,but let it be known that the leadership within the 3MMMa has NEVER wavered,they work endlessly to protect the law that the good people of MI voted in. They sacrifice themselves for us. In fact they would make good state representatives. Maybe it hasnt been your time to walk the edge with us,but maybe the time is now.Peace
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