The hearing for HB 3664, the omnibus bill that combines the various proposed medical marijuana bills presented to the 2011 Oregon Legislature into one bill, demonstrated the solidarity of the Oregon patient advocates. Only one hour was allocated to oral testimony on this very important issue, and many advocates were not able to testify (even though there were over three pages of people signed up, most in opposition). The hearing room and additional overflow spaces were packed with patients defending the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act from further restrictions.
(Videos and PowerPoint Presentation available at the NORML Stash Blog.)
At the conclusion of the hearing, Representative Andy Olson, the primary sponsor of the bill, stated that he would allow testimony through the end of the day on Friday (May 20, 2011).
Patient advocates are encouraged to send the following letter to the Committee on House Rules - just click the link and sign your name to the email:
Send your letter NOW by clicking here!
Dear Committee on House Rules:
After hearing testimony on May 19 for HB 3664, the current problems with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act are clearly stemming from law enforcement abusing their access to the OMMP database and the lack of a legal supply system for needy patients. Please gut and stuff HB 3664, by adding:
- A supply system for patients (without changing the current structure of grower/caregiver/patient that does work for some patients)
- Severe penalties for abuse by law enforcement of their access and use of OMMP database information.
- PTSD as a qualifying condition, since even the FDA is currently looking at medical marijuana for PTSD (in the form of Sativex) Our veterans deserve the protection of the law for their medical use of marijuana for PTSD, not arrest.
This is the current state of emergency Oregonians face, and it needs resolved today. Thank you for addressing this very important issue.
Sincerely, XXXXX
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