Newsletter
July 10, 2008 Vol 6

Contact the House Committee on Energy and Commerce .

REMEMBER- Ask your candidates where they stand on this issue!

National

The Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment

This summer, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment, which, if passed, would prohibit the DEA and the Justice Department from spending taxpayer money to raid, arrest, or prosecute medical marijuana patients and providers in the 12 states where medical marijuana is legal. The amendment has been steadily gaining momentum for the last several years. more

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Medical Student Section of AMA Endorses Medical Marijuana

Resolution proceeds to AMA House of Delegates for a vote in November

Chicago, IL -- June 14, 2008 The Medical Student Section (MSS) of the American Medical Association (AMA) approved a resolution yesterday urging the AMA to support the reclassification of marijuana for medical use. The AMA is currently holding its annual conference in Chicago and is making a number of policy decisions over the next few days. The MSS will send the resolution to the AMA House of Delegates for a final vote at its interim meeting in November. With nearly 50,000 members, the MSS is the largest and most influential organization of medical students in the United States.

"While it is an historic occasion for any section of the AMA to endorse medical marijuana, the MSS is merely affirming existing science and urging the adoption of a sensible medical marijuana policy," said medical student and AMA-MSS member Sunil Aggarwal, who is leading the effort to seek AMA endorsement. "As a future medical doctor, I look forward to exploring and utilizing the many medical benefits of cannabinoid medicines in patient care." more

Republicans for Compassionate Access to Attend 35th Annual ALEC Meeting Chicago: July 30 - Aug. 2 More

New Orleans: July 22-26, National Council of State Legislators. More

Republicans for Compassionate Access
Is a consortium of healthcare experts, government officials and patients who advocate for the legalization of Medical Marijuana.

You are receiving this email because YOU have the potential to impact legislation regarding the use of Medical Marijuana in the United States, an issue that has the support of medical experts and citizens alike. Every day, Americans are forced to make decisions about their medical care. The devastating cost of catastrophic illness to individuals and families is not just expensive financially but also in terms of loss of dignity and, all too often, horrible suffering. Won't you join me and others like me who believe it is time to change the way that Medical Marijuana is treated in America? Why not provide it to physicians and patients as a weapon in their arsenal against life-stealing illnesses - if not to cure, at least to provide some small relief of pain and comfort from side-effects? Commit to join us now so that the suffering of even one more patient can be alleviated. Penny Bacchiochi, R CT

Newsletter
June 5, 2008 Vol 5

Public Health Committee Members R - Dale Righter R - Christine Radogno R - Bill Brady R - Carole Pankau R

IDEAL - Illinois Drug Education and Legislative Reform

REMEMBER- Ask your candidates where they stand on this issue!

Illinois Update

Much progress has been made this legislative session with the Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Pilot Program bill. The Senate bill, SB 2865, picked up two new co-sponsors this year, and the bill's lead sponsor, Sen. John Cullerton, sat down with law enforcement to listen to their concerns and then amended the bill to address those concerns. more

Rhode Island Update

Senate votes to create medical marijuana dispensaries

New Jersey

Lawmakers debate legalizing medical marijuana
by Joe Donohue/The Star-Ledger
Thursday May 22, 2008

Multiple sclerosis patients and others urged state lawmakers today to legalize the use of marijuana in New Jersey to ease suffering, but others warned the practice could spur more drug abuse.

"We all are living proof that this is effective. This is common sense,'' said Scott Ward of Robbinsville, a multiple sclerosis (MS) patient and former Marine who said minimal daily use of marijuana has made drastic improvements in his qualify of life.

Ward was one of several advocates who testified before the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee. They spoke in favor of a bill (A-804) that would given special legal protection to victims of serious illness who smoke marijuana to ease their pain or symptoms. More

Republicans for Compassionate Acces to Attend 35th Annual ALEC Meeting Chicago: July 30 - Aug. 2 More

New Orleans: July 22-26, National Council of State Legislators. More

Republicans for Compassionate Access
Is a consortium of healthcare experts, government officials and patients who advocate for the legalization of Medical Marijuana.

You are receiving this email because YOU have the potential to impact legislation regarding the use of Medical Marijuana in the United States, an issue that has the support of medical experts and citizens alike. Every day, Americans are forced to make decisions about their medical care. The devastating cost of catastrophic illness to individuals and families is not just expensive financially but also in terms of loss of dignity and, all too often, horrible suffering. Won't you join me and others like me who believe it is time to change the way that Medical Marijuana is treated in America? Why not provide it to physicians and patients as a weapon in their arsenal against life-stealing illnesses - if not to cure, at least to provide some small relief of pain and comfort from side-effects? Commit to join us now so that the suffering of even one more patient can be alleviated. Penny Bacchiochi, R CT