Mary Lynn Mathre is co-founder of Patients Out of Time, Registered Nurse, Master of Science, Specialty Degree in Addictions Nursing and has been an Addictions Nurse over 2 decades.
She is also a veteran and extremely knowledgeable about the science behind cannabis and the endocannabinoid system, as Jodi pointed out.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Oil of Life
Days in Tallahassee 21
Remaining Committees 7
Remaining Days for the bill to be heard 26
Remaining days of funding 9
At the January presentation of the “Silver Tour” Mary Lynn Mathre spoke about cannabis as the Oil of Life. Mary Lynn was an early adopter; that’s what you call the ones who catch on early; I guess she is still an early adopter.
When I first met Mary Lynn, she was hosting a luncheon for patients from around the country who were involved in a Federal Class Action suit to allow therapeutic access to cannabis. As a registered nurse, she was the first medical professional I heard speak about cannabis. I was so overwhelmed. I knew cannabis was medicine for me; I’d even met hundreds of activist patients. But she knew the science behind why it made me feel better.
Mary Lynn Mathre and her husband, Al Byrne are trail blazers. Their organization, Patients Out of Time hosts a therapeutic cannabis conference biannually. The next conference, this April in Arizona may very well be ground breaking. Attendees will likely hear more about the Oil of Life.
Cathy Jordan joined me in Tallahassee for the Students for Sensible Drug Policy Southern Region conference on Sunday. Yesterday, we joined the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida for meetings and a visit with Vice-President Joe Biden. Today it was back in saddle, this time with Cathy in the lead.
From office to office, Cathy shared the narrative of her disease, championed soldiers -- for whom anti-depressants are deadly, and empowered everyone she met to speak loud and proud about their support for legal access to cannabis. With Cathy as the focal point and her amazing story of survival to set the stage, everyone who listened learned about the Oil of Life.
I did my very best to do justice to Mary Lynn’s description of this life giving medicine.
She explained, as human beings we need four things: we need to be able to have restful, restorative sleep; we need nutritious food; protection from disease and in a real sense. We also need to forget. The ability to forget the little wounds we inflict upon one another every day keeps a functional society and in the case of PTSD; forgetting is about survival.
Cannabis provides all these things to the body. Restful sleep, increased appetite, a necessary neuroprotectant – new science even shows that cannabinoids boost the natural immune response and the research on cannabis and the memory mechanism shows its incredible power to help transition people through those traumatic experiences into a healthier prospective. See her presentation at the Silver Tour at http://youtu.be/PAy47ShTohQ.
No one we spoke to in the last 48 hours disagreed with us. We said thank you to a couple co-sponsors, but otherwise, in every republican office, the aide we spoke with 100% agreed that cannabis is medicine. Our last office, an influential senate member’s legislative director was quite positive about the future of our issue.
One of my favorite new Representatives told me how many of his colleagues are telling him that if a cannabis bill to protect patients was on the floor, they would vote for it. We like that sort of hearsay; but, it does nothing to protect the patients who will face the choice of breaking the law or suffering.
We’ve learned a lot this session about how the legislature works, who can make things happen and what it is going to take to move this issue. Certainly, it is going to take each of us giving this issue the time it deserves. We’ll have to get over our fears and preconceived notions, and then take our issue to the lawmakers. FL CAN has a plan; we hope you’ll be part of the team that says, “Florida can change cannabis laws and I can help!”
Remaining Committees 7
Remaining Days for the bill to be heard 26
Remaining days of funding 9
At the January presentation of the “Silver Tour” Mary Lynn Mathre spoke about cannabis as the Oil of Life. Mary Lynn was an early adopter; that’s what you call the ones who catch on early; I guess she is still an early adopter.
When I first met Mary Lynn, she was hosting a luncheon for patients from around the country who were involved in a Federal Class Action suit to allow therapeutic access to cannabis. As a registered nurse, she was the first medical professional I heard speak about cannabis. I was so overwhelmed. I knew cannabis was medicine for me; I’d even met hundreds of activist patients. But she knew the science behind why it made me feel better.
Mary Lynn Mathre and her husband, Al Byrne are trail blazers. Their organization, Patients Out of Time hosts a therapeutic cannabis conference biannually. The next conference, this April in Arizona may very well be ground breaking. Attendees will likely hear more about the Oil of Life.
Cathy Jordan joined me in Tallahassee for the Students for Sensible Drug Policy Southern Region conference on Sunday. Yesterday, we joined the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida for meetings and a visit with Vice-President Joe Biden. Today it was back in saddle, this time with Cathy in the lead.
From office to office, Cathy shared the narrative of her disease, championed soldiers -- for whom anti-depressants are deadly, and empowered everyone she met to speak loud and proud about their support for legal access to cannabis. With Cathy as the focal point and her amazing story of survival to set the stage, everyone who listened learned about the Oil of Life.
I did my very best to do justice to Mary Lynn’s description of this life giving medicine.
She explained, as human beings we need four things: we need to be able to have restful, restorative sleep; we need nutritious food; protection from disease and in a real sense. We also need to forget. The ability to forget the little wounds we inflict upon one another every day keeps a functional society and in the case of PTSD; forgetting is about survival.
Cannabis provides all these things to the body. Restful sleep, increased appetite, a necessary neuroprotectant – new science even shows that cannabinoids boost the natural immune response and the research on cannabis and the memory mechanism shows its incredible power to help transition people through those traumatic experiences into a healthier prospective. See her presentation at the Silver Tour at http://youtu.be/PAy47ShTohQ.
No one we spoke to in the last 48 hours disagreed with us. We said thank you to a couple co-sponsors, but otherwise, in every republican office, the aide we spoke with 100% agreed that cannabis is medicine. Our last office, an influential senate member’s legislative director was quite positive about the future of our issue.
One of my favorite new Representatives told me how many of his colleagues are telling him that if a cannabis bill to protect patients was on the floor, they would vote for it. We like that sort of hearsay; but, it does nothing to protect the patients who will face the choice of breaking the law or suffering.
We’ve learned a lot this session about how the legislature works, who can make things happen and what it is going to take to move this issue. Certainly, it is going to take each of us giving this issue the time it deserves. We’ll have to get over our fears and preconceived notions, and then take our issue to the lawmakers. FL CAN has a plan; we hope you’ll be part of the team that says, “Florida can change cannabis laws and I can help!”
Monday, February 6, 2012
Funny how things work…
Days in Tallahassee 20
Remaining Committees 7
Remaining Days for the bill to be heard 27
Remaining days of funding 10
Several years ago, I developed a short presentation on how to change the laws in Florida. There are really three ways to change the laws.
You can use the Courts, either through a lawsuit or an appeal after a conviction.
You can change the Constitution.
You can work through the legislature.
Today, Florida CAN President Cathy Jordan was with me here in Tallahassee. Members of the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida were in town to lobby on issues important to the group. This past September the club passed a resolution supporting therapeutic access to cannabis.
Over 150 women from around the state sat through panels, lobbyist training and workshops preparing for their lobby day. During a casual conversation a sister club member said, I sponsored the constitutional amendment to put cannabis protections in the constitution as part of the Constitutional Revision Commission.
I’ve joked from time-to-time about forgetting more about medical cannabis then most people will likely ever know, today, I was reminded there really are three ways to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Most medical cannabis supporters are familiar with the work of PUFMM, People United for Medical Marijuana. There campaign to collect the over half a million signature needed to put an amendment on the ballot never reached the threshold to get on the ballot.
In addition to collecting signatures, lawmakers have an additional avenue to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot. The Joint House and Senate Resolutions we are working with this year is a fine example of how that works. Lawmakers introduce the proposed amendment, ideally the bill is debated and passed through committee, reconciled with a matching version in both the House and Senate, then gets the support of over 60% of the members on the floor.
The Florida Constitution allows for a commission to be appointed every twenty-years to make a comprehensive review of our constitution. The commission accepts amendments, debates them and then puts amendments on the ballot.
Much to our surprise a Democratic Women’s Club leader was the sponsor of our proposed constitutional amendment during the last commission.
Activist giants like Greg Scott, Toni Leeman and Kevin Aplin coordinated patients and doctors to speak at meets of the Constitutional Revision Commission in 1996. The group led an incredibly passionate and professional campaign to put protections to medical cannabis in the constitution. The amendment worked its way through the committee process and in the end failed to make the cut. In its final minutes, the commission addressed the issue of safe access to cannabis. While the committee agreed medical cannabis was an important issue, they did not believe it belonged in the Constitution, but charged the legislature to pass laws protecting patients.
Twenty-years, a generation of activists, 17 states passing medical cannabis, 27 have introduced hemp initiative.
I want to assure patients in Florida, we are exhausting every measure, pursuing every lead. We understand the pressure you face, we know to be sick is hard enough, to be sick and afraid to use a medicine that truly helps, is impossible. One mind at a time, we are making a way for you. Keep the faith.
Remaining Committees 7
Remaining Days for the bill to be heard 27
Remaining days of funding 10
Several years ago, I developed a short presentation on how to change the laws in Florida. There are really three ways to change the laws.
You can use the Courts, either through a lawsuit or an appeal after a conviction.
You can change the Constitution.
You can work through the legislature.
Today, Florida CAN President Cathy Jordan was with me here in Tallahassee. Members of the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida were in town to lobby on issues important to the group. This past September the club passed a resolution supporting therapeutic access to cannabis.
Over 150 women from around the state sat through panels, lobbyist training and workshops preparing for their lobby day. During a casual conversation a sister club member said, I sponsored the constitutional amendment to put cannabis protections in the constitution as part of the Constitutional Revision Commission.
I’ve joked from time-to-time about forgetting more about medical cannabis then most people will likely ever know, today, I was reminded there really are three ways to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Most medical cannabis supporters are familiar with the work of PUFMM, People United for Medical Marijuana. There campaign to collect the over half a million signature needed to put an amendment on the ballot never reached the threshold to get on the ballot.
In addition to collecting signatures, lawmakers have an additional avenue to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot. The Joint House and Senate Resolutions we are working with this year is a fine example of how that works. Lawmakers introduce the proposed amendment, ideally the bill is debated and passed through committee, reconciled with a matching version in both the House and Senate, then gets the support of over 60% of the members on the floor.
The Florida Constitution allows for a commission to be appointed every twenty-years to make a comprehensive review of our constitution. The commission accepts amendments, debates them and then puts amendments on the ballot.
Much to our surprise a Democratic Women’s Club leader was the sponsor of our proposed constitutional amendment during the last commission.
Activist giants like Greg Scott, Toni Leeman and Kevin Aplin coordinated patients and doctors to speak at meets of the Constitutional Revision Commission in 1996. The group led an incredibly passionate and professional campaign to put protections to medical cannabis in the constitution. The amendment worked its way through the committee process and in the end failed to make the cut. In its final minutes, the commission addressed the issue of safe access to cannabis. While the committee agreed medical cannabis was an important issue, they did not believe it belonged in the Constitution, but charged the legislature to pass laws protecting patients.
Twenty-years, a generation of activists, 17 states passing medical cannabis, 27 have introduced hemp initiative.
I want to assure patients in Florida, we are exhausting every measure, pursuing every lead. We understand the pressure you face, we know to be sick is hard enough, to be sick and afraid to use a medicine that truly helps, is impossible. One mind at a time, we are making a way for you. Keep the faith.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Succession Planning
Days in Tallahassee 19
Remaining committees 7
Remaining Days for bills to be heard 28
Remaining days of funding 11
Although the legislators were back in the district this weekend, I stayed in town to be part of the Southern Region Students for Sensible Drug Policy Conference hosted by the Florida State University SSDP/NORML chapter.
What a great group; over 30 student leaders from Atlanta to Miami made the long haul to Tallahassee. Saturday night Sabrina from FAU led an awareness building exercise and a few fun and informative icebreakers. Today’s program featured excellent workshops created and facilitated by students.
The well-thought out program gave chapter leaders real skills, a minute to vent and time to discuss moving the conversation of drug policy. It was a time for community building; with the Internet, Skype and social networking our community may be borderless, but those face-to-face meetings are priceless.
One of the repeating themes of the day was succession planning. In their case, it was about making sure the college chapter lasts through the next graduating class. For people like me, succession planning is investing in Student’s for Sensible Drug Policy and the NORML University groups. They are my succession plan. We need to protect their financial aid and make sure they can get through college without a felony conviction.
Investing in college students is also about raising the bar for drug policy reform. They are smarter than we were when we started. We can give them insight and guidance. They may stand on the shoulders of giants; they will be able to take us further.
Today, we were reminded the struggle for human rights isn’t over. The civil rights movement is certainly not finished or over; but a new generation must be engaged and prepared or we’ll stand to lose precious gains.
Drug policy made inroads this year in Tallahassee. We’ve watched a rejection of private prisons, seen the Good Samaritan 911 bill move through the House and Senate. Mandatory minimum sentences were challenged for the second year and found favor in several committees and sensible cannabis policy has a voice. The struggle isn’t over, but we are an unstoppable force.
Remaining committees 7
Remaining Days for bills to be heard 28
Remaining days of funding 11
Although the legislators were back in the district this weekend, I stayed in town to be part of the Southern Region Students for Sensible Drug Policy Conference hosted by the Florida State University SSDP/NORML chapter.
What a great group; over 30 student leaders from Atlanta to Miami made the long haul to Tallahassee. Saturday night Sabrina from FAU led an awareness building exercise and a few fun and informative icebreakers. Today’s program featured excellent workshops created and facilitated by students.
The well-thought out program gave chapter leaders real skills, a minute to vent and time to discuss moving the conversation of drug policy. It was a time for community building; with the Internet, Skype and social networking our community may be borderless, but those face-to-face meetings are priceless.
One of the repeating themes of the day was succession planning. In their case, it was about making sure the college chapter lasts through the next graduating class. For people like me, succession planning is investing in Student’s for Sensible Drug Policy and the NORML University groups. They are my succession plan. We need to protect their financial aid and make sure they can get through college without a felony conviction.
Investing in college students is also about raising the bar for drug policy reform. They are smarter than we were when we started. We can give them insight and guidance. They may stand on the shoulders of giants; they will be able to take us further.
Today, we were reminded the struggle for human rights isn’t over. The civil rights movement is certainly not finished or over; but a new generation must be engaged and prepared or we’ll stand to lose precious gains.
Drug policy made inroads this year in Tallahassee. We’ve watched a rejection of private prisons, seen the Good Samaritan 911 bill move through the House and Senate. Mandatory minimum sentences were challenged for the second year and found favor in several committees and sensible cannabis policy has a voice. The struggle isn’t over, but we are an unstoppable force.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Four-Twenty Caucus
Days in Tallahassee 17
Remaining committees 7
Remaining Days for bills to be heard 28
Remaining days of funding 13
I stayed out of the Capital complex yesterday. After Wednesday, I was a little depressed.
Wednesday was awesome. Amy C and I had a great series of meetings culminating in that conversation with Jim, the policeman. I knew from the messages I was getting throughout the day that people really were calling into the Majority offices in both the House and the Senate. Sweet taste of success.
Then the President of the Senate, Mike Haridopolis, walked into the Criminal Justice Committee and fired Senator Fasano. I’ve written about the control the leadership exerts on the legislative process and Jeff Clemens talks about it during his presentation at the January 29, 2012 Silver Tour.
Talk about stealing the show. By four-twenty on Wednesday, the only thing anyone was talking about at the Capital was the schoolyard bully stunt pulled by the President. It was super unprofessional but it showed loud and clear, if the leadership doesn’t want something to move it won’t move.
I spent Thursday taking care of business and planning our final days here in the Capital. The highlight of the Thursday was the Miami Herald Blog. While I was so sure our day of action was overshadowed by the Presidents folly, it was a pleasant surprise to find “Cannabis Calling”.
The Miami Herald and later the Tampa Bay Tribune, both ran Cannabis Calling. The blip talked about the relentless calls received by the Majority Leaders office asking for a caucus. Representatives Lopez-Cantera is quoted as jokingly calling it the “420 Caucus”
Today’s tactic was two-fold, while hundreds of people sent e-mails about the effect of cannabis on Alzheimer’s, a disease that effects over 450,000 Floridians right now, I deliver information on the Endocannabinoid System to the medical professions in the House. Representative Grant of Tampa was quoted recently as wanting Florida to be a medical destination state! I wanted to be certain our lawmakers understand the importance of cannabis in the next wave of cutting edge medical discovery.
I had mixed feels about the four-twenty caucus remark – I laughed, not sure if it was so funny, but I was thrilled to make the news!
After one too many cups of coffee I headed in the Senate Majority office to ask about our caucus. While I was there, leaving the information on the Endocannabinoid system and explaining we wanted to bring in professionals to speak to the leadership, Lori from Sarasota called and shared her story. The aide said she’d heard incredible stories, calls from patients, family members and doctors.
By the time I got to Lopez-Cantera’s office I was full of righteous anger. Five aides sat enjoying their Friday on government time when I marched into the office. “I’m the four-twenty caucus representative” I announced. Then I promptly let them have it with both barrels. Not sure who was calling their office the past two days, the Senate Majority was hearing from suffering people, caregivers and doctors – making the Representatives little snide not funny on so many levels. Does the Representative think the suffering of thousands who need this medicine is funny?” The lowered eyes showed the appropriate amount of shame.
I gave my five minutes – using the two drop pieces, explained the emerging applications, the pages and pages of footnoted studies. How would we ever be the leader in medical research if we are not opening the door for this plant? Five aides asked questions and agreed to share the information with the Majority Leader.
Next week, we have appointments set with the incoming President and the Speaker. Time is growing short but we are still putting on the pressure full steam ahead.
We ran into Representative Clemen’s tonight at dinner. He talked again about what a difference having a full-time, knowledgeable representative here pushing the issue. He reports he still gets the occasional joke from colleagues, but more and more Republicans are talking to him about the issue. Where before they told him never, now, the message is, the time is coming.
For thousands of patients, “the time is coming” isn’t soon enough.
Remaining committees 7
Remaining Days for bills to be heard 28
Remaining days of funding 13
I stayed out of the Capital complex yesterday. After Wednesday, I was a little depressed.
Wednesday was awesome. Amy C and I had a great series of meetings culminating in that conversation with Jim, the policeman. I knew from the messages I was getting throughout the day that people really were calling into the Majority offices in both the House and the Senate. Sweet taste of success.
Then the President of the Senate, Mike Haridopolis, walked into the Criminal Justice Committee and fired Senator Fasano. I’ve written about the control the leadership exerts on the legislative process and Jeff Clemens talks about it during his presentation at the January 29, 2012 Silver Tour.
Talk about stealing the show. By four-twenty on Wednesday, the only thing anyone was talking about at the Capital was the schoolyard bully stunt pulled by the President. It was super unprofessional but it showed loud and clear, if the leadership doesn’t want something to move it won’t move.
I spent Thursday taking care of business and planning our final days here in the Capital. The highlight of the Thursday was the Miami Herald Blog. While I was so sure our day of action was overshadowed by the Presidents folly, it was a pleasant surprise to find “Cannabis Calling”.
The Miami Herald and later the Tampa Bay Tribune, both ran Cannabis Calling. The blip talked about the relentless calls received by the Majority Leaders office asking for a caucus. Representatives Lopez-Cantera is quoted as jokingly calling it the “420 Caucus”
Today’s tactic was two-fold, while hundreds of people sent e-mails about the effect of cannabis on Alzheimer’s, a disease that effects over 450,000 Floridians right now, I deliver information on the Endocannabinoid System to the medical professions in the House. Representative Grant of Tampa was quoted recently as wanting Florida to be a medical destination state! I wanted to be certain our lawmakers understand the importance of cannabis in the next wave of cutting edge medical discovery.
I had mixed feels about the four-twenty caucus remark – I laughed, not sure if it was so funny, but I was thrilled to make the news!
After one too many cups of coffee I headed in the Senate Majority office to ask about our caucus. While I was there, leaving the information on the Endocannabinoid system and explaining we wanted to bring in professionals to speak to the leadership, Lori from Sarasota called and shared her story. The aide said she’d heard incredible stories, calls from patients, family members and doctors.
By the time I got to Lopez-Cantera’s office I was full of righteous anger. Five aides sat enjoying their Friday on government time when I marched into the office. “I’m the four-twenty caucus representative” I announced. Then I promptly let them have it with both barrels. Not sure who was calling their office the past two days, the Senate Majority was hearing from suffering people, caregivers and doctors – making the Representatives little snide not funny on so many levels. Does the Representative think the suffering of thousands who need this medicine is funny?” The lowered eyes showed the appropriate amount of shame.
I gave my five minutes – using the two drop pieces, explained the emerging applications, the pages and pages of footnoted studies. How would we ever be the leader in medical research if we are not opening the door for this plant? Five aides asked questions and agreed to share the information with the Majority Leader.
Next week, we have appointments set with the incoming President and the Speaker. Time is growing short but we are still putting on the pressure full steam ahead.
We ran into Representative Clemen’s tonight at dinner. He talked again about what a difference having a full-time, knowledgeable representative here pushing the issue. He reports he still gets the occasional joke from colleagues, but more and more Republicans are talking to him about the issue. Where before they told him never, now, the message is, the time is coming.
For thousands of patients, “the time is coming” isn’t soon enough.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
One Mind at a Time
Days in Tallahassee 15
Remaining committees 7
Remaining Days for bills to be heard 28
Remaining days of funding 15
The atmosphere in Tallahassee changed this week. The Speaker of the House released his budget appropriations and now the wheeling and dealing starts. It’s also harder to get appointments and the sub-committee meetings are coming to a close.
We created a statewide day of action today. While hundreds of people made phone calls today, I escorted Amy from Jacksonville around the Capital. We were popping in on the Jacksonville delegation in addition to the regular appointments I had scheduled.
Tallahassee has circles within circles and delegations are one of those circles. The Jacksonville delegation is made up of everyone whose district touches Duval County and will include other representatives from neighboring counties who share an economic interest. While it’s getting harder and harder for Representatives to make time for me, constituents may get a minute or two. At the very least, the Aide is happy to take your information and tell the Representative you stopped by.
Meeting with aides may not be our first choice, but knowing the aides, being on good terms and sharing your story with them is always a good idea. Representatives are term-limited, their aides aren’t. Many of the aides have worked in Tallahassee for years, they move from office to office. They understand how to make things happen and have their finger on the pulse of the building. Several aides have confessed to knowing someone who benefited greatly from cannabis. Several have confessed to burning a few themselves.
We arrived early for our last appointment of the day. With aching feet it was good to find a spot to sit awhile. A companion joined us in a lounge setting near the Representatives office. He struck up a conversation, first mentioning he’d seen me around the building. We chatted casually about long days away from home, over-achieving children, just small talk. His briefcase proudly displayed the Florida Chief of Police Association.
After a few minutes of socializing, I ask if he is still with the Association. After he proudly introduces himself, I tell him the Association is on my list of appointments this week. He asks my business – once I tell him – we had the usual reply. Hands out, pushing back, whooooo, not sure that we’re on the same side on that one. Twenty minutes later, when we were told the Representative wasn’t going to make it back for our meeting, we didn’t care.
Our new friend was a former drug cop and big agency guy working narcotics going back to the 70’s in South Florida. He is currently consulting with a Michigan police department that isn’t liking the medical cannabis dispensaries in their towns at all. I explained that is why we want police on board now, to help create a system that works for everyone.
Police know cannabis isn’t going away. We pushed through the gateway theory, he couldn’t argue with sugar being the first drug we use to abuse! We had an affable conversation. In the end it always comes down to medical cannabis being the first step and us wanting more.
I explained that once you started to look at this you realize without this medicine some people are going to die. We think those people need to be taken care of first, but who can look at the young people incarcerated and the time wasted on cannabis investigations without being moved to object. The right answer is regulating and controlling it. So, I asked, since that is what we want, a regulated and controlled system, where is the compromise? His answer, “A good medical cannabis access program.” Yeah, that’s what we thought too. See we can come together on this issue.
He started the conversation because I was familiar to him. He kept having the conversation because we were sincere, polite, thoughtful, non-accusatory and kind. In the end he called our mission God’s work. One day at a time, one mind at a time, we are winning this was just as surely as the Berlin Wall was destined to fall.
Our call in program went really well today. Hundreds of calls were reported.
The big issue of the day at the Capital is the removal of Senator Frasano as the Chair of the Criminal Justice committee. The leadership, the Governor and President of the Senate want to sell our prisoners to private prison companies, (the same jokers who spent tens of thousands on campaign contribution to leadership during the last election). Frasano was asking tough questions and standing up against selling our prisoners to the highest bidder. In the middle of a committee hearing the President of the Senate interrupted the meeting, fired the Chair and appointed a new chair person.
If we want to move medical cannabis in Florida through legislators who act like that when they are challenged, we have to be loud and proud.
Remaining committees 7
Remaining Days for bills to be heard 28
Remaining days of funding 15
The atmosphere in Tallahassee changed this week. The Speaker of the House released his budget appropriations and now the wheeling and dealing starts. It’s also harder to get appointments and the sub-committee meetings are coming to a close.
We created a statewide day of action today. While hundreds of people made phone calls today, I escorted Amy from Jacksonville around the Capital. We were popping in on the Jacksonville delegation in addition to the regular appointments I had scheduled.
Tallahassee has circles within circles and delegations are one of those circles. The Jacksonville delegation is made up of everyone whose district touches Duval County and will include other representatives from neighboring counties who share an economic interest. While it’s getting harder and harder for Representatives to make time for me, constituents may get a minute or two. At the very least, the Aide is happy to take your information and tell the Representative you stopped by.
Meeting with aides may not be our first choice, but knowing the aides, being on good terms and sharing your story with them is always a good idea. Representatives are term-limited, their aides aren’t. Many of the aides have worked in Tallahassee for years, they move from office to office. They understand how to make things happen and have their finger on the pulse of the building. Several aides have confessed to knowing someone who benefited greatly from cannabis. Several have confessed to burning a few themselves.
We arrived early for our last appointment of the day. With aching feet it was good to find a spot to sit awhile. A companion joined us in a lounge setting near the Representatives office. He struck up a conversation, first mentioning he’d seen me around the building. We chatted casually about long days away from home, over-achieving children, just small talk. His briefcase proudly displayed the Florida Chief of Police Association.
After a few minutes of socializing, I ask if he is still with the Association. After he proudly introduces himself, I tell him the Association is on my list of appointments this week. He asks my business – once I tell him – we had the usual reply. Hands out, pushing back, whooooo, not sure that we’re on the same side on that one. Twenty minutes later, when we were told the Representative wasn’t going to make it back for our meeting, we didn’t care.
Our new friend was a former drug cop and big agency guy working narcotics going back to the 70’s in South Florida. He is currently consulting with a Michigan police department that isn’t liking the medical cannabis dispensaries in their towns at all. I explained that is why we want police on board now, to help create a system that works for everyone.
Police know cannabis isn’t going away. We pushed through the gateway theory, he couldn’t argue with sugar being the first drug we use to abuse! We had an affable conversation. In the end it always comes down to medical cannabis being the first step and us wanting more.
I explained that once you started to look at this you realize without this medicine some people are going to die. We think those people need to be taken care of first, but who can look at the young people incarcerated and the time wasted on cannabis investigations without being moved to object. The right answer is regulating and controlling it. So, I asked, since that is what we want, a regulated and controlled system, where is the compromise? His answer, “A good medical cannabis access program.” Yeah, that’s what we thought too. See we can come together on this issue.
He started the conversation because I was familiar to him. He kept having the conversation because we were sincere, polite, thoughtful, non-accusatory and kind. In the end he called our mission God’s work. One day at a time, one mind at a time, we are winning this was just as surely as the Berlin Wall was destined to fall.
Our call in program went really well today. Hundreds of calls were reported.
The big issue of the day at the Capital is the removal of Senator Frasano as the Chair of the Criminal Justice committee. The leadership, the Governor and President of the Senate want to sell our prisoners to private prison companies, (the same jokers who spent tens of thousands on campaign contribution to leadership during the last election). Frasano was asking tough questions and standing up against selling our prisoners to the highest bidder. In the middle of a committee hearing the President of the Senate interrupted the meeting, fired the Chair and appointed a new chair person.
If we want to move medical cannabis in Florida through legislators who act like that when they are challenged, we have to be loud and proud.
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