Pubdate: Sun, 10 Jul 2011
Source: Billings Gazette, The (MT)
Copyright: 2011 Kathleen Shannon
Contact: http://billingsgazette.com/app/contact/?contact=letter
Website: http://www.billingsgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/515
Author: Kathleen Shannon

SEE WHO BENEFITS FROM MEDICAL MARIJUANA

As a patient, a caregiver and mother of a patient here in Montana, I 
find it amazing that people in Billings are not in an outrage at our 
City Council. On Nov. 9, 2009, our City Council voted to do nothing 
about zoning medical marijuana dispensaries as they were waiting to 
see what supply and demand brought to our city. Evidently they did 
not mind taking our money for business licenses that were signed by 
Mayor Hanel himself.

Some months later a couple hysterical mothers, who evidently have no 
control over what their children do, began fear-mongering tactics. 
The same moms and a handful of their minions began a fear campaign 
saying cannabis was only for the terminally ill. Nowhere in 
Initiative 148 does it say or suggest one must have a 
life-threatening illness. It does, however, say "debilitating"! There 
is quite a difference between the two. It is a recommendation, made 
by your physician or a physician upon review of your medical records.

Sen. Jeff Essman has no interest in hearing from patients, their 
parents, their caregivers, their daughters or anyone whose opinion 
differs from his. That is not listening to your constituents. That is 
heartless.

My 85-year-old mother has been telling me the last year, this is a 
witch hunt! She's right! Please look at the people this plant has 
helped and help us get some decent regulations. Tax it and reap the 
benefits! We would love to fund the seniors, teach drug and alcohol 
awareness and fund mental health programs! Please help us do this!

Kathleen Shannon

Billings
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom