VICTORY! Proposal 1 passes in Michigan-A special note of thanks from the Chum Master

I sent this letter to friends and family early Weds, but thought I’d share it here as I know there are 1000’s of others in my state and around the U.S. who have similar stories.

Michigan’s Proposal 1, which would legalize the use of marijuana by patients with serious medical conditions such as cancer, AIDS/HIV, MS, and others, passed overwhelmingly Tues. evening, 63%-37% at last check. Michigan residents demonstrated what true compassion is, and seriously ill patients no longer face jail for relieving their suffering. This was a true grassroots, volunteer-lead campaign effort from beginning to end. I’d like to personally thank everyone that signed the petitions a yr. ago when I was hounding you at work, school, or anywhere I could find you, as well of those of you that took yard signs from me and spread the word to your friends and family, or donated money, and most importantly those of you that voted “Yes.”

As you may have guessed, I’m very passionate about this subject. While I’ve become kind of an amateur medicinal marijuana expert because of my policy studies in grad school, I also have a personal stake in this movement. In the interest of disclosure, yes, I do have a condition that is covered under Prop 1. I share these details only to perhaps put a familiar face on this vote. Some of you may have visited me in the hospital after one of my surgeries, or had me skip out on work or family functions because I’m knocked out on pain meds or side effects from treatment. I’ve been on 21 different medications in the last 3 yrs to keep my condition in check but so far, the most relief I can manage is a few months before the medicine decreases in effectiveness. Every “miracle drug” I’ve tried had results far less impressive than the shiny drug co. booklet promised. I will evaluate whether to use marijuana when the law is in full effect after I consult with my doctors and my employer to see if my employer will accommodate the new legislation or not. However, it’s comforting to know that an option which has demonstrated tremendous effectiveness, with far fewer side effects than my current meds, is legally available. Playing with my two little babies while hooked up to assorted machinery, although exciting, isn’t as easy as one would think.

I met some amazing people while working on this initiative, people whose suffering and bravery far exceed my own. These people and their loved ones were forced to sneak around to avoid arrest and prosecution. They and their families have gone through a hell that you and I can never imagine and marijuana has been the only medicine that enabled them to go through yet another round of chemotherapy, or to ease the debilitating nerve pain that keeps them bedridden, or prevents them from vomiting up the meds that keeps AIDS/HIV from taking their life. So, even if you supported Prop 1 just because I was hounding you, please know that your vote has removed the threat of arrest from the minds of some seriously ill people who already carry too heavy a burden. So, pat yourselves on the back as you’ve done a very good thing. Sick people simply wanted relief, and you’ve given it to them.

Blessings,

The Chum Master

California initiative seeks to legalize marijuana for everyone. Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg vow to tour California indefinitely.

There is an initiative in the works that could end up on the November ballot that allows for marijuana to be sold to anyone, and anywhere that already sells alcohol. Its being called The Inalienable Rights Enforcement Initiative.

More here

Full text of initative

Smoking marijuana should reduce air rage, increase demand for Doritos

From Wired.com

Air travel is a total hassle, man, and marijuana advocates in Denver say everyone would find the normally excruciating process a lot more pleasant if they could enjoy a few bong hits before boarding. It might even help solve a few of the problems that airlines have been experiencing lately. The way they see it, if people can knock a few back before a flight, they should be able to spark one up. They’re calling on airports nationwide to install marijuana lounges.

“All we’re saying is, in light of the fact drunk and disorderly incidents on airplanes are becoming more common, it really makes sense to allow adults the choice to use marijuana,” says Mason Tvert, executive director of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, the organization calling for the lounges. “There’s no rational reason our government would allow people to use alcohol and not use marijuana.”

Well, except for the fact the feds classify marijuana a Schedule 1 drug, putting it alongside heroin, mescaline meth and acid on its list of Drugs That Definitely Are Evil.

Tvert says many travelers consider flying stressful, so they’ll have a drink – or two, or three, or… – before boarding. That can lead to problems, such as the case last week where a JetBlue passenger allegedly lit up a cigarette and socked a flight attendant. She blamed the crew for serving her three vodkas. U.S Attorney Troy Eid told the Rocky Mountain News the feds are seeing a record number of passengers – often drunk – misbehaving on airplanes. “I think sometimes people think this is a joke,” he says. “They think it’s funny. And they’re going to find out otherwise as we do more and more of these cases.”

SAFER says giving people the option of smoking a joint before their flights would relax them without making them unruly. But don’t expect the feds or the airports to go along with the idea. Chuck Cannon, a spokesman for Denver International Airport, told the Denver Post he doesn’t foresee marijuana smoking in the airport. “Marijuana is illegal isn’t it?,” he says. “All the bars and restaurants are concessions and they sell what they sell. I do not know that we are going to tell them what they can sell. Alcohol is legal and tobacco is legal and marijuana is not.”

Tvert said he doesn’t have a problem with alcohol being sold in airports — although some people do, and say it should be banned — but says people should have another option. “It is irrational and potentially dangerous policy to continue allowing passengers to get drunk before and during flights while prohibiting them from simply making the safer choice to use marijuana prior to boarding,” Tvert says.