This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on July 3, 2011.
Michigan House Representative John Walsh has submitted several bills that would start the intelligent dialogue of medical marijuana regulation in the State. Most fear this as an attack on our rights as medical marijuana patients, caregivers, business owners, dispensaries and the like. Why wouldn’t any reasonable person believe this when Bill Schuette’s name is also attached.
Our group has been approached by the medical marijuana groups and advocates in Michigan to come together and fight any and all regulation to the bitter end. While we can sympathize with this thought process as previous legislation aims to protect cops and limit our rights as patients, we have seen no real solutions from our friends in the community. Defense helps to win the game, however an offense (solid ideas) will put points on the board.
We hear the same old thing; let us fight against them, no changes, no regulation. No regulation, really?
We are talking about drugs.
While the Marijuana Patients Organization agrees that our Attorney General should be quiet and leave the medical marijuana scene immediately, because mainly he has goals to repeal the act. For our community of medical marijuana patients to get behind any regulation that makes sense, the legislature must, if not for their own PR, remove Bill Schuette from any conversation regarding medical marijuana.
Representative John Walsh is a fair and balanced man that is looking at the issues from all points of view and we feel (hope) he has medical marijuana patients’ concerns at the forefront. Just our 2 cents, if you want to create change, first you must KILL BILL from the conversation. Let Bill Schuette make his name known to the voting public for positive change not denying rights to those that can benefit.
John Walsh, we trust you will focus on the patient and help those that truly need your support. Thank you in advance for your help.