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Allow Health Care Patients Access to Therapy - Not Time Behind Bars
Target: U.S. CongressSponsored by: Marijuana Policy Project
For thousands of years, marijuana has reduced symptoms for the seriously ill effectively, and has helped improve their quality of life. Dozens of medical and health organizations endorse or allow patients access to medical marijuana with their physicians’ approval. Marijuana has been used therapeutically to control pain, alleviate nausea and vomiting in cancer patients due to chemotherapy, treat wasting due to HIV/AIDS, combat muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis and more.
To date, 12 states have passed medical marijuana laws. While the laws differ from state to state, they all work to protect patients and caregivers from criminal charges associated with their medicine.
The bipartisan Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment to the Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill would stop the U.S. Department of Justice from spending taxpayer money to arrest or prosecute legitimate patients -- and their caregivers -- in states where medical marijuana is legal.
Seriously ill patients have the right to effective therapies. To deny patients access to such a therapy is to deny them dignity and respect as persons.
Urge Congress to pass the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment and allow health care patients the medicine they need!
Sign Petition! see who signed this
We signed the “Allow Health Care Patients Access to Therapy - Not Time Behind Bars” petition!
# 50:
3:48 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Linda Simington, Oregon
# 49:
3:48 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Walter Selig, California
# 48:
3:48 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Geoff Hunkin, Texas
This is NOT about recreational drug use, for God's sake. This is about effective medication which truly works.
This is NOT about recreational drug use, for God's sake. This is about effective medication which truly works.
# 47:
3:47 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Name not displayed, Wisconsin
# 46:
3:46 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Josef Richardson, Maryland
# 45:
3:46 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Linda Kirk, Florida
# 44:
3:45 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Bethany Bradley, Virginia
# 43:
3:44 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Barbara Katz, Pennsylvania
Some of these people are fighting for their lives. Others are dying. Have some compassion. If this can alleviate their pain, it seems the most humane thing to do is to let them have the drug.
Some of these people are fighting for their lives. Others are dying. Have some compassion. If this can alleviate their pain, it seems the most humane thing to do is to let them have the drug.
# 42:
3:44 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Rob Seltzer, California
# 41:
3:43 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Jessica Riviera, Nevada
# 40:
3:42 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Tia Triplett, California
# 39:
3:42 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Melissa Stine, Minnesota
# 38:
3:42 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Liz Tzinberg, Florida
# 37:
3:41 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Jeri Gray, Washington
End Needless Suffering NOW!
End Needless Suffering NOW!
# 36:
3:32 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Mary Jo Eshelman, Ohio
I would say absolutely yes to the legalization of marijuana. It can be used HERBALLY and as a FOOD in many, many good ways that can help. However, using the term MEDICAL marijuana concerns me, because only MEDICAL doctors are allowed to use MEDICAL TREATMENTS, and the next thing you'd know (they already do it...) it will come out as a DRUG (which can and does kill people...it's toxic...it's out of nature's balance...and it is dangerous UNLIKE the WHOLE HERB) or else they would genetically modify the plant and turn it into something that only they are allowed to "prescribe." My idea of how this should be done is to just let it grow as an herb...the way God planted it for people to use...and let the PEOPLE make good use of the plant. Allow herbal and naturopathic education to be freely given to educate people as to the proper and good use of ALL herbs. THAT is what I am in favor of! Thank you for considering this, Vibraceous, ND
I would say absolutely yes to the legalization of marijuana. It can be used HERBALLY and as a FOOD in many, many good ways that can help. However, using the term MEDICAL marijuana concerns me, because only MEDICAL doctors are allowed to use MEDICAL TREATMENTS, and the next thing you'd know (they already do it...) it will come out as a DRUG (which can and does kill people...it's toxic...it's out of nature's balance...and it is dangerous UNLIKE the WHOLE HERB) or else they would genetically modify the plant and turn it into something that only they are allowed to "prescribe." My idea of how this should be done is to just let it grow as an herb...the way God planted it for people to use...and let the PEOPLE make good use of the plant. Allow herbal and naturopathic education to be freely given to educate people as to the proper and good use of ALL herbs. THAT is what I am in favor of! Thank you for considering this, Vibraceous, ND
# 35:
3:29 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Mary Tormey, Idaho
# 34:
3:29 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Jennie Boatman, Texas
If someone is in chronic pain or terminally ill, it should not be a crime to use medical marajuana. The crime is to refuse to let people in this situation use whatever is available to ease the pain. Who could be so cruel? There are no drugs that work so well and take care of the nausea, too, and doctors are well aware of the differences between chronic pain, terminal illness, and drug addicts. Thank you for caring about people in chronic pain (I've a chronic pain patient of nearly 20 years and a Licensed Master Social Worker and Clinical Hypnotherapist who has worked with patients in chronic pain or who are terminally ill so I understand the effect of this on quality of life.) Thank you.
If someone is in chronic pain or terminally ill, it should not be a crime to use medical marajuana. The crime is to refuse to let people in this situation use whatever is available to ease the pain. Who could be so cruel? There are no drugs that work so well and take care of the nausea, too, and doctors are well aware of the differences between chronic pain, terminal illness, and drug addicts. Thank you for caring about people in chronic pain (I've a chronic pain patient of nearly 20 years and a Licensed Master Social Worker and Clinical Hypnotherapist who has worked with patients in chronic pain or who are terminally ill so I understand the effect of this on quality of life.) Thank you.
# 33:
3:15 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Name not displayed, Washington
Ancient herbal remedies have stood the test of time; marijuana's healing properties are well documented, as far back as Culpepper. To deny access to those who need the properties of marijuana due to archaic laws is criminal insofar as there is no scientific or legal reason for so doing. Given the extensive research which supports the medicinal properties, I urge you to pass this law so that those who benefit from medical marijuana are allowed access without punative repercussions.
Ancient herbal remedies have stood the test of time; marijuana's healing properties are well documented, as far back as Culpepper. To deny access to those who need the properties of marijuana due to archaic laws is criminal insofar as there is no scientific or legal reason for so doing. Given the extensive research which supports the medicinal properties, I urge you to pass this law so that those who benefit from medical marijuana are allowed access without punative repercussions.
# 32:
3:14 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Ron Goodman, Idaho
It is about time innocent people stop being put in jail at "huge" taxpayer expense and the destruction of their families who will be forever on the welfare role. Lets "finally" do the correct and moral thing, and remove this stigma from our society. It should "not" have been made illegal in the first place and we need to rectify that.
It is about time innocent people stop being put in jail at "huge" taxpayer expense and the destruction of their families who will be forever on the welfare role. Lets "finally" do the correct and moral thing, and remove this stigma from our society. It should "not" have been made illegal in the first place and we need to rectify that.
# 31:
3:14 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Lamargo Petersen, Canada
# 30:
3:05 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Stephen R Hannon, Massachusetts
# 29:
3:00 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Jennifer Hall, Tennessee
# 28:
2:57 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Cate Groves, Connecticut
# 27:
2:55 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Eva Cox, Texas
There are now 15 states that have made medical marijuana legal. The League of Women Voters are among many truly credible organizations, as well, particularly in the state of Texas, that have endorsed making medical marijuana legal in the state of Texas. I encourage you to do something for all the people who are now suffering from debilitating pain, in the interest of humanity and passion for those who suffer from terminal illnesses and have been benefited by medical marijuana, particularly in its natural form, not synthetic, which sometimes causes side effects, to legalize medical marijuana through the Congress of the United States and give medical science the respect that it so well deserves. Marijuana, before 1938, when it was unjustly demonized in this country, and shortly after the Alcohol Prohibition Amendment was reversed, was prescribed by doctors for migraine headaches and other illnesses, as a medicine. Any drug can be abused when taken excessively, but marijuana is not the Devil Weed that was portrayed mostly by big drug companies that could not make a profit off of the hemp crops to be a dangerous drug. There is a big difference in trading marijuana in large quantities across borders of countries and smuggling large quantities into the country or out of the country than there is in a terminally ill patient partaking in relief of their debilitating pain by administering marijuana in the smoked form. Why should the federal government interfere in medicine, which costs have skyrocketed, when the very way to relieve symptoms of chronic illnesses is in their very hands? It is foolish, to say the least, and we urge you to do the right and the moral thing and make medical marijuana legal across this land, release all prisoners behind bars that smoked medical marijuana or grew it, particularly when most of them were arrested and sentenced in federal courts within states that had made medical marijuana legal, raided dispensaries, and robbed people of their rights to freedom and the right to live the remainder of their lives in dignity, as pain free as possible.
There are now 15 states that have made medical marijuana legal. The League of Women Voters are among many truly credible organizations, as well, particularly in the state of Texas, that have endorsed making medical marijuana legal in the state of Texas. I encourage you to do something for all the people who are now suffering from debilitating pain, in the interest of humanity and passion for those who suffer from terminal illnesses and have been benefited by medical marijuana, particularly in its natural form, not synthetic, which sometimes causes side effects, to legalize medical marijuana through the Congress of the United States and give medical science the respect that it so well deserves. Marijuana, before 1938, when it was unjustly demonized in this country, and shortly after the Alcohol Prohibition Amendment was reversed, was prescribed by doctors for migraine headaches and other illnesses, as a medicine. Any drug can be abused when taken excessively, but marijuana is not the Devil Weed that was portrayed mostly by big drug companies that could not make a profit off of the hemp crops to be a dangerous drug. There is a big difference in trading marijuana in large quantities across borders of countries and smuggling large quantities into the country or out of the country than there is in a terminally ill patient partaking in relief of their debilitating pain by administering marijuana in the smoked form. Why should the federal government interfere in medicine, which costs have skyrocketed, when the very way to relieve symptoms of chronic illnesses is in their very hands? It is foolish, to say the least, and we urge you to do the right and the moral thing and make medical marijuana legal across this land, release all prisoners behind bars that smoked medical marijuana or grew it, particularly when most of them were arrested and sentenced in federal courts within states that had made medical marijuana legal, raided dispensaries, and robbed people of their rights to freedom and the right to live the remainder of their lives in dignity, as pain free as possible.
# 26:
2:55 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Annette Preaux, Arizona
# 25:
2:51 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Name not displayed, Iraq
# 24:
2:48 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Name not displayed, Italy
# 23:
2:45 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Jessica Walsh, New York
# 22:
2:44 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Name not displayed, Italy
# 21:
2:41 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Sandee Sousa, Florida
I truly can understand why certain drugs can be a problem. However, if it's truly warranted due to sever health issues; this is a very wondrous thing to do for all those truly in need!!! Some people have to live on things like morphine and such, so there's no reason that marajuana shouldn't be made legal. It's alot healthier than the hard core drugs that tear the anatomy of people apart. If this is done properly, even I'd recomend it. The DEA will still make plenty without hurting those in need. There's so much in Europe that is legal. It's time for a true change in policy. This should be given to preserve people's lives and also give them more of a QUALITY LIFE. !!!
I truly can understand why certain drugs can be a problem. However, if it's truly warranted due to sever health issues; this is a very wondrous thing to do for all those truly in need!!! Some people have to live on things like morphine and such, so there's no reason that marajuana shouldn't be made legal. It's alot healthier than the hard core drugs that tear the anatomy of people apart. If this is done properly, even I'd recomend it. The DEA will still make plenty without hurting those in need. There's so much in Europe that is legal. It's time for a true change in policy. This should be given to preserve people's lives and also give them more of a QUALITY LIFE. !!!
# 20:
2:40 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Katii West, California
It's time to stop punishing people for consuming something in it's "natural" unadulterated form that grows naturally on this planet. It's time to stop wasting BILLIONS of dollars of hard working Americans' tax dollars (taxes: also something you need to address) on enforcing, prosecuting, and incarcerating "pot smokers." If Americans knew the "facts" about Cannabis which are completely contrary to the "lies" and false propaganda the government spews at the direction of the medical, pharma, and textiles (cotton) industries, and the harm the attempted eradication of one of the most important and valuable, to man and beast, plant species on the planet, they'd be VERY angry. I hope anyone who is anti-cannibus who reads this petition will go educate themselves about this "wonder" plant.
It's time to stop punishing people for consuming something in it's "natural" unadulterated form that grows naturally on this planet. It's time to stop wasting BILLIONS of dollars of hard working Americans' tax dollars (taxes: also something you need to address) on enforcing, prosecuting, and incarcerating "pot smokers." If Americans knew the "facts" about Cannabis which are completely contrary to the "lies" and false propaganda the government spews at the direction of the medical, pharma, and textiles (cotton) industries, and the harm the attempted eradication of one of the most important and valuable, to man and beast, plant species on the planet, they'd be VERY angry. I hope anyone who is anti-cannibus who reads this petition will go educate themselves about this "wonder" plant.
# 19:
2:31 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Timothy M. Redfern, Tennessee
I am urging the speedy passage of Hinchey-Rohrabacher. This is an issue of state's rights. The free and sovereign citizens of 12 states have approved the legal use of marijuana for medicinal use, and these people, these states, must have their rights protected under the 10th Amendment to the U.S.Constitution. This is primarily a issue of compassion. Millions of people in this country know that Marijuana is an amazingly safe and effective drug which successfully treats dozens of diseases, ailments, conditions and disorders. I personally know how effective it is. I am dying of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, an autoimmune disease which causes me extreme exhaustion and fatigue and severe muscle, bone and nerve pain. Marijuana is the only thing which keeps the disease in remission, allowing me to live a near-normal life, greatly easing my pain, and giving me a bit more energy. Please, I urge members of the House and Senate to pass Hinchey-Rohrabacher, and have pity and compassion on sick, suffering, dying people. STOP DOJ from arresting these folks. WE have more than enough on our plates without worrying about dying in prison. Respectfully, Timothy M. Redfern
I am urging the speedy passage of Hinchey-Rohrabacher. This is an issue of state's rights. The free and sovereign citizens of 12 states have approved the legal use of marijuana for medicinal use, and these people, these states, must have their rights protected under the 10th Amendment to the U.S.Constitution. This is primarily a issue of compassion. Millions of people in this country know that Marijuana is an amazingly safe and effective drug which successfully treats dozens of diseases, ailments, conditions and disorders. I personally know how effective it is. I am dying of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, an autoimmune disease which causes me extreme exhaustion and fatigue and severe muscle, bone and nerve pain. Marijuana is the only thing which keeps the disease in remission, allowing me to live a near-normal life, greatly easing my pain, and giving me a bit more energy. Please, I urge members of the House and Senate to pass Hinchey-Rohrabacher, and have pity and compassion on sick, suffering, dying people. STOP DOJ from arresting these folks. WE have more than enough on our plates without worrying about dying in prison. Respectfully, Timothy M. Redfern
# 18:
2:30 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Name not displayed, Minnesota
# 17:
2:25 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Dick Artley, Idaho
If alcohol (whiskey, gin, vodka) could be made in any kitchen the way marijuana can be grown in any garden, alcohol would be illegal and called the demon liquid. Why? Corporate America could not monopolize it's maufacture and make billions $$ in profit. America's laws are made to protect corporations.
If alcohol (whiskey, gin, vodka) could be made in any kitchen the way marijuana can be grown in any garden, alcohol would be illegal and called the demon liquid. Why? Corporate America could not monopolize it's maufacture and make billions $$ in profit. America's laws are made to protect corporations.
# 16:
2:22 pm PDT, Jul 11,
SJ SC, Ohio
# 15:
2:13 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Lana Stockell, Connecticut
# 14:
2:10 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Alim OROVA, Turkey
# 13:
2:09 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Carole Sarcinello, California
# 12:
2:02 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Michelle McDowell, Wisconsin
Using marijuana doesn't have side effects. A person is no more impaired than someone using a prescription drug. Using a prescription of pills has all sorts of side effects, some which are worse than the actual symptom!Marijuana is more calming than any other drug out there and it costs less.
Using marijuana doesn't have side effects. A person is no more impaired than someone using a prescription drug. Using a prescription of pills has all sorts of side effects, some which are worse than the actual symptom!Marijuana is more calming than any other drug out there and it costs less.
# 11:
2:02 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Iluliaq Maknoon, Washington
# 10:
2:00 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Danielle Cappello, Pennsylvania
Health care should be equal and avaliable to every person. It should provide the most effective way of keeping that person healthy and happy. Let's do what it takes to keep it that way.
Health care should be equal and avaliable to every person. It should provide the most effective way of keeping that person healthy and happy. Let's do what it takes to keep it that way.
# 9:
1:27 pm PDT, Jul 11,
KJ Strong, Virginia
# 8:
1:24 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Barbara Tomlinson, Washington
This OUGHT to be a no-brainer. Well, MY Representative to Congress knows this! I and others have worked our butts off getting a Medical Marijuana Bill passed in Washington State. It is very frustrating to see the Federal Govt COUNTERACTING THE CLEAR WILL OF THE PEOPLE and spending taxpayers' funds to hamper, and, in many cases, to DENY citizens of Washington State access to the beneficial and even life-saving effects of Medical Marijuana that they are ENTITLED to, by EVERY CONSIDERATION BOTH LEGAL AND MORAL. That this happens is only ANOTHER instance of the Bushco mis-Administration COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR SCIENCE AND FACTUAL TRUTH. Big Pharma wants to outlaw Medical Marijuana, because it REPLACES so MANY of Big Pharma's COSTLY, ADDICTIVE AND HARMFUL drugs!
This OUGHT to be a no-brainer. Well, MY Representative to Congress knows this! I and others have worked our butts off getting a Medical Marijuana Bill passed in Washington State. It is very frustrating to see the Federal Govt COUNTERACTING THE CLEAR WILL OF THE PEOPLE and spending taxpayers' funds to hamper, and, in many cases, to DENY citizens of Washington State access to the beneficial and even life-saving effects of Medical Marijuana that they are ENTITLED to, by EVERY CONSIDERATION BOTH LEGAL AND MORAL. That this happens is only ANOTHER instance of the Bushco mis-Administration COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR SCIENCE AND FACTUAL TRUTH. Big Pharma wants to outlaw Medical Marijuana, because it REPLACES so MANY of Big Pharma's COSTLY, ADDICTIVE AND HARMFUL drugs!
# 7:
12:44 pm PDT, Jul 11,
* Zentura, Wyoming
Everyone is intitiled to health care.
Everyone is intitiled to health care.
# 6:
12:33 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Sheila Kay, Rhode Island
# 5:
11:44 am PDT, Jul 11,
Ingeborg Kooiman, Netherlands
# 4:
11:17 am PDT, Jul 11,
Name not displayed, Wisconsin
# 3:
11:03 am PDT, Jul 11,
Barb PL, Kentucky
Being a mm patient should not be a crime. The federal government is putting sick, sometimes dying people in prison for violating a federal law =prohibition. Yet the Federal Government has been violating their own invalid law, by growing, cultivating, bagging up and shipping Medical Marijuana to a select few American citizen through UPS, ever since I was a little girl. What ever happened to Justice For All? The federal government is saying that only a handful of patients/citizens are worthy of receiving certain types of treatments while the rest of Americans are left to suffer and even take the chance of going to jail. Somehow that does not sound like Justice for All. Please allow all citizens the right to the best medicine/therapies available, not just a select few!!!
Being a mm patient should not be a crime. The federal government is putting sick, sometimes dying people in prison for violating a federal law =prohibition. Yet the Federal Government has been violating their own invalid law, by growing, cultivating, bagging up and shipping Medical Marijuana to a select few American citizen through UPS, ever since I was a little girl. What ever happened to Justice For All? The federal government is saying that only a handful of patients/citizens are worthy of receiving certain types of treatments while the rest of Americans are left to suffer and even take the chance of going to jail. Somehow that does not sound like Justice for All. Please allow all citizens the right to the best medicine/therapies available, not just a select few!!!
# 2:
9:45 am PDT, Jul 11,
Emily Logan, California
# 1:
7:15 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Natasha Nummedal, California
To deny patients access to effective therapy is to deny them dignity and respect as persons. Health is a human right!
To deny patients access to effective therapy is to deny them dignity and respect as persons. Health is a human right!