Comment Archives: stories: Opinion: Medical MJ
Re: “Taking on the Teabillies, Pt. 2”
It's obvious that MsChi and kdhaslett are the same person. If you search tucson city courts website and look her up you'll see she has a warrant for a failure to appear. She's a toxic person and should be avoided at all costs. "Keep the hypocrite haters at bay for they have nothing good to offer just bad things to say." DJ Rent-a-Rim
Re: “Taking on the Teabillies, Pt. 2”
There's an old saying: "Those who can, do. Those who can't make up false identities and bitch about things." Such people pretend they know more than they do. They represent the dark side, negative energy. They are just as bad as the folks who shout about state's rights when it comes to SB 1070, then beg the federal government to step in and shut down a state voter-approved medical marijuna program. I personally don't have time for either one, and prefer instead to be surrounded by the hundreds of patients we serve weekly - the true heroes. The mission of The Green Halo is borne out of love, compassion and care. We support a patient's right to cultivate. We are a Non-Profit. Our amazing, staff works hard every day for our patients even though their jobs pose a risk that no one else faces on a daily basis. As for me, I first moved to Tucson in 1955, and attended high school and the U of A. I'm from this community, and I care deeply about it. I returned to help my Dad during his final struggle with cancer about two years ago (he passed away on my birthday one month after AMMA passed) which served to reinforce my goal to help other patients get safe access to this amazing plant medicine. I've lived long enough to know and understand the motivation of critics and naysayers, and have no interest in their self-serving agenda. Particularly those who hide behind pseudonyms (like MsChiMimi). On the other hand, I'm very much out in the open, serving Tucson patients daily. If you want the truth about The Green Halo, or any topic of interest in the medical marijuana community, I will be happy to meet you there, discuss any concerns you may have, and give you a tour of our dispensary. I think you'll find it was accurately described in the Tucson Weekly. Darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Ken Sobel, 520-664-2251.
Re: “Taking on the Teabillies, Pt. 2”
Curious why the author uses such a derogatory term for conservatives. What would happen if I used a slang/derogatory comment about liberals or gays or any other group. It is unprofessional to use hateful speech to get attention. Try being a professional and think about what you say. By the way, I am not a tea party representative or even a republican. I just think your assertion that tea party folks are inbred morons is offensive as the terms queer, fag or homo. Show some respect!
Re: “Taking on the Teabillies, Pt. 2”
Wow, MsChiMimi must have magical powers to see things that don't exist. She has the classic haters paranoia. It sounds like you're into MMJ but probably don't have the resources or the skills to open your own dispensary. But you do have the time to sit around and talk s@#t about people who actually have the balls and the ability to pull it off. You should take the time to research the incredibly difficult and expensive path one must take to open a dispensary. The AZDHS doesn't just give out licenses to anyone. What you see as a conspiracy to monopolize the MMJ business is actually the result of a law that you most likely voted for. And what you consider greed is actually the result of many people working very hard to work within a system that is heavily regulated by a state whose governor and attorney general are against it. Walk a mile in another persons shoes before you make wildly inaccurate accusations.
Re: “Taking on the Teabillies, Pt. 2”
How about the MMJ people who actually do need it, SUPPORT measures to "Weed" out those Doctors and users who DON'T. We all know, many of the MMJ "Patients" are just Pot heads...I know many. As far as Legalization, which was the MAIN reason for the MMJ campaign, in my opinion, I think there should be a "Rational Conversation" about it. When JM Smith continuously calls people names, demeans them, and has to use Foul language to get his-her point across, "IRRELEVANT" comes to mind quickly.
Re: “A Green Dream”
Shirley you meen Green Dreem, one of Sobel's other DBAs? Speaking of which, what's this I heard about Sobel joining the board of Kittrell's Purplemed operation?
Re: “A Green Dream”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Mike Scerbo
Rose+Moser+Allyn Public & Online Relations
mscerbo@rosemoserallynpr.com
Cell: 602 615 6523
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Medical Marijuana Patients To Call For Reform and Enforcement and Closure of Illegal, Unregulated “Clubs” At Thursday Press Conference
State Legislature Should Focus on Improvements Not Elimination of Voter Approved Measure
(PHOENIX) In the two years since medical marijuana was approved by Arizona voters, a handful of responsible business owners established dispensaries carefully following rules laid out by the State of Arizona. Unfortunately, unregulated ‘marijuana clubs’ have sprung up. These ‘clubs’ are not regulated and do not represent responsible, regulated efforts. They should be shut down while the voter-approved measure be allowed to proceed.
Without understanding the difference some members of the State Legislature are calling for a repeal of Arizona’s medical marijuana laws, without understanding the whole story.
Licensed medical marijuana dispensaries are devoted to serving patients living with pain. These patients live in fear of losing medication that eases their suffering. For many, state regulated dispensaries are their only option.
On Thursday, January 24 at 10am medical marijuana dispensary operators from Glendale and Tucson and the patients who rely on them for relief will be at the State Capitol to spell out differences between legitimate medical marijuana dispensaries and unregulated ‘clubs’ and to discuss the necessity of keeping medical marijuana available in a regulated and secure environment.
Who: Medical Marijuana Dispensary Operators and Patients
Where: House Lawn at the State Capitol
When: Thursday, January 24th at 10am
Why: To outline key new steps, short of insulting voters with a repeal
Media planning on attending please contact Mike Scerbo at mscerbo@rosemoserallynpr.com or at 602 615 6523
Re: “A Green Dream”
Patient Relief. Program Reform. Voter Respect.
Key Messages To Discourage A Re-Vote & Repeal by the Arizona State Legislature
****DRAFT****
*The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act was the third time Arizona voters have endorsed medical marijuana. It passed in 2010, the “best” Republican year since 1994. 2014 is unlikely to be as favorable to the GOP as 2010, strongly suggesting yet another loss for opponents of medical marijuana. Furthermore, a PPP poll released January 14th indicated support for the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act has increased since passage in 2010, from its narrow victory to a sizeable 59-37 margin today. PPP was recently recognized as one of the most accurate pollsters during the 2012 presidential campaign.
*On a local level this notion of “re-voting” controversial matters was attempted. In 2010 Paradise Valley, Arizona voters narrowly passed the direct election of the Town’s mayor. The mayor was previously appointed by the Town Council. After a contentious mayoral election a majority of the council – opposed to direct election – asked Paradise Valley voters to again consider the measure. They did. And passed it by an even wider margin than the first time. The arrogance of elected officials was a key argument then, and would be in the future should this matter again be subjected to a statewide vote.
*Referring the matter to the ballot in November, 2014 is likely to hurt Arizona Republicans in other ways too. Voters typically unfriendly to the GOP will likely turn out in greater numbers to defend the program, potentially hurting Republicans in close legislative races.
*Based on numerous national polls public opinion appears to be shifting swiftly towards more liberal use of marijuana. The response to denying a well-regulated medical marijuana program may be an unintended consequence—and effort --as took place recently in Washington and Colorado, to completely legalize the use of marijuana.
*Proponents of re-vote and repeal cite supposed conflict with federal law. They are the very same voices who argued passionately in support of SB 1070’s anti-illegal immigration provisions because, they said, the federal government had failed to secure the border and the state should be allowed to take matters into their own hands. Now, they argue just the opposite, deferring to the federal government rather than Arizona voters.
*Ironically, the use of marijuana by Arizona youth since the passage of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act is down. (SOURCE?)
*What problems that have occurred with the program are the result of the legal and political challenges by the very people who now use them as an excuse to kill the program. How? As approved the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act provided a strictly regulated and limited dispensary program. But due to such challenges tens of thousands of people were allowed to grow marijuana in their own homes and so-called “compassion clubs” emerged. They are unregulated, untaxed, unzoned, irresponsible operations that law enforcement has failed to shut down. The problem lies with “clubs,” not dispensaries.
*As of January 18, 2013 Arizona only had three operating dispensaries. Another ten may be open by the end of February. They have reported no problems. The program should be allowed to emerge and evolve as voters envisioned not short-circuited by disrespectful politicians.
*Instead of 2014 any re-vote should be considered for 2016, if at all, and certainly after the regulated, voter approved measure has had a chance to operate.
*In the meantime there are several steps the Arizona Legislature can and should take to advance reform, not repeal. They include:
-As the Arizona Department of Health Services sanctioned dispensaries themselves are doing, call for and compel the end of the unregulated and irresponsible “clubs” that are problematic. They were not provided for in the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.
-To the extent additional resources are necessary for such enforcement action permit the Arizona Department of Health Services to use money – or assign such dollars and authority – for this purpose.
-An Arizona Attorney General opinion provided for the taxing of medical marijuana. The Arizona State Legislature should pass a uniform tax policy that could lead to some $40 million in new revenue for the State of Arizona.
-Increase criminal penalties for patients that provide marijuana to minors.
*The abuses of the “clubs” should not shut down the voter-approved rights of legitimates patients – and there are many – who are safely and responsibly using the state system for pain relief and ailments.
Re: “A Green Dream”
Last Thursday Jan the 24th in Phoenix AZ. A public relations firm (Rose +Moser + Allyn Public & Online Relations) hired by the same people that brought us the 25 mile rule asked the AZ. Legislator to shut down all the wellness/care center in the state to protect their monopoly.
They want to use the funds that we the patients have paid to AZDH MMJ program to enforce these monopolies.
These greedy dispensary owner also want to create a new tax to strap on the patients back. They want to raise 40 million a year which at present count would amount 1200.00 a year per patient.
If you see anything labeled Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Medical Marijuana Patients please be cautious, this is just a front for dispensary owners to hide behind.
One, Ken Sobel of Green Halo, “Ken Sobel says he plans to set up his dispensary at the same location where the Green Halo Caregiver Collective was raided by Tucson Police in July for it's allegedly illegal pot shop operations. http://www.kvoa.com/videos/marijuana-dispensary-owners-prepare-to-open/
has now got a permit from the state and seems to have forgot where he came from. At first he was one of these clubs and now he is on the band wagon to shut them down and tax us to death. This is on top of the outrageous prices they are already charging ( 20.00 a gram or 560.00 an Oz).
Does Mr. Smith Still approve????????
Re: “A Green Dream”
I was there yesterday, picked up some ointment for Arthritis. It seems to help with the joint pain for $40. bucks you hope it does. The candy didn't seem to do much of any thing.
I hope they can make a go of it and stay in business....it's a 65 mile round trip for me, but I prefer it stays that way.
Re: “A Green Dream”
The Green Halo is legal... and the meds are tested! Safe access for patients and a friendly, educated staff!!
Re: “A Green Dream”
Victory is in the eye of the...lol;)
Re: “Puff, Pass and Poll”
"old person" that's me. Been tokin' since long before the age of consent. Legalization? U Bet!
Re: “Teabilly Time-Wasting”
If this 'legislator' succeeds in getting this on the ballot, do we citizens have to pay the cost of television ads supporting it?
Re: “Puff, Pass and Poll”
tucsonmedicalmarijuana.org...join us today!
Re: “Puff, Pass and Poll”
Hey, hey, hey....as an "old person" (and 38 year toker), I favor mj legalization. Don't 'boo' me.
Re: “Acceptable Green”
Check it out today 1/16/13 You will be surprised!!
Re: “Teabilly Time-Wasting”
The war on drugs has been a collossal failure since the beginning. But as long as drug money continures flowing into the budgets of law enforcement, little will change. There is more pursuit of the money than the actual drugs.
Re: “Teabilly Time-Wasting”
For those who call for more taxes on marijuana, are you really that impressed with how all the taxes already imposed are spent? Alcohol taxes were imposed to pay for the revolutionary war, don't you think that should have been paid off long ago?
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Re: “Taking on the Teabillies, Pt. 2”
I was ambivalent and voted in favor of MMJ. I figured if it helped someone and I had the choice not to be affected by it then it ought to be given the chance.
But once I saw that ridiculous, pathetic marijuana leaf all over town and in the press I realized what a mistake this was. I think 10% of us would switch their vote for that reason alone so let the voting begin.