really good article, something we must teach our daughters early. We are fighting against the media and peers, who want all women to conform to a size 0 being the norm.
thank you Aari for fighting the good fight. Some dispensaries are truly compassionate, others are all about profit. It is up to us as patients to support those that are the former and get rid of the latter. We are the consumers, spend your dollars on compassion.
Wow, JM your opinion is flawed in so many ways I don't know where to begin, but I am not even going to address those issues as they are not important to what is happening in AZ. Corey is right, this effort is probably doomed for 2014 for the reasons he listed and a couple of more points. Historically those who vote yes on cannabis issues do not show up at the polls on off Presidential election years. Statistics show that conservatives come out in droves in non presidential elections. Sadly these people are responsible for some of the ridiculous laws we have on the books. I am not blaming them, the blame should go to the more liberal voters who don't vote at EVERY election. The conservatives understand this dynamic and that is the reason they introduce propositions that favor their cause. I think many are ready to legalize cannabis in all states, but most are heeding the warnings of the political savvy, and waiting for 2016.
There are many types of chambers of commerce that don't wear dark suits, I am pretty sure we will be one of them. As a founding board member of the AZ Cannabis Chamber of Commerce I feel it is so important for supporters to join together to protect our fledgling cannabis industry, the opposition sure seems to be organized. Our organization is for professional medical cannabis businesses, patient advocacy groups, and satellite businesses to join together with comon goals. The idea for the chamber came from hearing many frustrated supporters trying to fight the opposition, law enforcement and the government and feeling alone in their fight. As Doug Banfelder,our new President of the AZ Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, said in a blog on Keyt Law "medical cannabis supporters are the majority, we must starting acting like it". AZCCC is the first step in that mission.
Allowing big pharma to take control of our natural medicine is too high of a price to pay. It makes me laugh, cry, scream, and vent when I hear people say "if it's medicine then let the Pharmacy's dispense it". As if Walgreen's and the other hugh pharmacuetical companies are the only ones qualified to provide a organic, natural medicine. If we open this door, then what is to prevent them from getting their greedy hands on all our natural medicines, and charging high prices for such things as Evening Primrose, Valerian, and Ecchinacea Root? What about dropping it from the scheduled drug list altogether? Cannabis is a natural medicine, not a drug. JUST SAY NO to big pharma controlling our medicine.
We at SWAPA are doing just fine, although yes we do need help with our admittedly stale website ( are you offering to help?). We are volunteers who are working toward patient equality through education and advocacy. There are some truly compassionate advocates in Phoenix, but many are totally clueless and following the likes of Alan Sobel, who is a huge black eye to the cannabis movement. There are true advocates who want to help patients, and those that want to jump on the money wagon, patients be damned. I think Tucson has more of the former, while Phoenix has more of the latter. This is not a race with those who get in the fastest the winners, as Alan Sobel has said more than once. It is a journey to provide safe access to patients in a compassionate environment, while continuing to educate the public. While Phoenix is all flash and bang, many of us here in Tucson are doing what they should be doing, putting patients first. If you would like to talk to me about SWAPA and what we are doing, I would be happy to sit down with you. Please feel free to contact me at kdhaslett@myswapa.com or call 505-8252.
As the President and Founder of SW Arizona Patient Alliance (SWAPA) I am happy to hear that The Tucson Weekly had added a columnist to cover medical cannabis in Tucson and surrounding areas. We are actively trying to educate and advocate for medical cannabis, allow patients to step into the light, and make our opponents aware that we are not all stoned drop outs as they try and portray cannabis patients. We are your neighbors, someone you sit next to in church, or perhaps your doctor, lawyer, teacher, or another professional you work with. We are successful and we vote. I am hoping that the Tucson Weekly chose the best person for the job, and that you represent us well. If you have any questions, need help, or just want to talk please feel free to contact us at www.myswapa.com, or call 505-8252.
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