Only 15 days left in session: Call your Del. state senator in support of medical marijuana

As the session is drawing closer to its end, we must work harder than ever to make sure that S.B. 94, Delaware's compassionate medical marijuana bill that is sponsored by Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, gets a vote on the Senate floor and advances to the Delaware House of Representatives. This is the first time a modern medical marijuana bill has been introduced, and it could get a floor vote at any time. You and your friends and family are the ones that can make a difference, especially in a small state such as Delaware. Even a couple of constituent calls can have a significant effect.

Please call your senator and ask her or him to co-sponsor S.B. 94 and commit to voting for it on the floor. Don't forget to fill out the feedback form so you can let us know about your senator's response.  If you are represented by Senators Henry, Karen Peterson, Robert Venables, or Lianne Sorenson, please enthusiastically thank them for their early co-sponsorship and ask them to talk to their colleagues about the bill.

If you are a patient, a loved one, a medical professional, or a member of law enforcement or the clergy who might be interested in speaking out, we need you! Please contact me at state@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help in passing this legislation. Please include your nine-digit ZIP code or your address so we can identify your legislators, and please share your connection with medical marijuana.

On Wednesday, June 3, Sen. Henry seamlessly guided the bill through the committee process, and called upon at least 13 patients and advocates to offer testimony. Two patients, Joe Scarborough, an AIDS and cancer survivor, and Chris M., who suffers chronic pain, offered stirring testimony about how medical marijuana has helped them survive some very difficult health challenges. Joe Scarborough explained “Smoking marijuana has helped with the pain and nausea associated with the drugs I take for AIDS as well as chemotherapy, and it has helped with pain caused by my nerve damage.” The committee vote received excellent press coverage.

Together, we can make Delaware the 14th state to allow the doctor-advised medical use of marijuana. Thank you for your support. Please pass this on to any patients you know who might be interested in getting involved.