Mass.: Medical marijuana bill scheduled for May 19 hearing

The Joint Committee on Public Health has scheduled a hearing on a bill to allow seriously ill patients with diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and hepatitis C to use medical marijuana upon the recommendation of a doctor. Patients who possess a registry card from the state would be allowed to possess up to 12 plants and 4 ounces of usable marijuana, which must be stored in an enclosed, locked facility.

What: Hearing on HB 2160, sponsored by Rep. Frank Smizik and 11 co-sponsors.
When: Tuesday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Massachusetts State House, first floor, room A-2.

If you plan to attend, please contact Matt Allen at mattjallen@mac.com. Remember, this is a government meeting, so please dress professionally. Click here for driving directions.

Please take a moment to ask the committee's two chairs to support the bill. Then send your legislators an e-mail urging them to support HB 2160.

After you have called the chairs and e-mailed your lawmakers, please consider submitting a letter to the editor in support of the medical marijuana bill. This is a great way to show lawmakers that there is widespread support for giving doctors and patients the option of treating disease with medical marijuana. When writing your letter, keep it short (around 150 words) and to the point, and check your spelling.

Another way you can help generate support for this legislation is to ask your local radio stations to run MPP's radio ads about medical marijuana as public service announcements.

Also, please be sure to ask your doctor, clergy member, local leader, or organization you are a member of to sign our statement of principle. Simply print it out and ask your doctor or other individual to sign it the next time you have the opportunity. Then send it to us at P.O. Box 77492, Washington, D.C. 20013.

Please pass this alert along to others in Massachusetts who are interested in putting an end to the criminalization of those who use marijuana for legitimate medical purposes. Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project and all of our allies.