URGENT: HB434 Rescheduled for April 8

All,

I just got word from our sponsor Rep. Patricia Todd that our bill HB434 has been carried over until next Wednesday, April 8 2009. Rep., Todd is sick and cannot make it to Montgomery to handle the bill.

DO NOT SHOW UP IN MONTGOMERY TOMORROW!

Please pass this along to everyone you know who was planning to be there.

HB434 in Committee TOMORROW April 1

Just a reminder that HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act will be heard in judiciary committee tomorrow, April 1 at 9 a.m.

If you plan to attend we will be meeting up on the steps of the State House at 8:15 a.m. The State House is located at 11 South Union St. in Montgomery and the judiciary committee meets in room 123. If there is any way possible that you can be there we would love to have you.

If you can't be there please take a moment today to call the following members of the judiciary committee and ask them to vote yes on HB434 tomorrow. Currently these members plan to vote NO and they really need to hear from a huge number of people today about this bill. 76% of Alabamians support medical marijuana and their NO vote indicates a complete disregard for the will of the people. Please take a moment and give them a call.

Spencer Collier - (334) 242-7719 spencer.collier@alhouse.org

Paul DeMarco -(334) 242-7740 paul.demarco@alhouse.org

Jamie Ison -(334) 242-7711 jamie.ison@alhouse.org

Yusuf Salaam - 334-242-7746

Steve McMillan - 334-242-7723 steve.mcmillan@alhouse.org

Howard Sanderford - 334-242-4368 howard.sanderford@alhouse.org

I hope to see you at the State House tomorrow.

Legislative Blog

I just discovered that Markeisha Ricks and Sebastian Kitchen of the Montgomery Advertiser are blogging throughout the legislative session at South Union Street.

Check it out!

You May Be Poor

Rep. Joseph Mitchell (D- Mobile) is one of my favorite legislators. The guy is a straight up comedian. According to Sebastian Kitchen's article "Capitol Beat" Rep. Mitchell did a stand-up routine last week when the Black Caucus filibustered over the removal of sales tax from groceries.

You may be poor ...

When members of the black caucus were filibustering on Thursday, state Rep. Joseph Mitchell, D-Mobile, used a Jeff Foxworthy-style routine to define who poor people are.

"You're poor" if you have jumper cables where a tire is supposed to be, he said, and you are poor if you have to boil water to wash your clothes. If your main source of dental care is a string and a door, "you might be poor," Mitchell continued during the filibuster.

"If you have names for individual rats, rodents and chickens, you're poor," he said.

Mitchell, when he first got to the microphone, apologized for his attire in the chamber. He said he had switched to his gym shoes after he got his feet wet when he had to walk though some puddles outside.

A colleague told Mitchell "if you wear white shoes on the floor of the Alabama Legislature, you're poor."
-------------

What would we do without levity in politics? I think politics would be completekly unbearable without Reps. like Joseph Mitchell.

Support Marijuana Bill

Laura Tidmore, who is a member of Alabamians for Compassionate Care, had a letter published about HB434 in the Anniston Start today. Laura lost her husband to cancer.

Support Marijuana Bill

I am writing in support of HB434 in the Alabama Legislature, the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act. In February 2007, my husband of 19 years, Craig, was diagnosed with advanced liver and lymph node cancer. With chemotherapy, doctors gave him six months to live. Our only child was a few months from graduating high school and he wanted so much to live to see that day that he opted for the chemotherapy knowing it would decrease the quality of his life.

Seeing him waste away was awful. The medicines didn't help with the nausea or pain because he was unable to keep them down.

Since patients in 13 other states have the right to use marijuana, we decided to try it. It worked. With medical marijuana, Craig was able to eat, take his medications and ease his pain.

Obtaining marijuana was terrifying. I am nearly 50 and was scared of being arrested, jailed, losing our home, not being there when he died and missing our daughter's graduation. But I was willing to risk all that to ease his suffering.

No one should have to risk everything to ease the terrible suffering of a terminally ill loved one. Alabama needs to pass HB434 to help the people suffering and their families at such a difficult time in their lives. My husband passed away in October 2007, but with the help of medical marijuana he lived to see our daughter graduate.

Please contact your representatives in Montgomery and ask them to vote "yes" on HB434.

Laura Tidmore
Birmingham

Way to go Laura!!!

Awwwww

Now that's cute! Miss Sadie scrambled on the couch when I wasn't looking and tried to take a nap.

She and Saul are getting along marvelously! He is so excited to have another dog around and she just thinks the sun rises and sets in him. Sadie is an instigator, too! She'll bark, bite and snarl at Saul to get him to play then run like the devil is after her to get up under the table or behind the couch where he can't get at her. He thinks he is a puppy again and eats up every second of it.

Having two dogs is really tiring though. Saul had a set schedule before Sadie came. He still does but she hasn't caught on yet. So I am in and out a million times a day in an effort to house break her. It's killing my back. I think my favorite time of day right now is when they are both worn out and I can catch a few minutes of uninterrupted anything!

Love'em though and wouldn't trade either of them for the entire world.

An Alabama Conservative Gets it Right on Marijuana

Brian at Flashpoint says It's time to decriminalize, tax and regulate marijuana.

It is nice to see a conservative Alabama blog begin to discuss this issue. Now is the time for discussion. It is the hot button political issue of the day.

Well, How About That?

Former Drug Free America Director Endorses Medical Marijuana

How about that?

Published Again

In the Anniston Star

No More Excuses

HB434 on Judiciary Calendar April 1

Folks,

HB434 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act bill is finally scheduled for next Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 9 am in room 123 at the Alabama State House located at 11 South Union Street in Montgomery.

I WANT YOU TO HELP ME PACK THAT ROOM OUT!

We will not be giving any testimony on that day. We do expect this bill to pass on a voice vote. If you plan to come then here are the rules.

1. Dress like you are going to church. No t-shirts and jeans please. No pot leaf insignias ANYWHERE. No tye dyes. No Bob Marley. You get the idea. Suits and ties for the men or upscale dress casual (polo's khakis). For the ladies wear a dress, skirt or business suit. Sweaters and dress casual pants are fine too.
2. Be polite
3. Don't say a word during the meeting
4. Be prepared to talk to reporters after the meeting is over. We will talk about what to say at tomorrows meeting in Birmingham.

Our last meeting before this bill comes up in Committee will take place from 1-3 pm at 2330 Highland Ave. South (on Southside beside Caldwell Park) TOMORROW (Saturday March 28, 2009). BE THERE!

We Don't Need No Dope

The Clanton Advertiser has a ridiculous opinion piece entitled ' We Don't Need No Dope.

That's debatable, in my honest opinion. What isn't debatable is the fact that they do need an education in drug prohibition and what it has done to our country.

Take this quote from the article for example..

"Actually, I do believe that we are seeing some improvement. Fewer people do seem to use the illegal drugs like marijuana, but unfortunately there is a growing number of people who are getting addicted to prescription drugs."


So, according to Professor Drug Warrior at the Clanton Advertiser things are better because people are smoking less marijuana (which won't kill you) and using more prescription drugs (which will kill you.) And this is improvement? How so?

Please read the whole silly piece and then leave your comments for Mr. Brent Maze.

Is the Drug War Almost Over?

Secretary of State Clinton says US Also to Blame for Mexican Drug Violence

By Warren P. Strobel, McClatchy Newspapers – 1 hr 7 mins ago

MEXICO CITY — The United States is at least as responsible as Mexico for the violent drug wars that are roiling its southern neighbor because of an insatiable U.S. market for narcotics, the failure to stop weapons smuggling southward and a three-decade "war" on drugs that "has not worked," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday.

"Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians," Clinton said.

"How could anyone conclude any differently? . . . I feel very strongly we have co-responsibility," she said.

Clinton's blunt remarks as she flew to Mexico were the clearest by any senior U.S. official in recent memory that American habits and government policies have stoked the drug trade and a spreading epidemic of criminal violence in northern Mexico .

Stepping beyond strictly foreign-policy issues, the secretary of state hinted at major changes to come in the Obama administration's domestic drug-control strategy, with more emphasis on reducing demand and on treatment programs for drug abusers.

"It's not working," she said of the current approach.

"We have certainly been pursuing these strategies for . . . a long time. I remember Mrs. Reagan's 'just say no,' " Clinton said, referring to former first lady Nancy Reagan's exhortation to young people to refuse drugs. "It's been very difficult."

I've only heard very few politicians ever utter such truthful words. The American led 'War on Drugs' has destabilized entire nations (that's what it was intended to do)and Mexico is on the verge of being a failed state because of it. Despite US drug laws we consume more illicit drugs than any other developed nation on earth. Tougher laws do not translate into demand reduction. Locking millions of us in prison for using drugs does not translate to reduced demand either.

I hate to sound too hopeful here but, it looks as if major, positive policy changes with regard to the drug war are headed our way. They are long, long over due. I encourage everyone to go and vote in the latest round of questions at the Open for Questions website. Many of the current questions leading the categories are related to the failed drug war and the need to legalize marijuana to end the Mexican drug violence, raise revenue for the economy and create jobs for the millions of Americans who now find themselves without one.

ACC Member Loses Mom to Cancer

Friends,

Our friend Brandon Thomas, who has been attending regular meetings and attended the Action Day at the state house a few weeks ago, lost his mother to esophageal cancer Tuesday morning.

Just a few days ago Brandon wrote this letter to Alabama newspapers about his mom and HB434.

Dear Editor,

I am writing about HB434, which if passed, would provide protection to physicians who recommend and patients who use medical marijuana. My mother was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer. She went through months of radiation and chemo, only to come home to 16 pills a day, everything from Lortab to morphine and Marinol. Even with Medicare her medication costs over $1000. Medicare doesn't cover the cost of Marinol, the synthetic form of marijuana, which is about $700 a month for 30 pills. However, due to current law, she fears being locked up with other hardened criminals for using a natural plant when she is already fighting for her very life.

HB434 will also protect families from risking their life going out into the black market to find medicine for their loved ones. I was robbed recently trying to acquire a $20 bag so my mother could stop puking long enough to eat a little. I'll do anything for my mother, but I'd rather be able to help her through recovery instead of spending that time behind bars.

Please contact the House Judiciary Committee and ask them to support HB434 when it comes before them for a vote. Rep. Paul DeMarco, sits on this committee and opposes this bill. He thinks my mother drowning in her own vomit while locked in a government cage is more honorable than changing a law that would allow her to use a natural plant.

Respectfully Submitted for Publication
Brandon Thomas
---

Brandon is a very young man, (20 or 21 I think) and has a 14-year-old sister at home. Please let him know that you are thinking about him by giving him a call at 205-913-6760 or email him at brandonthomas205@hotmail.com
I know that when my mom dies it is likely I will require a straight jacket and a rubber room.
I plan to send flowers to the funeral home. If any of you would also like to send flowers please send them to

Peoples Chapel Funeral Home

195 Brooklane Dr
Hueytown, AL 35023

These will be sent for Lisa Armstrong

I don't know about the financial situation of Brandon's family. I do know that money is always handy so if any of you would rather send money than flowers please send that to:

Brandon Thomas
1714 25th Ave. N
Hueytown AL 35023
--

Gee, I Guess We'll Have To Rub Sticks Together

Alabama Representative Arthur Payne (R- Jefferson) wants to ban novelty lighters in Alabama. That's right....BAN them...making it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, import, retail sale, or give away lighters as prizes or promotions to sell or give away an operable novelty lighter in this state.

Novelty lighter is defined as follows:

For the purposes of this act, novelty lighter means a mechanical or electrical device typically used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes that has entertaining audio or visual effects, or that resembles in physical form or function articles commonly recognized as toys appealing to or intended for use by children. This includes, but is not limited to, lighters that resemble cartoon characters, toys, guns, watches, musical instruments, vehicles, toy animals, food or beverages, or that play musical notes or have flashing lights or other entertaining features. A novelty lighter may operate on any type of fuel, including butane or liquid fuel.


That this bill has been placed on a committee calendar is just beyond me. Aren't there other, more pressing issues in Alabama right now than...novelty lighters? Has there suddenly been a rash of fires started by children playing with novelty lighters? Oh, I know, I know, 'it's for the safety of the children.' But, a kid, or anyone else for that matter can start a fire with a book of matches, a non-novelty lighter and even a magnifying glass if they are creative enough.

I REFUSE to give up my flashing lighter that features SpongeBob SquarePants singing "Burning Down The House". NEVER! From my crispy fried fingers!

(Filed under 'I couldn't make this shit up')

Make Medical Marijuana Legal

I was published again today in the Tuscaloosa News

Make Medical Marijuana Legal

Thanks T-Town News!

Patients Need Marijuana Bill

I had a great letter printed in the Montgomery Advertiser opinion section today about HB434.


Patients need marijuana bill

Bravo to letter writer Don Seibold for speaking out as a supporter of HB434. We can only hope our elected officials will demonstrate the same courage and vote "yes" when this bill comes before them.

In years past when this bill has come before the Judiciary Committee, one of the arguments against it has been that if we protect Alabama patients and physicians by passing this law the feds will swoop down on Alabama. However, on Feb. 25 during a press conference, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said that the Justice Department will no longer conduct medical marijuana raids in states that have passed medical marijuana laws. So, that is one less excuse the judiciary committee will have this year.
(2 of 2)

Here's two more tired, senseless excuses that we need to retire:

# Excuse: They can use Marinol, which is synthetic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Truth: Most people can't use Marinol because it's expensive and not covered by insurance.

# Excuse: Marijuana is a gateway drug.

Truth: There have been no reports from states that have passed medical marijuana laws of terminally ill patients moving on to heroin and home invasions because they used medical marijuana. Please, let's be reasonable. These are very ill patients we are talking about here.

HB434 protect patients who need marijuana for medical reasons. We cannot justify imprisoning people with chronic pain and terminal illness for trying to get relief from a natural plant.

Loretta Nall
Alexander City

War on Drugs as Effective as Prohibition

In today's Opinion section of the Mobile Press-Register there is a Special piece by Michael Thomason comparing the modern day drug war to alcohol prohibition.

A MUST READ!!!

Another Medical Marijuana Letter

Alabama Compassionate Care supporter and regular meeting attendee Dustin Green had the following letter printed in today's Anniston Star

Great Job Dustin!!! To all of you who have yet to write letters please consider doing so now.


Yes to medical marijuana

I support HB434, the state-level legalization of medical marijuana in Alabama. As a healthy young man, I will not be affected by this bill, but as an American I believe in the American dream, which is, of course, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

A 2004 poll administered by the Mobile Register/University of South Alabama found that 76 percent of Alabamians support allowing access to medical marijuana as recommended by a physician. Why is it that patients in Alabama are routinely forced to go into the black market, risking life, freedom and occupation in order to better their quality of life? Why is it that patients are regularly arrested and imprisoned, when the majority of Alabamians support medical marijuana?

It's time for my fellow Alabamians to stand up and make an active effort in order to improve the quality of living for our sick. It's time to stand up and remind our legislators that they represent the people of this great state. It's time to be the change we wish to see in the world. It's time for us to make our voice heard.

I urge you to show compassion for the sick, contact your representative and tell them to support HB434.

Dustin Matthew Green
Hueytown

Tim Lennox: now REALLY OFFair & ONline: Weekend Blues

Tim Lennox: now REALLY OFFair & ONline: Weekend Blues

Garden and Puppy Shots

Thought I'd share some new pics of the garden and the puppies. Saul is actually grown but is somewhat regressing since Sadie is here. I've been trying to get a good shot of them in close proximity to show the vast size difference. I wish I'd had my camera when I woke up this morning because Sadie had moved from her accustomed spot on the floor at the head of my side of the bed to snuggle up in a little ball with Saul at the foot of the bed where he sleeps. It was very sweet.

BTW, the beautiful light orange blooms are from an Apple Quince tree. My friend Penny gave it to me a few weeks ago and I have not gotten around to planting it. I've never eaten one that I can recall. Does anyone know what they taste like?

Bill proposed to legalize medical marijuana

I just came across this article from a week ago in the Anniston Star. I have written Mr. Faulk asking for a follow up to this article with a few interviews of the patients I work with and asking for the lady from the Nurses Association to back up what she said about 'problems from using it on down the road" and Rep. Steve McMillan's claim that 'Alabama isn't ready to legalize marijuana.' A poll done in 2004 showed that 76% of Alabamians support medical marijuana.

There is an Anniston Star legalization poll here . It is on the lower right side of the page.

Anniston Star
Bill proposed to legalize medical marijuana
By Mike Faulk
Staff Writer
03-12-2009

Marijuana could be coming to a pharmacy near you, but that prospect will have to travel a long, bumpy road through the Legislature.

A bill introduced by state Rep. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham, would make it legal in the state for doctors to prescribe marijuana for medicinal purposes. The bill is waiting to come up before the House Judiciary Committee.

"It's an important bill that many states are considering as another option for people with a terminal illness or in great pain," said Todd, who is also the associate director of AIDS Alabama.

Similar legislation has been introduced in the past, but state legislators said the proposal has never made it very far into the process. Medical marijuana is legal in 10 states, most being in the Western part of the country, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

The active chemical in marijuana, THC, is widely agreed upon as useful for alleviating nausea and increasing the appetite in cancer patients and those suffering from severe illness. However, whether ingesting THC by smoking marijuana is an acceptable form of treatment has long been under fire.

"Marijuana has stuff in it that causes health problems down the line," said Charlene Roberson, leadership services director for the Alabama State Nurses Association.

Roberson's organization endorses Marinol, a pill made from synthetic THC introduced in 1985. It's legal in the state and serves the same medicinal purpose.

If the bill passes, patients would be prescribed up to two and a half ounces and have to get a registration card proving they obtained the drug for medicinal purposes. The legislation also places heavy restrictions on public use of the drug, as well as being under its influence at school, in the workplace or while operating machinery or vehicles.

"It's just another tool for physicians to use," Todd said. "This is not legalizing marijuana."

Judiciary Committee chairman Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, said the bill would likely be debated and voted on some time after the Legislature returns from a week-long hiatus beginning next week.

Black said a similar bill cleared the committee several years ago, but the makeup of the committee has changed since then.

"We'll give it a hearing," he said. "Surely there'll be plenty of questions."

Rep. Steve McMillan, R-Gulf Shores, a member of the committee, said he voted in favor of legalizing medicinal marijuana the last time it came before the committee, but now has doubts about its medical benefits. He said another concern is placing restrictions on those who grow it.

McMillan said it's unlikely the bill would become law even if it passes committee this year.

"I just don't think the people in this state are ready for legalizing marijuana," he said.

The Saul and Sadie Update

UGH! House breaking a puppy SUX! I woke up this morning to many, many stinky, squishy piles that I had to get up even before I had coffee. I almost didn't make it through without adding my own contents to the numerous piles. I've never had any luck house breaking a puppy. When I got Saul he was four months old, had lived outside all his life and only went to the bathroom once the first night he was in the house. The only other times he has ever done it have been when he had an upset tummy. I hope Sadie will follow his lead and learn to go outside.

They are getting along fabulously! They are playing together, laying down together, sharing toys and food and water bowls and not a growl has been uttered. I think Saul is very, very happy to have another of his own kind around. This is the first dog he has been around since I bought him back in 2006. I didn't know how he would react since he has been my baby for that long with no competition. He has done superb! I think he might even be in love.

Sadie is a mini-alligator! She is chewing everything. Shoes, socks, toes, fingers, Saul's tail, pants legs, rawhides, scraps of god knows what on the floor...anything she can get her teeth on. Saul was pretty much over the chewing everything in sight stage when I brought him home...although he does love him some rawhide.

So, I am learning all over again what it is like to take care of an infant. Potty training, keeping things that don't belong in mouths out of mouths, standing sentry over electrical cords and plugs, trying to set an eating and sleeping routine, refereeing the interaction between little one and big one, cleaning up piles of shit and puddles of pee and trying my best to keep doing all the things with Saul that I did before we got Sadie...all the fun stuff.

Despite the extra aggravation I am most pleased with my new puppy. Saul seems so happy and nothing is sweeter than a warm fuzzy, loving, playful critter. It is all worth it.

Oh yeah...I think I already have every future litter of puppies these two produce sold.

Marijuana Poll at Anniston Star

Folks,

The brave and very cause friendly Anniston Star is running a poll on marijuana legalization. Please go HERE and vote in the poll. It is down near the bottom of the page on the right hand side. Outright legalization is winning currently with 45% of the vote.

GO VOTE!

A couple more pics of the new couple

I think Saul is in love. He is even sharing his sacred farty devil (little orange thing) with her.

Meet Sadie Nall

Yesterday I finally got my male German Shepherd his mate...a 7 week old female German Shepherd puppy. We have named her Sadie and she is absolutely precious! I picked her up for $50 right below Rockford. Her mother is registered but her father is not. He could be though. He was by far the largest German Shepherd I have ever laid my eyes on. I thought Saul was big at around 90 pounds. The daddy to Sadie turned 1 year old in Feb. of this year and already weighs 130 pounds. German Shepherds don't stop growing til they are three years old. I'm talking GINORMOUS. . He was really a sweetie too and so was the mother....which is totally unlike Saul who is a straight up ass eater.

So far Saul has reacted very well. He simply wants to sniff her and lick her until there is nothing left. She's a little afraid of him though and will growl when he is being too rough. That little growl wouldn't scare a mouse but it gives Saul pause and a quizzical look.

I thought we might have a rough night last night because little puppies always squall and whimper and whine when they leave home but Sadie was great last night. I made her a box with a stuffed alligator and one of my shirts to snuggle into and placed it by the head of my bed. She didn't stay in it five minutes. Then I tucked her away beside me in the bed and she went right out. Later I woke up and she was gone. She had gotten down and under the bed with only her head sticking out. I made a barricade with a big suitcase so that Saul couldn't lick and sniff her to death and it worked. He came over and checked on her a few times during the night and he was raring to go as soon as the alarm clock went off.

So, I'll be talking more about suddenly having two dogs in a few days and what the transition for my first baby Saul is like. For now here are some nice pictures of Sadie after I brought her home yesterday.

Starting a mini-farm

Here at Casa Nall we have decided to start a mini-farm for a number of reasons.

Call me a survivalist...but shit is fixin' to get bad and we want to have something to eat. So, I am on the lookout for the following animals for sale.

Miniature goats - We won't be eating them but want them to eat various patches of brush off the property so that we can clear more space for a garden. We will breed and sell them at a later date.

Pot bellied pigs - We won't be eating these either but need them to root up stumps after the goats have eaten the brush, so that we can expand our garden space. We will breed and sell them at a later date.

We will also use the poo from the goats and pigs for the garden. We plan to get some chickens too but can get them around here in Alex City pretty easy

Mini Milk Cow - These are pretty rare and probably a little more than I can afford right now. I am not ready for it now but would like to locate some in Alabama. A regular milk cow gives 12 1/2 gallons of milk a day and we don't need quite that much...plus I don't have space for a full size cow.

Later today I am getting a seven week old female German Shepherd puppy for my best buddy Saul. I refuse to have him neutered because he is a fine piece of livestock and needs to pass his genes on. Since I won't get him neutered he needs a female German Shepherd to live out his natural life. For all of you pro-spay and neuter folks reading....don't worry, Saul is an indoor dog and is kept in a fence outside so he can't contribute to the local country dog gene pool around here. We'll be selling any future puppies to approved homes only with vet references.

So, if you know of anyone who sells miniature goats or miniature pot bellied pigs please have them contact me via email at lorettanall@gmail.com

Garden Blog

Since about mid-Jan I have been sprouting all sorts of garden goodies. In the house and outside on sunny days waiting to be planted in the ground I have dill, 4 types of squash, about 8 types of tomatoes,peppers, mint, portulaca, stevia, marigolds, gerber daisies,zinnias, watermelon, corn, cardinal climber vine and a whole host of other stuff I can't remember. I still have a whole herb garden that I haven't sprouted yet plus cucumbers and beans that need to be started. I am currently out of space for them.

In the ground already are kale (YUMMY!), turnip greens, strawberries, peach tree, plum trees, blackberries from last year, onions, garlic and all my spring bulbs plus some new stuff I added this year. I thought I'd share some pics while we all wait for gardening weather to get here. I hope that is soon. This rainy weather is plain dreary and my plants needs some sunshine in a bad way.

Camel Snus...It's Good Stuff

So, I've been struggling with trying to quit smoking. Really struggling. Cigarettes are nasty buggers to put down and leave alone.

A few weeks ago my husband came across something called Snus made by Camel and decided to pick up a pack and see what it is all about. It comes in two different flavors. Frost, like the one pictured above, which is kept cold and tastes just like spearmint. The other one is called Mellow and tastes like nasty old sweet snuff that your Granny dips.

With the discovery of Snus I am now a dipper and a semi-smoker. I know most people think it is horrifyingly disgusting for a woman to dip, and I'm right there with them if we are talking about a woman walking around with a dip of Copenhagen in her bottom lip the size of a grapefruit with nasty brown sludge dripping down her chin. YUCK! But Snus comes in small little pouches that fit right under the top lip. They are so small that no one can tell you are using one and the best thing about them is that you don't have to spit like you do with regular tobacco. Those nasty spit cups stuffed with paper towels are beyond disgusting. Snus doesn't require you to spit. You absorb the nicotine through your gum's and swallow what little mint juice is left.

That's the other thing...the Snus Frost makes me smell like spearmint instead of cigarette butts. Makes my breath smell good. Doesn't stain my teeth or leave brown flakes of tobacco stuck between them.

In my opinion this is a great method of harm reduction for people like me who have real trouble quitting smoking. My lungs are happier, I no longer smell like an ashtray, I won't be jonesin' for a smoke during my next flight or hours long meeting or action day at the State House and hopefully Snus will keep me from getting lung cancer. I've been a smoker since the age of 12 which makes that a 22 year habit. The chance that Snus might cause mouth/throat cancer are very slim. Much slimmer than the chance that cigarettes cause lung cancer.

If you are a smoker that has found it impossible to just lay the coffin nails down and walk away then I highly recommend this product if you want to quit smoking or at least reduce your cigarette intake.

Too hysterical not to share

A Florida legislator who is head of the Agriculture committee is upset that animal husbandry is legal. She is also a former teacher. God that's scary.

Here's what happened while the FL legislature was debating a bill banning beastiality.

Rich’s legislation would target only those who derived or helped others derive ‘’sexual gratification” from an animal, specifying that conventional dog-judging contests and animal-husbandry practices are permissible.

That last provision tripped up Miami Democratic Sen. Larcenia Bullard.

”People are taking these animals as their husbands? What’s husbandry?” she asked. Some senators stifled their laughter as Sen. Charlie Dean, an Inverness Republican, explained that husbandry is raising and caring for animals. Bullard didn’t get it.

”So that maybe was the reason the lady was so upset about that monkey?” Bullard asked, referring to a Connecticut case where a woman’s suburban chimpanzee went mad and was shot.

(H/T Popehat via The Agitator)

Medical Marijuana Letters Published Sunday

Birmingham News

Bill protects medical users

I write today concerning House Bill 434, which would provide protection for physicians who recommend and patients who use medical marijuana in Alabama.

I am a patient who suffers from constant chronic pain resulting from a near-fatal motor vehicle accident nearly 22 years ago. In 2005, I became unable to work and began taking morphine, which was prescribed by a pain-management doctor. This medicine was horribly addictive and completely destroyed my quality of life.

Medical marijuana is a natural alternative to narcotic pain medicine. It is a plant that has many medicinal purposes and very few side effects, none of which is as bad as the stuff constantly advertised on TV.

In 13 other states, medical marijuana is a legal option for people who are suffering from chronic pain and terminal illnesses. In Alabama, however, those of us who choose to use medical marijuana are considered criminals and face dangerous circumstances to acquire it and prison if we are arrested for using it.

I am not a criminal. I am a patient. Does Alabama really want to continue the practice of arresting and prosecuting people with terminal illness and chronic pain? Only barbarians would engage in such a practice.

Please contact your representative in Montgomery and ask him to support HB 434, the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act, when it comes before the House of Representatives for a vote.

Christie O'Brien
Hoover

Improves quality of life

I was Ms. Wheelchair Alabama 1996, and I carried the Olympic torch through Birmingham. I am a wife, mother, grandmother and medical marijuana user. I have suffered from multiple sclerosis since 1982.

Medical marijuana reduces muscle spasms so I can get good, restful sleep instead of being awakened often throughout the night. I can wake up aware of the world and not with a doped-up feeling that legal medications give me. Medical marijuana gives me a quality of life so I can enjoy my grandchildren while they are little.

Acquiring marijuana puts my family at risk. If one of my family members were arrested and jailed for buying my medicine, my whole family would be devastated. What if they were killed trying to get medicine for me? Who would care for me then? My doctors know I use it but cannot recommend it for fear of losing their medical licenses.

A bill in the Alabama House of Representatives would provide protection under the law for physicians who recommend medical marijuana and protect the patients from arrest and prosecution.

Please call the members of the committee and ask them to support the bill when it comes before them for a vote.

Margaret Ann Newman
Homewood

Medical Marijuana Letters Published This Week

Last week Alabamians for Compassionate Care started a letter writing campaign to newspapers across Alabama informing voters about HB434, The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act. So far two letters have been published. One has been published twice.

Author: Don Seibold
State Should Allow Medical Marijuana (Birmingham News)

Medical Marijuana Bill Should Pass (Montgomery Advertiser)

Please Support Medical Marijuana Bill (Tuscaloosa News)

Author: Gil Joiner
Medical Marijuana (Anniston Star)

Many other letters have been written by the patients and family members who make up the membership of ACC. Mrs. Margaret Ann Newman, who was Miss Wheel Chair Alabama in 1996, carried the Olympic torch through Birmingham that year, is a wife, mother, grandmother, multiple sclerosis patient and medical marijuana user wrote a very moving letter, as did Christie Reeder, who is a chronic pain patient who survived a horrific auto accident 22 years ago. Another letter writer is the son of a woman who was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He had a gun put to his head recently while trying to acquire medical marijuana for his mother. We are hoping that many of the letters that have been written but not yet published will appear in papers across Alabama in tomorrows Sunday editions.

If others have written letters that have been published please send them to me so that I can post them here.

"WHEW" That Was Close!

Troy King Announces Another Run for Attorney General after it is announced that he is under Federal investigation.

I'm just glad he isn't running for Governor. On the other hand why would a just God, if there is one, punish the good people of Alabama with four more years of this asshole? We've already had six and four more will be nearly unbearable not to mention two more than he would be eligible to serve and we would have to suffer through had he not been appointed by Riley in the first place. I think King's appointment to AG is the worst mistake Riley has ever made.

King is the laughing stock of the state. Not that I haven't had my fun yanking his spiked leather dog collar from time to time, but, as much fun as it has been to be his tormentor I'd be much happier to have a competent AG in Montgomery than a whipping boy for my blog.

So, aside from King who do my readers think should run for Attorney General? I predict that John Tyson will run again. Had it not been for Larry Darby then Tyson would probably have trounced King in the 2006 election. I'd personally like to see Charles Salvagio run for AG, but his practice brings him far more money and recognition than an AG post would. Will Luther Strange run? Rob Riley?

Troy King Shock and Awe Investigation

Our favorite editorial cartoonist JD Crowe at the Press-Register is at it again with this Troy King toon



Love the toon JD...but where's the pig? Troy just don't look right without his pig.