The Tragic Case of Michael Lapihuska

I want to inform my readers about the incredibly tragic and maddening case of Michael Lapihuska in Anniston, Alabama. Michael is pictured above facing the camera.

Michael is a former resident of Anniston, AL and a medical marijuana patient. In 2003 he was sentenced to a year in an Alabama prison for 5 grams of marijuana. It was his second possession offense, which automatically made it a felony. After Michael got out of prison he moved to California where he was able to become a legal medical marijuana patient. He uses marijuana to treat PTSD and clinical depression.

Last December Michael traveled back to Alabama to visit with family and friends. One evening while walking down the road he was stopped by a police officer and accused of hitch hiking. The cop demanded that he be allowed to search Michael. Michael complied. During the search the cop found one gram of marijuana in a prescription bottle. Michael explained that he was a medical marijuana patient registered in California and was home visiting. He showed the cop his card. Cop didn't care. Michael was arrested, jailed and is now facing 2-10 years in prison for using the medicine that his doctor recommended.

It will come as no surprise to any of you who read this blog that he is having major trouble with his attorney, court appointed, naturally. She wants him to take a plea deal that would sentence him to 1 year in jail (suspended) and 2 years supervised probation. Michael will not take that deal, because he uses marijuana as medicine, and that is his only medicine. He knows he will fail the first drug screen on probation. The way he sees it, he is going to prison either way so he might as well fight the charges. He has demanded a jury trial.

Even though he has told his attorney that he wants a jury trial from the very beginning, according to him, she has not returned one single phone call. She also hasn't returned my phone call offering help from ACC and medical marijuana lawyers in other states. This week she is out of town on vacation and did not leave anyone in her office in charge of Michael's case. Michael's trial is set for Thursday, Sept. 23.

It gets worse. Michael asked for a mental health evaluation. The psychiatrist who was tapped for that threatened to have Michael's bond revoked. See, Michael rides his bike everywhere he goes. They psychiatrist called Michael at 5 pm on a Friday afternoon and said for Michael to meet him at the Calhoun Co. Jail the following Monday at 8 am. Problem was that Michael was a few days away and could not make the appointment on such a short notice. It would have been impossible for him to get back on his bike within that time frame. He told the psychiatrist that and the psychiatrist threatened to have his bond revoked if he did not show up. That wound up not happening....but good grief when even the doctor who is supposed to be evaluating you threatens you with jail how fair will the psychological hearing be? And why was it being conducted at the jail?

Michael contacted me in the very early part of this year asking for help. Ever since then he has been at almost every ACC meeting. He is basically homeless sleeping wherever he finds himself at the end of a day of riding, or occasionally staying with friends if any are nearby. He also volunteers at soup kitchens along the way. I've come to know him pretty well over the course of the last few months and needless to say I am very concerned about his upcoming trial. He is not a criminal. He is a sick man who uses a natural plant on the recommendation of his physician. He in no way belongs in a dangerous, inhumane, disease ridden, overcrowded Alabama prison. It is NOT a crime to be sick. I fear for him at a jury trial because Michael has an illness that isn't readily apparent. You can't see mental illness like you can cancer. He doesn't look sick so I am not sure a jury will believe it.

We wanted to try and have his attorney use the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the US Constitution which states that states shall recognize the laws and professional licenses of other states. However, since the idiotic 'Defense of Marriage' act was passed a few years ago it can be invoked to get around the Full Faith clause. Even though Montana has set precedent using that clause to defend a very similar case there before they had a medical marijuana law.

We also thought there was a very good chance that we could get it thrown out on the grounds that it was an illegal search. Alabama code states that it is only illegal to hitch hike if one is standing in the road obstructing traffic flow. The police report does not state that he was doing that....only that he was hitch hiking. Therefore the cop had no right to stop him...much less search him.

But, seeing as how his attorney has shown zero concern for him we don't think she will try either of these possible remedies for his case.

The Anniston Star has been extremely helpful to us in getting the word out about Michael's case. They did an incredible article last month. Please go and read
Anniston Man Finds One States medicine is Another's Illicit Drug

Since the article three great LTE's have appeared in support of Michael. Please read them

Cast a vote for Compassion
Un-American to harass sick
Ashamed of Government

More are on the way from ACC members and we hope they will appear before Thursday. Please take a moment and write your own.

Here are the current plans for Michael's upcoming trial.

1. We are going to ask for a continuance, which should be granted, so that suitable representation can be found. If that happens the trial will not be next Thursday.

2. If the trial does happen next Thursday then every member of Alabamians for Compassionate Care and any other interested citizen who can make it plan to protest outside the courthouse. We will be handing out jury nullification information, medical marijuana information, and information about our medical marijuana bill in the Alabama House. We will also have signs calling for jury nullification and informing people that Michael is a registered medical marijuana patient in California, that he has harmed no one etc.

I need readers to do a couple of things.

1. Write a letter to the Anniston Star on Michael's behalf. Send it to speakout@annistonstar.com
Do it TODAY!

2. If this trial happens next week then I need you to plan to be there. Bring signs that say

"Jury Nullification for Michael Lapihuska"

"Michael Lapihuska is a PATIENT NOT a CRIMINAL"

"Support medical marijuana in Alabama"

"ACQUIT MICHAEL LAPIHUSKA"

The more people we have on hand to get jury nullification information into the hands of potential jurors the better. The more people we have attend the louder our message becomes and the bigger this case becomes.

Winning this case for Michael is much bigger than just helping one man. It would set precedent in Alabama for medical marijuana patients traveling through here. Our medical marijuana bill, which will come back before the house judiciary committee in March 2011 contains a reciprocity clause that would actually keep Michael and other medical marijuana patients out of Alabama courts and jails. It would honor medical marijuana patients from other states.

Please check back here and on our ACC Facebook page for updates about the trial next week. Please send this to everyone you know in Alabama who might be willing to attend or help in some other way. Please tell everyone you know who knows anything about jury nullification that we need their help with this case. And, if you know an attorney who would be willing to take this case for a reduced rate or pro bono then get them in contact with me ASAP. I can be reached at

lorettanall@gmail.com
877-528-5647
256-625-9599

Anniston Man Finds One States Medicine is Another's Illicit Drug

ACC member and patient Michael Lapihuska finally got his story in the Anniston Star. Michael is in a terrible situation. Please read this article and then write a letter to the editor demanding charges be dropped and that Michael be released. Send your letters to speakout@annistonstar.com

Anniston man finds one state’s medicine is another’s illicit drug

by Laura Camper
Star Staff Writer

Michael Lapihuska, a former Anniston resident, is facing a jail sentence and two years probation for bringing his prescription with him from California to Alabama when he came home for the holidays last December. The problem — his prescription was for marijuana.

Lapihuska was arrested Dec. 15, when a police officer stopped him on McClellan Boulevard near Walmart for hitch hiking. The officer searched him, found a prescription bottle of marijuana in his pocket and asked Lapihuska to take it out.

When Lapihuska complied, he was arrested for possession despite the doctor’s recommendation he presented to the officer.

“I understand that I broke the law, but the law was wrong,” Lapihuska said. “If I would have had OxyContin or Xanax, morphine, anything like that, and walking down the street, the police would have just gave me my prescriptions back and let me walk.”

Read more: Anniston Star - Anniston man finds one state’s medicine is another’s illicit drug

Yusuf Salaam gets Ass Handed to Him

I am thrilled to learn that Yusuf Salaam of Selma went down in flames in Tuesday's election. Salaam was beaten by opponent Darrio Melton who has no opposition in the November election.

As a member of the House Judiciary Committee Salaam has been nothing but an ignorant thorn in the ass of ACC for the last 6 years. Here's hoping his replacement will be more willing to listen and might actually read information about upcoming bills that is placed in his/her hands by people who care enough about said bill(s) to make the trek to Montgomery and discuss it with the members of the legislature.

Also glad to see Rep. James Gordon from Mobile go down. He deserved it for sponsoring HB697. Guess touting that you were able to outlaw a substance that no one really knows anything about wasn't a big vote getter this election year, eh Rep. Gordon?

Funeral Arrangements for Kenny Horn

For those of you who knew Kenny Horn though me and would like to attend his viewing, funeral, and/or send flowers, here is the information you need.

Kenny Horn's viewing will be at Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville, AL tomorrow (Saturday, April 24) at 5:30 pm. If you wish to attend the viewing and want to follow me up then please email me at

lorettanall@gmail.com

I am meeting up with a few other friends from Birmingham who knew Kenny at 4:30 pm on Hwy 280 in Kellyton. If you would like to meet us there let me know.

Kenny's funeral is at 2:00 pm at Victory Baptist Church on Hwy. 9 Sunday, April 25 at 2:00 pm. Viewing before the funeral is at 1:00 pm. Again, if you would like to attend please email me.

If you can't attend please consider sending flowers to Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville, Al. Local florists in Clay County would appreciate your business. Here is the one I have used for years.

Ann's Flowers and Gifts
Phone:(256) 354-2613

I hope that all of my readers and members of ACC, who are financially able, will send flowers to Kenny's funeral. While he was completely unknown to most of you, he was a real unsung hero of the medical marijuana movement. He touched a lot of lives and help a lot of people in situations similar to his. I want his family to know that we loved him for who he was, for what he did, and we want to send him out of here with a bang.

Update on Alabama Medical Marijuana Bill

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to just take a moment and give everyone an update about ACC and what our plans are for the coming months.

I've taken a short sabbatical since HB642 passed out of committee on April 7. I had put off a lot of my college course work in order to work on the bill and unfortunately fell way behind. If you have had a hard time getting hold of me its because I had to block out everything and focus on my work or risk losing my 3.7 GPA which I have no intention of doing. Besides, we all need a small breather and a little time to reflect on our monumental feat of getting out medical marijuana bill out of committee in an election year. We made history. Give yourselves a big pat on the back. You deserve it.

Now, a large number of people have inquired about if we were having/could we please have a 420 celebration. We didn't. Never do. While I am a big fan of our International marijuana celebration day I do not feel the time is right for me to organize one in Alabama. There are a number of reasons for that. The most important one is that at this time we are all working hard to get this medical marijuana legislation passed and on the Governor's desk. The closer we get to that goal the more our opponents will monitor every single move we make, take harmless things like a 420 celebration, and use the worst images they can find from it against us in committee meetings and on the house floor. It may sound crazy, but one picture of a young person smoking a joint or someone in a tie-dye t-shirt can undo years of work that I and others have done to get us to the point where we got this legislative session. It wouldn't even have to be one of our own. Take the following incident as an example;

ACC held a medical marijuana rally in Birmingham a few months ago, which included a march to the fountain at 5 Points. As soon as the media pulled up, what appeared to be a couple of 16 year old kids came over to the fountain and lit up a blunt. These kids were not part of the ACC demonstration. We did not know them. They came out of nowhere. I approached them and told them they had to leave and that they should not be smoking pot in public. They told me that it wasn't pot but that fake crap being sold all over now known as K2/Spice. I told them I didn't care what it was, that this was a medical marijuana rally and was focused patients and not a general legalization rally and that them standing there would be the first thing they showed on the nightly news. They still wouldn't leave. Finally, one of the older men with ACC came over and told them it was illegal to smoke anything in public and to leave right now. They finally did. I had to explain to the media that they were not with us, that we had never seen them before and to please not put them on the news as they had nothing to do with the medical marijuana rally we were holding. Thankfully, the News complied. I happen to think it possible that someone paid those kids to come over as soon as the media arrived to try and derail our issue by making it look to the public like we were encouraging teenagers to smoke pot (even if it wasn't actual pot) in public. Politics is dirty and the opposition will try and undercut us and make us look bad at every turn. When they can't find us doing anything wrong they will insert their own people doing something wrong and then claim it was one of ours. Some may think I am paranoid....but there is no such thing as paranoia in politics.

So, that's the reason I do not organize public celebrations on 420 in Alabama. When we get to the point that the environment has changed enough that such a thing would not cause us major public relations damage then we will do one. Now, however, is not that time. Another reason that I don't do them is that I find them pretty useless. It's fun to socialize with like minds and celebrate the wonderful cannabis plant....but it's choir preaching. I know you support it. You know I support it. We don't need a day to stand around and tell each other how much we support it. I feel our energies/resources would be much better spent by preaching to those in power about the laws which need to be changed and how THEY need to support it. That's just my personal view.

Now, what's next for ACC and the Compassionate Care bill? We will begin working on our strategy for the remainder of this year (an election year) after the legislative session ends and I am finished with my classes. Sometime in early June we will have another ACC meeting where we will discuss strategy and give everyone marching orders about all of the things that need to be done between now and next session.

One of the main things we need to do between now and November is start showing up at campaign rallies of everyone running for public office....from Governor down to legislator. We need to make our presence known and let those seeking office know that we are a force to be reckoned with and that we are not going anywhere and that if they want our support then we need to know here they stand on this issue. Showing up at nearly every campaign rally will let them know that we are serious. It will let the media know that we are serious. And it will let the public know that we are serious and that this issue isn't going away until we get what we want. Today I want all of you reading this to find out who will be campaigning in or near your town between now and November and make plans to be at the campaign event. Send me a list of all political events and we will work out what you need to say and do when you attend. This is critical.

Another CRITICAL thing that everyone who supports medical marijuana in Alabama needs to do is MAKE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS to the following legislators.

Rep. Patricia Todd (bill sponsor)
Rep. John Robinson
Rep. Cam Ward (will be senator Cam Ward after the election)
Rep. Chris England
Rep. Laura Hall

All of the information you need to send a campaign contribution is
listed at this link

It doesn't matter if it is only $5. What matters is that these legislators hear from YOU and that you let them know you appreciate their support on medical marijuana and want to help them get back in office in 2011. Those small contributions sometimes mean more than the huge ones that well funded businesses and well off individuals make. They can afford huge chunks of money and a $1,000 contribution to them is nothing. But, a $5 contribution from someone on a fixed income who is suffering from cancer or multiple sclerosis etc...means a great deal more because they can least afford it, but did it anyway. Please send a note along with your contribution thanking them for their support of HB642 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act. It can and will make a world of difference.

Finally, and this is REALLY critical, ACC needs monetary contributions to continue our work between now and September. We had a lot of action this year and that action depleted our finances. We also had a lot of success. I cannot stress how amazing the committee meeting was, nor how astounding some of the things we heard from representatives were, nor can I over-emphasize the miraculous outcome of getting our medical marijuana bill out of the hardest committee in the entire house IN AN ELECTION YEAR. Please help us continue our incredible and amazing work in Alabama, the hardest state of all in which to bring about change. We need to be able to help members attend campaign rallies, visit with their legislator and senator over the break between sessions, and we need to keep the lights on and the bills paid at ACC. Currently contributions are not tax deductible. We have registered with the state but are still in the process of being granted 501c3 status from the IRS.

If you would like to make a contribution please send a check or money order made payable to:

ACU
4633 Pearson Chapel Rd
Alexander City, AL 35010

Currently there is no way to make an online contribution. Due to PayPal's long history of seizing the accounts of drug policy reform groups, stealing the money contained in those accounts, and sharing information with the Feds we at ACC refuse to use them. When we are granted 501c3 status we will make a way to contribute online available. Sorry for the inconvenience.

CBS 8 News Coverage of Medical Marijuana Hearing

CBS 8 News out of Montgomery provided excellent coverage of the HB642 judiciary committee hearing and the press conference we had before the hearing began. Get some tissue handy...Mrs. Jackie Phillips will make you squall.



Many thanks to CBS 8 for doing such a wonderful job and being so respectful in their coverage of this issue. If you would like to send them a note of appreciation you can do so at these email addresses.

ghalbrooks@waka.com
shicks@waka.com
jlambert@waka.com

Fantastic Anniston Star Article on HB642

This is a truly amazing and positive article from the Anniston Star. Even the sheriff's deputy isn't really against it and didn't say anything negative.

Many thanks to Laura Camper and the Anniston Star for doing such a wonderful job with this.

Medical Marijuana Bill Clears Hurdle

Anniston Star -

After six years, a bill legalizing medical marijuana that has never seen the light of day outside of the state House of Representatives committee, passed the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and can now be debated on the floor.

“ We made history ( Wednesday),” said Loretta Nall, executive director of Alabamians for Compassionate Care and long time advocate of medicinal marijuana. “It’s also really the first time there’s been a really open and honest debate.”

The legislation, House Bill 642, would allow patients with epilepsy, cancer, HIV/ AIDS, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Alzheimer’s disease or other debilitating diseases to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana or grow up to six plants for medicinal use.


Read the rest here
Contact staff writer Laura Camper at 256-235-3545

Loretta Nall on Uncle Henry Show at 8:05

Sorry I am late in getting this posted. I am going to be on the Uncle Henry show in about 45 minutes to talk about the HB642 committee hearing.

You can tune in at the link above or listen to the podcast which will be available later. on today.

NBC Poll on Medical Marijuana and CBS 8 Video

I missed the 10 pm News last night. Was exhausted from the exhilarating day in Montgomery and tried to sleep but was unable to get much.

Anyway, CBS 8 in Montgomery did an excellent segment on the committee hearing yesterday. Here is the link.
House Committee Approves Medical Marijuana

Also, NBC15 out of Mobile has a medical marijuana poll up right now.

GO VOTE!!!

Reflections on Alabama Medical Marijuana Hearing

Yesterday's YES vote on HB642 by the Alabama House Judiciary Committee was historic. It was the first time a medical marijuana bill has passed the first hurdle toward becoming law in the state of Alabama. What makes it even more historic and astounding is that this is an election year in Alabama. the entire house and senate are up for re-election. To even take this bill up, much less pass it, shows that attitudes are changing in Alabama. We are also the only Southern state to have a medical marijuana bill in committee right now and hopefully we will be the first Southern state to have a medical marijuana law. Imagine that...Alabama first at something...well...progressive and compassionate and right!

For the last six years Alabamians for Compassionate Care has partnered with the Drug Policy Alliance and together have worked our collective butts off to make yesterday happen. I am so proud of the wonderful people who make up the ranks of Alabamians for Compassionate Care and the Drug Policy Alliance. Without their fearless and tireless dedication none of this would have been possible.

We are also grateful beyond words for the incredible support and dedication of our bill sponsor Rep. Patricia Todd (54th Dist. D-Birmingham)> She truly believes in medical marijuana and we could not ask for a better champion for our cause. If you support medical marijuana in Alabama than I'd like to suggest you take out your checkbook right now and mail her a campaign contribution. Be sure to make send a note thanking her for her work on medical marijuana so that she knows how much she is appreciated. Checks can be mailed to:

Re-Elect Patricia Todd Campaign
1320 58th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35222

Now, on to the juicy stuff.

While we expected HB642 to pass out of the Judiciary Committee yesterday most, if not all, of us were completely unprepared for some of the amazingly wonderful and astonishing moments that happened. The usual BS that the opposition routinely spouts off we were expecting.

Let's start with the usual BS. One Representative in particular is deserving of my wrath. That is Rep. Yusuf Salaam (D- Selma). I can't be too ugly in my criticism of his actions yesterday. About the only good thing I can say about him is that he didn't kill our bill and actually got up and left the committee meeting before the vote. That almost makes up for his deliberate ignorance and attempted down-dressing of Rep. Todd.

Video of the hearing

Rep. Salaam started out by telling Rep. Todd that he was disappointed in her and thought she had better things to do than introduce such legislation as this. I don't know how she kept from telling him that what she introduced was her business since he was neither her constituent nor her mentor. But she did and I admire her for that.

As to Rep. Salaam's outrageous, yet strangely predictable assertion that there is no evidence to support medical marijuana I offer the following rebuttal.

Last week I and two other members of ACC went down to Montgomery and tried to visit with every member of the committee and give them an information packet that contained the latest study from the University of California SF using confiscated marijuana, which showed that marijuana is good for 15 (I think) serious medical conditions. The packet also included NORML's clinical applications booklet, a recent article from the NYT about how the Federal govt blocks research, an article from Dr. Lester Grinspoon and something else I can't recall right this second.

For most of the committee members we had to leave a packet in their office as they were either in meetings or on the floor. Rep. Salaam was one of the few legislators we managed to meet face to face with for a brief second. I personally placed the information packet in his hand and told him that it contained scientific studies about medical marijuana and asked him to please read it before the upcoming vote on HB642.

I've also given him studies and other good information about medical marijuana for the past 6 years.

Him sitting there and running his willfully ignorant mouth about there not being any scientific evidence to support medical marijuana nearly made my head explode.

He is a former prosecutor and police officer. Yesterday he said he is an expert in Constitutional law. I nearly bit my damn tongue off trying to keep from screaming out, "Where in the Constitution does it outlaw the use of any drug beside the 18th Amendment outlawing alcohol for a brief time?"

But, you can't do those kinds of things in a committee meeting. I admire Rep. Todd even more for keeping her cool and not tearing into him. I'm not entirely sure I would have been able to do so myself. Perhaps that is why she is a legislator and I am not, no?

Salaam continued on with his nonsense for quote some time. At one point he called our bill and the hearing a 'game of legislative pit pat" whatever the hell that means. One of the more surprising moments came when Rep. Spencer Collier (R- Mobile), who is also a former policeman and longtime opponent of our bill, admonished Salaam for that remark. While Rep. Collier does not support our bill and made some amendments to it yesterday that I did not care for at all, I appreciated his backhanding of Rep. Salaam. I also appreciate that he finally engaged us in a debate on this bill for the first time instead of just voting against it without much in the way of commentary. He even admitted that alcohol and its effects on people (especially on the highway) are much more dangerous than marijuana. It's difficult to know how to reach a legislator when they won't really say why they are opposed to something. I was able to speak to Rep. Collier after the hearing was over and he agree to work with us between now and next session to find common ground. That's progress folks.

However, the most fascinating and jaw dropping moment came when Rep. john Robinson (D- Scottsboro) told the committee that in the rural area where he is from it has for years been common practice for someone suffering from cancer or other serious medical conditions to go with their physician to the local sheriff and obtain marijuana from the evidence room. Here's the real shocker though...Rep. John Robinson also has a background in law enforcement, as he pointed out in the video. He said he understands the need to control marijuana and prevent people from abusing the system but the he supports this legislation and believes that it helps people and that the state has an obligation to pass HB642 and protect patients. After he finished we all broke out in loud applause and a whole lot of AMENS!

Once again I want to ask medical marijuana supporters in Alabama to take out their checkbooks and send Rep. Robinson a campaign contribution and a note thanking him for his compassion, common sense and vote on this issue. The mailing address is:

Re-Elect John Robinson
100 East Peachtree St.
Scottsboro, AL. 35768

Another member of the committee who is deserving of our thanks and a campaign contribution is Rep. Cam Ward (R- Shelby). Rep. Ward has always voted yes to pass this legislation out of committee and this session he went even further. In the past he has always told me that he isn't sure how he will vote on this legislation when it finally reaches the house floor for a full debate, but that he firmly believes that we deserve our day in the house to debate this issue. This year he did two things. First, he kept fellow Republicans on the committee from killing the bill. Second, and most importantly, he urged and apparently succeeded in keeping the entire Republican caucus from taking a public stand against our bill. I cannot thank him enough for that. Rep. Ward is what I consider to be a very good Republican and if I lived in his district I'd campaign my rear end off for him. Since I don't I will be sending him some money instead. Republicans like Cam are hard to come by and we should support them wherever we find them. After the upcoming election Rep. Cam Ward will be Senator Cam Ward. Please mail your campaign contribution and a note of thanks for his help on HB642 to:

Committee to Elect Cam Ward
P.O. Box 1749
Alabaster, Al. 35007

Another Rep. I want to encourage everyone to support is Rep. Chris England (D- Tuscaloosa). Rep. England did propose a tax on medical marijuana, which I am opposed to, but he also said some very good things and he voted yes to pass the bill out of committee. Rep. England is a former prosecutor and has introduced some excellent legislation in his first four years as a legislator. Most notably he introduced HB214, a bill that would allow those convicted of non-violent drug offenses to be eligible for food assistance and TANF once they have completed their sentence and HB59 a bill that would allow those charged with a crime but never convicted to have their arrest and court records, fingerprints and other things related to arrest/charge expunged. Please send campaign contributions to:

Re-Elect Chris England
P.O. Box 20843
Tuscaloosa, AL 35402

Last but not least I want to thank Rep. Laura Hall (D- Madison) for her continued support of this bill. Rep. Hall was our original sponsor for the first four years we pushed this bill in Alabama. She continued to be very supportive yesterday. Although she and I have not always seen eye to eye I want her to know that I appreciate her work for this cause.

Re-Elect Rep. Laura Hall
P.O. Box 3367
Huntsville, AL 35810

Oh, thanks are also in order to Vice Chair of the committee Rep. Charles Newton (D- Butler, Conecuh and Crenshaw). At the end of the hearing yesterday he said that there is an unwritten rule they normally follow in committee when the Chair Rep. Marcel Black is not present (he wasn't yesterday). Rep. Newton said when a bill has opposition and has been amended they usually won't vote on it without the Chair present. However, he left the decision on whether to vote or not up to Rep. Todd. He didn't have to do that. We are grateful that he did.

The legislators who voiced opposition yesterday are the ones that we really need to reach out to and build good relationships with. I believe everyone, with the exception of Rep. Salaam, can be brought around on this issue. Those legislators are Rep. Spencer Collier, Rep. Paul DeMarco, Rep. Jamie Ison and Rep. Steve McMillan.

Once again my deepest thanks to all of the wonderful people who have worked so hard to make what happened yesterday a reality. We still have a long way to go, but getting this out of committee was an incredible hurdle that we have worked six years to overcome. I cannot thank everyone enough.

Onward,
Loretta Nall

Video of Alabama house committee hearing on medical marijuana

Here is the video of yesterday's Alabama House Judiciary Committee hearing on HB642 the medical marijuana bill. I had to break it up in different size parts because the file was huge and there was a corrupt place in it that my computer would not process.

I am working on getting my thoughts on all of the amazing things I heard in the committee hearing transformed into an article.

This video provides a unique look into the legislative process. It is rare that an entire committee hearing is filmed. All most people ever get to see is a blurb on the 5 O'clock News or an article in the newspaper, neither of which can tell the whole story of what goes on in a committee meeting. This particular one was fascinating and it is well worth your 40 minutes or so of time to watch it.

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6


Part 7

Alabama House panel OKs bill to legalize marijuana for medical use

The full story from yesterday's historic passing of the medical marijuana bill out of committee is in this mornings Montgomery Advertiser.

Alabama House Panel OK's Bill to legalize marijuana for medical use

Please go read and leave comments.

Alabama House Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Bill

Folks,

Alabama made HISTORY today when, for the first time ever, our Cadillac of a medical marijuana bill HB642 passed out of the house judiciary committee. About 40 patients and supporters showed up at the state house this morning for a press conference and to pack out the committee room.

There was some opposition to the bill, but, for the first time those who opposed it actually stated their opposition and agreed to work with us between now and the next
session to find common ground. I will be preparing a much longer write up and posting it later along with a video of the entire committee session.

Many, many thanks to the wonderful people at Drug Policy Alliance who have been our allies for 6 years, Rep. Patricia Todd our magnificent bill sponsor who is a true champion for the medical marijuana cause and a very special thank you to Mrs. Jacki Phillips, the mother of Michael Phillips, who the bill is named in honor of. You can't talk to Mrs. Jacki and be opposed to medical marijuana afterward. She's an angel.

And of course much love and respect to all of the patients, family members, and supporters who have called, emailed, and visited members of the House Judiciary Committee, attended meetings, written letters to the editor, and donated time and money to this noble cause. None of this would be possible without all of you out there every day putting your freedom on the line. I can never thank you enough for standing up with me in Alabama.

This is the fist step of many, but we are closer today to Alabama becoming
the first medical marijuana state in the South than ever before. Rep. Todd
has already agreed to sponsor our bill again next year and we plan to get an
early start. I feel like 2011 or 2012 will be the year that patients and
physicians in Alabama will finally have the protection they deserve.

Onward,
Loretta Nall

Here are two news stories that have already hit the media. Please leave comments on both.

Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Bill

Alabama House panel votes to allow medical marijuana use

Medical Marijuana in the BHAM News

ACC member and medical marijuana patient Christopher Butts had an excellent letter published in today's Birmingham News.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Bill up for debate on Wednesday

The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act is making its way through the Alabama Legislature and will be heard by the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The bill would protect doctors for recommending marijuana to their patients, as well as protect patients for both possessing and using marijuana to treat debilitating conditions.

Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have passed similar medical marijuana legislation giving residents with debilitating conditions the freedom to use a safer, natural alternative to their prescribed medications. Marijuana has been in the pharmacopeia of almost every culture on this planet for thousands of years without a single death; the same cannot be said for the drugs in your medicine cabinet.

Let's get this bill passed and provide Alabama's sick and suffering those same liberties provided by a growing number of states.

Christopher Butts

Cullman

Loretta Nall on Matt Murphy Tuesday 7:45 a.m.

Everyone,

I will be on the Matt Murphy show in the morning (Tuesday,April 6) at 7:45 am to discuss HB642 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act coming up in committee on Wednesday. You can listen live online at Matt Murphy Show

You may also call in at 1-877-569-1005

Prepare a Written Testimony in Support of HB642

On April 7, 2010 at 9 a.m. HB642 the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act will come before the Alabama House Judiciary Committee. HB642 would protect doctors who recommend and patients who use marijuana as medicine from arrest and prosecution under state law. This will be a public hearing where some of the patients who make up Alabamians for Compassionate Care will address the committee about their use of medical marijuana.

Due to a limited amount of time only 5 patients will be giving live testimony. However, since there are literally thousands of patients who use medical marijuana in Alabama and tens of thousands more who would benefit from medical marijuana, ACC is soliciting written testimonies from other medical marijuana patients, which will be presented to the members of the House Judiciary Committee.

If you would like to provide a written testimony about your use of medical marijuana please do so as soon as possible. All you need to do is tell your story in your own words. Please be sure to include your medical condition, how long you have had the medical condition, what medications you have been prescribed, whether or not those medications worked, any side effects you experienced, how much the medications cost, why you decided to try medical marijuana, how marijuana has worked for you, what dangers you face in trying to acquire it and why you think it should be legal for medical use.

Please email all written testimonies to me at lorettanall@gmail.com . Please include your contact information.

Loretta Nall on NORML Podcast

Earlier today I joined Radical Russ Belville on the NORML podcast to talk about HB642 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act and to announce my upcoming speaking engagement at the University of Montevallo on April 6 at 7:30 pm. Will post more about that shortly.

HB642 in committee Wed. April 7

I just got word from Rep. Todd that HB642 the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act will come before the House judiciary committee on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. If you are planning to attend the committee hearing then be at the State House, located at 11 South Union Street in Montgomery, at 7:45 a.m. for the 8 a.m. press conference. At 9 a.m. we will proceed to room 123 (in the basement) for the committee hearing.

If you are one of the patients that's been asked to give testimony before the committee then I would prefer that you be in Montgomery on Tuesday evening to avoid any possible delays. ACC will cover your room, food, and travel expenses. If you can pitch in that would be great, too. Please send a personal email to lorettanall@gmail.com to find out where we will be staying. Due to budget constraints there will be multiple people per hotel room. Bring a sleeping bag in case you need it.

Please dress appropriately. ACC recommends that you don your Sunday best or business casual (slacks/skirt) attire. We will have t-shirts available, which can be worn over your clothes, if you so choose, for the press conference and committee meeting.
We will also have some signs available for the press conference.

If you have not already done so please contact the members of the Judiciary Committee and ask them to support this bill.

Pass this along to everyone you know in Alabama that has an interest in helping medical marijuana legislation pass in Alabama.

HB642 NOT in Committee March 31

Dear ACC Members,

I'm afraid I have some very discouraging news to share with all of you.

I mentioned at our meeting on Saturday that our bill HB642 was not listed on this week's judiciary calendar. I noted that one bill was listed twice and that our bill not being listed was possibly a mistake. Last night Rep. Todd told me that we didn't make the cut for this week's calendar.

DO NOT COME TO MONTGOMERY ON TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY.

Please check the website , Facebook, Yahoo, and your email frequently between now and next week to find out when the committee hearing is rescheduled.

Medical Marijuana LTE in BHAM News

ACC member and medical marijuana patient Sam Barksdale's excellent LTE is in the Birmingham News this morning. However, for some strange reason the BHAM News got the bill number wrong. I know it was the BHAM News because I helped Sam edit the letter and I am certain the bill number was correct. The actual bill number is HB642.

Medical Marijuana: Support bill in House Committee

Great job Sam!