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
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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
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Take Action on Compassionate Care TODAY!

Last week, a medical marijuana access bill was introduced in the Alabama Legislature. Our bill, HB 679, has been assigned to the Judiciary Committee, and now needs to get called for a hearing. Can you take two minutes to ask the Judiciary Committee to bring this bill up for a vote?

HB 679, the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act, was introduced by Representative Laura Hall. The bill would allow seriously ill patients to use marijuana as recommended by their physicians. You can read the legislation here.

Judiciary Committee members need to hear from you. They need to know that Alabamians support Compassionate Care.

Last year, our Compassionate Care bill made it to a Judiciary Committee hearing. Patients, family members and concerned citizens all testified in support of the bill, and the press coverage we got was extremely positive. But the committee tabled discussion of the bill, and it didn’t move any further.

Let’s get this bill all the way through the legislature this year. There are three things you can do right now to help make sure this bill is brought up in the Judiciary Committee for a hearing:

1. Send a message to your legislator now, urging them to support medical marijuana for the seriously ill.
   
2. Forward this action alert to five of your friends. Every time someone contacts his or her legislator about HB 679, it increases the likelihood that the bill will pass!
   
3. Help us get in contact with sympathetic doctors and patients. This is especially important. If you know of a doctor or patient who supports Compassionate Care, please contact me at lorettanall@gmail.com or 256-625-9599.

With your support, we will pass HB 679 and win compassionate medical marijuana legislation in Alabama!

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