Update on the SDSA's Medical Marijuana Bill Proposal
SDSA is already getting press:
http://www.sodaknorml.org/
And the So. Dak. blogs are yapping (these blogs actually provide grist for South Dakota’s mainstream media mill):
http://hoghouseblog.com/2008/
http://dakotawarcollege.com/
SDSA is preparing to mail a letter, the first of two or three beforethe legislative session starts, to each So. Dak. legislator. We’veprepared a preview upon which we invite your comments.
http://www.sodaknorml.org/
The So. Dak. legislature’s next session begins January13. SDSA plans to find a legislative sponsor and present witnesses tolegislative committees, including at least two medical cannabispatients and a doctor. The legislature may pass favorable legislation,knowing that an initiative effort would most likely bear fruit for us.
At the very least, a medical cannabis bill always provokes a livelypress discussion in So. Dak., and those discussions have always workedto the advantage of reformers. It doesn’t hurt that 100% of the datasupport our position.
If the legislature will pass a medical cannabis bill we can livewith, great. That means about a quarter of a million dollars of drugreform money is available to be used elsewhere. If the legislatureavoids the issue, which is fairly likely, well, we can win at theballot box.
SDSA invites readers to look at the law we propose:
http://www.sodaknorml.org/
We invite your proposals for a medical cannabis law in So. Dak.
South Dakota is uniquely positioned, having lost a close vote onmedical cannabis, but with a formidable lever to use to influence thelegislature. Winning in the legislature in So. Dak. would be HUGE!!! Itmight be the final writing on the wall before the wall comes down.
Let us know if you have comments on SDSA’s work. PLEASE let us hear from you!
In the end, since no one has been interested in forming a committeeto review and vote on decisions, it's my call on what to press for inthe legislature. It's possible that nothing will work, or maybe we canget something we really like. One thing that can help is if I can saywe have a group of 100 people working on this issue actively. I need tohear from you.
Want to pass out some info cards at your local bar? Email me. newland@rapidcity.com
Want to help us meet expenses?
Best regards,
Bob Newland
Todd Epp
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Reader Comments (3)
So many people think the drug war is working It’s not! Please people - Wake Up!
Our kids are told MJ is as bad as meth (by the fact that we treat them legally the same) and since they already know MJ isn’t so bad, therefore meth must not really be that bad either. (Once or twice can’t hurt me, right?)
The BEST ‘drug war’ is to treat our kids honestly so they don’t have to go and learn the truth the hard way.
Treat MJ like beer, so we can finally control it (and focus on eliminating the bad stuff like meth). Oddly, (in places where MJ has been made legal) the initial usage goes up, but then as the novelty wears off actual usage is less. Isn’t that the goal of the drug war? Or am I missing something?
This initiative needs a spokesperson other than Nutcase Newland. It's kinda like Leslee the Lifer. The public face of these issues is wacky.
You may think my face is wacky, but at least I have one, Ms. Anonymous. When was the last time you put anything on the line for a principle?
Nah, it's probably Mr. Anonymous. A woman would probably have the courage to at least sign off, "Burbee Blattee" or something.