When I was in lawschool here in IL - a woman in lake county, IL had a few marijuana plants growing in her backyard. She had a very serious medical condition with her eyes and according to her own doctor, should have been blind by now. She already had undergone 13 surgeries to correct the problem to no avail. Cannabis, for whatever reason, helped her keep her sight. Although she is technically legally blind and under disability.

Anyway, she was busted when a neighbor spotted the plants and called the police. We fought the case up on appeal only to be told that the state of IL does not recognize a medical necessity defense to a charge of marijuana possession; further, that IL does not recognize marijuana as medicine, etc... Part of the hostility stems direclty from Congress' classification of marijuana as a schedule 1 controlled susbtance which means two things: 1) marijuana has no currently accepted medical uses and 2) it is highly addictive & dangerous. Both of these propositions are abundantly absurd, as we all know.

However, Congress fails to note that there stubborn refusal to re-classify marijuana into a lower schedule (such as cocaine or something) prevents both a) the ability of researchers to access the plant for legitimate studies 2) the ability of people in states who do not have medical marijuana laws to avail themself of a possible defense to criminal charges. I doubt that Congress even imagined the unintended consequences of their decision in 1972 or whatever to put marijuana in that most restrictive class - but it is beyond time for them get off their duff and do something. The frustration i have over this is not capable of being put into words.

Okay - i suppose i ll quit preaching to the choir. We are trying to get a medical marijuana bill here in IL to a senate vote at the statehouse - so if and when i hear anything of import, Ill be sure to update. It may be a race (hopefully) between us and Michigan on who can claim the next spot on the list of states with legal medical access. Wish us luck, although to be honest, they are going by way of ballot intiative I believe and we are relying on legislators. I dont think i need to disclose who has the upper hand here. :)

"The truth is treason in the empire of lies." Dr. Ron Paul, The Revolution: A Manifesto, preface, p. x

Coronado sums it ALL up with this two sentence statement. This is the only way to have a true revolution that will have a lasting effect. We must all join together to support our fellow women and men that have the ablility to become elected, get elected ourselves, and vote out the career ones that don't give 2 hoots. Use those meetups that have like minded people in them to network & to go beyond trying to get the good doctor elected to president.

THANK YOU Coronado......