60 minutes
Busy ACLU Makes Time For Medical Marijuana Rights
The ACLU almost always has a lot on their plate as they regularly step up to defend those who without a voice. They are known for shedding light on issues that often involve racial, gender, financial inequalities. They have also been a friend to the medical marijuana movement and this month alone have really expanded their efforts.
Several weeks ago the ACLU announced it would be filing a lawsuit against the Rhode Island Department of Health. The suit was filed because the department has stopped accepting medical marijuana applications that have signed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants. For many sick patients, getting an appointment and traveling to see the doctor can be difficult. The move by the Department of Health may severely restrict access for vulnerable patients. JoAnne Leppanen of The Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition agreed and said ‘‘What the health department has done is put up another barrier, basically pulling the rug out from under the patients.’’
Moving over to the other side of the country, the ACLU is also trying to bring awareness to medical marijuana in Montana. Last night they screened the documentary “The Code of the West” which highlights the political debates regarding marijuana in Montana. The film deals with a host of issues including medical marijuana’s benefits, the division among Montana residents on the issue and the upcoming vote on IR 124. If Montana residents vote to pass IR 124, then they would see the 2004 medical marijuana law repealed.
The ACLU is urging Montana residents to vote “no” on IR 124. In the height of political season, the ACLU has many important issues to deal with. The group is also busy trying to fight efforts to suppress the vote. However, as marijuana.net stated on Monday, it is encouraging to see that major news outlets (60 Minutes ran a story on Colorado’s medical marijuana program on Sunday Night) and activists groups are still fighting for marijuana reform even many other issues grabbing the headlines.
Colorado Medical Marijuana Makes it To 60 Minutes
With two weeks to go until the presidential election it is no surprise that the race is dominating the news cycle. Other topics have been anxiously awaiting their turn in the limelight but have taken a backseat as the media has left little room for other news. Surprisingly, medical marijuana was able to make it to one of the rare free time slots on major prime time network news.
Last night 60 minutes described what is being called the “Colorado Green Rush”. The coverage highlighted several key areas of the marijuana reform movement. For one, the enormous tax dollars that can be collected score big points with even those who are not passionate about reforming marijuana laws. Additionally, 60 minutes highlighted another key area that shows a cultural shift. Medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado outnumber McDonalds and Starbucks combined. This is why federal intervention is becoming more difficult as 60 minutes suggested. The will of the people is becoming clear and Colorado residents are increasingly supporting marijuana reform. Colorado has a high number of independent voters who are not keen on federal bullying.
While some of this may be familiar to patients, activists, and those in the industry, national prime time stories regarding medical marijuana help the issue to reach people who are not as familiar with the medical marijuana movement. Social media and the internet may cover this topic daily, but the mainstream news is only finally realizing the social and economic impact of the “green rush”. Additionally, while perhaps not perfect, the reporting does seem to shifting toward much fairer and open minded coverage. There is less snickering and scare tactics in most mainstream news coverage of marijuana reform. A second Obama term or a Romney presidency will almost certainly have to deal with medical marijuana, so even more major news coverage is to be expected after the November election.
Many of the political pundits have called the upcoming vote as a “pocketbook election” as the state of the economy is still the number one issue on voter’s minds. If that is the case then it may only be a matter of time and awareness before the American people decide against marijuana incarcerations and leaving tax dollars on the table. Inevitably we seem to be moving toward “pocketbook green laws”.