{"id":802,"date":"2012-07-11T07:25:22","date_gmt":"2012-07-11T07:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/?p=18945"},"modified":"2012-07-11T07:25:22","modified_gmt":"2012-07-11T07:25:22","slug":"power-to-the-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/power-to-the-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Power to the People"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"wp_fb_like_button\" style=\"margin:5px 0 5px 5px;float:right;height:100px;\"><script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/power-to-the-people\/\" send=\"true\" layout=\"standard\" width=\"450\" show_faces=\"false\" font=\"arial\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\"><\/fb:like><\/div><p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"193\" height=\"261\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/power-to-the-people.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"power to the people\" title=\"power to the people\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-18946\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/power-to-the-people\/attachment\/power-to-the-people\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-18946\" title=\"power to the people\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/power-to-the-people-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>The cynic will often lament the absence of American democracy.\u00a0 Phrases such as \u201cwe have no power\u201d or comparisons to a police state are very popular.\u00a0 There is a cynical side to all of us, but equally, most of us hold onto a least a shred of optimism even if we bury it under negative talking points.\u00a0 Such defense mechanisms make it easier to converse with strangers and get through the day.\u00a0 There is no doubt that the decks are stacked against us, as most of us do not have paid lobbyists fighting for our jobs, but to those who think the average person can longer make a difference, November may provide a breath of fresh air.<\/p>\n<p>Our elected officials have failed us on many issues and have become complacent and\/or unwilling to take a controversial stand.\u00a0 As a result, with no more free time at anyone\u2019s disposal, we the people have risen.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/marijuana-may-be-able-to-fight-weight-loss-and-diabetes\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Marijuana.net reported<\/a> earlier in the week that Oregon was on its way to becoming the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> state (also Washington and Colorado) to put a marijuana legalization vote to its people.\u00a0 Ignored political issues do not find their way to the ballots itself, rather, it requires the sweat and effort of activists willing to go door to door and collect signatures.\u00a0 It takes optimism even as some may slam a door in their faces.\u00a0 It takes compassion, never to forget teens in jail or sick patients running out of options and it takes resiliency to fight on even as our federal government uses every tool at its disposal to sidetrack these efforts.<\/p>\n<p>Advocates were rewarded with even more positive news as this week it was announced that Massachusetts voters will have the option of voting to enact a medical marijuana program.\u00a0 If passed the law would allow for up to 35 dispensaries statewide.\u00a0 Over 11,000 signatures were submitted to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sec.state.ma.us\/\" target=\"_blank\">Secretary of State William Galvin\u2019s office<\/a>.\u00a0 The system looks as if it will be strictly regulated and Massachusetts residents would only qualify if they have debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, ALS or Parkinson\u2019s disease and others.\u00a0 The state will register dispensaries, employees, and patients and will set rules for the cultivation and storage process. \u00a0Additionally, if access to transportation, physical inability to travel, or financial hardship compromise a patient\u2019s access then they will be able to register with the state\u2019s department of health to grown their own plants.<\/p>\n<p>It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the tasks at hand.\u00a0 It is the specific intent of reform opponents use to make us feel this way.\u00a0 However, they are now the minority and even if they have the ears of our representation, we have proven that they all can have each other.\u00a0 True power rests in the hands of the people and successful ballot initiatives bypass the dysfunction and corruption in Washington D.C.\u00a0 Change is coming and with all its documented problems, the United States of America still offers such beautiful freedom.\u00a0 Perhaps we have to work harder for it than we want but it is there, waiting for signatures and the support of our neighbors.\u00a0 As the election season heats up, expect to hear more news about more legalization\/medical votes. When the curtain is closed behind you, pay close attention because your state may have the option of voting for compassion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"193\" height=\"261\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/power-to-the-people.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"power to the people\" title=\"power to the people\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-18946\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/power-to-the-people\/attachment\/power-to-the-people\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-18946\" title=\"power to the people\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/power-to-the-people-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>The cynic will often lament the absence of American democracy.\u00a0 Phrases such as \u201cwe have no power\u201d or comparisons to a police state are very popular.\u00a0 There is a cynical side to all of us, but equally, most of us hold onto a least a shred of optimism even if we bury it under negative talking points.\u00a0 Such defense mechanisms make it easier to converse with strangers and get through the day.\u00a0 There is no doubt that the decks are stacked against us, as most of us do not have paid lobbyists fighting for our jobs, but to those who think the average person can longer make a difference, November may provide a breath of fresh air.<\/p>\n<p>Our elected officials have failed us on many issues and have become complacent and\/or unwilling to take a controversial stand.\u00a0 As a result, with no more free time at anyone\u2019s disposal, we the people have risen.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/marijuana-may-be-able-to-fight-weight-loss-and-diabetes\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Marijuana.net reported<\/a> earlier in the week that Oregon was on its way to becoming the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> state (also Washington and Colorado) to put a marijuana legalization vote to its people.\u00a0 Ignored political issues do not find their way to the ballots itself, rather, it requires the sweat and effort of activists willing to go door to door and collect signatures.\u00a0 It takes optimism even as some may slam a door in their faces.\u00a0 It takes compassion, never to forget teens in jail or sick patients running out of options and it takes resiliency to fight on even as our federal government uses every tool at its disposal to sidetrack these efforts.<\/p>\n<p>Advocates were rewarded with even more positive news as this week it was announced that Massachusetts voters will have the option of voting to enact a medical marijuana program.\u00a0 If passed the law would allow for up to 35 dispensaries statewide.\u00a0 Over 11,000 signatures were submitted to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sec.state.ma.us\/\" target=\"_blank\">Secretary of State William Galvin\u2019s office<\/a>.\u00a0 The system looks as if it will be strictly regulated and Massachusetts residents would only qualify if they have debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, ALS or Parkinson\u2019s disease and others.\u00a0 The state will register dispensaries, employees, and patients and will set rules for the cultivation and storage process. \u00a0Additionally, if access to transportation, physical inability to travel, or financial hardship compromise a patient\u2019s access then they will be able to register with the state\u2019s department of health to grown their own plants.<\/p>\n<p>It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the tasks at hand.\u00a0 It is the specific intent of reform opponents use to make us feel this way.\u00a0 However, they are now the minority and even if they have the ears of our representation, we have proven that they all can have each other.\u00a0 True power rests in the hands of the people and successful ballot initiatives bypass the dysfunction and corruption in Washington D.C.\u00a0 Change is coming and with all its documented problems, the United States of America still offers such beautiful freedom.\u00a0 Perhaps we have to work harder for it than we want but it is there, waiting for signatures and the support of our neighbors.\u00a0 As the election season heats up, expect to hear more news about more legalization\/medical votes. When the curtain is closed behind you, pay close attention because your state may have the option of voting for compassion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[629,460,52,166,630,631,251,632,633,56,9,51,170,634,70,635,1,3,60,321,61],"tags":[3202,3034,2632,2744,3203,3204,2829,3205,3206,2636,2631,2748,3207,5,3208,2640,2899,6],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=802"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}