[Vision2020] Legalizing Medical Marijuana

[Bill London]

Tom-
My thanks for pioneering this compassionate legislation.
I understand you will be speaking at the Moscow Hemp Fest (East City Park, 
next Saturday, April 17) and I assume you will be letting supporters there 
know how they can help.
Please send V2020 more info about exactly when you will be speaking at the 
Hemp Fest -- and if possible what we can do to help.
BL


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Trail" <ttrail at moscow.com>
To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2010 6:59 PM
Subject: [Vision2020] Legalizing Medical Marijuana


> Visionaries:  Some questions have come up about the process of developing
> legislation for legalizing the use of medical marijuana.  During the past 
> 18
> months I have met with citizens around the state who suffer a great deal 
> of
> pain from conditions such as brain cancer, AIDS, and a variety of other
> chronic illnesses.  Medical marijuana is the only substance that brings
> them relief from their severe pain.
>
> The majority of states in the West have legalized the use of medical
> marijuana.  This was done via the initiative process rather than the
> legislative route.  In Idaho the initiative processes is very expensive
> and difficult compared to surrounding states.   Therefore, it seemed that
> the legislative route was the best way to go.
>
> During the past year I worked with contacts in other states who had
> passed via the initiative route the legalization of medical marijuana.
> Draft legislation was developed and reviewed, and then I asked my other
> state contacts for their input.  I was about ready to introduce the
> legislation in this past legislative session when I learned that New
> Jersey had passed via the legislative process a bill which was considered
> one of the toughest among the 14 states who have legalized the use of
> medical marijuana.
>
> We all know that Idaho is a very conservative state so my contacts around
> the state recommended that the New Jersey model might be the best one to
> follow.  I worked closely with Robert Capecchi, Legal Analyst, of the 
> National
> Medical Marijuana Program in Washington, D.C. and his team to review the
> proposed legislation.  I met with Mr. Capecchi and Assembleman, Don Murphy
> (Republican) from Maryland last December in Washington, D.C.  Don led the
> successful effort to legalize medical marijuana in the state of Maryland.
> During the months of January and February the review process continued
> until we finally reached agreement that we had a good proposal for Idaho.
> It, obviously, was too late in the session to introduce the proposal.
>
> I've already held meetings with stakeholder groups in the Treasure Valley
> and have good contacts in Sandpoint, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Hailey.
> The plan is to hold a series of town hall meetings this summer around
> the state (at my own expense) inviting all of the stakeholders including
> legislators to attend.  We also plan to meet with a group of stakeholders
> in Boise with Governor Otter.  We will also be meeting with the Idaho
> Medical Association,  law enforcement agencies,  Department of Health and
> Welfare officials, and many others as the process moves forward.  We are
> now in the process of selecting a state coordinator and applying for
> several grants.
>
> As you can see, there is a great deal of work involved is working with
> this type of legislation.
>
> Rep. Tom Trail
> -- 
> Dr. Tom Trail
> International Trails
> 1375 Mt. View Rd.
> Moscow, Id. 83843
> Tel:  (208) 882-6077
> Fax:  (208) 882-0896
> e mail ttrail at moscow.com
>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>               http://www.fsr.net
>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================
>