April 7: The last day to file a different version of HB84

We have another chance friends. We have until April 7th to get another member of the General Assembly to file a different version of HB 84. 

Call your Rep. to express your support and send an email to Rep. Paul Stam paul.stam@ncleg.net and tell him that you still support Medical Cannabis in N.C. 

It is not fair to have shot down the last bill due to overwhelming support that was deemed to be harassment. 

Visit here to email the reps and here to email the senators.

We need to have a new member of the General Assembly to sponsor a new version of HB84 before April 7, 2013 for another chance at this. 

Join the discussion here;
http://www.nccpn.org/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&catid=33&id=11562&Itemid=104

North Carolina Medical Marijuana Bill Killed for Harassment

Here is what you do. Make a point about the over whelming support for the bill was considered harassment and thats why it was killed and this being a abuse of democracy. 

Go to this following link and send an email to each radio station (copy/paste) North Carolina Radio Stations of the following link and a short explanation of what happened http://www.wral.com/house-committee-kills-medical-marijuana-bill/12131140/ 

The following link is now what shows up in Google search, they removed the part about the "harassment". http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/15664/north-carolina-medical-marijuana-bill-defeated-by-house-committee/

Here is exactly what Representative said to WRAL.com
"We did it to be done with it, so people could move on for the session," said Rep. Paul "Skip" Stam, R-Wake. He said lawmakers we're being "harassed" with phone calls and emails about medical marijuana.  

Talk about an abuse of power. The more support means the more 'harassment' contact all the radio stations you can about this. Because it bull. 

Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Emails

 NEWS UPDATE:
Our calls, emails, letters, and personal visits to legislators are working! Anyone subscribed to the House Rules committee got an email today, saying our bill, HB84, will be considered TOMORROW at 1pm in room 1228/1327 LB!! That means we need you to call everyone in the committee today, write them an email, or visit them in person. Keep in mind the committee could kill the bill if we don't speak up now. Call today rather than regret it tomorrow.

http://ncleg.net/gascripts/Committees/Committees.asp?sAction=ViewCommittee&sActionDetails=House+Standing_2

Below are all there emails:
 
John.Blust@ncleg.net, 
Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net, 
Marcus.Brandon@ncleg.net, 
William.Brisson@ncleg.net, 
Becky.Carney@ncleg.net, 
Leo.Daughtry@ncleg.net, 
Jean.Farmer-Butterfield@ncleg.net, 
Elmer.Floyd@ncleg.net, 
Larry.Hall@ncleg.net, 
Susi.Hamilton@ncleg.net,      
Kelly.Hastings@ncleg.net, 
Bryan.Holloway@ncleg.net, 
Darren.Jackson@ncleg.net, 
Linda.Johnson2@ncleg.net,      
David.Lewis@ncleg.net, 
Tim.Moffitt@ncleg.net, 
Jason.Saine@ncleg.net, 
Ruth.Samuelson@ncleg.net, 
Edgar.Starnes@ncleg.net, 
Michael.Stone@ncleg.net, 
John.Torbett@ncleg.net, 
Paul.Stam@ncleg.net,      
Justin.Burr@ncleg.net, 
Tim.Moore@ncleg.net

Examples of What Reps Worry About

Over the past four days I've began receiving replies back from Reps here and Senators here.

Here is whose messaged me back.
-->

george.graham@ncleg.net
ron.rabin@ncleg.net
mclaurinla@ncleg.net
charles.jeter@ncleg.net
harringtonla@ncleg.net
piercela@ncleg.net
brunstetterra@ncleg.net
stephen.ross@ncleg.net
bill.rabon@ncleg.net
deborah.ross@ncleg.net
richardsonla@ncleg.net
donny.lambeth@ncleg.net

They seem to have some worries though, I'll list their worriers with their names.

1. Donny Lambeth, he found it very interesting that the US Government has patented cannabis. Here was his reply, "Thanks.  Very interesting.  I appreciate you sharing    Glad your pain is being managed." You should ask why the DEA and DOH denies it too and share the above link.
2. Anna Medows, she gave was kind and wants to hear what people have to say, The reply, "Thank you for taking the time to express your views. I appreciate my constituents letting me know their concerns and priorities, and I will do my best to represent those in the NC House of Representatives."
3. Derborah Ross, she got back to me from her PDA, she just wants information. The reply, "Thank you for the information."
4. Bill Rabon, he just want to see the support, his reply, "Thank you for writing into the office. Your concerns have been noted and will be considered as we move forward."
5. Stephen Ross, actually read the email and thanked me for my views on cannabis, his reply, "Thank you for taking the time to express your views on medical cannabis. I’ll keep in mind on what you’ve expressed while we work through this issue in the legislature."
6. Gene McLauren, his secretary will reply to you. They'll keep an 'open mind'
7. Senator Brunstetter, his secretary will reply to you, seems like a good guy though, his message, "Thank you for contacting our office regarding Medical Marijuana. Senator Brunstetter’s highest priority is helping his constituents and we appreciate your input.  Senator Brunstetter takes great concern with issues such as this, and he will certainly review your perspective."
8. Rep. Garland Pierce, his secretary will reply to you, however, "Thank you for contacting Representative Garland E. Pierce to share your concern regarding HB 84 Enact Medical Cannabis Act.  Your concern is very important to Representative Pierce, and he will keep it in mind when discussing this matter with his colleagues."
9. David Larson, make sure to blow up this guys inbox, I'm not going to waste the space in the entry, its a generic reply.
10. Rep. Charles Jeter, he is very worried about the abuse to the production scheme in the bill, here is his long reply, "While I do think the allowed prescription use of medicinal marijuana seems to make some sense, I do have some real concerns about the method of production permitted within HB 84.  I think the method of production as provided in the proposed law allows for many areas of abuse and use above and beyond what the intent of the law is said to be.  I have great problems with that part of HB 84 that are difficult for me to overcome.
    
    Should there be a way to protect the integrity of the production side of medicinal marijuana, I am inclined to think the bill has some real merit and one in which I would seriously consider voting in favor of.  However, there would need to be significant changes to the production side of the bill.
    
    Should you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to call my office."
11. Senator Ron Rabin, big point for college student with pain disorders, his reply "Thank you for reaching out to my office regarding your concern for House Bill 84. First of all, I am very sorry to hear about your rare disorder but I am happy to hear that it has not gotten in the way of your pursuit of a higher education. I applaud you for your hard work and dedication and I look forward to hearing more from you as you continue your journey through life. Regarding your email, I have looked into HB 84 and I continue to keep an open mind. "
12. Rep. George Graham, he believes this will be highly debated so fill his inbox with reason for pro-medicalization, his reply "Thank you very much for sharing your concerns.  I understand this is a topic that will be highly debated, and I will continue to monitor the developments on this issue.  "

So the summary of these people who dictate our future. Donny Lambreth owns a hospital and loves information about marijuana's medical uses. Rep. Charles Jeter thinks the production methods outlined in the bill will be abused. Ron Rabin is a sympathizer and big points for college students that seek higher education even know they have medical conditions.

These are the people who replied so far out of the whole house and senate so they are prime to hit up with more emails.

Good Luck!

Use Your Ego for Love

Yea, I know have the senators and representatives numbers in my phone. They totally agree with me on that. They talk to me all the time. If they need to know about medical marijuana they usually talk to me. Did I tell you what I did today and how these representative loved me? I think your wrong, look here.

Of course its not all about you, put others first, love.

You obviously need to introduce yourself and tell your story: but, you need to also remember others may not be educated and have deep personal beliefs about marijuana. You need to keep this in mind and use your ego for love and not for retrobution in slamming someone for why they are WRONG!

What do I mean by using your ego for love? Lets say for instance you don't have a medical condition and your not eligible for medical marijuana even if H84 passes here in North Carolina. If you remember not to be a hot shot and act like an authority you can still go about using your love of others who can benefit from cannabis to express your beliefs. Remember to be sincere and humble through your efforts, if you haven't read those blog pages you should go take a peak.

Don't go about blasting off facts and why YOU think something should be a certain way. Go about it as why you think it would benefit someone close to you because of something say the effects of their medication have on them. Unless you introducing yourself or your medical condition avoid the words: I, me, myself.

Use the words such as: we, a friend, a relative, a close individual to our family. Ego for love, follow what were getting at?

Don't Be Such a Hotshot!

"Hey Mr. Representative, yea I think your wrong about medical marijuana and your going to ruin a lot of peoples lives because your selfish."

Yea, thanks hot shot for absolutely ruining the guys chance of coming to surface with the medical marijuana movement.

Hey you medical marijuana activist. Think your smart, think your the savior of all smokers and chronic disordered victims, love your brother and hate the opposing other? Chill yourself out before you ruin it for everyone!

No one likes a hotshot, especially senators and representatives. They deal with big headed people all day long in the first place. Why in the world would they even consider listening to what you have to say past the third sentence of your email if your acting like your the pimp daddy of the medical marijuana movement. Stop being so cool and remember to be sincere or you could make every activist look like a ignorant pot head.

Here are a few way to recognize your being a hot shot.

1. You think to your self, wow that was really rude and ignorant, I'm going to tell him/her how it really is to clear things up. STOP! Don't take things personally and remember to stay humble!
2. I'm "so and who" and "i think it should be this way". Errr, wait up buddy. You think somethings unfair? The point here is to be humble, tell the about yourself sincerely and then move your way into why medical marijuana has helped you or why you'd like to opportunity to try it instead of your current medical plan.
3. Don't bring up dead beat topics they've heard a million times and act like your an authority on things. The reason they are in office is to listen to constituents, not a argument of why something should be from someone who thinks they are an expert, talk about a quick way to loose your senator or representative respect for your concerns.
4. Avoid blaming them, saying that they are something or that they don't know the facts. Go about it by asking questions by seeming clueless even if you know the answer and then give them a reason for why your clueless even know you know the answer look below for an example.

Example for # 4:
I have seen the Department of Health and the Drug Enforcement Agency on television claim that is has not proven or documented medical uses.

Then I came across this (link below). The United States actually patented cannabis as a neuroprotectant and an antioxidant in 2001. I am confused why they would have done this if it has no documented medical values. (Provide a link to an authoritative article)

Don't Take Things Personally

Message: "I have a pain condition I have been dealing with for three years and wish I could use cannabis instead of these pills."

Reply: "Thanks for the information. Interesting. Glad to hear your pains being managed"

I can tell you a number of stories where I have taken things personally that have been so arbitrary that they probably were not even meant to be something that was said to have taken in a bad personal way.

When you work for $30,000 a year like most senators and representatives with the amount of pressure they are under to satisfy constituents while being called names and assaulted by ones that don't like them they may say things from time to time without necessarily thinking twice about what they are saying to you.

That's why I wanted to give you a few things to keep in mind when you receive emails back, phones calls back or nothing at all from your senators or representatives regarding medical marijuana.

1. Remember senators and represenatives are very busy so they may be very blunt in replys.
2. If you get a email back that looks like a template, remember they still got the gist of your message and if the representative or senator didn't their aid did.
3. Sometimes you may get a message that seems inadvertently direct and cynical: keep this in mind, your lucky because as humans the people we do this to are the ones we normally think about later on down the road when someone says something similar to them: you'll be the first one to come to mind when they reconcile with themselves.
4. Not everyone is going to agree with you on things. So don't state the same redundant facts.
5. Know that they are here to help you as a constituent and they mean the best in their point of view of what is best for the community, use the power of speech to agree with them on this subject and let them know you are as well apart of this community.

Medical Marijuana is a touchy subject for a lot of people and for elders that were exposed to the 'Marjihuana makes you crazy era' you need to realize this is a tough time for them. Don't go about shoving all the medical facts down their throats. Use your personal experience and medical triumphs with pot instead and how you cannot attain those without facing the prospect of prosecution.

How to Be Sincere

"Oh I have like ten of those."  
Even know you only have two. 

sin·cere 
/sinˈsi(ə)r/
Adjective
    1.    Free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings.
    2.    (of a person) Saying what they genuinely feel or believe; not dishonest or hypocritical.

Senators and Representatives are in their position because they are educated, experienced and have worked hard to get where they are whether you think they are ignorant, idiots or not.

Point being they can smell insincerity from a mile away, point being avoid being "truthfully sarcastic".

When being sincere you must be truthful as well as remember to be humble when on the phone and/or writing an email to your representative. Be honest about yourself and don't over exaggerate things either. You can defiantly use sentence structure to define your point or make things sound deep and profound: but, when your insincere about something its easy to tell because of the tone and rhythm of what your saying. Remember that it is not a game, the senators and representatives are here to help you as well as others that may disagree with you. 

Being honest means talking about your issue as you may think about it with your own self dialogue when you are alone. If your chest becomes tight or your feel somewhat stumped or stuck when writing or talking your are more than likely being insincere, especially if you feel a slight knot in your stomach.

An example:
DON'T "I think I should be able to choose my own meds instead of a pill with chemical substances."
DO "I would really like to have the option of using a plant instead of heavy narcotics."

The point of the above:
Don't try to sound like your smart and a scientist with big words or compound words that have the same or similar meanings to sound bigger and badder. You can use descriptive words but not "pill with chemical substances" all pills contain chemical substances.

Why should I care about little things like that?:
You'll sound like a smart-alec and it could compromise the integrity of your entire message to them thus making you the last time they'll think about unless its negative.

What It Means to be Humble

Being Humble.

What does it mean exactly? Here is a definition from the dictionary.

hum·ble adjective, hum·bler, hum·blest, verb, hum·bled, hum·bling.
adjective -Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful. 
 
Here is the problem with the definition, it has nothing to do with being meek. It has a lot to do with not being aggressive though and treating the one your speaking with as someone you have a lot of respect for and watch what you say in order to always gain there want to share their wisdom with you.


Why it's important to be humble in your email.
Being humble is a big deal when it comes to getting continued interest and respect from your senators and representatives as constituent. All day long they are bombarded with constituents problems, concerns, wants and needs. Some people are rude, others hostile, some are even aggressive and blameful.

What isn't considered is that they don't have to actually read your email and more than likely they don't even have to reply and if they do you'll get a copy paste template depending on your category or topic you wrote to them about.

Well how should I show humility without being submissive than?
You should always have a since of self when writing, pride without being proud. You'll need to maintain a tone that shows love and understanding without sounding sarcastic and undermining. It's a common misconception that you need to sound big and powerful to gain respect from the big and powerful, this is not true, you need to have substance and purpose while being sincere and caring in the context of your speech. You'll reap the return in message, them keeping you in mind or other self interest in your messaging even if they don't express it back in email when the time comes to make a decision on the bill or legislation your backing, in this case North Carolinas Medical Marijuana Bill.