I’m writing in an attempt to bring a travesty in the making to the general public. That would be Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2149. I would ask state residents to contact their legislators and ask this proposal be tabled.
The state legislators will tell you HB 2149 is an effort to abide by the memorandum released by the U.S. Attorney General’s office relating to both medicinal and recreational cannabis in participating states. In my opinion, that’s a half-truth. I believe that the whole truth is the state Legislature is attempting to monopolize cannabis to maximize market share: taxes.
The prevailing angle seems to be, with the passing of Initiative 502, the medicinal cannabis laws can be made so onerous, making it near impossible for an individual to receive a medicinal recommendation or support themselves with one, because anyone older than 21 will be able to purchase cannabis from a licensed retailer.
Whether it’s ignorance or greed driving this bill, the end result will be the same: People will suffer, and folks in obscurity, who have been providing for their own medicinal needs for years under the law, will become criminals. I know this to be true, as a military veteran and “patient.”