Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Nearly a dozen supporters asked county commissioners to support medical marijuana, but it's unlikely the board will consider a resolution.
Activists filled commission chambers Tuesday, telling county officials of their experiences with medical marijuana. Some speakers described how cannabis has helped people stop using other drugs like cocaine and heroin, while others said it has helped family members diagnosed with cancer.
"My dad would probably still be here today if he was legally able to medicate with cannabis," said Swannanoa resident Lee Harvey Jr., who told commissioners of his father's suicide after dealing with long-time pain stemming from a work accident. "But due to foolishness, honestly, he's not here today. My kids will never get to know their grandfather."
But while Asheville City Council unanimously supported a state bill to legalize medical use, county commissioners aren't expected to make a similar move.
Chairman Brownie Newman said the board has a policy of not adopting resolutions related to statewide or federal policies.
"The commission is unlikely to consider a resolution on a statewide policy," he said, "but there are ways for commission members to lend their voice to support other than an official commission resolution."
Newman encouraged attendees to speak with commissioners and "explore those other options."
Twenty-nine states have legalized medical marijuana, but North Carolina bills have been blocked this year by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.
A House bill sponsored by three area representatives – John Ager, Susan Fisher and Brian Turner – was shelved in February. And a Senate companion bill, sponsored by Sen. Terry Van Duyn, also did not move forward.
Kerry Trammel told county commissioners Tuesday that in addition to chemotherapy, she gave marijuana to her 14-year-old daughter, who was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer in 2013. But discussions with doctors led to visits from Child Protective Services, she said.
"There are children out there and patients out there that need this to survive," Trammel said. "And as a mother, I don't want any other mother to have to go through what we had to go through to make our child healthy."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana likely won't be discussed by Buncombe commissioners
Author: Jennifer Bowman
Contact: Contact Us | Asheville Citizen Times
Photo Credit: Tony Hill
Website: The Citizen-Times, Asheville
Activists filled commission chambers Tuesday, telling county officials of their experiences with medical marijuana. Some speakers described how cannabis has helped people stop using other drugs like cocaine and heroin, while others said it has helped family members diagnosed with cancer.
"My dad would probably still be here today if he was legally able to medicate with cannabis," said Swannanoa resident Lee Harvey Jr., who told commissioners of his father's suicide after dealing with long-time pain stemming from a work accident. "But due to foolishness, honestly, he's not here today. My kids will never get to know their grandfather."
But while Asheville City Council unanimously supported a state bill to legalize medical use, county commissioners aren't expected to make a similar move.
Chairman Brownie Newman said the board has a policy of not adopting resolutions related to statewide or federal policies.
"The commission is unlikely to consider a resolution on a statewide policy," he said, "but there are ways for commission members to lend their voice to support other than an official commission resolution."
Newman encouraged attendees to speak with commissioners and "explore those other options."
Twenty-nine states have legalized medical marijuana, but North Carolina bills have been blocked this year by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.
A House bill sponsored by three area representatives – John Ager, Susan Fisher and Brian Turner – was shelved in February. And a Senate companion bill, sponsored by Sen. Terry Van Duyn, also did not move forward.
Kerry Trammel told county commissioners Tuesday that in addition to chemotherapy, she gave marijuana to her 14-year-old daughter, who was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer in 2013. But discussions with doctors led to visits from Child Protective Services, she said.
"There are children out there and patients out there that need this to survive," Trammel said. "And as a mother, I don't want any other mother to have to go through what we had to go through to make our child healthy."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana likely won't be discussed by Buncombe commissioners
Author: Jennifer Bowman
Contact: Contact Us | Asheville Citizen Times
Photo Credit: Tony Hill
Website: The Citizen-Times, Asheville
