Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Ark. - A rare, if not the first openly promoted public meeting of advocates for the legalization of marijuana in Mountain Home, attracted about 60 people to the Arena Sports Bar and Grill in Georgetown Square here Tuesday night.
The meeting, loosely organized by Richard Morton of Norfork, was styled as an organizational meeting.
Visitors came from Baxter and most surrounding counties. Visitors also came from Washington and Cleburne counties.
Marprie LeClair, a registered nurse from Shirley, asked the group for a show of hands representing those who knew their state representatives in the Arkansas Legislature. One hand was raised.
"How can we do anything if you don't know who your state representatives are so you can contact them?" LeClair scolded.
During an aside from the meeting, LeClair said some model legislation has been floating in legislative circles in Little Rock and the best chance for sponsorship of a medical marijuana bill appeared to be state Sen. Randy Laverty, D-Jasper.
A group lobbying some members of the Legislature — Arkansans for Medical Cannabis — claims at its website to have model legislation in the hands of two state representatives, Jon Woods, R-Springdale, and Kathy Webb, D-Little Rock.
Laverty told reporters last week that he preferred the group have sure sponsorship for a medical cannabis bill in the state's House of Representatives before a bill is introduced to the Senate to assure the Senate would not be wasting time in debate on a measure that may or may not have a sponsor in the House.
Before and during the meeting, Morton said his concern is first to bring advocates of legalized marijuana legislation together. He said he has had personal experiences with marijuana as a observer in the care of a brother who died with AIDS.
"It was the only thing that gave him the desire to take nourishment," Morton said. "It was the only thing that made him sleep comfortably."
Morton said he has also seen the impact to young people arrested for possession of small amounts of marijuana — an outing that each time with effective legal counsel can cost the accused and their parents about $3,000.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: baxterbulletin.com
Author: FRANK WALLIS
Copyright: 2011 Baxter Bulletin
Contact: baxterbulletin.com | Mountain Home Contact Us | The Baxter Bulletin
Website: Teapot party in Mountain Home draws 60 to discuss marijuana legalization | baxterbulletin.com | The Baxter Bulletin
The meeting, loosely organized by Richard Morton of Norfork, was styled as an organizational meeting.
Visitors came from Baxter and most surrounding counties. Visitors also came from Washington and Cleburne counties.
Marprie LeClair, a registered nurse from Shirley, asked the group for a show of hands representing those who knew their state representatives in the Arkansas Legislature. One hand was raised.
"How can we do anything if you don't know who your state representatives are so you can contact them?" LeClair scolded.
During an aside from the meeting, LeClair said some model legislation has been floating in legislative circles in Little Rock and the best chance for sponsorship of a medical marijuana bill appeared to be state Sen. Randy Laverty, D-Jasper.
A group lobbying some members of the Legislature — Arkansans for Medical Cannabis — claims at its website to have model legislation in the hands of two state representatives, Jon Woods, R-Springdale, and Kathy Webb, D-Little Rock.
Laverty told reporters last week that he preferred the group have sure sponsorship for a medical cannabis bill in the state's House of Representatives before a bill is introduced to the Senate to assure the Senate would not be wasting time in debate on a measure that may or may not have a sponsor in the House.
Before and during the meeting, Morton said his concern is first to bring advocates of legalized marijuana legislation together. He said he has had personal experiences with marijuana as a observer in the care of a brother who died with AIDS.
"It was the only thing that gave him the desire to take nourishment," Morton said. "It was the only thing that made him sleep comfortably."
Morton said he has also seen the impact to young people arrested for possession of small amounts of marijuana — an outing that each time with effective legal counsel can cost the accused and their parents about $3,000.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: baxterbulletin.com
Author: FRANK WALLIS
Copyright: 2011 Baxter Bulletin
Contact: baxterbulletin.com | Mountain Home Contact Us | The Baxter Bulletin
Website: Teapot party in Mountain Home draws 60 to discuss marijuana legalization | baxterbulletin.com | The Baxter Bulletin
