In this issue:

1) Delivering Texas Votes
2) Organizing Locally in Texas
3) How to Write to Representatives

1) Deliver Texas Votes to the The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act

On June 11, Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) and a small bi-partisan coalition of Members of Congress re-introduced HR 2835,The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act. The legislation will help protect individuals who use or provide medical cannabis in accordance with their state law.

If passed, this important legislation would, among other things, reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule II drug according the Controlled Substances Act and provide clearer protections for qualified patients, their caregivers, and safe-access sites authorized by state or local law.

Last session this bill had 23 cosponsors. Two were from Texas, Representative Ron Paul and Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. Since June 11 the current bill H.R. 2835 has had 20 cosponsors and only one is in Texas, Representative Ron Paul. Sheila Jackson Lee should be thanked for cosponsoring last time and asked by her constituents in Houston to continue this support. We need everyone to contact their Representatives in Texas and ask them to cosponsor and vote for this bill as well.

Some of you may be Asking "So why should we spend time on this when we don't have state laws on medical marijuana in Texas?"

Excellent question. Here is why: 1) This bill would reschedule Marijuana to a schedule II drug, meaning that it will no longer be considered to have no medical utility. This will increase access for research and lower barriers of state representatives signing on. 2) For every US rep from Texas we have roughly 4.6 representatives in the Texas House. For every national Representative we get on our side it will again lower barriers for convincing house and state senate members that this is not only the right path, but it is a politically safe path (it is worth noting that both cosponsors from last time are having no problem getting reelected). 3) Many of us know and love people who left Texas so that they could find a home where their families could be safe and they could get the medicine that they needed. This bill may not directly effect us now in the part that protect patients in Medical Marijuana States, but it does effect our community. It effects those we love and those whose we stories we share.

Last but not least, We have 32 representatives in the US house. One of the largest delegations and just over 7% of the vote. Medical marijuana States can not pass this alone, and we need to deliver as many votes from Texas as possible.

2) Organizing Locally in Texas

We are always looking for good folks to step up and organize in their local areas across Texas. As groups form we will add this information to our website and our future newsletters so that you can find groups in your area and add your voice and energy to their efforts.

We envision that different groups will act in unison with our state wide actions and with some autonomy regarding local actions. Ideally local groups would work toward education as well as advocacy for medical marijuana patients. We would love to work toward visibility in community events such as parades and festivals. Local groups could decide to hold vigils or have a protest. We also need people on the ground working with local religious and civic organizations to have them sign our statement of compassion. This will really help us in the next legislative session if churches, ministers and civic organizations are backing us across the State of Texas. Local Groups might decide to work toward lobbying representatives in their own area.

We know there is allot of work to do, but we want people to find the way they can contribute and do the best they can rather than trying to do everything and becoming burnt out. Though the actions we take may vary, we are all working for one important goal, Safe access to medical marijuana for patients in our state.

If you are interested in starting or becoming part of a local meeting please write me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please give me a number to contact you, as I will be giving you a call to talk about getting things started. We will have a conference call of organizers in August.

3) Writing letters to Representatives

We know that this can be a pain. It always helps to have good tips when you do write.

There are already some great tips online for writing representatives. Here are some helpful links on this:

The ABCs of Citizen Advocacy - A great guide put out by the ASA. Half way down is letter writing.

How to Write Letters to Congress - From About .com

WHY WRITE TO AN ELECTED OFFICIAL- resource from the ACLU in Washington State.

In addition to what you read on these sites, know that if you are a patient or caretaker your truthful narrative has value. These laws effect you in a very personal way, and your narrative is their way to understand that.

If you are not a patient, make one or two strong points, be factual (quote studies, medical associations etc...) and ask for their support.

Donations: We need roughly $120 more to set up phone service for the coalition for the next year. This will allow us to be able to receive calls for the coalition toll free whether from media, organizers or others across the state.