Marijuana.com

xxdr_zombiexx

MMJ Elders are Powerful!
From: ASA E-mailing | August 23, 2004

Dear ASA Friends-

Did you know that the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), with 30 million members, is the most powerful special interest group lobbying Congress? Are you a member? Or a self-identified elder? Do you use marijuana as medicine? If so, we need your help with the Elders' Patients Union (EPU).

Modern Maturity, the AARP magazine, is coming out with a special article on medical marijuana use by retirees in October!

This dovetails very well with ASA's action in Washington DC asking Health & Human Services (DHHS) to Reschedule Marijuana Oct 5. The day before, patients will be doing citizen lobbying with both elected officials AND advocacy organizations such as AARP.

I can imagine no more powerful picture than our elders out in droves....those who have watched marijuana prohibition increase over the last 30 years despite working towards sensible policies, as well as those who have surprised themselves by using marijuana for the first time as age-related conditions developed.

If you use marijuana to treat Parkinson's, Stroke, Alzheimer's, Chronic Pain, etc (or are a caregiver to those that do) please join the Elder's Patients Union today.

And if you don't want to join the EPU, but you would still like to join us in DC, please let us know that as well.

We will send every member of the EPU a copy of our new swank-looking 25 page booklet, " Medical Marijuana & Aging".

For all of you non-elders, or who don't particularly identify that way, we have a number of other condition-based patients' unions up and running. For more info on any, please contact Stacey Swimme, stacey@safeaccessnow.org, or by calling 510-486-8083.

To join the lists directly, see the following:

To join the Elders Patients' Union, send a blank email to seniors4mmj@lists.riseup.net

To join the HIV/AIDS Survivors Union, send a blank email to hapu-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

To join the Multiple Sclerosis Patients' Union, write to gstorck@immly.org

To join the Cancer Patients' Union, send a blank email to mmj4cancer@lists.riseup.net

To join the Chronic Pain Patients' Union, send a blank email to mmj4cp@lists.riseup.net

To start one based on any other condition, contact Stacey Swimme, info@safeaccessnow.org, or calling 510-486-8083.

To see more about the HHS action, click on http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=1295

Hope to see y'all in Washington DC!

Hilary McQuie
Effective Action Consulting
www.Effective-Action.net

__________________
Alien Space Signal

There's no money for your issue so long as we're squandering $50 billion a year on the DrugWar. Ben Masel

Fear became the ultimate tool of this government - V.

 

WNB

This is great

I don't think the drug warriors are going to accuse the AARP of using medical marijuana as a wedge issue to bring about full legalization.

__________________
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength

Suetaz

This is excellent news! Hopefully, those that were raised to respect their elders will listen to their elders when they are lobbying in DC. The article coming out will help educate a wider scope of people and we'll have all the generations covered.

__________________

JTP

If we ever managed to convince the AARP of the medicinal benefits of marijuana we would really be making some serious progress. That is one serious lobby. I may actually have to purchase this issue.

xxdr_zombiexx

I'd call it a collector's item.....

and as I considered that response, it would be very useful if that particular magazine sold extrordinarily well, such that people could claim it reflected interest in such an underreported but otherwise mainstream issue.

It could easily come to define that particular issue of the magazine - "the medical pot issue" I can hear it being called already.


AARP took a beating (1|2) from lending support to the MEDICAID sham that was rammed through Congress - lots of their members burnt their cards and membership suffered as large numbers felt betrayed by AARP.

Appealing to the massive medical marijuana constituency is both very smart and a "no-brainer" all at the same time. It is definately a way to recoup losses and forge a new direction that is waiting to be forged.

And God forbid we actually help somebody.

There are people waiting.

 

Mamabudz

AARP is the largest and most successful LObbying Unit because of one reason...THEY VOTE

...ARE YOU REGISTERED???

john borowski

i may only be a 53yo but i use cannibis on a daily basis in order to eat properly. i have had hepititus for about 10 years or more which worries me cause it can lead to cancer of the liver & beause i have hep b & c i would not be considered for a transplant. Not only that i am not a rich S.O.B. that could jump to the front of the line with my money or have the ability to bribe someone. In the past 30 years of smokin it has become a sacred plant. As i have thorouhly read the bible & nostic christian books. It would be a vast freedom to me if i could tell all how it has made my life livable. But instead i am subject to writing people anonymously due to the fear of getting busted & going to jail & dying cause i cant eat cause of the hep.i have alot more to say but wont waste your time. love & peace to all who seek it-earthninja=destroyer of evil

Mamabudz

Welcome to the Boards John...

...and have a cookie

Hugz...and good health to you ...

Mama Budz

SinsemilaStreet

I believe this is in fact a great demographic group to reach out to. My my experience at the polls most Seniors, no matter their party lines, tend to be very political and DO vote, and even volunteer at the voting booths.

I happen to have a great group of friends my age as well as Senior friends who all smoke marijuana. Some do it simply recreationally just as many of younger friends because it helps you wind down after a long day.

However, there are many senior marijuana smokers who use it as medicine for a variety of illnesses and pain ranging from glaucoma to arthritis and everything in between.

Hell, I myself often use marijuana as a sleep-aid because I have always been plagued by insomnia my entire life and marijuana is the only medicine I have that doesn't make me feel groggy in the morning.

I say we should reach out to all Marijuana Smoking Seniors (maybe we should give them their own forum and thread) and even an unspoken 'Senior Discount' when having to buy it on the street.