November 5, 2019
To honor both those who have bravely served and those who still suffer due to federal cannabis laws, Nevada NORML will be hosting a unique event on Veteran’s Day. The virtual lobby day, a lobbying event done entirely through electronic means, will raise awareness of the many federal pieces of legislation that could benefit veterans such as Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz and California Congresswoman Barbara Lee-sponsored The Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act, which would allow veterans in states or Indian tribal lands with current medicinal laws to both possess medical cannabis and discuss medical cannabis options with a Veterans Affairs-affiliated doctor – without fear of repercussions.
Another crucial benefit of The Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act is that its passage will enact a series of studies conducted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs two years after it’s passing, one on the “effects of medical marijuana on veterans in pain” and another pertaining to “the relationship between treatment programs involving medical marijuana that are approved by states, the access of veterans to such programs, and a reduction in opioid abuse among veterans.”
Six months following the completion of these studies, the Secretary will compile the findings into a detailed report that will then be submitted to Congress, hopefully providing undeniable evidence to the prohibitionist members of the Legislative Branch who refuse to believe in medical freedom.
With Nevada NORML’s Virtual Lobby Day, volunteers will be utilizing a variety of communication mediums, from letter writing campaigns to phone banking and social media, to contact their representatives to demonstrate support for these federal bills. Through registering to vote from The Nevada Secretary of State’s Office, volunteers will then be directed to a script containing valuable speaking points depending on which bill they’ll be calling the representative about along with their contact information.
“We have set a goal of 1,000 calls to our representatives’ offices in DC on November 12th.” said Nevada NORML Director Madisen Saglibene. “We know that with our statewide efforts, we can show our leaders the constituent support that exists to urge their support for the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act.”
To stand in solidarity through social media, shareable graphics will be produced by NORML with accompanying hashtags such as “#freedomisNORML” and #homemeansNevada.
The time we’re living in is among the most crucial for cannabis reform, and continued demonstrations of support for reform and medical expansion for our nation’s heroes will hopefully lead to quicker results than waiting idly for change.
Rep. Barbara Lee with Nevada NORML’s leadership
