{news} Where is the Governor's Compassion?

[clifford thornton]

           <http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142357> <http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142358> <http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142359> 
      
     
       
     
     
            June 21, 2007 manage my subscription<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142360> | text version<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142361>  
     
      
     
           Where is the Governor's Compassion?

            Dear Cliff,

            After weeks of speculation, despite all our calls, faxes and emails, Governor M. Jodi Rell vetoed HB 6715<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142362>, the Compassionate Use Act. It's unconscionable that Rell vetoed this bill. And it's creating a firestorm that the Governor likely didn't anticipate.

            Newspaper articles and television reports are blasting the Governor for her veto. Why?

            First, the medical efficacy of marijuana is unassailable--just look at recent research conducted by Dr. Donald Abrams at the University of California<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142355>, as reported in the journal Neurology.

            Second, Governor Rell's veto message was taken straight from the Bush Administration playbook. With regard to medical marijuana, the Bush Administration has continued to play politics with the lives of patients and their families. And now Rell has placed political games above compassion in Connecticut. Her veto message, which you can read here<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142363>, is full of inaccuracies and distortions. We have produced a detailed point-by-point rebuttal of the Governor's weak veto message. As State Senator Andrew McDonald (D-Stamford) told the New York Times, the Governor never raised any of these concerns while the bill was being drafted, when modifications could have been made.

            Third, support for medical marijuana is overwhelming in Connecticut. Over 83 % of CT residents supported this legislation in polls. The State Legislature passed HB 6715 by wide margins. Dozens of medical, legal, community and faith based groups supported this bill, including the CT Nurses Association and community groups like A Better Way Foundation. You and hundreds of residents across Connecticut-including patients, doctors, and caretakers-sent letters, faxes, and phone calls to the Governor, urging her support.

            Indeed, Connecticut stood up to support patients, but Gov. Rell ducked out the back door, abandoning her constituents and forgoing an opportunity to protect patients from state prosecution.

            But we will not be turned back from our effort to enact sensible, common sense protections for patients. If you are frustrated, send the Governor your thoughts and comments<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142372>. You can also send letters to the editor and opinion editorials to your local paper. Let the press and the Governor know what you think.

            Despite the Governor's wrongheaded, politically-motivated veto, we should all feel proud for what we accomplished this year-together, for the first time in CT history, we sent a workable medical marijuana bill to the Governor's desk. And together, we will prevail in our efforts to end the criminalization of patients in need.

            Gabriel Sayegh
            Drug Policy Alliance

            Governor Rell
            local phone:  860-566-4840
            toll free:        800-406-1527
            fax:               860-524-7396
            email:           Governor.Rell at po.state.ct.us<mailto:Governor.Rell at po.state.ct.us>

           
           

            Contact the Drug Policy Alliance:

            Drug Policy Alliance
            70 West 36th Street, 16th Floor
            New York, NY 10018

            For subscription problems please contact
            Jeanette Irwin, Director, Internet Communications
            jirwin at drugpolicy.org<mailto:jirwin at drugpolicy.org> | 202.216.0035

           

       
           
           
            In this DPA Action Network Alert you can make a difference:

            
            <http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142364><http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142372> 


           

            To view other actions, see actions you've completed, or edit your profile please visit the DPA Personal Action Center<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142366> 
      
      DrugPolicy.org<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142357> | Take Action<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142359> | Donate<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142358> | Privacy Policy<http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=3614&l=142367> 

      ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

     
 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://pairlist10.pair.net/mailman/private/ctgp-news/attachments/20070622/89bbef9f/attachment.html>