Special Meeting of the ACMM this Monday

[Theon]

From the Calendar for Monday January 22, 2007:

Special meeting of the ACMM at the Oregon Building - 800 NE Oregon Street - Portland
Starts at 10am goes to 2:30 . . .

Hope to see all you OGFers there.
Theon B}

Sorry this double post.
Theon

[StoneyGirl]

Everyone should be aware that the ACMM has been "forbidden" to talk about legislation. We should make an effort to publicly comment that the ACMM should have input on any legislation that has anything to do with marijuana to weigh the implications any such legislation would have on OMMP and OMMP patients, caregivers, and PRMGS.

[Sequoiacrone]

Message-----
From: Oregon Department of Human Services

Subject: ODHS News Release 1/18, Medical marijuana adv. comm.

You are subscribed to News Releases for Oregon Department of Human Services.
This information has recently been updated.

Jan. 18, 2007

General contact: Bonnie Widerburg, 971-673-1282
Technical contact: Mellony Bernal, 971-673-1234

Advisory Committee for Medical Marijuana meets Monday in Portland

The Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM) will meet Monday, Jan.
22, to discuss proposed legislation and administrative issues for medical
marijuana.

Agenda topics include:
. 10 a.m. -- Welcome, introductions and approval of previous meeting
minutes;
. 10:10 a.m. -- Administrative reports including program updates and
statistics with opportunity for the committee to ask questions of program
management;
. 11 a.m. -- Discussion of potential 2007 medical marijuana legislation;
. 12:05 p.m. -- Lunch break;
. 12:50 p.m. -- Finish morning work session and introduce new topics;
. 2 p.m. -- Public announcements and comments.

The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in Room 140 of the
Portland State Office Building, 800 N.E. Oregon St., Portland.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals
requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or
large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations
should call the DHS Public Health Division, 971-673-1234, at least 48 hours
in advance of the meeting.



DHS is trying to reign in the activists....IMHO and I have attended ALL the ACMM meetings to date.

Here is the proposed agenda. ACMM was just starting with John Sajo/VP legislative proposals last meeting. IT should be continued.
Patients need to be aware of these proposals, after all they will affect OMMP participants.

Sequoia ;)

[Theon]

11 a.m. -- Discussion of potential 2007 medical marijuana legislation;[/u] [/b]

Clarification is needed here.
If this is on part of the agenda, how are the ACMM being "forbidden" to talk about proposed legislation? Who is forbidding them from this?

Can someone clarify this?
(I just a little more confused than usual)

Thanks
Theon B}

[kali ma]

Clarification is needed here.
If this is on part of the agenda, how are the ACMM being "forbidden" to talk about proposed legislation? Who is forbidding them from this?

Can someone clarify this?
(I just a little more confused than usual)

Thanks
Theon B}[/b]

Although we spent a majority of the last ACMM meeting discussing proposed legislation, the dept. has been saying that since there is nothing in the statute aboout the ACMM discussing legislation, that they could not.

i am not sure what was involved in the initial decision, which came after tha last ACMM meeting, or what was involved in getting it back on the agenda.

I venture to suggest ( i do not KNOW) it may have something to do with our Chair, Mama Sandee.

Anyway, it is on the agenda, so we will talk about it.
Yippee!
Please, everyone who is able, come out and represent our community.
There is a chance for folks to speak at the end of the meeting, which is a good way to get concerns on the record.
Something Sandee has pointed out to me, the value of getting things on the record. :thumbsup_anim:

It is also a chance for folks to get in the same room with leaders in our movement.

Please come!

[rancher]

It is confusing.

Sandee Burbank, ACMM chair, sent a notice out to the other ACMM members that she had received communication from Bruce Godlberg, head of DHS, that we could only discuss administrative issues. ACMM members have posted various replies. I will post mine separately here.

The ACMM purpose is confused because the enabling statute (passed by senators Morrisettte and Kruse) doesn't say anything about advising on legislation but they both said in public hearings that they expected that advice.

If the ACMM is not even going to consider legislation then I think its value is greatly diminished. I am considering whether to continue as a member of ACMM if my list of 12 motions (posted on the Voter Power forum) is bypassed for the second meeting in a row. What do you all think? I think the ACMM should vote on all those issues. Some are simple. Some we have spent a lot of time dicussing, like bringing back teenagers and dispensaries.

Feedback?


John Sajo

[rancher]

Fellow ACMM members:

There was a motion that passed 9-1 at the last meeting that we continue discussing legislative issues from our Dec 13 meeting. Prior to that meeting I sent out a list of 7 motions for consideration. Prior to the December 13 meeting I gave each ACMM member and the OMMP staff an updated list of twelve motions. These motions represent the product of numerous discussions and public meetings. Hundreds of patients contributed ideas to these motions through these meetings, online forums, personal communications and at previous Legislative hearings. Motions #1 and #2 are in response to concerns deeply felt and expressed by hundreds of patients. It is part of the core mission of the ACMM to consider patients' concerns.

It has been suggested that, "Any legislation to be reviewed should be limited to administrative issues." First I object to the oversimplified concept that there is a bright line between administrative and legislative issues. Most issues, including my 12 motions, have elements of both administrative and legislative concern. Second, I object to this definition of the ACMM's purpose by a distorted interpretation of ORS 475.303
This committees work was codified by statute, but this codification was surely not meant to limit the advisory function of the committee. The roots of the ACMM are the Administrative Workgroup and the Legislative Advisory Committee which met dozens of times. No enabling statutory language was required for either of these committees to discuss legislative or administrative issues.

The purpose of the ACMM is to advise. The OMMP is a controversial, new program breaking new ground in many ways. There are numerous questions and problems that have emerged. It is hard to imagine a public policy context where an advisory committee of advocates of a program is more needed. The idea that the content of the advice that our committee presents or the manner in which we present it should be censored is offensive in and of itself. But to suggest that we "be limited to administrative issues" after we spent the previous meeting discussing the legislative issues presented by the OMMP staff is absurd. I believe that one purpose of the ACMM is for patients to have a voice in the program. To deny consideration of legislative questions that patients have raised is completely unfair and could not serve any good public policy.

This question about whether our role is to consider legislation came up as soon as the awkward enabling statute language was adopted. Several people asked both Senator Morrisette and Senator Kruse if they expected the committee to consider legislative proposals at the public hearing in June 2006. Both Senators clearly expressed that they wanted the committee to advise on all proposals. Senator Morisette even discussed there being votes and "minority reports."

I conclude from this history that the purpose of the ACMM is to advise. There is advice for the program staff and there is often related advice for lawmakers. Our right to advise is a most basic and fundamental exercise of our right to free speech. Lawmakers and administrators can choose to do whatever they wish with our advice. We do not mandate anything. But to limit our free speech and the content of our discussions is an insult to the Contitution and to good public policy.

Medical marijuana is a contentious, complex emotional issue where there are many diverse opinions. Legislators and other policymakers can find themselves overwhelmed by all the different issues. The ACMM can play an important role by digesting all the confusion and presenting the issues in an organized format. The 12 motions I have made, along with the legislative proposals submitted by Leland Berger that we considered on December 13, comprise an important review of the medical marijuana issues. It seems to me that if we agreed to limit our own scope in the manner suggested, it would delegitimize the ACMM.

If we were to limit our discussion to administrative issues only, then we will have to spend a lot of time determining whether an issue is administrative or not. I suggest that this would be a stupid waste of time. It will be quicker to just have the discussions and move on.

I presented the 12 motions to everyone at the last meeting. I am attaching them again here for everone's convenience. Everyone has had plenty of time to consider these. Many are simple issues like reciprocity that we have discussed for years. (Motion #3). Motion #11 is an idea raised by Stormy Ray at the June hearing and by others at other times. Senator Morisette asked for a resolution on this subject. Why don't we simply consider these efficiently and move on. If everyone reads these and determines their opinion we could vote on them in minutes.

John Sajo

[grammychronic]

i dont think they have a right to that interpretation of the functions for the ACMM. it is not their tool. the acmm, i thought is a tool for patients to discuss our concerns and for the acmm to also hear our ideas.
i too am a bit angered by this and find the attempts towards suppression of free speech disgusting.
so it would be my assumption that the senate health committee shall ultimately, once again be contacted with patient concerns instead of us using the acmm. i will be more than pleased to tell them that we are restricted (regards to free speech) by having ommp admin limit the discussion to only those things they deem of importance..
it would seem that all things included in the rules would potentially be of interest to pats..now they are saying essentially we must only discuss the "distribution of staples and paper clips"?
have i mis-understood anything?

[kali ma]

It looks to me like it is on the agenda.
Does someone else read it differently?

Jan. 18, 2007

General contact: Bonnie Widerburg, 971-673-1282
Technical contact: Mellony Bernal, 971-673-1234

Advisory Committee for Medical Marijuana meets Monday in Portland

The Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM) will meet Monday, Jan.
22, to discuss proposed legislation and administrative issues for medical
marijuana.

Agenda topics include:
. 10 a.m. -- Welcome, introductions and approval of previous meeting
minutes;
. 10:10 a.m. -- Administrative reports including program updates and
statistics with opportunity for the committee to ask questions of program
management;
. 11 a.m. -- Discussion of potential 2007 medical marijuana legislation;. 12:05 p.m. -- Lunch break;
. 12:50 p.m. -- Finish morning work session and introduce new topics;
. 2 p.m. -- Public announcements and comments.

The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in Room 140 of the
Portland State Office Building, 800 N.E. Oregon St., Portland.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals
requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or
large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations
should call the DHS Public Health Division, 971-673-1234, at least 48 hours
in advance of the meeting.

The ACMM is an 11-member committee appointed by DHS Director Bruce Goldberg.
It is charged with advising the director on administrative aspects of the
Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, reviewing current and proposed
administrative rules of the program, and providing annual input on the
program's fee structure. Committee members are patients who possess registry
identification cards, designated primary caregivers and advocates of the
Oregon Medical Marijuana Act.

The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act was approved by voters in the Nov. 3, 1998,
general election. The ACMM was created during the 2005 Legislative Session.
The statutes governing the OMMP are ORS 475.300 to ORS 475.346.

###

You can view a list of all DHS 2007 news releases by clicking here.

This service is provided free of charge by: Oregon Department of Human
Services.

P.S. If you have questions about the news release, please see the contact
information above. If you have questions about this subscription service,
please contact help@govdelivery.com or Gary Whitehouse, DHS Office of
Communications, (503) 945-6934, gary.whitehouse@state.or.us for assistance.

GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of the Oregon Department of Human
Services . 500 Summer Street NE E15 . Salem OR 97301 . 503-945-5944

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Madfingers]

It looks to me like it is on the agenda.
Does someone else read it differently?

Jan. 18, 2007

General contact: Bonnie Widerburg, 971-673-1282
Technical contact: Mellony Bernal, 971-673-1234

Advisory Committee for Medical Marijuana meets Monday in Portland

The Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM) will meet Monday, Jan.
22, to discuss proposed legislation and administrative issues for medical
marijuana.

Agenda topics include:
. 10 a.m. -- Welcome, introductions and approval of previous meeting
minutes;
. 10:10 a.m. -- Administrative reports including program updates and
statistics with opportunity for the committee to ask questions of program
management;
. 11 a.m. -- Discussion of potential 2007 medical marijuana legislation;. 12:05 p.m. -- Lunch break;
. 12:50 p.m. -- Finish morning work session and introduce new topics;
. 2 p.m. -- Public announcements and comments.

The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in Room 140 of the
Portland State Office Building, 800 N.E. Oregon St., Portland.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals
requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or
large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations
should call the DHS Public Health Division, 971-673-1234, at least 48 hours
in advance of the meeting.

The ACMM is an 11-member committee appointed by DHS Director Bruce Goldberg.
It is charged with advising the director on administrative aspects of the
Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, reviewing current and proposed
administrative rules of the program, and providing annual input on the
program's fee structure. Committee members are patients who possess registry
identification cards, designated primary caregivers and advocates of the
Oregon Medical Marijuana Act.

The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act was approved by voters in the Nov. 3, 1998,
general election. The ACMM was created during the 2005 Legislative Session.
The statutes governing the OMMP are ORS 475.300 to ORS 475.346.[/b]

The discussion of proposals has also been re-asserted by Dr Higginson, sounds to me like this will be happening with Admin blessings.....

Madfingers

[Traderdan02]

Deja vu, ....Did'nt Dr. Higgenstiuf already say,..I don't care what the ACMM.Recommend's, It won't happen.
Or somthing to that extent. td02

[Madfingers]

Deja vu, ....Did'nt Dr. Higgenstiuf already say,..I don't care what the ACMM.Recommend's, It won't happen.
Or somthing to that extent. td02[/b]


I think what happened is that when what is now SB161 was read by Dr Higginson at the last ACMM meeting he stated that this was the way Gov Kul would be introducing it. That is because it has already in the Govs hands and any discussion was illrelivent. This bill hit the floor first thing the Session opened they probabaly had had it for sometime before the ACMM meeting . . .

The advisory suggestions were noted and that where it ends except that now all citizens have the right to call and talk to their legislators and more specifically Senator Morrisettes committee.

Health and Human Services

Membership:
Bill Morrisette, Chair
Jeff Kruse, Vice-Chair
Gary George
Laurie Monnes Anderson
Joanne Verger



The contact info for the senators can be found here http://www.leg.state.or.us/senate/

Madfingers

[grammychronic]

here is a link to sb161 for those of you who have not read it...
http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measpdf/s...b0161.intro.pdf (http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measpdf/sb0100.dir/sb0161.intro.pdf)

[calapooya]

Hope you get to discuss this very important topic....(I can't come, as am sick with the flu...ech!)
Anyway...IF indeed this committee is SUPPOSE to be independent....why wouldn't we be able to talk about legislation that DIRECTLY PERTAINS TO OUR PROGRAM.....The one we are suppose to be ADVISING ABOUT??

But then, what if indeed you DO discuss it,and it goes into the record as a vote for VP's suggested improvements....and then they say "that will be struck out of the records" as inappropriate??

I would not put it past them....DAN was RIGHT....they are just trying to cower us....we need to
STAND UP and be counted!.....Thanks, guys for all the wonderful (free) work you do
-especially those "smartie-pants lawyers"! LOL! xx CraZySiCkCat

[MrClone]

:banana: :banana: :banana: Bump :banana: :banana: :banana:

[MrFixit]

And don't forget after the meeting.

OGF is having a meeting, rap session, with many of the ACMM members coming to talk with you about your concerns. Get some one on one time with the members of the ACMM.

Starts around 4:00p
2375 Se 174th Ave.
Portland, Or. 97233
503-760-2671

[joe blunt]

Does anybody have a report on what happened at the meeting yesterday ? Thanks.

[joe blunt]

Does anybody have a report on what happened at the meeting yesterday ? Thanks.[/b]
Did anybody go ? Or, was it just another waste of time ?

[Gentle Savage]

The room was full to Standing Room Only.

There was a lot of very positive action taken by the ACMM this month. It was an emergency extra meeting because of all that was left on the table at that last meeting. That work was addressed and other items too.

There are many meetings this week and the ones that will report to us are VERY BUSY RIGHT NOW. I think you will be impressed with their report.

Most of the public that attended were esteemed and proud members of OGF...

ROCK ON MY FRIENDS.

Love

Ed

[StoneyGirl]

They passed VP's proposal, and a free-trade between cardholders proposal as well. Both will be sent to Morrisette. I missed a lot, but I am pretty sure that most of JS's proposals passed.

[Sequoiacrone]

They passed VP's proposal, and a free-trade between cardholders proposal as well. Both will be sent to Morrisette. I missed a lot, but I am pretty sure that most of JS's proposals passed.[/b]


:yahoo: It has been a very busy week. The ACMM panel made some headway and I would suggest going to the minutes when they are prepared and promise it will be a good read. The messages and discussions we've had among
,many of our members...like the plant definitions, teenagers, mature should be considered budding, REQUESTS OF CONCERN TO PATIENTS (not all issues to be sure) were made a matter of record in the meeting minutes.
Our true concerns are closer to being dealt with when they are a matter of Public RECORD.


I was thrilled when DHS said they were going to start tracking secondary conditions, wouldn't it be great to see the expansion of the qualifying conditions? It may not work for everything....but you ought to have the choice to use it and find out if it could or would help.

Get back to ya later...my server has been DoWN!!

makes me crazy old crone

Sequoia :yahoo:

[kali ma]

They passed VP's proposal, and a free-trade between cardholders proposal as well. Both will be sent to Morrisette. I missed a lot, but I am pretty sure that most of JS's proposals passed.[/b]

They passed them all but the one about having to carry your card. That one was withdrawn.
The ACMM did vote to discuss the legislation.

Turns out the program had the idea that John, or VP or the ACMM were attempting to get the dept to sign off on the proposal and support it.

that was never the plan.

Once they realised that we weren't trying to get them to suggest to the legislature that we be allowed free market between cardholders or dispensaries, they were fine with us talking about whatever we wanted to talk about.

It was a very good, productive meeting in my estimation.
VP and OGF did fill the room! There were also folks from MAMA, SRCF, OR NORML and Mercy Center.
There was a lot of really good public comment, which is now on record.

Thanks to everyone who came out!

km

[oregond56]

here is a link to sb161 for those of you who have not read it...
http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measpdf/s...b0161.intro.pdf (http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measpdf/sb0100.dir/sb0161.intro.pdf)[/b]
Thanks GC for the link. As usual, you are very helpful. Please don't stop!!!
oregond56