MARIJUANA PATIENT CONTINUES TO WORK FOR DRUG POLICY REFORM

I am a 26-year-old epileptic medical cannabis patient. I've been
seizure-free following a decade of failed modern treatments for the
past 1 1/3 years. I grew my own medication, obtaining my edibles via
caregiver. I am careful to abide by state law, and thought myself
protected from harassment after President Obama promised to protect
cannabis patients abiding by state law. I lived peacefully and
thanked God daily for giving me my life back with this non-lethal,
non-addictive herb.

On March 14 emails flooded in: Feds raiding medical cannabis
facilities, regardless of state law compliance.

Apparently the federal government had come to influence an important
vote in our Legislature. The raids commenced within the hour of the
committee deadlocking the vote to repeal medical cannabis. I
panicked. If they were persecuting the producers of my medication,
they would persecute the patients next.

I have lost a great deal from the federal raids. I've lost faith in
my President and democracy. Some legislators knew of or encouraged
the raids, despite "hearing" testimony from the sickest people in
their state. I lost sleep and my crop due to fear.

I lost hope in this state's government. Our representatives
encouraged the feds to put guns to the heads of the innocent and ill
while encouraging the corruption of the democratic process! Where is
hope when decisions such as this are based on faith, not science?

We educated our lawmakers so they might craft just laws. Ignoring us,
they've gifted us with a real treasure: a fire in our hearts to put
an end to the drug war. I've gained a renewed vigor and dedication to
stop these atrocities, because I have seen first-hand how wrong our
government is on this issue.

I've experienced the far-reaching damage inflicted upon our own
citizens by this futile war. It's abhorrent.

Thanks, DEA. You haven't silenced us ... you've just made us more
determined than ever to achieve federal drug policy reform.

Sarah Baugh

8230 Green Meadow Dr

Helena