http://www.wave3.com/story/24845302/surprise-vote-change-passes-medical-marijuana-bill-out-of-committee Surprise vote change passes medical marijuana bill out of committee FRANKFORT, KY (WAVE) – Two lawmakers changed their votes at the last minute, allowing a bill to legalize medical marijuana to clear a Kentucky House committee. Medical marijuana supporters, some of whom testified before the House Health and Welfare Committee that the marijuana effectively treated their ailments, cried and hugged each other after the vote. It's the first time the medical marijuana issue has passed out of committee, although supporters acknowledged it may not get any further in Frankfort this year. "It's an emotional day," said Jaime Montalvo, a Multiple Sclerosis sufferer. "It took a lot to get here and it's a step in the right direction." Reps. Reggie Meeks, D-Louisville, and Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, changed their votes from "pass" to "yes" when it appeared the measure didn't have enough support for committee approval. Supporters cheered with every "yes" vote, erupting in applause when the committee's chairman announced the legislation had passed. "I don't want to give false hope," Westrom cautioned, adding that she thought the bill wouldn't get any further. Molly Sawyers' husband, an Iraq war veteran, has Multiple Sclerosis. The two hugged and kissed after the hearing. "It means everything," said Sawyers, of Simpsonville. "This is my children's future too, not just my husband's future." Opponents said medical marijuana had dangerous side effects, and said there wasn't enough research to back up the benefits that supporters claim. "What you're asking us to do as a legislature is approve drugs, to circumvent the FDA process, and approve a drug based on ‘could possibly,''" said Rep. Robert Benvenuti, R-Lexington. The comment by Benvenuti drew catcalls from the standing room-only crowd and opposition from a disabled U.S. Air Force veteran, who pleaded with the committee to pass the legislation. The measure now moves to the full House for consideration. Speaker Greg Stumbo said Thursday he was open to discussing the issue, but stopped short of supporting the bill. "The issue is getting the legislative members to vote on this," said Montalvo, "getting them to have the courage to come out and vote." I would think that all of you in Kentucky need to write some "THANK YOU' notes to Reps. Reggie Meeks and Susan Westrom! You can find their addresses here- http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml If you have a Facebook page, you might even want to make a few comments for folks to read in that article! - Easy way-use these articles to base your comment, or in your letter to the other reps to get them thinking! Marijuana May Slow Alzheimer's (news - 2006) http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20061006/marijuana-may-slow-alzheimers “THC blocks an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase, which speeds the formation of amyloid plaque in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's drugs Aricept and Cognex work by blocking acetylcholinesterase. When tested at DOUBLE the concentration of THC, Aricept blocked plaque formation only 22% as well as THC, and Cognex blocked plaque formation only 7% as well as THC.†If Aricept works, then THC works better! Pot compound seen as tool against cancer (news – 2012) http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Pot-compound-seen-as-tool-against-cancer-3875562.php#page-1 “When McAllister and Desprez exposed the cells to cannabidiol in a petri dish, the cells not only stopped acting "crazy" but they also started to revert to a normal state… The researchers stressed cannabidiol works only on cancer cells that have these high levels of ID-1 and these do not include all cancerous tumors but, rather, aggressive, metastatic cells. But they've found such high levels in leukemia, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, ovarian, brain and other cancers.†Cannabis extract treatment for terminal acute lymphoblastic leukemia with a Philadelphia chromosome mutation (full – 2013) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3901602/ "Cannabinoid resin extract is used as an effective treatment for ALL with a positive Philadelphia chromosome mutation and indications of dose-dependent disease control. The clinical observation in this study revealed a rapid dose-dependent correlation." An ultra-low dose of tetrahydrocannabinol provides cardioprotection. (abst – 2013) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23537701 “CONCLUSION: A single ultra low dose of THC before ischemia is a safe and effective treatment that reduces myocardial ischemic damage.†That covers the "Big 3"- Alzheimer's, cancer, and heart attacks! And if anyone is fool enough to bring up the old myth of "Amotivational Syndrome", this "ancient" study kind of stomps all over that myth! Operant acquisition of marihuana in man. (abst - 1976) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/933012 "No subject stopped operant work even when he smoked 10 or more marihuana cigarettes per day. These data do not support the hypothesis that marihuana induces an "amotivational" syndrome." Tip- when writing a politician, send one copy of your letter by email, and a second by snail-mail. Get counted TWICE! Also a "snail-mail" letter is considered as the "voice" of 100 voters, while an email represents only 10! Well? GET BUSY! They won't listen to me- I'm in California! You dudes and gals in Kentucky have to do the work! I got you all set up with those quotes , but if you want more, just PM me your email- I'll send you over 1,400 pages of links to pick and choose from if you want to use other studies! Granny