2. This is a presentation that has been
created for the hope that I could
educate and persuade you to consider
helping the state of Oklahoma Legalize
Medicinal Cannabis, and as I am
attempting to persuade you I am going
to throw in Historical facts and common
knowledge along with some essential
information that associate with
Cannabis!
Now, I am not a Doctor but I have done a
lot of research for myself. So I am going
to give you a few example situations
that can be resolved/aided by the
legalization of Medicinal Cannabis.
3. Example Number 1, Medicinal Benefits:
Issues such as Aids, Glaucoma,
Anxiety, Insomnia, Anorexia,
Chronic Depression, Chronic Pain,
PTSD, OCD, and even Asthma
can be aided/cured by the
consumption of Cannabis.
4. These are just a few of the Major
Illnesses that Medicinal
Cannabis would be very
beneficial for, and yes there has
been word that smoking
Cannabis can lead to Lung
Cancer, but it is not Cannabis
that directly gives Lung Cancer it
is the Smoke that is be inhaled,
but either way there is an easy
solution for this.
5. It is called a Vaporizer.
A Vaporizer is a
smoking utensil that
extracts the negative
chemicals out of
Cannabis and purifies
the smoke that is
being inhaled. Not
only that, but you do
not have to smoke
Cannabis, you can
also convert it to
either Edible items,
Drinkable items, Pills,
or even Oils.
6. Another common complaint from
some individuals is the "High"
well the High is produced from
a non-toxic chemical called
Tetrahydrocannabinol or also
know as "THC" which produces
the psychoactive euphoric
spacey feelings, but what most
people don't realize is you do
not have to have a high amount
of THC, or even have any at all
in the Cannabis that is being
consumed. THC is NOT the
main chemical that helps
medicinally.
7. • For those who do not know what a "Body High"
or "Head High" is, A body high is the type of high
that completely relaxes your body to its
maximum potential.
• A "Head High" is the kind of high that makes
you energetic and on your feet, and may also
cause uncontrollable laughter due to its potency.
8. There are three types of Cannabis:
• Sativa
• Indica
• Hybrid
9. Sativa
• C. Sativa is the strain
that produces more of
a "Head High" then
Indica, partly because
of it's higher amount
of THC also known as
Potency, You can
spot a Sativa plant by
noticing its long lanky
leaves, and is usually
grown outdoors due
to its possible size.
10. Indica
• C. Indica is the strain
that forms more of a
"Body High" which
usually is used for
Medical Patients.
Cannabis Indica has
short blocky leafs,
and is typically grown
indoors.
11. Hybrid
• Last but not least,
Hybrid. Hybrid
plants are the
plants that are
grown with both
properties Indica
and Sativa, one
might be more
dominant over the
other as well.
12. On a side note, I have a Ill family member of my own
who I would like to help. My grandmother has been
diagnosed with Lung Cancer and is currently going
through Chemo Therapy, she is in chronic pain, has lost
her hair, and can barely breathe. She has to shove
numerous man made pharmaceuticals down her throat
in order to make it through the day without experiencing
excruciating pain and severe physical exhaustion. Now
why should she have to go through this?
She is a honest hard working woman who lives and
gives to the best of her abilities, but she refuses to
consume Cannabis, because it is Illegal in the state that
we live in and will make her feel like a criminal. She
should not have to feel like a criminal for wanting to help
her daily pain in an all natural way.
13. So does that sound like a crime? A 70 year old
grown Woman in need, choosing to persue in
something that has never harmed a living
Human being? I do not think so. Cannabis has
never hurt anyone and it never will, it has been
used as a Medicine for Hundreds of years by our
people to cure pain, make money, and create
tranquility.
=?
14. Alcohol
Alcohol is legal and it kills thousands of individuals each year, I
myself have even been a victim of Alcohol poisoning and I will
tell you now, that should not be legal. Alcohol is horrible in so
many ways it destroys braincells, damages your liver, alters
your vision and critical thinking skills, and that's just a part of
it.
Accidents are caused by the consumption of Alcohol all the time
situations such as Death, Internal or external injuries, or even
mental stablility, but yet it is still allowed on the streets without
very many complaints. Now why is that?
15. I believe there is something wrong with this picture why would
something that is Harmful in multiple ways get to stay and be
available for a buyer over 21, but yet not something that is
beneficial in more ways then one. Cannabis should not ruin
anyones future, but instead make it better.
Now I have a big dream, A dream where My country is finally
making the correct decisions for it's people not based on power,
wealth, or greed. Yes this will present us with revenue, but it's
benefitting the people as well for the better, and let's face it
people are going to use it legal or not.
So let's end the war on drugs it's foolish!
16. Historical Green Fact Number 1:
14 of our greatest former U.S Presidents have all
admitted to par take in The Finer Points of Cannabis at
least once or twice in there lifes, and a few of them even
grew there own Hemp Farms. This is not even 1/5 of the
list of Politicians who have either grew or consumed
Cannabis.
Also, for more than half of the history of the United
States, cannabis was used primarily for industrial
purposes, and at times was even required by law to be
grown out of "strategic necessity".
17.
18. Our very first President, One of our Four Founding Fathers, use to
be a supporter of Hemp. He once said "Make the most you can of
the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere.". What he meant by
this was Hemp was very beneficial to the country back in his time,
and he wanted to spread the word of its many uses, so he told people
to plant it where and when they could. Also there was word that he
smoked Cannabis for his consistant Teeth Pain as well.
19.
20. Thomas Jefferson, our third
President, and also a founding
father, has had alot of proof
pointing towards the fact that he has
indeed grew Hemp, although there
is little sufficient evidence that he
had smoked it. Also In his book
"Farm Book" by Thomas Jefferson
he shows instructions for growing
hemp. (pg.95)
21.
22. James Madison, our fourth President, once stated that " Hemp
gave him insight to create a new and democratic nation."
23.
24. James Monroe, our fifth President,was reported to have started
smoking it as Ambassador to France and he continued to the age of
73.
25.
26. Our seventh President, Andrew Jackson, has been documented to
have smoked Cannabis and Tobacco Cigars along with his troops
in the war.
27.
28. Zachary Taylor, our twelth President, like Jackson was reported
to have smoked Cannabis with his troops during his many wars.
29.
30. As popular as it was back then our
fourteenth President Franklin
Pierce also smoked with his
troops as a general in the
Mexican-American War. In a
letter to his family, he also states
that "Cannabis is about the only
good thing in the war.".
31.
32. It has not been completely proven, but there have been many
signs that our sixteenth President, and one of our
Founding Fathers, supported Hemp production. Though
this quote was not directly referenced towards Cannabis I
do believe it has affiliation with the situation.
33.
34. Close aquaintences to our thirty -fifth Preident, J.F.K,
had said that President Kennedy would smoke Cannabis
regulary to alleviate his chronic back pain. Once at a Civil
Rights announcement he said "The rights of every man are
diminished when the rights of one man are threatened." this
was a quote that was a small portion of a larger quote that
was referring mainly to the Rights of Ethnicity, but like
President Lincolns quote I believe this has affiliation and
can be considered a right in some form or another.
35.
36. our thirty-ninth President Jimmy Carter once said that
"Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more
damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself; and
where they are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this more
clear than in the laws against possession of marihuana in private
for personal use... Therefore, I support legislation amending
Federal law to eliminate all Federal criminal penalties for the
possession of up to one ounce of marihuana."
37.
38. Bill Clinton was known by potheads for being the forty-second
president and is also know for his famous marijuana quote
"When I was in England, I experimented with marijuana a
time or two, and I didn't like it. I didn't inhale and never tried it
again.". Well in a Rolling Stone magazine interview in 2000 he
states that "I think that most small amounts of marijuana have
been decriminalized in some places, and should be.'' also at an
international AIDS conference he says that " we need to treat
drug issues as a public health problem as opposed to a criminal
justice problem. I think that most small amounts of marijuana
have been decriminalized in some places, and should be.'' So does
PresidentClinton count? You Decide.
39.
40. Our forty-third and most former President, George W.
Bush would not comment on his possible marijuana use all
that he said was he would not comment "because I don’t
want some little kid doing what I tried” so President Bush
is also up to you.
42. Our current and 44th President, Barack Obama, admitted
to smoking marijuana in his youth. He said “I inhaled
frequently. That was the point”. Obama may possibly be
the one who will help us start the end of the War on Drugs.
President Obama also says that "recreational users of
marijuana in states that have legalized the substance should
not be a top priority of federal law enforcement officials
prosecuting the war on drugs." to help aid Cannabis users
federally.
44. The late and great Benjamin Franklin, though he was not a
President he was still widely known for his political and nonpolitical accomplishments. He played a big role in the creation
of modern day U.S.A. Franklin was believed to be an immense
supporter of Hemp use back in his time. He believed that it was
one of the best ways to grow financially or just in general,
because of its many benefits. Franklin was the very first person
to invent a Hemp paper mill, which allowed America to have its
own supply of paper.
45. Hemp
You see, Cannabis is not bad it has practically
helped build our country. Three of Four of our
founding fathers either smoked or grew Hemp.
Now what is Hemp you are probably asking
yourself. Well Hemp is another very beneficial
variety of the Cannabis plant, it is known for its
strength, absorbancy, and its hundreds of uses.
46. Hemp can be refined into products such as
• Hemp Foods
• Hemp Oil
• Wax
• Resin
• Rope
• Cloth
• Pulp
• and even Fuel
47. Hemp can almost be used as a
replacement for anything, and not to
mention that it is a Billion Dollar Cash
Crop with a high demand, and not enough
of the product.
Which in the long run will benefit this
state, because let's face it we are a poor
State, we need more money, and this how
to get it. I realize that I am not only talking
about the Medicinal benefit, but the
possible recreational benefit as well, but
unfourtanetly that is something that will
have to wait until the states people are
ready.
48. The Gateway Drug
"Now for a big issue", Alot of people call
Cannabis "The Gateway Drug" I think that
legalized Medicinal Cannabis would help keep
some Individuals from being exposed to
dangerous and unhealthy situations, and here is
why.
If Medicinal Cannabis was accepted and
recommended to patients, they would not have
to be exposed to "Drug Dealers" instead they
can help aid there Illness whatever that may be,
with Medicinal Cannabis that was recommended
to the individual protected by state law in the
safety of there own Home.
49. We need to leave the space in our
prison cells for the people who have
commited real society damaging
crimes such as Murders, Robberies,
Kidnappings, Child Abuse, and Child
Molestation. These are the serious
types of crimes in life, these types of
crimes are the reason some people
fear going out into the open alone
today. So why is our prison space
so full of Potheads?
Now this is all just from Medical
Cannabis, We will work on
recreational when the state is
completely ready like I have said,
but as of now just treat our people.
50. Example Number 2, Financial and Criminal Benefit:
Legalizing Medicinal Cannabis in the state of Oklahoma
would save us a ton of money by simply taxing it, and
not arresting thousands of individuals for a small amount
of the harmless herb, when there are real crimes that
need to be tended to. Our prisons are getting very over
populated, too many individuals are serving time, and it
is very expensive for our state to keep on paying for
these thousands of individuals needs that are being
contained for a petty crime such as Marijuana
possession, some of whom might have even been
treating a disease or Illness.
51. Historical Green Fact Number 2:
Now as many believe, The Great
"Decleration of Independance" was
not wrote on Hemp paper, but was
actually wrote on Parchment paper.
However, the drafts of "The
Decleration of Independance" were.
53. Now I am just a concerned citizen
who has seen some of the
dangerous, and the not so
dangerous things that can happen
in this world. I have had some my
loved ones die, I have seen
dangerous drugs at use, I have
seen threats and fights, and I have
seen Marijuana users.
Out of all the things in this world
Cannabis is one of the least
dangerous things that you would
ever have to worry about. In all of
your life can you honestly tell Me
as a fact, that Marijuana has killed
or hurt someone directly?
54. Every "Drug" that I have seen people
use has effected them in some sort of
severe way, except for Cannabis. If
you are not convinced from what I
have already told you then I am going
to show you A comparison.
55. Methamphetamine "Crystal Meth"
Now we have all heard of this one
infamous street drug nicknamed "Meth"
short for Methamphetamine. So, what
is Meth exactly? Meth can be made
from sinus congestion medicine and by
extracting the chemicals out of them
they are able to make a addicting mind
altering drug, and to increase its
strength they combine the substance
with toxic chemicals such as battery
acid, drain cleaner, and other
household chemicals.
56. The Abundance of Negative Affects
Now, I think that sounds much worse then the “side affects” of
Cannabis alone, and personally I would not want to ingest
those chemicals into my body. Meth has horrible effects that
can ruin a persons life in many forms. For example, Brain
Damage, short/long term memory loss, organ failure,
strokes, open sores, rotting teeth (Meth Mouth), mania,
paranoia, obsessive compulsive behavior, psychosis, and
severe weight loss. Meth also has severe withdrawl
symptoms which commonly produces extreme drowsiness,
hunger, dehydration, loss of energy, body pain, severe
depression, and physical stress. So on top of these internal
issues it could cause other issues with family and friends as
well.
58. See there is much more that is to be concerned
about other then Cannabis. Meth can have so
many negative affects on a individuals life,
meanwhile Cannabis has only few negatives
which can typically be reversed. Also the
illegalization of Cannabis makes it to where
people are attempting to come up with man
made synthetic alternatives of Marijuana that do
not contain all natural THC at all, just to get
similar properties of Cannabis. This synthetic
Marijuana is known commonly as Spice, or K2.
59. Spice/K2
It may look like Cannabis, but don't be fooled by the
exterior. This man formed synthetic drug CAN KILL
YOU, it has not been unheard of. This is made from a
mixture of herbs/plants that were gathered and sprayed
with arteficial chemicals that mimic the affects of THC
and put into one substance. Alot of individuals have
many complaints about k2 spice, it produces common
symptoms such as, disphoria, increased heart rate,
nausea, potential to form seisures amongst some of the
users, and most important of all IT HAS THE
POTENTIAL TO KILL YOU!
60. Now, I am not going to go to deep
into religious points of view on
Marijuana, but I will say a direct
quote from Genisis 1:29 it says
"And God said, Behold, I have
given you every herb bearing
seed, which is upon the face of
all the earth, and every tree, in
the which is the fruit of a tree
yielding seed; to you it shall be
for meat." now I think Medical
Cannabis can certainly qualify
for this. Cannabis can only be
grown by seed it can not be
properly mimiced by man, also
medical marijuana is very
commonly ingested by food. So
I am not seeing very many
issues that would make
Medicinal Cannabis a problem
for even that of a Saint.
Religious Views
61. So why go through all this unnessessary crime and
pain? Why does all of this happen just to keep
Medical Marijuana illegal? What can it possibly
do to our state and our people that is so bad?
The answer is very clear, it is nothing. Legalizing
medicinal cannabis can not hurt us in any way,
shape, or form. It has been helping us for
thousands of years in some way or another, and
as of September 10th, 2013 the Department of
Justice agreed to let the states that have chosen
to Legalize Cannabis be allowed to proceed with
their tests without any interference in places
such as, Colorado, and Washington.
62. Final Green Fact Number 3: The Green
States
As of late 2013 there have been two states that
have legalized marijuana, and twenty states that
have legalized medical marijuana. That is almost
half of our country, so obviously our country is
finally slowly opening their eyes to the many
benefits of Cannabis, therefore we should take
the plunge as well. We should take a chance
and go for medical legalization it's not much, but
it's a start and our state will finally be
progressing and progressing for the better.
JUST SAY YES!