New Poll Shows Incredible Support for Allowing Medical Marijuana
On September 23, 2009, Suffolk University released the results of a poll showing that 81% of Massachusetts residents support allowing "seriously ill patients to use, grow, and purchase marijuana for medical purposes if they have the approval of their physicians." The poll found strong support in every demographic, including support from 86% of senior citizens and 70% of Republicans. Mirroring local support for legal access to medical marijuana are the results found by an ABC News/Washington Post poll released on January 18, 2010. This nationwide poll also found 81% support for legal access to medical marijuana.
Lawmakers are often under the mistaken impression that medical marijuana is a controversial issue that their constituents won't support. While this poll will help, it's up to you to show them their constituents care about patients. Please use our free and automated system to write your legislators in support of Massachusetts' medical marijuana bill, House Bill 2160. Let them know that Massachusetts' seriously ill patients have waited far too long for relief and that the time to act is now.
Endorsements Still Pouring In
In the last few weeks, two more organizations that represent the interests of seriously ill patients have endorsed HB 2160. Joining the Massachusetts chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, the AIDS Action Committee, and the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod in calling for the state to protect seriously ill patients are Cambridge Cares About AIDS and the Massachusetts Patient Empowerment Project.
In addition to the endorsements from organizations representing the interests of patients, HB 2160 has also been endorsed by groups representing the legal protections of all Massachusetts’ residents. The Massachusetts Bar Association recently issued their endorsement of HB 2160 saying, in part, “the MBA supports this legislation because it affirms the rights of patients to be treated with medical marijuana — a drug with proven efficacy — while including important regulations to deter improper use.” Along with the Massachusetts Bar Association, four local sheriffs in Massachusetts also support legal access to medical marijuana for seriously ill Bay Staters. Sheriffs Carmen Massimiano (Berkshire County), Robert Garvey (Hampshire County), Richard Bretschneider (Nantucket County), and Andrea Cabral (Suffolk County) have all publicly supported passage of HB 2160. Please write your legislators and ask them to join all these learned organizations and individuals in supporting HB 2160.
If you are a member of an organization that might endorse the medical marijuana bill, please contact Matt Allen to see how you can help. And if you are a patient or medical professional interested in speaking out, please click here to tell us your story.