The General
New Member
Melbourne - Veterans from across the nation are joining forces to change cannabis policies and they are launching the new initiative from the Florida Space Coast. On November 5, 2013, members of the 100KStrong.net Project will begin a whistle-stop tour of Florida VA Centers and hospitals. The 100KStrong.net Project is providing a forum for veterans to discuss the implications of adding cannabis to their current therapies at VA Medical Centers as they fulfill their mission, "To enlist 100,000 veterans in the battle for equal access to cannabis."
Michael Krawitz, the co-founder of Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access, is joining the tour. Mr. Krawitz, a veteran from Virginia, was instrumental in the creation of the current Veterans Health Administration policy on medical use of cannabis. VHA Directive 2011-004 states, "...patients participating in State marijuana programs must not be denied VHA services." Mr. Krawitz says, "The current policy effectively denies patients in 30 states the same quality of care as veterans in the 20 states with legal cannabis programs. If that isn't illegal, it certainly is immoral."
Joining the tour are Bradenton's Bob "Whitey" Jordan and Sarasota's Frank Dougherty, representing the Florida Cannabis Action Network Veterans' Committee, and South Florida's Joe Sisco, chairman of NORML of Florida Veterans' Committee.
During the seven-day tour, the group has various activities planned, including:
Veterans Forums and Information at the VA Centers
Meetings with local organizations and activists
A rally at the Florida Capitol, with a moment of remembrance at the Vietnam Memorial Wall
Picnic for veterans in Niceville, Fla.
Participation in the Veteran's Day Parade in Crestview, Fla. as the final stop on the tour.
Florida plays a key role in national veteran's affairs. U.S. Representatives Jeff Miller (FL-1, Pensacola) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12, New Port Richey) are the Chair and Vice-Chair of the U.S. House Veteran's Affairs Committee. Jodi James, Executive Director of the Florida Cannabis Action Network said, "Florida's 1.6 million veterans are being denied a proven, effective treatment option. When the collective influence of our veterans is pointed towards righting this wrong, national policy will change."
###
100KStrong.net is a project of the Florida Cannabis Action Network, in cooperation with NORML of Florida Veterans' Committee and Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access. The Florida Cannabis Action Network is a statewide group, headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. The purpose of Florida CAN is to generate public support for sensible cannabis policies and to assist in the implementation thereof; to provide a forum for the public to speak out on this issue of national social concern; to educate the public regarding the consequences of cannabis prohibition and to raise funds to promote these civic purposes.
Please contact David Jones, Communications Director, for the following:
- Request an interview with Michael Krawitz, Bob Jordan, Frank Dougherty, Joe Sisco, or Jodi James
- Have media-related inquires about the 100kStrong.net Project or the cannabis movement in Florida
- More about VHA Directive and How Veterans Use Cannabis
- Whistle-Stop Tour Dates and Locations
NAME: David B. Jones
PHONE: 904-327-5198
EMAIL: David.Jones@FLCAN.org
WEBSITE: FLCAN.org
WEBSITE: 100Kstrong.net
News Hawk - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Takeaction.realreformact.com
Contact: FLCAN.org
Website: 100Kstrong.net
Michael Krawitz, the co-founder of Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access, is joining the tour. Mr. Krawitz, a veteran from Virginia, was instrumental in the creation of the current Veterans Health Administration policy on medical use of cannabis. VHA Directive 2011-004 states, "...patients participating in State marijuana programs must not be denied VHA services." Mr. Krawitz says, "The current policy effectively denies patients in 30 states the same quality of care as veterans in the 20 states with legal cannabis programs. If that isn't illegal, it certainly is immoral."
Joining the tour are Bradenton's Bob "Whitey" Jordan and Sarasota's Frank Dougherty, representing the Florida Cannabis Action Network Veterans' Committee, and South Florida's Joe Sisco, chairman of NORML of Florida Veterans' Committee.
During the seven-day tour, the group has various activities planned, including:
Veterans Forums and Information at the VA Centers
Meetings with local organizations and activists
A rally at the Florida Capitol, with a moment of remembrance at the Vietnam Memorial Wall
Picnic for veterans in Niceville, Fla.
Participation in the Veteran's Day Parade in Crestview, Fla. as the final stop on the tour.
Florida plays a key role in national veteran's affairs. U.S. Representatives Jeff Miller (FL-1, Pensacola) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12, New Port Richey) are the Chair and Vice-Chair of the U.S. House Veteran's Affairs Committee. Jodi James, Executive Director of the Florida Cannabis Action Network said, "Florida's 1.6 million veterans are being denied a proven, effective treatment option. When the collective influence of our veterans is pointed towards righting this wrong, national policy will change."
###
100KStrong.net is a project of the Florida Cannabis Action Network, in cooperation with NORML of Florida Veterans' Committee and Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access. The Florida Cannabis Action Network is a statewide group, headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. The purpose of Florida CAN is to generate public support for sensible cannabis policies and to assist in the implementation thereof; to provide a forum for the public to speak out on this issue of national social concern; to educate the public regarding the consequences of cannabis prohibition and to raise funds to promote these civic purposes.
Please contact David Jones, Communications Director, for the following:
- Request an interview with Michael Krawitz, Bob Jordan, Frank Dougherty, Joe Sisco, or Jodi James
- Have media-related inquires about the 100kStrong.net Project or the cannabis movement in Florida
- More about VHA Directive and How Veterans Use Cannabis
- Whistle-Stop Tour Dates and Locations
NAME: David B. Jones
PHONE: 904-327-5198
EMAIL: David.Jones@FLCAN.org
WEBSITE: FLCAN.org
WEBSITE: 100Kstrong.net
News Hawk - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Takeaction.realreformact.com
Contact: FLCAN.org
Website: 100Kstrong.net
