Robert Celt
New Member
The first time Brandy Zink lobbied in Congress for medical marijuana, she wasn't taken very seriously. But that was in 2000, long before the dam burst on the bud.
"Capitol Hill is very intimidating with those big stone buildings; you can hear every step you take echo down the halls," says Zink, a then-fledgling lobbyist in her early 20s. "At first it was very difficult to get an appointment with a representative. We'd be received politely, but there would be no follow-up. They would make jokes like asking, 'Do you have any samples?' or 'Are you high right now?' We were not taken seriously."
Zink is a Michigan ambassador for Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a group that advocates for patients who need medical marijuana. She's heard a lot of reefer madness disinformation spouted by supposedly responsible representatives or their staff. But things have changed, and when she attends ASA's Unity 2016 conference later this month, she will spend a day lobbying in the Senate. That's because the Compassionate Access, Research, Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) act, which would reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II drug, has been derailed because the Senate Judiciary Committee will not bring it up for hearings.
Zink is sure she'll get in to see a few senators this time around.
"Things changed with the Obama administration," she says. "I'll have scheduled appointments. I usually meet with staff, (who) may or may not share the opinion of their boss. They treat us as professionals now and their questions are more focused. Some of them have revealed that a loved one has benefitted from or would benefit from marijuana. Little by little, we're gaining allies."
Although she won't out anybody, Zink says many congressional staffers use marijuana. She does recount meeting a very enthusiastic staffer working for Rep. Brenda Lawrence.
"She said, 'I'm from California and I know all about this stuff.' It was the first time a staffer said (they) were all supporters of it."
Zink has epilepsy and uses marijuana to lessen her seizures, as well as the pain from another condition. She found out how helpful it was during her teen years, when trying marijuana resulted in fewer seizures. When her parents found out and cut her off, the seizures came back.
Zink took to advocacy in support of her medicine, and moved to Michigan from Ohio in 2008 when the medical law passed here. She founded the Michigan chapter of ASA and has been a leader in the organization ever since. When it comes to lobbying, Zink is concise, accurate, and honest. She's lobbied for a number of organizations over the years, including the Marijuana Policy Project, a leader in helping to pass medical marijuana laws across the country.
Although she gets a more polite response from politicians now, Zink admits lobbying hasn't led to significant legislation. Many states are taking baby steps toward legalization, Zink says, but none are willing to stick their necks out and lead the charge.
If the Drug Enforcement Agency reclassifies marijuana as a Schedule II drug, more scientific research can be done to study marijuana's medical effects. The CARERS act will also settle banking issues for dispensaries, protect states with medical marijuana laws, and allow Veterans Affairs doctors to use medical marijuana therapies. These changes dovetail with ASA's mission to "ensure safe and legal access to cannabis (marijuana) for therapeutic uses and research."
In Michigan, that means working to protect the medical marijuana law. Since it was passed in 2008, the state legislature has acted mostly to restrict the law. That makes it all the more important that the Michigan chapter of ASA, currently in active recruitment mode, is vital and effective. Member services include information about the medical use of marijuana, education for medical professionals, information for legislators, advocacy training for patients, and aid in accessing marijuana and medical care providers. There are resources and training for people who run dispensaries, such as what to do in the event of a police raid.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Higher Ground: Lobbyist Takes Medical Marijuana Issue To Capitol Hill
Author: Larry Gabriel
Contact: Detroit Metro Times
Photo Credit: Seth Perlman
Website: Detroit Metro Times
"Capitol Hill is very intimidating with those big stone buildings; you can hear every step you take echo down the halls," says Zink, a then-fledgling lobbyist in her early 20s. "At first it was very difficult to get an appointment with a representative. We'd be received politely, but there would be no follow-up. They would make jokes like asking, 'Do you have any samples?' or 'Are you high right now?' We were not taken seriously."
Zink is a Michigan ambassador for Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a group that advocates for patients who need medical marijuana. She's heard a lot of reefer madness disinformation spouted by supposedly responsible representatives or their staff. But things have changed, and when she attends ASA's Unity 2016 conference later this month, she will spend a day lobbying in the Senate. That's because the Compassionate Access, Research, Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) act, which would reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II drug, has been derailed because the Senate Judiciary Committee will not bring it up for hearings.
Zink is sure she'll get in to see a few senators this time around.
"Things changed with the Obama administration," she says. "I'll have scheduled appointments. I usually meet with staff, (who) may or may not share the opinion of their boss. They treat us as professionals now and their questions are more focused. Some of them have revealed that a loved one has benefitted from or would benefit from marijuana. Little by little, we're gaining allies."
Although she won't out anybody, Zink says many congressional staffers use marijuana. She does recount meeting a very enthusiastic staffer working for Rep. Brenda Lawrence.
"She said, 'I'm from California and I know all about this stuff.' It was the first time a staffer said (they) were all supporters of it."
Zink has epilepsy and uses marijuana to lessen her seizures, as well as the pain from another condition. She found out how helpful it was during her teen years, when trying marijuana resulted in fewer seizures. When her parents found out and cut her off, the seizures came back.
Zink took to advocacy in support of her medicine, and moved to Michigan from Ohio in 2008 when the medical law passed here. She founded the Michigan chapter of ASA and has been a leader in the organization ever since. When it comes to lobbying, Zink is concise, accurate, and honest. She's lobbied for a number of organizations over the years, including the Marijuana Policy Project, a leader in helping to pass medical marijuana laws across the country.
Although she gets a more polite response from politicians now, Zink admits lobbying hasn't led to significant legislation. Many states are taking baby steps toward legalization, Zink says, but none are willing to stick their necks out and lead the charge.
If the Drug Enforcement Agency reclassifies marijuana as a Schedule II drug, more scientific research can be done to study marijuana's medical effects. The CARERS act will also settle banking issues for dispensaries, protect states with medical marijuana laws, and allow Veterans Affairs doctors to use medical marijuana therapies. These changes dovetail with ASA's mission to "ensure safe and legal access to cannabis (marijuana) for therapeutic uses and research."
In Michigan, that means working to protect the medical marijuana law. Since it was passed in 2008, the state legislature has acted mostly to restrict the law. That makes it all the more important that the Michigan chapter of ASA, currently in active recruitment mode, is vital and effective. Member services include information about the medical use of marijuana, education for medical professionals, information for legislators, advocacy training for patients, and aid in accessing marijuana and medical care providers. There are resources and training for people who run dispensaries, such as what to do in the event of a police raid.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Higher Ground: Lobbyist Takes Medical Marijuana Issue To Capitol Hill
Author: Larry Gabriel
Contact: Detroit Metro Times
Photo Credit: Seth Perlman
Website: Detroit Metro Times
