The Green Scene

  In the wintery wind, I ventured out to a farm. I had never been to a farm like this before. This was a medicine farm, cared for with intent to help the world heal. I entered the door, and took off my shoes, and was transported to a forest of goodness.

 

  There were 3 farmers at this field, busy taking care of their crops.   

 Pedro and Troy were busy getting the babies in their new beds and Dan was busy moving the older kids to their new class. 

    They were on a mission to make sure every aspect of their growing was perfect to produce quality medicine. I was amazed at their diligence and sense of purpose.

                             

  When they were working, Troy inquired of me if I knew any patients that needed compassionate help in finding their medicine. He wanted to find someone truly in need, and make sure they met that need, without anything to gain. 

             "My father suffered from Parkinson's Disease, " Troy explained, "and at the time I had no clue cannabis could help him. He was diagnosed when he was 30, wheelchair bound by 40, bedridden by 50 and dead by 60. I was too young to know about the healing powers of cannabis so really I've been trying to spread the message to other people who are suffering so they can find a healthy alternative the prescription medication"

Troy has started Permanent Farms in honor of his father, George Marion Stephens

The Green Scene

Jon moved to Washington to become part of the new Green Scene. He does glass blowing along with growing cannabis for the medical community. His daughter Tayler makes all the medibles. They do not currently have a company name but really have high hopes that the Green Rush will take off and they can join as Entrepreneurs .

The Green Scene

This is Girl Scout Cookies Forum cut grown in canna coco with canna nutes!! Harvested at 67 days!! Cured for 4 weeks!! Flush 16 days.Available exclusively from Permanent Farms

Their Fanpage can be found

Permanent Farms

Tears Of The Fallen

Tears Of The Fallen, a photo by ♀ Winged One ♀(off flying somewhere) on Flickr.

My Warrior, Rest In Peace

I gave him my tears
He gave me his hope
Together we reminded each other that there is nothing we can not dream
My soul brother and me, invincible it seemed.

Now he lay lifeless, his spirit gone
And I just can not stop screaming, NO!
I still want him, I still love him, I still need his light
He was my Warrior, without him I have no fight.

Give him back, God
I have not asked for much in life
You gave me a brother to love and be the perfect kin
Too short a time, I want to hug him just once again...

Snow falling on tears that will not stop to breathe
Want to run to the woods and never return
For there is where my brother and I made a bond of the heart
Take his last breath, tear our hope apart.

Warrior.. Chuck, you stand with Apache now
Kiss him and pet his mane
Let him nudge you one time, and pull your dirty little ears
Know you are loved from this life, take with you my tears.

Tawnee

Chuck Jones RIP

Classy

Classy, a photo by ♀ Winged One ♀(off flying somewhere) on Flickr.

Olympia

Olympia, a photo by ♀ Winged One ♀(off flying somewhere) on Flickr.

http://tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2014020040#start=4645&stop=4774

The Faces Of Activism

      Last year I found myself wanting to do more than sit behind my computer and gripe about the government. I wanted to become part of the voices that created the change we so desperately need in our world. So I joined protests against GMO's. I joined rallies for patients rights to medical cannabis. I started volunteering for non profits benefiting my community. 
      The first time I went to Olympia was in November, to speak up against the fleecing of our medical cannabis laws. That was the first time I saw Kari Boiter. She was busy rushing to meetings and greeting patients she knew. She was speaking to committees on behalf of safe access for patients and protection for providers. 
      A few weeks ago I saw Kari on Lobby Days with many advocates I already knew, working on a project called, "Health Before Happy Hour". She greeted me with a friendly smile and then rushed off to another meeting. 
      Last week I was able to sit with her and talk. Kari empowered me to speak again to the Legislature about my needs as a patient. She offered to help me get meetings with key lawmakers I had been trying to get meetings with. She listened when I told her my thoughts and views, and that was important because I feel like she is the first person that has really cared enough to ask and then listen. She told me that my needs are important, and that the things I feel are valid, and then she helped me collect my thoughts enough to be able to speak them effectively to the lawmakers. 
       Yesterday I spoke to the Legislature, and I think I did okay. When I think of activism, I think of Kari Boiter. Kari empowered me to become part of the process. 
   

"I really feel that the state of the medical cannabis community is hanging in the balance right now. We need some diplomatic messengers,to take our message to the lawmakers and make sure they are doing this correctly. That does involve diplomacy. That involves finding the most effective way of being heard. What I am trying to do is create a space where lawmakers want to listen to us. They are hearing us. They are not just listening to us and hearing us, they are taking those considerations into account in the bills they are passing. If we continue to say to them that we disagree with them, and do not explain why we disagree and what we want changed,providing solutions for them not just critism, I really feel it will be difficult for them to understand and craft laws that protect patients.

What I am trying to do is make sure that they not only understand that we oppose the laws they are proposing to combine medical with recreational use, but also give them a blueprint of what an effective law would look like. What would be better for the patient, and what regulations we will accept and need. We do recognize in fact that the medical cannabis laws as it stands right now is not what the voters intended, it is not what the lawmakers intended, it is not what the patients intended. I am here to work with lawmakers to get something better in the law. "

Kari Boiter worked as a Legislative Assistant to the Chair Of Health and Human Services Appropriations Mary Lou Dickerson 2010-2013

Working with Mary Lou Dickerson on first State Level Legislation to legalize Cannabis. House Bill 1550

Advocate For Richard Flor and Chris Williams

Community Organizer

White House Petition to reduce sentence for Chris Williams

Organized Journey For Justice

Received Award for Medical Cannabis Advocate of the Year 2013 , from Americans for Safe Access

Time keeps on slipping...

   I wish they would give us more time to speak. there is so much I feel they need to be educated on, and so very little time to do so.

Yesterday's Speaking

  

Public Speaking

   Today I went in the freezing winter chill to speak to a group of strangers mingled with friends and others that share community with me. We are all united in being part of the lawmaking process concerning the plant Cannabis.
    Today I spoke to members of the Senate regarding the crafting of laws concerning the medicine I use to heal and maintain my quality of life. I was not at all comfortable with the idea of being so vulnerable, but it was a choice I felt I had to make. I need them to understand my needs as a patient. I did not feel anyone else could effectively be that voice, so I had to summon the courage to do it.
   We filed into the room and listened to many things before the bills concerning us were heard. Our bills were pushed to the end, and so our speaking time was very limited. I was not sure I could get through all of my notes.
   My name was called and I went to the table, I was relieved to see my friend Shawn sitting next to me and immediately felt a little empowered by her testimony and energy. I looked around and was then joined by my friend and fellow cancer patient Debbie and another patient Tammy. I felt courage and pride being surrounded by my peers.
   I began my testimony by telling them my illnesses and then quoting the cures as adopted by the NCIB. I told them I need access to pesticide free organic cannabis and quality concentrate tailored to my illness. I told them the financial hardship repeated authorizations when I have a terminal illness and debilitating spine injury is unjust. I told them having me buy my medicine in a retail store where others with the flu frequent puts my life at risk. I told them medibles with refined sugar and salt are toxic to cancer patients, we need access to safe quality medicine that is labeled. I welcome some regulation. I did not have time to talk about the rest of my points, but I left them there for them to read. I want to write them a letter now. I want to ask if I can be a bigger part of the process.
What do you think?

Lobby Days Here I come... again

 
         When I was a child I never felt that I had a voice. I would try to speak up for the rights of my siblings and I, but no one would listen. I once even fancied becoming a lawyer and being the one that did in fact listen. Those dreams were dashed with the idea that I was not worthy of having that voice, that people in that marble house on the hill did not care about the ones who needed the most protection. It never stopped me from trying.
       When I found myself a patient, sometimes getting unnecessary treatments and tests so that others could profit, I started being an advocate for others that were being treated like petrie dishes. When I met a disabled vet begging for help, I became his advocate to the VA and tap danced on any desk I could get in front of to get my friend the assistance he needed.
       Now I find a war on one of the few medicines that heal so many different diseases and challenges, being waged when the freedom for access to it was granted so long ago. Medical Cannabis has been proven to heal.  I must go and fight for patient rights, at the law level.
        I must go speak for those fighting cancer. I must go speak for those that have non stop breath stealing pain. I must go speak for the humanitarians trying to provide this medicine to the most needy. I must do this for them and I, for we are all the same. I must do it for those very lawmakers who might one day find themselves as one of those or I. We are all the same. In an effort to be a voice in the chamber of echoes of our basic human right, I take with me all those in quarantine. I carry with me the tears that stained my cheek as I hugged my room mate goodbye for the last time before she passed away. I carry with me the future hope for all those diagnosed with cancer. I hope that my voice is enough.