Bakersfield...

I wrote this article base on my experience as a patient in Bakersfield,Ca.

Non-Compassionate Act

By Barry Lipson

Californiaâ??s medical marijuana law, Proposition 215 is known as the compassionate act of 1996. Personally, Iâ??ve seen little compassion even from other so-called patients.

Having a condition so rare that even doctors have to look it up can be frustrating. Once I learned about medical marijuana and discovered how well it worked without the side effects caused by synthetic drugs, I was on-board. I began spending time with others who felt like I did. They agreed with my views about medical treatment. They believed that marijuana is medicine and that speaking out and standing up for our rights was a worth while pursuit. That is what I was lead to believe.

Recently, I have discovered numerous hypocrisies which have left me bitter and angry. Some of us would like to â??come out of the closetâ? about marijuana use but are afraid to due to fear of public opinion and that is understandable. When we preach these same ideals publicly then slip into a closet of our own, I find this reprehensible.

The appeal of medical marijuana is the fact that I donâ??t have to use synthetic drugs for relief. For me, marijuana is not a gateway drug, rather a get away drug. I know many of activists who shout this from the roof tops then donâ??t practice what they preach.

Marijuana is my medicine. If standing up for the right to use it means being unpopular so be it. If being passed over for jobs because of my beliefs causes me to run and hide then please shoot me, I have nothing left.

My health and my words mean the world to me. I cling dearly to them. I encourage all those who wish to see marijuana go beyond decriminalization to down right acceptance to join me. Hiding only makes it appear as though you have something to hide. I have nothing to hide. Neither should you.