A medical marijuana organization is holding a protest against The Oregonian's editorial board for calling into question the legitimacy of cannabis' medical benefits and questioning the motivation of those using cannabis to alleviate pain.
Oregon Green Free is leading the protest on Thursday, July 29 at 10:30 a.m. at 1320 SW Broadway in Downtown.
Here is their full Press Release:
Oregon's largest medical marijuana organization has called upon patients and advocates to protest and picket The Oregonian on Thursday, July 29th at 10:30 am at their office at 1320 SW Broadway in downtown Portland. Thousands of Oregonian patients suffering with severe and debilitating medical conditions utilize the nontoxic natural medicine to alleviate their pain, reduce their nausea and improve their quality of life. Instead of showing compassion for these sick and disabled patients, The Oregonian insults their pain and suffering and calls their use of medical cannabis a "charade." Patients will attempt to educate the newspaper about their pain and suffering and how medical marijuana benefits them.
The entire country is changing its attitudes toward medical marijuana, with 14 states and our nation's capitol approving its use. Changes are even occurring federally as the Obama Administration implemented its policy to not prosecute patients and their providers complying with state law and the Department of Veterans Affairs has instituted a new policy to not deny medical care or benefits to veterans who utilize medical cannabis.
"It's despicable that The Oregonian would disparage seriously ill patients simply for treating their symptoms with a medicine recommended by their doctor and that they are authorized to use under state law," said Jim Klahr, CEO of Oregon Green Free. "Would The Oregonian ever denigrate patients for taking doctor-prescribed Percocet, OxyContin or any other addictive pharmaceutical narcotics?" Mr. Klahr, an Oregon medical marijuana patient awaiting a liver transplant, is unable to utilize the medicine because Oregon Health & Science University, the state's only liver transplant center, won't provide organs for people with cannabis compounds in their system, even if the patients are legally authorized medical cannabis patients.
With more than 6,000 members of their online forum, Oregon Green Free is Oregon's largest medical marijuana community. For more information, please visit www.oregongreenfree.net.
