The Future of Patients Rights in Alabama
We had a great event at Oak Mountain yesterday; we always enjoy the picnics because it gives us a chance to make new friends and to see many of the people that have been there for this organization from the start.
I know most of you want to know what the big announcements were. I know this because I have looked at my email and my message box on Facebook.
Paticia Todd at "AMMJC Meet Your Legislator Day"
First, we no longer have a Republican Bill. We now have a bipartisan bill. We have united the medical marijuana movement in the state of Alabama. Next year, Representative Patricia Todd, (D) Birmingham, will be the primary sponsor of the Alabama Medical Marijuana Patients’ Rights Act, and Representative K.L. Brown, (R) Jacksonville will be cosponsoring.
Our new sister organitzation (Click on our logo to visit our Facebook page.)
Second, we are happy to announce the formation of our sister organization, Alabama Patients’ Rights Coalition (APRC). There are many issues relevant to the healthcare of our patients. APRC will address these issues through the legislative process. We are currently asking that if you are a member of another patient group, to let them know that if there is an issue that they feel needs to be addressed to please, let us know. If they have a group or page on Facebook, please the share the APRC page along with the following text in the comment box.
Alabama Patients’ Rights Coalition is currently planning for our 2013 legislative agenda, if your group or organization has an issue that you feel needs to be addressed through the legislative process, please let us know.APRC logo
We realize that there are many groups, both large and small, that do not have the capacity to mount a legislative campaign. We do and we are here to help.
Doing this moves us beyond being a single interest group. Having more than one issue gives us more credibility as an organization, and that gives us a better chance of getting the AMMPRA passed, as well as passing other laws that would benefit our patients.
Third, we are prepared to announce that we are currently seeking sponsorship for, or have already received sponsorship for, the following bills.
The Alabama Medical Marijuana Patients’ Rights Act (Todd, Brown)
SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, the possession and use of marijuana is a criminal act.
This bill would authorize the medical use of marijuana only for certain qualifying patients who have been diagnosed by a physician as having a serious medical condition.
The Alabama Medical Marijuana Affirmative Defense Act
SYNOPSIS: This bill establishes medical necessity as an affirmative defense in a prosecution for the use and possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia.
The Alabama Patient Addiction Act
SYNOPSIS: To suspend criminal penalties for the possession and acquisition of certain pharmaceuticals for those who became addicted to those substances under a physician’s care.
The Alabama Medical Marijuana Physician Protection Act
SYNOPSIS: To protect physicians who choose to inform patients that the use of marijuana may benefit their medical condition.
The Alabama Medical Treatment and Prescription Disclosure Act
SYNOPSIS: The question of patient safety when taking prescription drugs is a growing concern in Alabama.
Currently, physicians are prescribing medications with dangerous and life threatening side effects without properly advising the patient as to the dangers of taking the medication and without properly advising the patient of other treatment options.
This bill would require that a physician advise their patient of these dangers and treatment options prior to prescribing the medication.
The Alabama Medical Price Gouging Act
Synopsis: Currently, medical service providers routinely charge uninsured two and a half times (average) what they charge insured patients for the same services.
While often times there are additional costs for the healthcare provider, these practices border on price gouging. This act would limit the amount charged to uninsured patients based on the average charge to insured patients for similar services.
I will be at home this week writing more legislation, before going back to Montgomery next week to try to obtain sponsorship for these bills and others before the session ends.
AMMJC's Oak Mountain State Park Picnic
We intend to make this the year that patients’ start to take their rights back. As Americans, we are guaranteed the rights of life, liberty and property. Any right to life has to include the right to treat your illness in the most effective way possible without having to fight your own government in the process. It is time that patients took their rights back; it is time we took our lives back.
