Legalize Medical Cannabis in Texas
Donation protected
My Nam e is John P. Burnham
I WILL BE DEMONSTRATING IN FRONT OF THE ALAMO IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS ON DECEMBER 29, 2018 AT 6:00 PM LOCAL TIME (CENTRAL) IN FAVOR OF LEGALIZING MEDICAL CANNABIS OR MARIJUANA IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS AND I INVITE ANYONE THAT ALSO BELIEVES TEXAS SHOULD LEGALIZE MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR DOCTOR PRESCRIBED PATIENTS TO JOIN ME AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME AND PLACE TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINION IN A PEACEFUL AND JOYOUS MANNER TO THOSE WHO GOVERN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
IF YOU CANNOT PERSONALLY ATTEND, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CELEBRATE THIS HOUR LOCALLY WITH AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE AT AS CENTRAL A LOCATION AS POSSIBLE AND IF YOU ARE WORKING AT THAT TIME TO WALK OFF THE JOB FOR THIS HOUR (provided nobody could be hurt in any way by your absence)
OUR RALLYING CALL AND SALUTATION TO FELLOW SUPPORTERS OF THIS AGENDA WILL BE "REMEMBER THE ALAMO" AND THIS IS THE PERFECT HISTORIC ANALOGY FOR THE DILEMMA THAT MEDICAL PATIENTS ACROSS THIS LAND FACE ON A DAILY BASIS AS THEY DEAL WITH THE CRAZY PATCHWORK OF LAWS GOVERNING THEIR MEDICATION WHICH CAN SIMPLY BE PURCHASED LEGALLY IN SOME JURISDICTIONS JUST CUZ YOU WANT SOME WHILE LANDING YOU IN THE CLINK IF YOU STEP ACROSS THE STATE LINE DESPITE HAVING A PATIENT CARD AND LEGALLY ACQUIRED MEDICINE
TAKE THIS LESSON FROM THE CARAVAN---SOMETIMES ITS TIME TO MARCH. THE TIME TO MARCH IS NOW. MEET IN SAN ANTONIO---REMEMBER THE ALAMO
THE LAST TIME THE ALAMO CALLED PATRIOTS FROM ACROSS AMERICA STREAMED INTO TEXAS TO TAKE UP THE CAUSE, TEXANS RALLIED TO ITS DEFENSE, AND ULTIMATELY THE YOKE OF OPPRESSION WAS THROWN OFF AND THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS ROSE IN ITS PLACE--REMEMBER THE ALAMO--REMEMBER GOLEAD
WE MUST SHOW THEM NUMBERS. THEY CAN'T ARREST US ALL IT'S ABSURD--THE TIME IS NOW--IF THEY ARREST ALL OF US IT WOULD TIE UP THE TEXAS COURT SYSTEM FOR 50 YEARS. THEY MUST ADOPT A NEW SYSTEM BASED ON CURRENT INFORMATION. I AM NOT MAD AT TEXAS YET SINCE I AM NOT AWARE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASKED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I/WE ARE ASKING THEM NOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM---REMEMBER THE ALAMO
IF YOU ARE A TRUCKER, YOU ARE ONE OF THE ONES WHO SUFFERS THE MOST WITH THIS CRAZY SYSTEM---TRY TO GET TO TEXAS--REMEMBER THE ALAMO
IF YOU ARE A TEXAS POLICEMAN WHO NEEDS MEDICAL CANNABIS TO HEAL YOU MAY HAVE IT WORST OF ALL BECAUSE YOU COULD LOSE YOUR JOB OR EXPOSE YOURSELF TO BLACKMAIL SIMPLY FOR NEEDING A MEDICINE--PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT--REMEMBER THE ALAMO
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO COMMIT A CRIME TO GET THE MOST APPROPRIATE MEDICINE FOR THEIR CONDITION--THEY DIDN'T ASK TO BE SICK OR HAVE ANY INFLUENCE IN MAKING CANNABIS AN EFFECTIVE MEDICINE
I WILL FURTHERMORE BE DEMONSTRATING IN SUPPORT OF THIS CAUSE FOR THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON THE NATIONAL MALL IN WASHINGTON D.C. ON JULY 4, 2019 AT 6:00 PM LOCAL TIME (EASTERN)--GOD WILLING
I AM NOT INTERESTED IN RAISING MONEY, I AM INTERESTED IN RAISING PEOPLE. I ONLY ASK FOR $1, JUST ENOUGH SO YOU ARE COUNTED AS AN INDIVIDUAL DONOR ON THE CLICKER ABOVE. MY GOAL IS TO GET 500,000 PEOPLE TO JOIN ME IN SAN ANTONIO TX ON 1 DAY AT 1 TIME AT 1 HOUR TO PEACEFULLY EXPRESS THEIR OPINION ON THE ISSUE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS TEXAS AND I 100% SUPPORT YOUR GUN RIGHTS, PLEASE LEAVE ALL FIREARMS AT HOME FOR THIS SOLEMN HOUR OF CELEBRATION. THERE WILL BE NO NEED FOR THEM AND I WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE ARRESTED WITH CANNABIS AND A FIREARM.
I AM CONFIDENT ANY COSTS LIKE THE CAMERA CAN BE COVERED WITH A DOLLAR PER PERSON LESS WHAT GOFUNDME TAKES. I JUST STARTED ON 11/13/2018 SO I HAVEN'T SET UP NON-PROFIT YET. I WILL USE THE MONEY FOR THE PURPOSE. ANY EXTRA I WILL PAY OFF MY CHILDREN'S STUDENT LOANS, IF EVEN MORE THAN THAT DOWN PAYMENT ON A RANCH IN TEXAS OR TOY FOR ME. IF ITS REALLY A LOT I WILL DONATE TO CHARITY BEGINNING WITH NMSS. IF THERE IS A NON PROFIT I WOULD USE MONEY TO STUDY IMPAIRED DRIVING AND CANNABIS FROM THE PROPER ENFORCEMENT OF IMPAIRED DRIVING LAWS APPROACH AND REQUEST A CONSISTENT NATIONWIDE APPROACH THAT ENSURES PEOPLES IMPAIRMENT IS PROPERLY ASSESSED WHILE PROTECTING PATIENTS FROM LIABILITY BECAUSE THEY SMOKED SOME LAST NIGHT.
I was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) circa 1999 but that wasn't the first time I knew something was wrong, just the first time I had a name for it.
I have previously lived in The Great State of Texas for many years off and on since 1988. I recently moved to Arizona. Medical Cannabis is Legal for AZ residents with demonstrated medical need. Essentially, your doctor tells you to get it. There is no recreational cannabis in AZ and the measure did not pass the last time it was voted on, albeit by a razor thin margin.
In my case, my NY neurologist who first diagnosed me and is one of the top MS doctors in the country advised me to use cannabis to help manage my constant excrutiating neuro-pathic pain, particularly since I had no interest in increasing my consumption of opioids. One of my greatest fears is that my doctor will turn me into a junkie. Not deliberately, of course, but you hear the stories and you are facing using them for life. So it is not an unreasonable concern. I have always been terrified of them so try to keep their use to the minimum necessary amount. Cannabis clearly and significantly reduces my use of opioids. This is GOOD.
WE DO NOT HAVE A CANNABIS PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT WE SURE AS HELL HAVE AN OPIOID EPIDEMIC. REMEMBER THE ALAMO!!!
I then went to the "pot doctor" in AZ who verifies that you are qualified by your condition to utilize medical cannabis. Since I had MS my application was approved and I was issued an AZ Medical Marijuana Patient Card, and for the first time I was Legal. Joy oh Joy.
This process costs about $300 TOTAL per year for a card in both state and doctor fees. Not an insubstantial amount of money for a disabled person on a limited fixed income, particulalry for just a year.
I have been to Colorado and Las Vegas and Amsterdam so know first hand how much better everything is when you can just go to the store (dispensary) and pick up whatever you and your doctor think will work best for you rather than having to associate with drug dealers, and commit a crime where the money ultimately goes to the cartels.
I think it is much better if we give the money to US Farmers or Lab Techs and use the tax revenue to fund schools or roads rather than lethal drug wars throughout Mexico and beyond.
AZ requires cannabis to be packaged in a particular way with stickers applied to the bag at the point of purchase. The cannabis is supposed to stay in these bags. They are generally small pouches containing 1 - 15 grams, or a medicinal quantity. The bags have a metal backing.
On November 3, 2018 I had to return to Texas from Arizona to visit my dying mother and comfort her during her last days. She passed on the morning of November 12, 2018. On November 8, 2018 I was returning to Phoenix since there is a 2 week backup at the cemetery and I can't stay that long. Fortunately, she had become cogent a few times during my visit and I was able to talk to her and tell her how much I loved her and appreciated all she had done for me. No one could ask for a better mother.
At the airport, I was searched and admitted to having several sealed bags of legally acquired and properly tagged doctor prescribed medication with a total weight of less than 1/2 ounce and promptly presented my photographic MM Patient Card.
Well, that didn't go so well. Starting at 3 pm, I lost my freedom and any ability to make or execute personal decisions.
I was told I was now in Texas and it's not legal here and nothing else mattered. I was handcuffed like a common criminal and had to sit in the middle of the security line looking like a jackass for the world to see for the next half hour.
Then I was led to the police area under the airport and thrown in a cell for about 2 hours when they went through all my stuff and read me my rights and started processing me as a criminal, not a patient.
I am required to take doctor prescribed pain medication (not including cannabis) at regular intervals. I personally never take them unless I feel pain, but would say a normal interval and the one specified on the prescription is every 4 hours. I had taken my last dose at noon.
I was then taken downtown handcuffed in a police car to what I would call Central Booking where I spent the next 6 hours. About 3 hours in I met with the majistrate that set my bail at $800. I think if I lived in Texas I would have been out sooner but subject to drug tests in Texas between now and the trial. That's right the trial. This is far from over and I have no idea what their plan is now.
My sister, who is fortunately a local lawyer in San Antonio, raced to the Lockup and gave them their $800 yet was powerless to have me released until they had completed their booking process that was supposed to take another 12 hours. huh?
Instead, they decided it was late so they were going to transfer us to what I would call County Lockup, a facility run by the sheriff's dept. Apparently, all new sheriff recruits start their careers in this building. This was another place they took more fingerprints with a lot of liquid on your hands and pictures.
I had all my clothes taken away including underwear which was replaced with a handsome orange short sleeved jumpsuit and orange rubber slippers and once white boxers. A real prison experience. , It was freezing, apparently cuts down on germs, and no other layers or blankets can be acquired. So you freeze your ass off!!! Pretty rough treatment for a law abiding patient who had never been any where near a jail or a police station before. Thank God I'm not a fraidy cat since they throw you in with 20-25 other guys in there for god knows what reason, but most assuredly a worse reason than me.
After 22 hours, I guess I had finally gone through all the desks and different processes and they decided I could go, they threw me in another big cell with 20 more guys to wait for part of my property to be returned in groups of 3.
Finally, I was expelled onto some unknown street in some unknown part of town, since they had driven us over in the middle of the night from Central Booking; at around 3 pm the next day. So I spent roughly 24 hours as a guest of the San Antonio police. I then had to figure out where the rest of my property was and pay them $25 for holding on to my stuff.
During that time, my prescribed non cannabis medication was taken from me and I was not allowed any access to my prescribed and scheduled medications for more than 24 hours, despite repeatedly notifying my guards and the nurse. I complained of excrutiating pain and informed the staff of my disability and was not even issued a single aspirin or ibuprophen. I consider this cruel and unusual treatment and have a feeling the Geneva Convention would agree.
The absolute best thing that came out of this experience was that I now know for sure I do not have any physical dependence on opioids. Hallelujiah, Praise the Lord. While I was in a lot of pain I suffered no physical addiction signs like sweating or itching or craving. What a relief, I have been taking them for close to 20 years.
I will also say that I found both San Antonio PD and the Sherriff's Dept to be staffed by competent professional officers that take their jobs seriously and do them well. I take no issue with either department outside of the inability to access my medication, which may be largely outside of their control. I also do not want the police to enforce some of the laws. The ISSUE IS WITH THE LAW AS CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE STATE NOT THE POLICE.
Well what did you expect? Cannabis is illegal in Texas.
Yes, I am aware of that. However, It's very unclear how unlegal. The most frequent information I got was that it had been decriminalized and was like a ticket. This was not like any ticket I have ever heard of.
However, what was not clear was how are legitimate and legally registered Cannabis patients from other states briefly transiting through Texas on important business in possession of legally acquired and properly tagged and unopened medicinal quantities of medicine treated.
THE ANSWER IS LIKE CRIMINALS My expectation was that the most likely result would be since I was getting on a plane to Phoenix and had a Legal AZ Patient card and legal sealed packages is that I would be allowed to continue home unmolested. If they were going to do more I thought they might try and confiscate it as legal for me, but not in their jurisdiction, but I thought it would be a very aggressive step for the state to put itself between the doctor and the patient with unknown consequences. Absolute worst case I thought I might get some kind of ticket. Not in a million years did I think I would be arrested and surreptitiously thrown in jail for 24 hours. I could not imagine how that could possibly be in anyone's best interests.
I FIND THIS CONFLICT IN LAW TO BE OUTRAGEOUS AND MOST LIKELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL. I VIEW THIS THE SAME AS IF THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS DID NOT RECOGNIZE MY DRIVER'S LICENSE OR MARRIAGE OR COLLEGE DEGREE.
WE ARE ALL AMERICANS AND WE MUST BE ABLE TO TRAVEL ACROSS AND THROUGHOUT THIS LAND WITHOUT HAVING TO DRASTICALLY ALTER OUR TREATMENT REGIMEN OR FOR EVERY CANNABIS PATIENT IN APPROPRIATE LEGAL POSSESSION OF THEIR MEDICINE TO FEAR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AS THEY TRAVEL ACROSS THIS GREAT LAND
IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR TEXAS TO CRIMINALIZE LEGAL AND APPROPRIATE MEDICAL INSTRUCTIONS TO AMERICAN PATIENTS AS THEY HAPPEN TO TRANSIT THROUGH THEIR TERRITORY AS FELLOW AMERICANS--I ask for no new rights--I do not ask to be able to illegally acquire marijuana or to consume it openly and notoriously or to be able to drive a vehicle under its influence--However, I must DEMAND that I am allowed to legally traverse the territory in possession of medicinal quantities of legally acquired and maintained packages of sealed (no more than 1 or 2 open depending on blend, at a time) medicine and that I be allowed to consume medicinal quantities in my home/car (not being driven by patient)/boat or similar private location without fear of molestation.
FURTHERMORE, I CALL FOR ALL TEXANS TO BE GRANTED LEGAL ACCESS TO MEDICINAL CANNABIS IF THEIR DOCTORS ADVISE THIS AND THEY AGREE IT WILL IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH.
I WILL MAKE A VIDEO SOON
REMEMBER THE ALAMO--SAY IT
THIS ISN'T RIGHT AND IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ANY LAW ABIDING AMERICAN PATIENT---REMEMBER THE ALAMO
MAKE YOUR STAND!!!!
I WILL BE DEMONSTRATING IN FRONT OF THE ALAMO IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS ON DECEMBER 29, 2018 AT 6:00 PM LOCAL TIME (CENTRAL) IN FAVOR OF LEGALIZING MEDICAL CANNABIS OR MARIJUANA IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS AND I INVITE ANYONE THAT ALSO BELIEVES TEXAS SHOULD LEGALIZE MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR DOCTOR PRESCRIBED PATIENTS TO JOIN ME AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME AND PLACE TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINION IN A PEACEFUL AND JOYOUS MANNER TO THOSE WHO GOVERN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
IF YOU CANNOT PERSONALLY ATTEND, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CELEBRATE THIS HOUR LOCALLY WITH AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE AT AS CENTRAL A LOCATION AS POSSIBLE AND IF YOU ARE WORKING AT THAT TIME TO WALK OFF THE JOB FOR THIS HOUR (provided nobody could be hurt in any way by your absence)
OUR RALLYING CALL AND SALUTATION TO FELLOW SUPPORTERS OF THIS AGENDA WILL BE "REMEMBER THE ALAMO" AND THIS IS THE PERFECT HISTORIC ANALOGY FOR THE DILEMMA THAT MEDICAL PATIENTS ACROSS THIS LAND FACE ON A DAILY BASIS AS THEY DEAL WITH THE CRAZY PATCHWORK OF LAWS GOVERNING THEIR MEDICATION WHICH CAN SIMPLY BE PURCHASED LEGALLY IN SOME JURISDICTIONS JUST CUZ YOU WANT SOME WHILE LANDING YOU IN THE CLINK IF YOU STEP ACROSS THE STATE LINE DESPITE HAVING A PATIENT CARD AND LEGALLY ACQUIRED MEDICINE
TAKE THIS LESSON FROM THE CARAVAN---SOMETIMES ITS TIME TO MARCH. THE TIME TO MARCH IS NOW. MEET IN SAN ANTONIO---REMEMBER THE ALAMO
THE LAST TIME THE ALAMO CALLED PATRIOTS FROM ACROSS AMERICA STREAMED INTO TEXAS TO TAKE UP THE CAUSE, TEXANS RALLIED TO ITS DEFENSE, AND ULTIMATELY THE YOKE OF OPPRESSION WAS THROWN OFF AND THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS ROSE IN ITS PLACE--REMEMBER THE ALAMO--REMEMBER GOLEAD
WE MUST SHOW THEM NUMBERS. THEY CAN'T ARREST US ALL IT'S ABSURD--THE TIME IS NOW--IF THEY ARREST ALL OF US IT WOULD TIE UP THE TEXAS COURT SYSTEM FOR 50 YEARS. THEY MUST ADOPT A NEW SYSTEM BASED ON CURRENT INFORMATION. I AM NOT MAD AT TEXAS YET SINCE I AM NOT AWARE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASKED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I/WE ARE ASKING THEM NOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM---REMEMBER THE ALAMO
IF YOU ARE A TRUCKER, YOU ARE ONE OF THE ONES WHO SUFFERS THE MOST WITH THIS CRAZY SYSTEM---TRY TO GET TO TEXAS--REMEMBER THE ALAMO
IF YOU ARE A TEXAS POLICEMAN WHO NEEDS MEDICAL CANNABIS TO HEAL YOU MAY HAVE IT WORST OF ALL BECAUSE YOU COULD LOSE YOUR JOB OR EXPOSE YOURSELF TO BLACKMAIL SIMPLY FOR NEEDING A MEDICINE--PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT--REMEMBER THE ALAMO
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO COMMIT A CRIME TO GET THE MOST APPROPRIATE MEDICINE FOR THEIR CONDITION--THEY DIDN'T ASK TO BE SICK OR HAVE ANY INFLUENCE IN MAKING CANNABIS AN EFFECTIVE MEDICINE
I WILL FURTHERMORE BE DEMONSTRATING IN SUPPORT OF THIS CAUSE FOR THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON THE NATIONAL MALL IN WASHINGTON D.C. ON JULY 4, 2019 AT 6:00 PM LOCAL TIME (EASTERN)--GOD WILLING
I AM NOT INTERESTED IN RAISING MONEY, I AM INTERESTED IN RAISING PEOPLE. I ONLY ASK FOR $1, JUST ENOUGH SO YOU ARE COUNTED AS AN INDIVIDUAL DONOR ON THE CLICKER ABOVE. MY GOAL IS TO GET 500,000 PEOPLE TO JOIN ME IN SAN ANTONIO TX ON 1 DAY AT 1 TIME AT 1 HOUR TO PEACEFULLY EXPRESS THEIR OPINION ON THE ISSUE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS TEXAS AND I 100% SUPPORT YOUR GUN RIGHTS, PLEASE LEAVE ALL FIREARMS AT HOME FOR THIS SOLEMN HOUR OF CELEBRATION. THERE WILL BE NO NEED FOR THEM AND I WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE ARRESTED WITH CANNABIS AND A FIREARM.
I AM CONFIDENT ANY COSTS LIKE THE CAMERA CAN BE COVERED WITH A DOLLAR PER PERSON LESS WHAT GOFUNDME TAKES. I JUST STARTED ON 11/13/2018 SO I HAVEN'T SET UP NON-PROFIT YET. I WILL USE THE MONEY FOR THE PURPOSE. ANY EXTRA I WILL PAY OFF MY CHILDREN'S STUDENT LOANS, IF EVEN MORE THAN THAT DOWN PAYMENT ON A RANCH IN TEXAS OR TOY FOR ME. IF ITS REALLY A LOT I WILL DONATE TO CHARITY BEGINNING WITH NMSS. IF THERE IS A NON PROFIT I WOULD USE MONEY TO STUDY IMPAIRED DRIVING AND CANNABIS FROM THE PROPER ENFORCEMENT OF IMPAIRED DRIVING LAWS APPROACH AND REQUEST A CONSISTENT NATIONWIDE APPROACH THAT ENSURES PEOPLES IMPAIRMENT IS PROPERLY ASSESSED WHILE PROTECTING PATIENTS FROM LIABILITY BECAUSE THEY SMOKED SOME LAST NIGHT.
I was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) circa 1999 but that wasn't the first time I knew something was wrong, just the first time I had a name for it.
I have previously lived in The Great State of Texas for many years off and on since 1988. I recently moved to Arizona. Medical Cannabis is Legal for AZ residents with demonstrated medical need. Essentially, your doctor tells you to get it. There is no recreational cannabis in AZ and the measure did not pass the last time it was voted on, albeit by a razor thin margin.
In my case, my NY neurologist who first diagnosed me and is one of the top MS doctors in the country advised me to use cannabis to help manage my constant excrutiating neuro-pathic pain, particularly since I had no interest in increasing my consumption of opioids. One of my greatest fears is that my doctor will turn me into a junkie. Not deliberately, of course, but you hear the stories and you are facing using them for life. So it is not an unreasonable concern. I have always been terrified of them so try to keep their use to the minimum necessary amount. Cannabis clearly and significantly reduces my use of opioids. This is GOOD.
WE DO NOT HAVE A CANNABIS PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT WE SURE AS HELL HAVE AN OPIOID EPIDEMIC. REMEMBER THE ALAMO!!!
I then went to the "pot doctor" in AZ who verifies that you are qualified by your condition to utilize medical cannabis. Since I had MS my application was approved and I was issued an AZ Medical Marijuana Patient Card, and for the first time I was Legal. Joy oh Joy.
This process costs about $300 TOTAL per year for a card in both state and doctor fees. Not an insubstantial amount of money for a disabled person on a limited fixed income, particulalry for just a year.
I have been to Colorado and Las Vegas and Amsterdam so know first hand how much better everything is when you can just go to the store (dispensary) and pick up whatever you and your doctor think will work best for you rather than having to associate with drug dealers, and commit a crime where the money ultimately goes to the cartels.
I think it is much better if we give the money to US Farmers or Lab Techs and use the tax revenue to fund schools or roads rather than lethal drug wars throughout Mexico and beyond.
AZ requires cannabis to be packaged in a particular way with stickers applied to the bag at the point of purchase. The cannabis is supposed to stay in these bags. They are generally small pouches containing 1 - 15 grams, or a medicinal quantity. The bags have a metal backing.
On November 3, 2018 I had to return to Texas from Arizona to visit my dying mother and comfort her during her last days. She passed on the morning of November 12, 2018. On November 8, 2018 I was returning to Phoenix since there is a 2 week backup at the cemetery and I can't stay that long. Fortunately, she had become cogent a few times during my visit and I was able to talk to her and tell her how much I loved her and appreciated all she had done for me. No one could ask for a better mother.
At the airport, I was searched and admitted to having several sealed bags of legally acquired and properly tagged doctor prescribed medication with a total weight of less than 1/2 ounce and promptly presented my photographic MM Patient Card.
Well, that didn't go so well. Starting at 3 pm, I lost my freedom and any ability to make or execute personal decisions.
I was told I was now in Texas and it's not legal here and nothing else mattered. I was handcuffed like a common criminal and had to sit in the middle of the security line looking like a jackass for the world to see for the next half hour.
Then I was led to the police area under the airport and thrown in a cell for about 2 hours when they went through all my stuff and read me my rights and started processing me as a criminal, not a patient.
I am required to take doctor prescribed pain medication (not including cannabis) at regular intervals. I personally never take them unless I feel pain, but would say a normal interval and the one specified on the prescription is every 4 hours. I had taken my last dose at noon.
I was then taken downtown handcuffed in a police car to what I would call Central Booking where I spent the next 6 hours. About 3 hours in I met with the majistrate that set my bail at $800. I think if I lived in Texas I would have been out sooner but subject to drug tests in Texas between now and the trial. That's right the trial. This is far from over and I have no idea what their plan is now.
My sister, who is fortunately a local lawyer in San Antonio, raced to the Lockup and gave them their $800 yet was powerless to have me released until they had completed their booking process that was supposed to take another 12 hours. huh?
Instead, they decided it was late so they were going to transfer us to what I would call County Lockup, a facility run by the sheriff's dept. Apparently, all new sheriff recruits start their careers in this building. This was another place they took more fingerprints with a lot of liquid on your hands and pictures.
I had all my clothes taken away including underwear which was replaced with a handsome orange short sleeved jumpsuit and orange rubber slippers and once white boxers. A real prison experience. , It was freezing, apparently cuts down on germs, and no other layers or blankets can be acquired. So you freeze your ass off!!! Pretty rough treatment for a law abiding patient who had never been any where near a jail or a police station before. Thank God I'm not a fraidy cat since they throw you in with 20-25 other guys in there for god knows what reason, but most assuredly a worse reason than me.
After 22 hours, I guess I had finally gone through all the desks and different processes and they decided I could go, they threw me in another big cell with 20 more guys to wait for part of my property to be returned in groups of 3.
Finally, I was expelled onto some unknown street in some unknown part of town, since they had driven us over in the middle of the night from Central Booking; at around 3 pm the next day. So I spent roughly 24 hours as a guest of the San Antonio police. I then had to figure out where the rest of my property was and pay them $25 for holding on to my stuff.
During that time, my prescribed non cannabis medication was taken from me and I was not allowed any access to my prescribed and scheduled medications for more than 24 hours, despite repeatedly notifying my guards and the nurse. I complained of excrutiating pain and informed the staff of my disability and was not even issued a single aspirin or ibuprophen. I consider this cruel and unusual treatment and have a feeling the Geneva Convention would agree.
The absolute best thing that came out of this experience was that I now know for sure I do not have any physical dependence on opioids. Hallelujiah, Praise the Lord. While I was in a lot of pain I suffered no physical addiction signs like sweating or itching or craving. What a relief, I have been taking them for close to 20 years.
I will also say that I found both San Antonio PD and the Sherriff's Dept to be staffed by competent professional officers that take their jobs seriously and do them well. I take no issue with either department outside of the inability to access my medication, which may be largely outside of their control. I also do not want the police to enforce some of the laws. The ISSUE IS WITH THE LAW AS CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE STATE NOT THE POLICE.
Well what did you expect? Cannabis is illegal in Texas.
Yes, I am aware of that. However, It's very unclear how unlegal. The most frequent information I got was that it had been decriminalized and was like a ticket. This was not like any ticket I have ever heard of.
However, what was not clear was how are legitimate and legally registered Cannabis patients from other states briefly transiting through Texas on important business in possession of legally acquired and properly tagged and unopened medicinal quantities of medicine treated.
THE ANSWER IS LIKE CRIMINALS My expectation was that the most likely result would be since I was getting on a plane to Phoenix and had a Legal AZ Patient card and legal sealed packages is that I would be allowed to continue home unmolested. If they were going to do more I thought they might try and confiscate it as legal for me, but not in their jurisdiction, but I thought it would be a very aggressive step for the state to put itself between the doctor and the patient with unknown consequences. Absolute worst case I thought I might get some kind of ticket. Not in a million years did I think I would be arrested and surreptitiously thrown in jail for 24 hours. I could not imagine how that could possibly be in anyone's best interests.
I FIND THIS CONFLICT IN LAW TO BE OUTRAGEOUS AND MOST LIKELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL. I VIEW THIS THE SAME AS IF THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS DID NOT RECOGNIZE MY DRIVER'S LICENSE OR MARRIAGE OR COLLEGE DEGREE.
WE ARE ALL AMERICANS AND WE MUST BE ABLE TO TRAVEL ACROSS AND THROUGHOUT THIS LAND WITHOUT HAVING TO DRASTICALLY ALTER OUR TREATMENT REGIMEN OR FOR EVERY CANNABIS PATIENT IN APPROPRIATE LEGAL POSSESSION OF THEIR MEDICINE TO FEAR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AS THEY TRAVEL ACROSS THIS GREAT LAND
IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR TEXAS TO CRIMINALIZE LEGAL AND APPROPRIATE MEDICAL INSTRUCTIONS TO AMERICAN PATIENTS AS THEY HAPPEN TO TRANSIT THROUGH THEIR TERRITORY AS FELLOW AMERICANS--I ask for no new rights--I do not ask to be able to illegally acquire marijuana or to consume it openly and notoriously or to be able to drive a vehicle under its influence--However, I must DEMAND that I am allowed to legally traverse the territory in possession of medicinal quantities of legally acquired and maintained packages of sealed (no more than 1 or 2 open depending on blend, at a time) medicine and that I be allowed to consume medicinal quantities in my home/car (not being driven by patient)/boat or similar private location without fear of molestation.
FURTHERMORE, I CALL FOR ALL TEXANS TO BE GRANTED LEGAL ACCESS TO MEDICINAL CANNABIS IF THEIR DOCTORS ADVISE THIS AND THEY AGREE IT WILL IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH.
I WILL MAKE A VIDEO SOON
REMEMBER THE ALAMO--SAY IT
THIS ISN'T RIGHT AND IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ANY LAW ABIDING AMERICAN PATIENT---REMEMBER THE ALAMO
MAKE YOUR STAND!!!!
Organizer
John Burnham
Organizer
San Antonio, TX
