Medical marijuana rally Tuesday aims to support former local dispensary

• Tweet
• 

Day to day life improved when Jennifer Read began using medical marijuana to help treat symptoms of Leukodystrophy Mitochondrial Cytopathy.

Read was one of four speakers at For The People, By The People Medical Marijuana Rally, where about 55 people gathered Tuesday in front of the Isabella County Courthouse, 200 N. Main St.

“The symptoms I suffer from include severe tremors, which make it difficult to walk or eat, migraines, joint pain and nausea,” the East Lansing resident said. “I am one of four people in the world diagnosed with the disease. Because of medical marijuana, for the first time in my life, tremors decreased and quality of life increased.”

But on Aug. 28, the Michigan appeals court ruled marijuana cannot be sold through private shops.

Mancelona resident Becca Hollandsworth, a coordinator of the event, said the event was started to support C.A. of Mount Pleasant (formerly Compassionate Apothecary), along with Judge Chamberlin’s ruling and medical marijuana patient rights.

Mount Pleasant resident Matt Taylor and Mancelona resident Becca Hollandsworth, event organizers, hold East Lansing resident Jennifer Read as she gives a speech on how marijuana has aided her battle with a rare form of Leukodystrophy.

Brandon McQueen, co-owner of C.A., said two weeks ago his lawyers filed an appeal of the August ruling.

The appeal states C.A.’s interpretation of the original law regarding medical marijuana was clear and legal, he said.

During his speech, McQueen said leaders have their own opinions and biases that don’t allow them to care about logic or reason.

“It’s unfortunate what they’ve done,” said Brandon McQueen, Co-Owner of C.A. “The new rulings have created more confusion and have divided the community.”

During the protests, tables were set up with petitions for the recall of Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and protesters carried signs with slogans, “We love C.A.” and, “We support Brandon McQueen.”

Hollandsworth, a former store liaison for C.A, also worked with Michigan Medimaps, Organica Distributors and Custom Headshop in organizing the protest.

“We also are here to support patients’ rights,” Hollandsworth said. “With all the dispensaries closed, they don’t know where to go and how to get medical marijuana.”

Many patients have a fear that because they are medical marijuana users, they can get fired and lose the means to support their families, she said.

Losing jobs and access to medicine are just some of the ways medical marijuana patients are being persecuted, said Mount Pleasant resident Mary Wilbur.

“I believe that many of our politicians and lawmakers are afflicted with refer madness,” Wilbur said.