On Saturday, The Arizona Republic published an op-ed we wrote praising the Justice Department’s decision to not prosecute medical marijuana patients and providers as long as they are complying with state law. We also used the opportunity to educate voters about the strengths of our initiative, and why allowing the compassionate medical use of marijuana is so great for patients.

Below is a short excerpt. If you’d like to read the whole piece, you can find it here.

And yes, my name is spelled wrong in the byline. Nothing’s ever perfect, right?

“Today, cancer patients in Arizona whose doctors inform them that their best course of treatment may be marijuana - and trust me, there are plenty - face a terrible choice.

They have to either continue to suffer with the debilitating pain and nausea caused by their chemotherapy, or they have to go to a potentially dangerous criminal market where they will get a product of unknown quality and purity, and where they face the risk of arrest and prosecution.

Arizona is unique. Our state is one of the few places in the country where possession of any amount of marijuana can be prosecuted as a felony. Cancer patients should never face felony charges for following their doctors' advice.”