'Our goal is to save lives.' Medical marijuana advocates hold town hall

Well over half of the United States now have some type of legalized medical marijuana and the states that do not have been adamantly refusing to progress towards it, but that's not stopping advocates from continuing to discuss the topic and try to educate legislators on the many benefits of legalizing the plant. Supporters for medical marijuana reform in Indiana gathered at the state library this week to discuss the plan to introducing legislation during 2019. Several state representatives announced their support for the change but acknowledged the uphill battle they might have in the Senate. To begin the process of reform advocates want to create a cannabis commission to help others see the legitimacy of the movement. Earlier this year the Indiana House of Reps voted to commission a study before the 2019 session to help decide the best way to proceed. Many veterans and patients with debilitating conditions gathered in support of medical cannabis in Indiana. Some told their stories of trying cannabis for the first time to the surprise finding the relief they've been looking for. Others discussed their need to move to a state with an already functioning medical marijuana program due to the severity of their illness, but hope to bring the same program to their home state.

Sylvia Kemp, who described herself as an “MS warrior,” said she used several prescribed medications to alleviate her pain to no avail. Finally, when on vacation, she said she tried cannabis.

“I tried marijuana, which, you know, is not something I really did ever when I was younger,” Kemp said. “I’ll be darned if it didn’t work. Took my pain away.”

Another speaker, Adam Warczynski, said he moved from Indiana to Michigan, where medical marijuana is legal, in order to deal with his Crohn’s disease. Before he began using medical marijuana, he said he had 10 surgeries and hundreds of hospital visits over seven years in Indiana. In the eight years he has lived in Michigan, he said he has had zero surgeries and three hospital visits.