Approximately eight years ago my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Once diagnosed she immediately began radiation treatment as well as chemotherapy. Once the cancer became operable she had surgery to remove the cancer. Although the doctors were able to remove the majority of the cancer it had spread to her lungs. Surgeries, continued treatment and more and more pain medication have diminished the quality of my mothers life. As she continued her journey her wish is to simply retain some quality in her life. Her only wish is to have as much quality time with her children and grandchildren as possible. Unfortunately after years of use the pain medication used to combat her cancer and years of treatment is no longer effective. My mother seems to be suffering more and more as time goes on.

About a year ago I watched a program on television about California Medical Cannabis Collectives. During the program there were countless interviews from people with cancer suffering like my mother. These stories were all too familiar. After watching the program I was convinced that my mother could improve the quality of her life with medical cannabis.

Within a week I had my mother in a doctors office talking about medical cannabis, and if it could work for her. After a thorough examination the doctor recommended that my mother use medical cannabis to relive pain and nausea. Since this doctor visit my mother has been able to reduce her prescription pain medication intake by half and for the first time in years her nausea went away. The quality of my mother’s life has improved both physically and mentally, in a way that I can’t even explain. Six months ago we took a family trip to Disneyland. A few months later a family trip to Santa Cruz. The time spent with my mother was irreplaceable. I honestly believe in my heart that these trips would not have been possible without medical cannabis.

Although the political climate is heading in the direction of compassion towards patients, I think we have a long way to go. Even in my mothers last days she feels embarrassed and ashamed of her medical cannabis use.

I am convinced that others are needlessly suffering. I am also convinced I can help. My mission is simple, to provide a valuable and compassionate service for patients in need. I also believe that carrying out my valuable work with integrity and in a discreet and professional manner will go a long way towards reducing the negative stigma associated with medical cannabis.

Please note my concerns about proper location, discretion and impact on the community. My business plan addresses these issues …

specifically. I believe that together we can resolve these issues and come up with a solution that both suits the needs of the patients as well as being respectful to the community.

I am committed to help the Town of Loomis find a way to implement the will of California voters while protecting the interests of patients and their neighbors.

I’m not looking anyone’s medical cannabis endorsement. What I am looking for your compassion. I’m looking for compassion towards critically injured and seriously sick patients. I’m looking for compassion towards patients that have made a conscious and legal choice in an attempt for a better quality of life.

Dearboni, with a very small population how many people in Loomis need medical marijuana? It is a known fact that the prescribing of marijuana is abused and it's use has become legalized pot smoking, pure and simple. One thing we must also take into consideration is that in the 60s the THC content of Marijuana was around 2 to 3%, now with all the cross cultivation, etc the potency has increased to 30+%. What that means is that the joint you smoked in the 60s gave you a little buzz, the joint you smoke today gets you totally ripped.

Since quite a few of those buying "medicinal Marijuana" are really recreational users, that will translate to a lot of stoned people driving around and they are much harder to find than drunk drivers. Please, don't insult my intelligence or anyone else's by saying the aforementioned is not true, I know more than two individuals that know Doctors that will prescribe the drug if you say the right thing to them. For those that really need the medicinal effect, let the drug be dispensed through pharmacies, that way there will be safe storage, taxes will be paid and controls can be created to prevent abuse by recreational users.

Bear in mind that I have no intention to prevent your mother or any other legal user from obtaining or using the drug, my concern is the safety of my family and the public.

Loomisresident,

To be honest I think were on the same page. Although Loomis is a small town I think we would all be surprised at the number of medical cannabis users. You are absolutely right, it is a know fact that the prescribing of medical cannabis is abused in some cases. Is this not true with other medications?

When I took my mother to the doctor that recommended her medical cannabis use he warned us that the THC content in cannabis has increased over the years. The doctor went on to explain that everybody’s body chemistry is a little different and that what might work for one patient may not work for another. The doctor told us that was the reason behind having different milligrams of the same medication. So, to your point my mother would never smoke a whole joint and get “ripped”. My mother would simply smoke just enough for “pain relief”.

California State Law is clear. Medical cannabis cannot be sold for profit. That’s why you don’t see medical cannabis at your local pharmacy.

The Attorney General has made the guidelines clear and easy to follow. Within these guidelines for the first time the Attorney General states “a properly organized and operated medical cannabis collective that dispenses medical marijuana through a storefront may be lawful under California law”. My goal is to simply provide a means for facilitating or coordinating transactions between members. These guidelines were issued in August of 2008 on The Security And Non-Diversion Of Marijuana Grown For Medical Use. These guidelines are detailed for both the Medicinal Cannabis Collective Operators as well as Law Enforcement Officers.

Controls have been put in place.

Please note that I have your same concerns about proper location, discretion and impact on the community. My business plan addresses these issues specifically. I believe that together we can resolve these issues and come up with a solution that both suits the needs of the patients as well as being respectful to the community.

We support this business, and hope the council will as well. The fear-mongering is not based on actual statistics, but some people don't want facts. They still think all marijuana use connotes bad people, and that's just no longer true. If patients can't get it from pharmacies, and some cities won't allow dispensaries, they will have to drive to Sacramento. Why can't we provide for our area residents right here in Loomis? I thought we were a welcoming community. Witch hunts are beneath us.

It's hard to believe that in this 21st century we still have people who are afraid that someone is going to obtain a prescription, fill it by purchasing the item in our town, and then become a public nuisance or a disturbance. When someone has their opiate prescription filled at Raleys or Loomis Drug, they don’t go out on the sidewalk, pop a bunch of pills and need to be incarcerated. Some people seem to be very afraid that that is what’s going to happen with medical marijuana.

The person who needs the medical marijuana will obtain the prescription, buy the item (bring revenue to Loomis), and then leave the area to use/take what has been prescribed. All of this is perfectly legal.

The argument that some kind of a message being sent to our children is pure poppycock. If those who are so concerned about our children were being honest, they’d work to close every bar, restaurant, and retail outlet that dispenses alcohol. What’s even worse is that we have alcohol dispensaries displayed in grocery aisles where kids can see for themselves how much our culture supports and needs alcohol.

Sorry, I’d rather deal with people who have partaken in medical marijuana any time than deal with those who have become intoxicated with booze. Loomis should give the dispensary a try.

I am against the sale of medicinal marijuana in Loomis. I haven't read one plausible argument for it. I really don't care if it's sold in Roseville or Sacramento. Loomis is not Sacramento. The old "tax revenue" argument is questionable at best. I think any increase in crime would wipeout ANY benefits. And an increase in crime would be inevitable. My mother died from a terrible and painful death too, so I have alot of compassion for people who go through this level of suffering. But I feel my compassion for people is being used against me. Why are we even considering this in this town? If this is such a great idea, why doesn't the council sell it out of city hall? They could run it right next to the sheriff substation. Just think of all the money we could make then. How ludicrous. The problem I have is, we don't need illegal drug activity sactioned and approved by the town. Let some other town enjoy policing these shops. I am sure they would be happy to have it sold in their towns. RE: Jim Crather, dear Jim, what do you mean by "you would rather deal with pot smokers'? Are you a cop? Are you a high school teacher? Are you a parent of a user? In what way would YOU deal with them? I vote no.

"He said the shops are typically located near other medical facilities or in an industrial area" . By my map, that could put it right next to Loomis Elementary and 1/2 mile from the High School. Not everyone that would use this "business" would be fine upstanding citizen with a horrible disease. Most would be out of towners that we really would not want around, especially around our kids! Dearboni, My own sister died of cancer at 15 years old so don't try a sympathy plea on me. She spent her last months in San Francisco to get treatment, so if you really marijuana, go to Roseville or Sacramento. It's only 10 to 20 minutes away. Oh! if you haven't guesed, I'm against this issue!

Dear mtwhitley, well said. Speak your mind and take a stand. We still have that right in this country. So far.

Dearboni, controls are in place to prevent profit from marijuana dispensaries? WRONG! Just because the law is written does not mean people follow it.

Loomis does not need to allow drug dealers into town and then give them legal protection. That is absurd.