US Army veteran with cancer asks Kansas Senate to legalize medicinal cannabis as he is ‘running out of time’
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The Kansas House of Representatives recently appointed key lawmakers from both houses to a conference committee that will finalize details for a medical marijuana legalization bill. Cannabis advocates called the move a clear sign that reform is inevitable and coming soon.
However, it appears that Senate Bill No. 12, which is still in committee, will not gain traction when lawmakers return on May 23 to end the legislative session.
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“Since we plan to be there for only one day, it’s unlikely that work can be completed at this point,” Mike Pirner, a spokesman for the Senate leadership, told the Kansas Capitol Bureau in an email.
Without access to medical marijuana, many patients in the state are struggling, some from deadly diseases like cancer. One of them is a US Army veteran living in Paradise, Kansas. His name is David Auble. Despite his difficult condition, Auble is not only fighting for his life, he’s also pushing for cannabis reform.
A lifelong Republican who supported Trump, Auble sent a letter to members of the Kansas Senate explaining how some cancer patients like himself desperately need cannabis and how the plant can and is helping with symptoms, The Wichita Eagle reported.
Auble addressed the letter to Senate President Ty Masterson and members of the Kansas Senate, writing:
“I’m running out of time.
I’m fighting cancer and I’m running out of treatment options.
The steroids I’ve been on since September are making me weaker and weaker.
I can hardly lift my head; My legs are tingling and I’m on a tracheal breathing tube. You have no idea how terrifying it is when you can’t get air in or out.
This is actually my second battle with cancer. After suffering tremendous pain the first time – having part of my jaw and neck removed – I learned how patients in other states have benefited from medicinal cannabis.”
The veteran went on to say that he has been campaigning for medical marijuana in the state for over five years.
Auble had previously met with Sens. Rob Olson and Dinah Sykes and a representative from the governor’s office, who gave him every hope and encouragement that they would push for the legalization of MMJ.
Political power against people’s lives
“My hope was that this session would be ‘the year’ and that treatment would be available to help my situation. After the House of Representatives passed the law in 2021, you and other Senators who have questions or concerns have had plenty of time to learn about the benefits of medicinal cannabis,” Auble wrote.
“I texted you, called your office and still haven’t heard anything.
“I know that before the session began, you were also invited to the meeting with other senators. I think if you don’t reply or engage with me, you don’t have to think about the suffering I’m going through. It seems you care more about political power than about the lives of the people you represent,” he wrote.
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Auble also revealed that while his friends suggested he get cannabis illegally, he didn’t want to do it that way. “I’m not,” he said, further revealing how serious and life-threatening his condition is.
“If you don’t even want to help me, then you probably aren’t really interested in helping anyone. If you cannot make decisions for the good of the people, then you should not make any decisions at all.”
Closing argument
“I know you are returning to the session on May 23. I am asking you to do what is right and help suffering patients like me,” Auble wrote.
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Finally, he invited members of the Senate to visit to see for themselves what cancer is doing to him and to determine how medical marijuana could help minimize his pain and suffering, something he already knows.
Will they listen this time? We really hope so.
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
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