My sense was that the committee members were willing to listen and were willing to be fair, in spite of the difficulty of the issue.  From what I saw at the hearing, removing criminal penalties and professional sanctions from the prescription and use of this natural, safe and cost-free remedy can happen in the Legislature. I think that the legislators may be increasingly willing to think seriously on this, due in large part to our educational efforts. In the committee there were some voices suggesting obliquely that we Just Say No, but they did not dominate the group.  

I am sorry that those who are suffering and really need marijuana have to endure the slowness of the political process. I very much admire the courage of those with medical conditions who came and spoke and revealed their suffering to a group which could reasonably be expected to be unsympathetic. 

This was my first visit to a committee hearing, and I learned from watching the process. I think if I am ever testifying and am questioned about technical aspects of a bills implementation or about the way similar laws function in other states and I are not sure of the answers I need to say so and not attempt to answer. Hopefully someone else testifying will be able to respond better. Also I realize now that if you are going to testify it wouldn't hurt to become well versed in the language of the bill you are testifying about, and to maybe try to anticipate some of the questions that may be asked.  

The people who testified on Thursday did a great job, and a couple of times there were moments of real brilliance. Progress has been made because of what you said in that room. My hat is off to all of you.