One Stasher’s report from Rep. Miklos town hall meeting

One of our regular Stashers and a contributor to xcannabis.com (may I say, unofficial fan site of the Stash?) attended a local representative’s town hall meeting. This was Texas Democrat Robert Miklos, whose Politicians on Pot response was posted here last week. Rep. Miklos wrote:

Although research has shown positive benefits relating to the medical use of marijuana, I continue to support the laws as they currently stand regarding the illegality of the drug.

But when our intrepid Stasher quoted that back to Rep. Miklos in a room full of constituents, he disputed the clear meaning of his own words:

He said I misunderstood. He meant, he understands these studies exist, but he doesn’t agree with them.

Because, what, Rep. Miklos holds his own advanced degrees in science and medicine and finds flaws in the studies? Or that the studies clearly show marijuana is medical and he doesn’t like that answer? You can’t disagree with the science because you don’t like it, Rep. Miklos, any more than you can declare pi equal to 3.00 because you’re bad at arithmetic. Your own words mean you know there is scientific research showing medical use of marijuana, but you support locking up sick people anyway.

Read the full report after the jump…

Hey, this is the result of the town meeting held with my rep about the letter he sent me.

On my way there, the last song to play before I parked was “For Those About To Rock” by AC/DC and it got me ready! I was set on my goals.

I walk in and immediately notice I’m the only one under 40. Most attendees were elderly. The tables were set up in a “|_|” shape and I was on the right side of my drawing, 3rd seat back. The elderly woman to my left was quite interested in what I had to say. She was very open-minded. The man to my right was one of the youngest men present but still had 20 years on me. He was also interested, but in a more “marijuana is funny” way.

Robert Miklos spoke about his position on many bills and then opened the floor for people to ask questions. There were around 50 people there and some of them discussed a local rail, immigration laws, the recently denied surplus etc. While he was discussing a decision made 26 years ago about not having a DART line in Mesquite. He said, “A 26 year-old vote is no reason to say No, No No Forever.” I really wanted to use that later, but I didn’t get a chance.

When it came to my turn to talk, I quoted part of a letter he wrote me basically saying that he understands there are studies saying marijuana has several medical uses, but he’s going to supports the way the laws are now. Then I said, ” If you understand there are studies proving marijuana has medicinal purposes, without the–” and then he interrupted me. He said I misunderstood. He meant, he understands these studies exist, but he doesn’t agree with them. He then said he also doesn’t support the decriminalization of marijuana either, like he knew I was about to ask. Then get this, he repeats words I wrote on xcann. exactly. They’ve seen me on xcann. which is why I’m emailing you.

Anyways, he then tells me that if I want to sit and have some coffee with him and I can try and persuade him to my cause, but basically that we could set up a meeting and talk about this, rather than in front of people who would hear his response. Then he directed the subject to the city of Mesquites efforts to fight drugs and a little “think of the children” reference using his kids. I had to interrupt him, and remind him that he gave all the other people around a chance to lobby their ideas, and I’d like mine. He appologized and asked me to continue.

I then brought up the decrim. bill and talked about how it would make possession of 2 ounces or less is a fine only offense, this would keep non-violent offenders out of our prisons, thereby saving taxpayer money and space in the prisons. After all that he says, “I will not be supporting that bill.” And sadly this was followed by clapping, and then another woman’s question.

The last person to speak was an elderly gentleman who said he had previously worked for the police department and said that the war on drugs has failed and that we need and new plan, and the decriminalization of marijuana, may be a step towards that plan. He suggested a meeting that is solely directed towards issues about marijuana. He agreed and said I should get that together.

Afterwards I spoke to this gentleman at length about what I was and was not supporting. Along with him was another retired police officer. Neither of them smoked, but they were looking at the bare facts of what prohibition is costing us. We discussed setting up a meeting, and began talking to another man who was surprised to find out many of the facts I had to offer regarding marijuana and it’s laws. In this time, Rep. Miklos made his was around the room, yet failed to come join our little discussion circle.

When most had left, the second former officer I met, walked with me to speak to Rep. Miklos, because he agreed that this meeting needed to happen, and Rep. Miklos needed to hear what had to be said. Before I could even speak, Rep. Miklos was asking if I was going to set up the meeting with his associate, and tried to shove me off. I don’t know if the gentleman I walked up with meant to do this, or if it just came out perfect. This man had authored a bill that Miklos had sent in. He thanked him for his support in getting his bill through, he said he had gone to other representatives, but they all just turned him down without giving him a chance to speak. He thanked Rep. Miklos for listening to what he had to say with an open mind. It came out so innocently-sarcastic that it could be taken either way. It was perfect. Then the associate I am supposed to set up a meeting with, made some crock about not putting this in my blog. So I guess they think xcann. is my blog.