A small group organized by Wyoming Cannabis Activists protested in front of Ivinson Memorial Hospital on Friday with the aim of raising awareness of sick patients currently suffering from pains and diseases that could be alleviated by medical marijuana.
Wyoming Cannabis Activists is a non-profit organization that advocates the legalization of medical marijuana in the Equality State. Marcia Stuelpnagel, who co-founded the organization, said that the protest was about lobbying for “safer” treatments for many patients.
“We believe patients should have a right to choose a safer alternative for their medicine,” Stuelpnagel said. “We believe patients shouldn’t have to move out of the state of Wyoming if they choose to use medical marijuana.”
Marijuana has been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting suffered by chemotherapy patients and can be used to relieve chronic pain, Stuelpnagel said. Chronic pain is normally treated by opioids.
Stuelpnagel said that many who would benefit from medical marijuana cannot stand up for this cause because of their condition.
“I am a patient as well,” she said. “I have PTSD, bi-polar, rheumatoid arthritis, et cetera, so I am fighting for the cause for those who can’t fight for the cause.”
Another area of focus for Wyoming Cannabis Activists is the law. Stuelpnagel said she believes the enforcement of anti-marijuana laws wastes police time.
“There are a lot of people who keep getting arrested for a simple possession charge of marijuana who have all along been law-abiding citizens,” she said. “We would like to see lower penalties and release those who are currently serving a prison term for simple marijuana possession.”
The Wyoming House of Representatives recently voted down a bill that would have decriminalized marijuana possession. The bill would have reduced all penalties for simple possession to fines, making it on par with a traffic violation.
“We were hoping for the decriminalization bill, but I do understand why it didn’t get passed,” Stuelpnagel said.
