Sean McGrath Memorial Project
August 28, 2004
On a warm, sunny afternoon at the McGrath family home in
Robbinsville, New Jersey, people from around the state
gathered to learn the truth about this ancient medicine, and to support its
legal use for sick people under a doctor's care.
CMM-NJ's Ken Wolski, RN, addressed the latest medical knowledge about marijuana,
as well as his personal experience with patients suffering needlessly from
unjust laws.
Jim Miller, husband of Cheryl Miller, related how marijuana medicine helped his
wife cope with the
severe muscle spasticity and pain of multiple sclerosis. Cheryl died June
7, 2003, and like Sean McGrath,
her dying wish was that no New Jersey patient or caregiver should face arrest
for following a doctor's recommendation.
Despite long years of difficult struggle against this injustice, Miller is more
optimistic than ever
that positive change is now within reach.
Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey Director Roseanne Scotti and
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora:
Master of Ceremonies Ed Hanneman introduces Ed Barocas,
Legal Director for the American Civil Liberties Union, New Jersey.
Barocas explained how the crumbling resistance to medical marijuana is a
function of the drug war
gone wild -- despite overwhelming evidence of its safety and effectiveness and
the desperate
pleas of very sick Americans, some in government still believe that prison is the
appropriate response.
Roseanne Scotti boiled it down: it's not about medical marijuana, it's
about
government overreach and our fundamental right to privacy -- to manage our own
bodies
and healthcare decisions without fear of the punitive power of the state.
"Why do we need
police protection from people like Sean McGrath or Cheryl Miller?" she
wondered aloud.
We wonder too.
Intelligence, honesty and courage are qualities we deserve in all elected
officials.
Our gratitude and respect go to Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton
Borough)
for submitting the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act,
which will legalize the use of marijuana medicine for patients under a doctor's
supervision. Shocked?
Don't be -- Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris Township) is
co-sponsoring the bill.
Sean's father Don McGrath detailed the gut-wrenching dilemma he and other
caregivers face:
Do I help alleviate my child's unbearable suffering, or do I follow a law?
What
would you do?
Sean's close friend Patrick Guidotti delivered a moving account of
Sean's
compassion, humor and winning personality. Pat saw firsthand how Sean
suffered,
and how he found relief through marijuana medicine when other drugs
failed to help.
With humor and a few tears, Don McGrath thanked everyone who spoke, everyone who
attended and everyone who
worked to put this event together. He reminded us that this was not just a
one-day event, but a PROJECT that will
continue to generate support for the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical
Marijuana Act until it becomes law.
The McGrath family asks that all New Jerseyans contact their representatives in
the Assembly and Senate.
Tell them how you want them to vote on this issue. Learn more, talk to
your family, friends and coworkers, and let's
show the rest of America that New Jerseyans value compassion, truth and common
sense over fear, dogma and diatribe.
We are each just a diagnosis away from being a medical marijuana
patient.
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