Pubdate: Wed, 01 Aug 2012
Source: Tennessean, The (Nashville, TN)
Copyright: 2012 The Tennessean
Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/SITES/OPINION/submit-editor.shtml
Website: http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447

BILLBOARD CALLS FOR TN TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The state affiliate of NORML, the organization that seeks to legalize 
marijuana, is making a more aggressive push in Tennessee with the 
unveiling of a billboard near the Capitol.

The billboard makes the case for medical use. It will be unveiled at 
11 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Third Avenue North and Gay Street.

"It is time for Tennessee to seriously consider the facts about 
medical marijuana," said Doak Patton, president of Tennessee NORML. 
"It's time to end the war on medical cannabis that's targeting sick 
and elderly Americans."

The billboard includes the message "It's time for an honest 
discussion about medical marijuana" and depicts an older woman with a 
small child. She asks if it is "a crime for a grandmother to use 
medicine to help with her pain."

The billboard is scheduled to be up for at least six months.

Patton said Tennessee NORML is also considering other advertising 
avenues to get out its message.

Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have passed laws to 
legalize medical marijuana, but none is in the South.
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