SUPPORT MARIJUANA BILL

I am writing in support of HB434 in the Alabama Legislature, the
Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act. In February 2007, my husband
of 19 years, Craig, was diagnosed with advanced liver and lymph node
cancer. With chemotherapy, doctors gave him six months to live. Our
only child was a few months from graduating high school and he wanted
so much to live to see that day that he opted for the chemotherapy
knowing it would decrease the quality of his life.

Seeing him waste away was awful. The medicines didn't help with the
nausea or pain because he was unable to keep them down.

Since patients in 13 other states have the right to use marijuana, we
decided to try it. It worked. With medical marijuana, Craig was able
to eat, take his medications and ease his pain.

Obtaining marijuana was terrifying. I am nearly 50 and was scared of
being arrested, jailed, losing our home, not being there when he died
and missing our daughter's graduation. But I was willing to risk all
that to ease his suffering.

No one should have to risk everything to ease the terrible suffering
of a terminally ill loved one. Alabama needs to pass HB434 to help
the people suffering and their families at such a difficult time in
their lives. My husband passed away in October 2007, but with the
help of medical marijuana he lived to see our daughter graduate.

Please contact your representatives in Montgomery and ask them to
vote "yes" on HB434.

Laura Tidmore

Birmingham