I'm a veteran from the US navy and served for 5 years, I was a Machinist Mate Second Class (SS) and served onboard the USS Georgia (Gold) and the USS Rhode Island (Blue)

During my service I was diagnosed with a disease called Myotonic Dystrophy. This disease causes micro seizures in the muscles and limbs leading to inability to walk sometimes,

this has been an ailment that no one in the VA can cure. Cannabis has had no trouble curing this problem. Because of my Cannabis use I am able to use my body to run my business

an auto shop in acworth GA called Blue Lotus Auto Repairs. Without Cannabis I would be unable to fulfill the needs of my bushiness and would ultimately fail. However this has not stopped

the legal repercussions from cannabis use from entering my life, on Febuary 14th I was arrested for possession of Cannabis in my own home studio. In order to get Cannabis you have to affiliate with

people whom you normally wouldn't, because of this association of Cannabis use with the Black Market many people in my same situation are going through unconstitutional imprisonment.

I was arrested for my need of getting a hold of medicine, and when the dealer arrived he was carrying far more than Cannabis. This is an example of why a black market breeds crime, if Cannabis is on a black market

level it is just as free to be sold by drug dealers as crack herion and cocaine. The police raided my house right as the drug dealer entered and they tore down my american flag from my wall (the actual USS Rhode Island ship flag) and threw it on the ground. Some of them even mocked my service, laughing as they had me in hand cuffs. They made me sing a marijuana song by tom petty for their enjoyment as they tore apart my basement and studio trashing everything I owned.

One of the of police called me worse than a child molester to my 13 year old sister. So afterwards I began my quest to raise awareness on this issue.