Photo By Kelsey Richmond
Ed Rosenthal explains his marijuana growing techniques Sunday, Nov. 16 in the Meese Auditorium.

Passing the medical marijuana joint is hard to do in Oregon, which is why Voter Power is petitioning to change the current law and educating people on how to grow medicinal marijuana.

The Medical Marijuana Growers Seminar with Ed Rosenthal drew a reasonable crowd. The seminar was held Sunday in the Meese Auditorium and was put on by the state-wide organization Voter Power and the SOU club Students for Truth.

Rosenthal explained the importance of medical marijuana for sick patients.

“Any law that restricts patients from getting medicine is unconstitutional,” he said.

Rosenthal is an experienced cannabis grower and has been in the business for decades. He has written dozens of books including: “Ask Ed” and a three book series titled “Big Buds Special.”

“Medicine should be grown in controlled conditions that are best for the patients,” said Rosenthal.

He spent two hours explaining how to grow medical marijuana and common problems that people may encounter. He also discussed the best ways to grow a healthy crop while referring to a slide show of his own crops. He talked about what amount of light to use, how to make the marijuana more potent and which equipment to buy.

Voter Power operates clinics around Oregon where they legally prescribe medical marijuana for patients who need it. Cameron Homaijani, who works for Voter Power, helped set up the event and explained the importance of medical marijuana. He talked about how legalization makes marijuana safer because it is regulated.

“We want our patients smoking the best,” said Homaijani. “Growing quality medicine from this plant takes years of experience, it takes a lot of dedication and can be extremely difficult to do. We invited Ed Rosenthal, one of the lead activists in the United States and a very accomplished author so he can help share some of the knowledge he has growing this wonderful medicine.”

Molly Lyons, sophomore anthropology major, attended the event because she is interested in getting a medical marijuana card. She experiences extreme cramps and headaches and doesn’t like the side effects of pills.

“I thought it was really cool seeing this poster at SOU, with a marijuana plant on it and teaching people how to grow it. It wasn’t hidden, it was out in the open, they aren’t treating it as a drug, they are treating it as a medicine,” Lyons said.

John Sajo, Director of Voter Power, spoke at the end of the seminar and educated the audience about the ‘Intiative Petition 28,’ which they are hoping to get on the 2010 ballot. The measure would allow medical marijuana dispensaries.

“We’ve come a long way, now we can help patients and cultivate marijuana as a hobby,” Sajo said.

Sajo explained “The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act” which was passed in 1998, which grants the right for patients to have medical marijuana for their conditions. However, Sajo explained that there are still restrictions on this law and also commented about its flaws.

“It’s a crime against humanity that there are sick limitations on this plan that helps so many,” said Sajo. “It’s a crude, barbaric system and at the end of the day people die because of it.”

Sajo spoke for about 15 minutes after Rosenthal’s presentation and audience members cheered as he came on stage.

“We want our patients to have safe, affordable access to organic, quality grown marijuana,” he said.