Open Letter to Todd Gloria San Diego City Council District 3

Hi Todd,
We recently had a hope member pass on. I have changed the focus away from politics. I have turned hope back into a social support network of patients. We have a UCSD Nurse, and a UCSD Physician on our advisory board. I recently joined the UCSD advisory board. I am a liason between hundreds of bipolar patients and the UCSD medical staff. Politics only infuriates my bipolar. When it comes down to it, it is all about the patients. I want to let you know now that the clubs are closed down many of hope members are going to the street and black market for their medicine. Until the task force makes their recommendations and things change-patients will have to visit the black market. It doesn't take a genuis to figure out that the medical cannabis patients are increasing drug dealer and street thug demand. That means the street will rise to meet that demand. Right now thousands of dollars a day that could be taxed by the city are now being funneled right into the hands of the street dealer. I know you know I am a smart guy. I know whats going on. We get no support from any elected officials. We are on our own. Hope fills a very crucial role that the city chooses to ignore. But that won't stop me. I never thought I would get any support. I do this for survival. period.
peace and love dude
Aaron

Hope Unlimited Old Mille Cafe In North Park 10/8/09

Hope Unlimited Meeting #68 October 8th, 2009 Thursday

Old Mille Cafe

3949 North Ohio Street (On Corner of Ohio and University)

San Diego, CA 92104

Learning, Sharing, Coping, Supporting, Growing, Surviving

Have you recently been diagnosed with a serious illness? Are you a medical cannabis patient?

Hope Unlimited is a place for people to give and receive both emotional and practical support as well as to exchange information. People with chronic health conditions, as well as their friends and families find Hope Unlimited to be a valuable resource — a place where people can share medical information, get confirmation that their feelings are "normal," educate others, or just let off steam.

The Hope Group is made up of people with common interests and experiences. Medical Cannabis patients who have been through, or are going through, a similar circumstance can do more than sympathize with you — they can relate to what you are going through and keep you from feeling like you are alone.

Please keep these ten guidelines in mind when attending a Hope Unlimited support group:

1. Hope Unlimited provides a safe environment where you can share thoughts and feelings.
2. Everything is confidential—what’s said in the group stays in the group.
3. Always remember to display kindness, courtesy and consideration for your fellow group members.
4. Don’t interrupt when others are speaking.
5. Give everyone a chance to talk.
6. Shut off all cell phones and pagers during the group.
7. We are all doing the best we can with the tools we have. Some of us our sicker than others.
8. Speak in reference to yourself; i.e.- “what works for me.”
9. Nobody has to share. It is totally cool to just come and absorb the good energy.
10. Support each other by sharing experiences.

Benefits of attending a Hope Unlimited Support group Meeting:

• Provide a forum for mutual acceptance, understanding, and self-discovery.
• Offer an opportunity to reach out to others and benefit from the experience of those who have “been there”.
• Help those attending understand that a disease/chronic medical condition does not define who we are.
• Motivate attendees to follow treatment plans.
• Create a group that can make a difference in your community, maybe even save a life.
• Offer the consumer’s perspective to legislators and the local medical community.
• Remind ourselves that health and healing is possible!