PROFILE
8
20/mar. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
John Novak is a vocal member of the Cannabis Action Coalition and a frequent speaker before the Legislative committees deciding on marijuana issues.
Questions for the patient JOHN NOVAK
on 420leaks.com and why he keeps talking to Olympia BY TYLER J. MARKWART FOR NORTHWEST LEAF Photo by Daniel Berman
#1 Why is the cody bill so damning for medical? The real main concern, of course, is the registry. Realistically, the DEA and the guidelines that have all been issued over the years from the federal government have basically all said that they are not interested in individual patients and for the most part, that’s held true. Now, patients who were acquiring assets, that’s a different story. So, the registry is a concern for patients, but the more concerning thing is that it’s a concern for doctors as well. A lot of primary care physicians are willing to write referrals, but they are not actually authorizing patients because of fear of losing federal funding or having their medical license pulled. The Cody bill also forces patients to document all attempts at treatment before the use of Cannabis is administered. Why are we leaving Cannabis as a last resort? It doesn’t make any sense. The doctors are key, because if you can’t find a doctor to write an authorization, you won’t have protection under the law.
#2 You operate a website called 420leaks.com. Can you explain to us more about the site?