Dear OPN Members,

While I've been with OPN from the beginning, I'd like to introduce myself to you once again as the newly elected President of OPN.

OPN's Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 22, represented a poignant turning point for our organization. With that meeting, we turned five. We've gone from infancy, barely recognizable on the statewide radar, to an organization whose members are now known both at the Statehouse and in the media.

But even as a five-year old, we feel that we are still in our childhood. We have a LOT of growing to do, especially as cannabis becomes a viable and acceptable medicine over the next five years.

If it could be said that OPN has five year plan, the first five years were spent putting our organization's foundation in place. During next five years, we will build the 'house'. And, there's a lot of work to do.

Aside from passing acceptable medical marijuana legislation, here are some ideas that the board has been entertaining as coming activities and projects:

- A conference on medicinal cannabis in conjunction with a major Ohio medical school, law school, and nursing school.
- An art auction fundraiser.
- Affiliated chapters and local groups to spread the medicinal cannabis message across the state.
- Educational seminars across the state about cannabis, focusing on how to grow, knowing your rights, methods of consumption, etc.

To make these a reality, we need your help and involvement.

YOU can make a difference, not only for yourself, but also for others. You know cannabis is medicine, and you know how it has changed your life. Please bring your ideas and talents to work for OPN.

You can personally contact either Brandy Zink bzink@ohiopatient.net or me for more information.

We need you to help grow OPN. Please join with us.

Mary Jane Borden
OPN President
mjborden@ohiopatient.net