Annapolis must help its recovery community
In life there is the possibility that we may be faced with a situation that has two consequences. Further, actions may lead to unintentional consequences. I believe that we must attend to both, the intentional and the unintentional outcomes.
For every person who supports the legalization of medical marijuana, there is another who strongly opposes it. I am in the middle. I believe that if you have a valid medical need and can use marijuana responsibly, please do. If you obtain a medical marijuana card, simply because you can, I may have an issue with that.
Medical marijuana comes with both risks and benefits.
The risks, as well as lack of longitudinal studies, are what keep it from becoming a widely accepted form of treatment. Unfortunately, researchers do not have enough evidence yet to confirm the finding that medical marijuana can help decrease opioid overdose and death. Medical marijuana or marijuana in any form will not cure addiction to opiates — of this I am sure.
For the individual who has a valid medical need to access a marijuana dispensary in Annapolis city limits, please understand that this in no way screams “no we do not need this.” That is not my place.
As I read over the introduction of Ordinance 0-4-21 by Alderman Dajuan Gay I was disappointed that Mayor Gavin Buckley co-sponsored this initiative and yet speaks little publicly of recovery efforts in the City of Annapolis.
Recovery is a process that involves multiple supports and wrap-around efforts and many pathways. One beneficial support is a Recovery Community Center.
A Recovery Community Center is a place to find others who seek a new way of life, build personal recovery capital while utilizing crucial resources that support recovery and successful reintegration into our community. Support for a Recovery Community Center would be a wonderful way to help the recovery community.
I ask of our mayor and City Council members who co-sponsor Gay’s ordinance, are you willing to allow those in recovery from substance use disorders a location in the City of Annapolis?
Gratefully in my recent conversations with our mayor and council members, I believe that there is a willingness to see a Recovery Community Center implemented in Annapolis.
The city has not been asked for funds to start a center. We have those because the State of Maryland has awarded our nonprofit over $500,000 to bring this resource to Annapolis.
What my group needs is a property that is integrated and anchored in the community; a location that is not restricted due to “special exceptions,” “variances” and a lack of definition in your “Table of Uses” of recovery homes and recovery community organizations. We do not want nor should we be tucked away in some corner of the city, it is not best practice for this endeavor.
What individuals in recovery or seeking recovery need is a place to go so that they can find peer support, life skill training along with resources such as job training and readiness programs while interacting with other people who face the same hurdles that they do.
There is no such project in Anne Arundel County and certainly none in District 30A. Annapolis could be a shining example to the state with success on a project like this.
As the fall of 2021 approaches, I would remind you that some of you may make promises to stand for all your constituents, including those in recovery. We do recover, we do vote, and we are counting on you.”