North Carolina needs to take this opportunity to pass 577. Not only will it be a much needed bold statement here in the South, but will also show other "southern" states that the time is long overdue to get with the program. Im a 35 year old male who has had severe Chrohns Disease for as long as I can remember. I wish I had a dollar for every Gastroenterologist who has told me that medical marijuana would be one of their very first "go to" meds for me. Instead I have to take a cabinet full of maintenance meds that cost a fortune and hardly work (if ever)! Now I have no insurance because a free-lance Photojournalist with two college degrees does not qualify for coverage. I cant even get Medicaid if I wanted to. LETS PASS THIS BILL NORTH CAROLINA, and show the "bible belt" that the reason this medicine even exists must be from some higher power. Its just a shame that this is even an issue in 2013 with all of the real issues that should be taking precedence. Make us proud NC legislators (and very happy ;-)