Food Stamp Support for MMJ Patients Ends
July 23, 2012 | Home
by Angela Fairless
I am blessed in that I have never needed to get food stamps, but I know many people who have had to use them and I was surprised when I learned that OMMP Patients could deduct their medical costs (including growing their mmj) from their income when registering for food stamps. 
I was less surprised to hear that the Federal Government put an end to that helpful, compassionate program by threatening our state; that is just how the Federal Government works. Oregon is only one of three states where this policy was practiced and after becoming more well known was shut down due to threats from the Federal Government; the other states are New Mexico and Maine.
The Oregonian practically takes credit for having tipped off the Feds by writing, “The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a nationwide memo to regional directors of the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, after The Oregonian contacted the agency about the practice last week.” Read the full Oregonian article here, www.oregonlive.com
Previous to the threat of “penalties” from the Fed, the Huffington Post also wrote an article explaining the program and deductions and Oregon’s stance on the issue, ” ‘Medical marijuana gets treated just like any other prescription drug,” Gene Evans, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Human Services, told the Oregonian.” Read the full article “Medical Marijuana Costs Can Be Deducted From Income For Food Stamp Eligibility In Oregon” in the Huffinton Post by clicking here.
And for some spin-free version of the story, check out Toke of the Town “Feds Strong-Arm 3 States on Cannabis Food Stamp Deduction” by clicking here.
