CASSOPOLIS — Sy Vanderbutts, the Howard Township medical marijuana activist, made another appeal to the Cass County Board of Commissioners Jan. 20 accompanied by two other patients.

“They’re here to see if you’re willing to step up to the plate,” he said, “and to work with us in support of the patients of our community. We are aware you are not the only decisionmakers in this county. We’re also aware the only way we’ll feel secure in our own homes is to have the sheriff work with us.”

Vanderbutts continued, “Patients need safe access to their medications, and we have no pharmacies to get our medications. Most patients have to depend on local drug dealers because they have no problem” obtaining marijuana.

“Is that what you want us to do?” he asked commissioners. “I don’t think so. You’re our elected officials. Tell us what you can do for us to help us. Like I’ve told you before, we are here and we’re not going to go away. We can’t. We live here, we’re in the community and we’re going to die here.”

“We’re not asking for money,” he said, “just your help. I know you’re probably tired of hearing from me. You’d think after a year and a half, things would get better. To tell you the truth, they’re not.”

Vanderbutts said they are starting a “compassion care group” which meets at Cass District Library every third Saturday each month.

“Stop in and see the diversity of the people,” he urged. “People my age, younger, these people are sick with Crohn’s disease, cancer, hepatitis. They need their medications and there’s no pharmacy. Who can we go to? You? Does the sheriff have medication for the patients? No. Caregivers? They’re arresting them. No one can be a caregiver right now.