Pubdate: Thu, 01 Dec 2005
Source: Core Weekly (Madison, WI)
Copyright: 2005 Core Weekly
Contact:  http://www.coreweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3593
Author: Katie Bain
Cited: Is My Medicine Legal YET? http:/www.immly.org
Cited: Republicans for Compassionate Access http://www.gop4ca.org
Cited: Wisconsin Nurses Association http://www.wisconsinnurses.org
Cited: Wisconsin State Medical Society http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Gregg+Underheim

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL INTRODUCED

Supporters of a bill that would legalize the use of medical marijuana
in Wisconsin made a strong showing at last week's Health Committee
hearing on the bill.

Seventeen supporters spoke in front of the Health Committee and shared
personal testimony about how marijuana has helped ease their pain from
chronic illnesses like AIDs and Multiple Sclerosis. Others spoke about
how medical marijuana could benefit family members who suffer from
debilitating diseases and shared stories of terminally ill loved ones
who have been too afraid of potential legal repercussions to remedy
their pain with marijuana.

Gary Storck, director of communications for Is My Medicine Legal YET?
a non-profit group dedicated to raising public awareness of
marijuana's pharmacological benefits spoke on behalf of this
organization, as did Jacki Rickert, IMMLY's founder. Rickert suffers
from two medical conditions that almost prevented her from attending
the hearing. "Patients like her just don't show up," Storck said, "it
takes a lot of work for them to be there.cannabis has basically saved
her life."

Additional support came from former Maryland legislator Don Murphy and
Connecticut State Representative Penny Bacchiochi, both members of
Republicans for Compassionate Access, a medical marijuana advocate
group. Ten states, including Connecticut, have legalized the use of
medical marijuana. The fines for those found using marijuana for
medical purposes in Maryland are significantly lower than fines for
non-medical users.

Executive director of the Wisconsin Nurses Association Gina
Dennick-Champion also voiced her group's support of the bill, stating
that "it is difficult for nurses to remain silent when seriously ill
patients are denied access to an effective medical treatment."

The bill's only opposition came from paid lobbyist Mark Grapentine, a
lawyer who testified on behalf of the Wisconsin State Medical Society.

"I think it's telling that the only opposition came from a group like
that." said Storck. "There was no law enforcement there speaking
against it, nobody else stood up against it except the State Medical
Society. I think it reflects the overwhelming support among state
residents for medical marijuana."

Bill AB-740 was introduced in October and is sponsored by Health
Committee chair Rep. Gregg Underheim, a former opponent of medical
marijuana who became an advocate of the drug after being diagnosed
with cancer.

Last week's public hearing, the first regarding medical marijuana in
Wisconsin since 1979, was the second step in the process to pass the
bill. For the AB-740 to advance to a vote on the assembly floor, the
Health Committee must first approve it. A companion vote introduced by
a Republican senator would then be necessary for the bill to proceed
to the state senate. Even if the bill is passed by the assembly, the
Senate would not get the opportunity to vote on it during the current
session, making it unlikely that patients who could benefit from
medical marijuana will get government assistance anytime soon.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake