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MARCH ON CAPITOL FOR LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Two state representatives and other protestors marched from Library Mall to the state Capitol on Tuesday.  The legislators then introduced "the most complete medical marijuana legislation to date."

Protestors marching for the legalization of medical marijuana made their way to the state Capitol yesterday, where two local legislators introduced the "Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act."

The marchers were honoring the 210-mile journey of Jacki Rickert that took place in 1997, according to a release by the pro-marijuana group "Is My Medicine Legal YET?".

Rickert suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and was denied access to a now-defunct federal program that gave medical marijuana to those with incurable diseases, according to the IMMLY statement.

The bill is the most complete medical marijuana legislation to date according to state Rep.  Mark Pocan, D-Madison, who introduced the bill along with Rep.  Frank Boyle, D-Superior.

"The public supports all legitimate options that can help an ailing patient, and I am hopeful that Wisconsin will follow suit," Pocan said in a statement.

Thirteen states have passed similar legislation, according to Pocan.  The public support for medical marijuana legislation is around 80 percent, Pocan said.

Pocan said passing the bill may be an "uphill battle" in the state Assembly and state Senate.