Pubdate: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 Source: Exponent (U of WI at Platteville, Edu) Contact: http://www.uwpexponent.org/how-to-submit/ Copyright: 2010 Exponent Website: http://www.uwpexponent.org/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5130 Author: Ryan Broege MEDICAL MARIJUANA OFFERS RELIEF Gary Storck endures pain on a daily basis. Storck was born with Noonan's syndrome and has had multiple open-heart surgeries to address the heart problems that come with that condition. Storck also suffers from glaucoma, and his intraocular pressure often reaches 40, twice the highest limit of the normal range. In addition, he battles post-traumatic stress disorder. After only a brief inventory of Storck's medical background, one might expect him to curse the hand he was dealt. But that is not how Storck views himself. "I consider myself a medical miracle," he said. "I can find relief for my glaucoma, heart conditions and anxiety all in one medication. I am living research." The medication that Storck is speaking of is marijuana. And despite the relief that it offers him, Storck is technically committing a criminal act whenever he self-medicates with cannabis. That has the potential to change, however. Wisconsin Assembly bill 554 and Senate bill 368 are both pending in committee; the bills, identical in wording, would enable residents of the state suffering from serious medical conditions, including cancer, AIDS, Lou Gehrig's disease, glaucoma and other medical conditions that cause severe pain, seizures, wasting away and muscle spasms to possess and use marijuana for relief. People with these conditions would obtain a registry card with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, entitling them to possess up to three ounces for personal use. A unique set of circumstances in Madison means that this bill has a slightly higher chance of passing into law. Democrats, who generally support medicinal marijuana use, have a majority in both the senate and assembly. Supporters of medicinal marijuana also have an ally in Governor Doyle, who has vowed to sign the bill into law if he is given the opportunity. Locally, the bill has support from Platteville's representative in the Assembly, Democrat Phil Garthwaite. "For me the big issue is how people deal with pain," said Garthwaite. "We let doctors prescribe things far more dangerous than marijuana." Platteville's representative in the state Senate, Republican Dale Schultz, could not be reached for comment regarding the bill. In an e-mail correspondence, Thomas Caywood, chair of UW-Platteville's department of criminal justice, expressed his support for the measure. In response to state Attorney General Van Hollen's remarks that the bill would make things difficult for law enforcement trying to enforce current drug law, Caywood wrote, "Other states already have similar laws on the books. There are a number of medical benefits for prescribing marijuana. The most logical route would be to treat it just like other controlled drugs dispensed by a pharmacy only with a doctor's prescription." And that is exactly what this bill would do. This bill is not a referendum on recreational drug use; this bill is a referendum on compassion for the sick. Every day, there are people who suffer debilitating conditions that make their lives a hellish existence. Who would deny them every available option to relieve their pain? Take a few minutes out of your day and let's make medicinal marijuana a legal and viable option for people suffering in Wisconsin. Call the legislative hot line at 1-800-362-9472 and express your support for the measures. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake