Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jun 2014
Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)
Copyright: 2014 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://host.madison.com/wsj/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506
Author: Gary Storck

CANNABIDIOL OIL LAW IS FLAWED -- GARY STORCK

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said legislators have done 
what they can and can't force doctors to prescribe cannabidiol oil. 
Gov. Scott Walker says it's frustrating, but he's not sure what to do.

These are not the words of leaders. All this was known before the 
bill was even drafted.

As a lifelong glaucoma patient, I lobbied for the Therapeutic 
Cannabis Research Act, which state lawmakers passed in 1982. After 
the act was enacted, state regulators advised me federal approval was needed.

The cannabidiol oil bill goes much further. It involves privately 
produced cannabidiol oil crossing state lines. This was evident to 
longtime advocates like me, but no one wanted to hear it.

A stampede into feel-good politics ensued, and the result was a 
severely flawed bill.

Meanwhile, comprehensive legislation by Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, 
and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, again failed to get a hearing.

As the Senate was passing the cannabidiol oil bill, Erpenbach showed 
leadership by noting the "thousands of Wisconsinites we are leaving 
behind today."

- -- Gary Storck, Madison
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom