cannabisnews.com: Med Pot Bill Stirs Strong Emotions on Both Sides
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Med Pot Bill Stirs Strong Emotions on Both Sides
Posted by CN Staff on December 15, 2009 at 11:50:48 PT
By Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel
Source: Journal Sentinel
Madison, WI -- In 1989, Jacki Rickert of Mondovi weighed just 68 pounds. Marijuana helped her put on weight and relieve the symptoms of her connective tissue disorder, Rickert said Tuesday as she urged lawmakers to make the drug legal for medicinal purposes."When your doctor looks at you and says, 'If we cannot get weight on you . . . you will die' - that's what it comes down to, 'You will die' - you do whatever you have to do," Rickert told the Assembly and Senate health committees. "We've never wanted to break the law, but sometimes you have to."
Marijuana can cut her use of morphine in half to manage symptoms from Ehler-Danlos syndrome, she said.Some Republicans on the committee were sharply critical of the bill, with Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) saying advocates were using critically ill patients who filled the hearing room as a "facade.""It's nothing more than a ruse for you to move forward for full legalization of marijuana," Vukmir said.That comment drew boos from the crowd, and Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee), a bill author, insisted his goal was not to legalize marijuana for recreational use."People shouldn't have to break the law to get pot for their mom or dad or son. . . . Republicans and Democrats are doing that right now - in your district, right in your backyard," Erpenbach told Vukmir.Medical marijuana advocates are hopeful the bill will pass the Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats.Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison), an author of the bill, has said he is confident the Assembly Public Health Committee will approve the bill and forward it to the full Assembly, and Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston) has signaled he is open to allowing a floor vote on the bill. Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle supports allowing medical marijuana.Supporters pointed to other signs helping their side, including a new, hands-off approach by the U.S. Department of Justice for marijuana dispensaries in states that allow them and a call last month by the American Medical Association for more research of medical marijuana.Thirteen states allow medical marijuana, including Michigan, where voters approved the measure last year.The Wisconsin bill would allow people with debilitating medical conditions to grow up to 12 marijuana plants or buy up to three ounces of marijuana from non-profit dispensaries. Patients would have to get a written recommendation from a doctor and register with the state Department of Health Services.If patients bought marijuana on the street, they could use their medical condition as a defense at trial.Patients would not be allowed to drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of marijuana. They could not smoke it in schools, parks and many other public places.The bill would cover people with cancer, AIDS, Crohn's disease, hepatitis C, Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and other serious ailments.Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend) said the bill was written so broadly that potentially millions of state residents could qualify for medical marijuana.Pocan said what's happened in other states shows that's not the case. He said the bill had strict controls to avoid the loopholes found in California's medical marijuana law.The bill is the "most comprehensive and responsible legislation in the country," said Daniel Abrahmson, director of legal affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, a group that pushes for medical marijuana.But Michael Miller, a physician, told lawmakers the Wisconsin Medical Society opposed the bill because drug approvals should be based on science and left to the federal Food and Drug Administration."This is not the way to approve a new medicine," Miller said.Marijuana is not a very strong painkiller, he said. Patients who need THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, to spur their appetite or combat nausea can get a prescription to Marinol, a synthetic version of the drug, he said.Miller stressed the dangers of smoking the drug and said that is the primary way patients would use it, despite claims by advocates that many would eat it, or vaporize and then inhale it.Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)Author: Patrick Marley of the Journal SentinelPublished: December 15, 2009Copyright: 2009 Milwaukee Journal SentinelContact: jsedit onwis.comWebsite: http://www.jsonline.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/A0VyITHQCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #35 posted by Hope on December 18, 2009 at 20:10:12 PT
Thank you, Gary and Jacki!
I wish we could get the highlights. Nearly eight hours! How wonderful that it happened though.I tried to watch some of it after you posted it and couldn't but I did get the part where you spoke and I saw Jacki.You'll ARE looking good and doing so much good.Thank you for going though that... tie and all!What's your feeling about it all? Have you got a feeling about how it might go?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #34 posted by Gary Storck on December 17, 2009 at 18:04:27 PT
Watch entire hearing
All 7:42 of it is online at WI Eye on the internets! What a day! Longest I have ever had on a tie! The patients were the real story!
Jacki Rickert MMJ Act official site
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #33 posted by Hope on December 17, 2009 at 14:58:54 PT
Your and You're
I know the difference. I hate looking sloppy... but there you go.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #32 posted by Hope on December 17, 2009 at 14:57:13 PT
And
For heaven's sake... where is the Love of God in these "good" people?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #31 posted by Hope on December 17, 2009 at 14:55:39 PT
Your right, though.
It's not a ruse.How in the world do they think so many people, so many suffering people among them, would get together and participate in a "ruse" like what this legislator seems to be imagining? What? Did all these different people just suddenly one day get together and decide to make up a big lie ... to get cannabis legal? Prohibitionists are destroying so much and so many over this plant. Too many have been hurt and killed. Try something else!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #30 posted by Hope on December 17, 2009 at 14:44:41 PT
That's a hell of a moniker
you got there, Jack.No one wants to talk to you.:0)Seems like welcoming you might have something to do with something kind of like welcoming a vampire.So... Hello.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #29 posted by Jack of Spades on December 16, 2009 at 18:37:58 PT:
RE: quote from Vukmir
While full legalization of Marihuana is the eventual desire of many (if not most) Americans, the medical benefits of the drug are no ruse.
The fact exists that it is a powerful preventative medicine, and even studies originally aimed at maligning Marihuana are only continuing to prove its benefits.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #28 posted by Storm Crow on December 16, 2009 at 11:43:32 PT
Knowhemp.......
"Sure, if there wasn't an evil agenda to suppress the research and science that doesn't support prohibition; and so for us to wait means never."For a nice surprise, run a search on "Granny Storm Crow's list- July 2009". Evil agenda or not- the research DOES exist!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #27 posted by runruff on December 16, 2009 at 00:14:58 PT
"push a secret agenda of making pot legal"
OK now, who told our secret???
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #26 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 18:56:05 PT
Mark702
The CN Staff is the way the program was written so I put contact info to the paper in that e-mail.Do you have a banner that would fit at the top of CNews? Matt or observer are the webmasters and they keep CNews running so you would need to contact Matt about putting a banner on CNews. I think it would be a nice addition to the ones we have had for years.matt elrod.ca
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #25 posted by Mark702 on December 15, 2009 at 18:25:58 PT:
CannabisTV.org
FoM, I sent an email to the "CN Staff" email, but got a failure notification. Also, yes Cannabis TV is a non-profit, public service project created independently.
Blip.tv - Cannabis TV
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #24 posted by duzt on December 15, 2009 at 18:20:27 PT
Thanks FOM
Hopefully we can get that figured out, I appreciate the help.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #23 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 18:11:45 PT
duzt
You got mail.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #22 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 18:09:00 PT
duzt
I didn't send it yet but I will right now.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #21 posted by duzt on December 15, 2009 at 18:07:59 PT
hmmm
well, I didn't receive one yet, my email is my full first and last name hotmail.com. I had a request that was a bit urgent.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #20 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 17:51:40 PT
duzt
I found your email that you used to register. I will send you an email if it still works and then you will have mine.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #19 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 17:47:29 PT
duzt
No I don't have my e-mail public. I could try to find your e-mail in the member part of CNews and e-mail you if you still use the same e-mail as when you registered.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #18 posted by duzt on December 15, 2009 at 17:33:40 PT
FOM, sent you a message
Hey FOM, I sent you a message and was curious if you received it? I do just click the CN Staff button to email you?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #17 posted by Sam Adams on December 15, 2009 at 17:07:54 PT
November 2010
thanks for the update! Less than 11 months away. This is almost biblical - it's like Moses on the mountain "let my people go!"
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #16 posted by The GCW on December 15, 2009 at 16:33:26 PT
US CA: Pot Advocates Claim Signatures For Ballot I
Could this be it?US CA: Pot Advocates Claim Signatures For Ballot IssuePubdate: Tue, 15 Dec 2009Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)SACRAMENTO -- Advocates of legalizing marijuana say they've collected more than enough signatures to have California voters decide next year whether to tax and regulate the drug. The signatures in support of the Tax and Regulate Initiative, which would give local governments the authority to tax and regulate the sale of marijuana, will be submitted to state election officials early next year for verification. Delaying the submission of signatures improves the chances that the measure will be on the ballot in November, said Richard Lee, the measure's chief supporter. The petition drive collected more than 680,000 signatures in two months, less than half the time allowed for such a drive, said Lee, who owns two marijuana businesses in Oakland - Oaksterdam University and Coffeeshop Blue Sky. The signature-gathering effort, which was managed by a professional firm and so far has cost more than $1 million, needs 433,971 valid signatures from registered voters to make the ballot, he said. "It's long overdue," Lee said. "It was very easy. People were eager to sign. We heard they were ripping the petitions out of people's hands to do it." Cont. http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n1117/a05.html?397
-0-NOTE: """ripping the petitions out of people's hands to do it."""
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #15 posted by mydnytmover on December 15, 2009 at 15:30:11 PT
Hope
I don't know I heard it could be as early as Jan. 15 but like I said I do not know
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #14 posted by MikeC on December 15, 2009 at 15:12:24 PT
mydnytmover...
I am near the twin cities but on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River.Here's to 2010 being an even greater year for marijuana reform!!!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #13 posted by Hope on December 15, 2009 at 14:47:36 PT
When
are they expected to vote on this bill?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #12 posted by mydnytmover on December 15, 2009 at 14:40:49 PT
MikeC
2010 !!!! It will blow my mind if this pass's. I live in Northern Wi Alot of closed minded people that talk reefer madness, as they go to the bar everynight to see how drunk they can get.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #11 posted by MikeC on December 15, 2009 at 14:25:12 PT
mydnytmover...
I too live in Wi. Let's hope for great news in 2010!!!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #10 posted by mydnytmover on December 15, 2009 at 14:02:18 PT
knowhemp
Hi knowhemp I live in Wi. It looks like it has a good chance but Who Knows, The world is full of uneducated idiots like Leah Vukmir
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #9 posted by The GCW on December 15, 2009 at 13:56:02 PT
Republicans
Cold Republicans.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 13:48:48 PT
Mark702
I wouldn't mind having a banner on CNews but Matt Elrod would be the one to ask. I know we can't have any web sites that are for profit. If you contact Matt he would be the one to ask and mention that it is fine with me.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #7 posted by knowhemp on December 15, 2009 at 13:43:17 PT:
Science?
"But Michael Miller, a physician, told lawmakers the Wisconsin Medical Society opposed the bill because drug approvals should be based on science and left to the federal Food and Drug Administration."Sure, if there wasn't an evil agenda to suppress the research and science that doesn't support prohibition; and so for us to wait means never.I'm moving back to Wisconsin in 2010 for a little while - how is this bill looking to everyone? Does it stand a serious chance this year?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by kaptinemo on December 15, 2009 at 13:17:41 PT:
A way to end this...in court
Publicly call people like Vukmir liars...and dare them to sue you. And if they are foolish enough to do so, then bring in every study ever printed proving them wrong. You'd need a fork-lift to haul them around, there'd be so many. Hold up the history of drug prohibition for the jury's edification while we're at it. I'll bet if you had a racially mixed jury, those 'people of color' would be mightily interested in what the promulgators of the drug laws thought of them...which wasn't much.Dare them...and watch as the more intelligent amongst them shrink back in horror as they realize a yawning pit full of razor sharp stakes will open up in front of them faster than they can blink an eye.We have the truth...and they have nothing but lies. Lies that would be punishable under sworn testimony. Bring it on!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by Mark702 on December 15, 2009 at 13:15:45 PT
CannabisTV.org
If you or someone you know is looking for good quality videos on marijuana, cannabis, hemp, and such, check out CannabisTV.org. Links to movies, resources, info, etc.mods: Any chance of a banner, article or something on this?
Blip.tv - Cannabis TV
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by Hope on December 15, 2009 at 12:54:11 PT
From Comment 2
More of that crazy stuff prohibitionists do. The woman is flat out imagining stuff and concludes it's true based on her imagination.""What I think what I resent most is this facade you're putting forth, using people who are dying cancer, who have other illnesses as your shield. I think it's nothing more than a ruse to move towards full legalization of marijuana," Vukmir says."
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #3 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 12:45:42 PT
Proponents Defend Medical Marijuana Proposal
December 15, 2009Madison, Wis. -- A Republican opponent to allowing medical marijuana in Wisconsin accuses Democratic backers of using chronically ill patients to push a secret agenda of making pot legal for everyone.State Rep. Leah Vukmir's claim at a Tuesday public hearing drew boos from many in the room packed with sick people in wheelchairs or walking with the assistance of canes. Supporters said marijuana helps patients deal with painful diseases, cancer treatments and other ailments.Vukmir said there is no medical reasons to use marijuana and that other pain relief measures should be pursued that "do not require individuals to light a joint."URL: http://www.channel3000.com/news/21971487/detail.html
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on December 15, 2009 at 12:27:09 PT
Emotions Run High at Hearing on Medical Marijuana
December 15, 2009URL: http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=5501
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on December 15, 2009 at 12:07:18 PT
the dangers
Miller stressed the dangers of smoking the drug and said that is the primary way patients would use it, despite claims by advocates that many would eat it, or vaporize and then inhale it.And tell, please, what are these "dangers"? do they include DEATH??Because the FDA-approved meds are killing 100,000+ Americans per year
[ Post Comment ]
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