Madison NORML

In Pewaukee, the year started badly for a 68 year old attorney when he was the victim of a botched SWAT raid. The raiders eventually did find the correct address and parties involved and secured a small amount of cannabis for their efforts.

The victim, a former Delafield city attorney, was quoted as saying, "My question is, what are they doing using a SWAT team to execute a search warrant for a simple possession of marijuana?"

"When I went to law school, I was taught the sanctity of your home was one of the greatest freedoms we have. If you don't have the sanctity of your home in America, what have you got?"

Wed, 04 Jan 2006
Man Says He Was Mistakenly Targeted In Drug Raid
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Source: Waukesha Freeman (WI)

A few months later in Dodgeville, police again kicked in the wrong door in hot pursuit of public enemy number one, some teens with 50 grams of pot. The incident later inspired a Platteville local music store co-owner to change his name to Andy Griffith to help publicize his entry in the race for sheriff in Grant County.

Thu, 25 May 2006
Police Say They Are Disturbed the Dodgeville Couple Were Disturbed
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Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)

And in February, a man who shot a home invader who turned out to be part of a police raid targeting him for pot received an 11 year sentence. Some may recall how also in 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia, an elderly woman was shot and killed when a SWAT team she believed to be someone breaking into her home returned fire. So much for the “sanctity of our homes”. The drug war stole that long ago.

Tue, 28 Feb 2006
Man Gets 11-Year Sentence For Shooting, Crippling Deputy
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Source: Journal Times, The (Racine, WI)

Thu, 19 Jan 2006

In January, Wisconsin medical marijuana supporters were stunned when Rep. Gregg Underheim, the Oshkosh Republican and sponsor of medical marijuana legislation announced he would not seek reelection. Core Weekly editor Nathan Comp reported on Underheim’s decision in one of the last issues of Madison Newspaper’s Core Weekly. Core Weekly’s sudden folding was a loss to local cannabis reformers with Comp frequently giving ink to cannabis friendly writing.

Medical Marijuana Advocate Won't Seek Re-Election
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Source: Core Weekly (Madison, WI)

As the legislative session wound down, state medical marijuana supporters found themselves on the outside as Underheim’s office grew increasingly chillier. While supporters called and wrote Underheim and Assembly Health Committee members begging for a vote, their interests were secretly being bargained away as Underheim agreed to withhold a committee vote at the request of the Washington DC-based Marijuana Policy Project, because, according to his aide, “a loss here might affect MPP’s bills in Illinois and Minnesota”. Despite Underheim’s sacrificing of AB-740 and Wisconsin patient’s hopes for progress this session, AB-740 died for nothing, with both the IL and MN bills ultimately dying in their respective committees.

Wed, 01 Mar 2006
Column: Where Is Medical Marijuana?
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Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)

Fri, 10 Mar 2006
Letter: Medical Pot Bill Dies, and With It Chance to Ease People's Pain
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Source: Capital Times, The (WI)

Friday, March 31, 2006"Weed Bar" in Madison? No, just a spoof by the Daily Cardinal, but why not? click here

UW-Madison’s Daily Cardinal spoofed Madison’s tobacco smoking ban with “'Weed bar' attempts to circumvent smoking ban” in their April Fool’s Day issue published March 31.

Thursday, May 4, 2006
Letter: 'Madsterdam'
Source: Isthmus (WI)

A letter I had published in the Isthmus helped spread the concept of Madsterdam. Later in the year, Madison NORML began selling the Madsterdam blend of free trade organic coffee produced by Just Coffee as a fundraiser. Java aficionados report the brew is quite tasty. Currently Madsterdam coffee is available at meetings, and we hope to have it in some outlets soon.

“Madison with regulated pot sales and cannabis coffeeshops -- let's call it Madsterdam -- would be safer, less violent and less angry.”

Read full letter: click here

Saturday, May 06, 2006
Global Marijuana March in Madison recap
Source: Madison NORML blog

Madison WI -- Sunny skies and temperatures in the 60's set the stage for a small but energetic Global Marijuana March in Madison WI today. Attendees mingled with Farmer's Market crowds at the State Street steps of the Capitol holding GMM posters and some signs. A little after 12:30 about two dozen marchers headed down State St., calling out pro-pot chants and clapping. Bemused observers at cafes and passersby gave signs of support and a couple joined the march. Marchers exited State at Gilman and headed to an undisclosed location for a short post-march medication and celebration.

Friday, June 16, 2006
La Crosse County decriminaluizes cannabis

Good news out of La Crosse County as the County Board voted 15-12 to give first time offenders with 25 grams or less a ticket for cannabis possession. The move was supported by the local drug court judge who noted how much it costs taxpayers to prosecute cases involving possesion of small amounts.

Board Passes Ordinance For Marijuana Citation
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Source: La Crosse Tribune (WI)

Mon, 19 Jun 2006

Longtime free speech/cannabis activist and Weedstock and Harvest Fest organizer Ben Masel threw his hat into the ring in the race for Democratic candidate for U.S. senate click here. Within days, an errant UW cop had given him a whole lot of free publicity after attacking and pepper spraying him for circulating bnomination papers on the Union Terrace. Meanwhile, Marcus Gumz, on whose land Weedstock had been held several times, passed away at 77. We’ll miss you Marcus! You were truly one of a kind.

Ben Masel - I'm Ready To Debate Kohl
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Source: Capital Times, The (WI)

Mon, 19 Jun 2006
Colorful Marcus Gumz Dies At 77
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Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)

Thu, 29 Jun 2006
Column: MATC Incident Was Vintage Masel
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Source: Capital Times, The (WI)

Sat, 01 Jul 2006
Weedstock Organizer Peppersprayed, Arrested
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Source: Baraboo Republic (WI)