Madison NORML

In January, I'd stopped by his Capitol office to talk about the coming session, and while discussing some ideas, he suddenly raised the possibility of holding a hearing on medical cannabis in the Senate Health Committee he chairs.

Tonight, addressing supporters at the fundraiser, Sen. Erpenbach pointed me out in the crowd and publicly announced his plans to hold a hearing this fall. This would be the first state senate hearing on medical cannabis in over 25 years.

This is great news. The retirement of Rep. Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh), the sponsor of last session's bill in the Assembly, left the Assembly Health Committee in the hands of two anti-medical marijuana zealots, GOP Reps. Leah Vukmir (Wauwatosa) and Terry Moulton (Chippewa Falls). Apparently they haven't gotten the word from their Minnesota GOP colleagues that legal access to medical marijuana upholds conservative values, "Medical Marijuana May Soon Be Reality", click here. Anyways, with the road to medical cannabis progress seemingly blocked in the Assembly, Senator Erpenbach's announcement means the issue is alive and well this session.

There are several medical cannabis anniversaries this year that add impetus to this quest. Five years ago this March, IMMLY's poll found 80.3% support statewide for legalizing medicinal pot click here. Twenty-five years ago this April 19, in 1982, Gov. Lee Sherman Dreyfus signed Wisconsin's first medical marijuana bill, which was rendered symbolic by federal refusal to supply the medicine. And September 11-18 marks the tenth anniversary of Jacki Rickert's Journey for Justice. Jacki is already planning to commemorate that milestone this September. Reps. Frank Boyle (D-Superior) and Mark Pocan (D-Madison), intend to introduce a medical marijuana bill in the Assembly in solidarity, as Boyle and then State Rep. Tammy Baldwin did when Jacki and her crew reached the Capitol ten years ago Sept. 18.

So, Wisconsin patients and their supporters will see medical cannabis action at the Capitol this session. While the likelihood of legislation reaching the governor's desk currently seems remote, due to split control of the legislature, the issue will be before state lawmakers in some form. What the issue needs most is public support, and the support of medical professionals. The 80.3% must do something to demonstrate that support. Only then will a majority of lawmakers find the courage to act.