Madison NORML

The hearing will not be on any specific piece of legislation, such as AB 550, the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act, but will be on the issue itself.

In comments published in the October issue of the Appleton monthly, The Scene, Sen. Erpenbach said this about the hearing:

“I think there are a lot of misperceptions out there about medical marijuana. This is the first time I’ve actually chaired the health committee, but I’ve always wanted to hold an informational meeting on it.”

“The whole idea is to get the idea out there. I think if we just introduced a bill without shining some light on it first, it would be a little more difficult to pass legislation.”

The hearing will feature three invited guests; George McMahon, who has received legal medical marijuana from the US government since 1990, Dr. David Bearman, a Rice Lake WI native and UW Alum who specializes in medical marijuana in his California practice, and Dr. Chris Fichtner, an Illinois psychiatrist and former head of Mental Health for the State of Illinois Dept. of Human Services.

Following their testimony, the public will be allowed to testify.

Link to Original Notice: click here

Senate

INFORMATIONAL HEARING

Committee on Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation

The committee will hold an informational hearing on the following items at the time specified below:

Wednesday, November 14, 2007
10:30 AM
411 South
State Capitol

The Committee will hear testimony on the use of medical marijuana. The following individuals have been invited to speak: George McMahon- A legal medical marijuana recipient. Since 1990 Mr. McMahon has received a monthly prescription for medical marijuana from the federal government for the treatment of a rare, painful medical condition called Nail-Patella Syndrome. Dr. Christopher G. Fichtner, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry-University of Chicago, President of WellMindHealth, former Director of Mental Health for the Illinois Department of Human Services. Dr. David Bearman-California physician who operates a medical practice specific to medical marijuana patients.

Public Testimony will be allowed following the three invited speakers.

Senator Jon Erpenbach
Chair