Madison NORML

Big thanks to Rep. Baldwin for continuing to support medical cannabis patients as well as ending the criminalization of responsible adult cannabis consumers. Once again she has shown the courage to lead on these issues.

The question remains whether other members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation will join with Rep. Baldwin. While Democratic colleagues David Obey, Ron Kind and Gwen Moore voted for the Hinchey Amendment, which would have prohibited the use of federal funds to target medical marijuana in states where it is legal, none has yet cosponsored medical cannabis legislation. Certainly no one expects any of the three Republicans; Reps. F. James Sensenbrenner, Paul Ryan and Tom Petri, to join with fellow Republicans like Ron Paul or Dana Rohrabacher in cosponsoring these bills.

The remaining WI Democrat, Rep. Steve Kagen, as readers may remember, insulted his constituents last summer by joining with most congressional Republicans in voting against the Hinchey Amendment, “Steve Kagen votes to arrest medical marijuana patients: John Gard would approve” click here. Now, with John Gard again his opponent this fall in a tight race he barely won last time, Kagen needs to find a way to lure back voters he alienated by voting against medical marijuana patients. Cosponsoring these two bills might help Kagen regain the trust and support of voters he lost with his Hinchey betrayal, in a race where he will need every vote.

Our thoughts also go out to Sen. Ted Kennedy today click here. Kennedy sponsored federal marijuana decriminalization 30 years ago in the US Senate, only to see it turned back by Sen. Orrin Hatch and others click here. There is some hope today. Beside the Frank bill in the House, Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT) expressed support for cannabis decriminalization while running for the Democratic presidential nomination this year. Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) has written in his new book, A Time to Fight: Reclaiming a Fair and Just America, that, "The time has come to stop locking up people for mere possession and use of marijuana." click here.

So, if you are a constituent of Tammy Baldwin, please thank her for cosponsoring HR 5842 and HR 5843. For extra credit, call Senators Feingold and Kohl and request that they consider sponsoring Senate versions of these bills. And for you outside Tammy’s district, please call and write your reps and ask them to join Tammy Baldwin in cosponsoring this legislation.