Madison NORML

Source: Capital Times
Pubdate: Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Author: Gary Storck:

ON MEDICAL POT, LAZICH SHOULD PRACTICE WHAT SHE PREACHES

Dear Editor: State Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, concluded a recent letter by stating, "Here's to less taxing and spending in 2010 in Wisconsin with far less fraud, government intervention, and regulation."

I'm confused. At the combined Assembly/Senate health committee hearings on Dec. 15 on the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act, I heard Lazich propose so much government intervention and regulation as to render the new proposal impotent! Her very attempts to sound reasonable while discussing the bill were fraudulent.

Patients in 13 states now have the choice of medical cannabis among potential treatments for debilitating conditions. Wisconsin does not. Lazich, unlike some other opponents such as Rep. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, stuck around long enough to hear patients describe how medical cannabis has been of immeasurable benefit. She heard patients say over and over how conventional treatments had failed or were too harsh and the side effects too toxic.

Lazich owes it not only to her constituents but also to all Wisconsinites by virtue of her committee post to keep an open mind when considering this issue. She should abstain from voting if unwilling to give the 105 people who registered in support, compared to just six opponents representing special interests, the true weight their support deserves.

This is an election year. The overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites support protecting medical cannabis patients by passing the medical marijuana act intact. Voters should look for less toxic alternatives to politicians like Lazich this fall.

Gary Storck

communications director, Is My Medicine Legal YET?

Madison