Madison NORML

The chapter, this blog and the Cannabis Movement in Wisconsin have all taken great strides forward. I've put the news out there with a little analysis, and have examined a lot of cannabis developments, from the tragic to the comic to the absurd.

And what indeed is more absurd than banning a plant that has compounds that bind to receptors in our bodies?

Like many of my life's cannabis milestone anniversaries, my earlier 2005 self truly believed that medical cannabis legislation would not still be spinning its wheels in 2010 in our legislature, awaiting profiles in courage by state legislators too accustomed to saying no.

I spent today lobbying with a young ex-Marine afflicted with PTSD after 3 tours in Iraq. How can any "elected representative" think twice about letting those who sacrificed so much not have the medicine that works best instead of pharmaceutical slavery to organ damaging toxic side effect ridden chemicals?

This blog has documented real progress in Wisconsin cannabis laws, despite the continuing legislative stalemate. Marijuana decriminalization has spread to many more locales in the state since 2005. Even staid Waukesha County, where overzealous prosecution had led to the suicide of a couple accused of medical marijuana cultivation a few years back, has initiated decriminalization for small amounts of cannabis and paraphernalia.

With decriminalization, possession of small amounts of cannabis is punishable by a fine, and is a civil citation and not a criminal matter. Patients using small amounts of cannabis in the safety of their homes are less likely to face major consequences, offering a little peace of mind to those who are extremely tired of looking over their shoulders.

I will keep pounding away at this blog as long as I am able. Hopefully, we'll soon see better news for patients than we've seen in the past.