Some good news even in defeat as two Wisconsin Republican congressmen join two Democratic colleagues in voting to prohibit funding of an Obama Administration crackdown on medical cannabis.

MADISON -- Wisconsin's U.S. congressional delegation split 4-4 on a vote Wednesday night for an amendment to a federal spending bill, H R 5326, that would prohibit the Department of Justice from using federal funds to oppose state medical cannabis law implementation. While the amendment was defeated 262-163, with 50 Democrats joining 212 Republicans in opposition, the support of two Wisconsin Republican congressman is notable.

Read complete article here.

After Wisconsin Medical Society spokes[person Dr. Michael M. Miller MD FASAM testi-lied against medical cannabis legislation at the Dec. 15, 2009 combined hearings on the Jacki Rickert MMJ Act, patients and activists responded with protests at the group's annual meetings. Now, the Society may vote on a more scientific and humane policy.

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Medical Society (SMS), for many years one of the most vocal opponents of passing a state medical marijuana law, will reportedly vote on adopting the same guidelines the American Medical Association voted to adopt in 2009.

The AMA guidelines are as follows:

Continue reading on Examiner.com Wisconsin Medical Society plans vote on AMA MMJ resolution at annual meeting.

My letter in the WI State Journal.

The passing of Joyce Dreyfus, widow of former Gov. Lee Sherman Dreyfus, reminds me of a time when Wisconsin elected representatives from both parties worked together for the common good.

An example was the 1982 passage of the Therapeutic Cannabis Research Act, which passed the Assembly 77-19 and the Senate 32-1. Among those voting in support were Tommy Thompson, William Bablitch, Lynn Adelman, Tom Loftus, Tim Cullen, Michael Ellis and Scott McCallum. Gov. Dreyfus signed the bill into law on April 15, 1982. It remains state law today.

While the act's language assumed federal authorities would provide medical cannabis supplies, that never happened. More than 32 states passed similar laws. Despite the lack of medicine, the fact remains that in 1982 bipartisan majorities in both houses overwhelmingly passed a medical cannabis law and Gov. Dreyfus signed it into law, placing Wisconsin officially on record in support of medical cannabis use.

Today 16 states and Washington, D.C., have medical cannabis laws, and millions of American patients - seniors, veterans, the sick, disabled and dying - are getting their medicine. Wisconsin needs to complete what Dreyfus started and make it happen here.

- Gary Storck, Madison, co-founder, Is My Medicine Legal Yet?

Wisconsin recall elections will allow voters to do some housecleaning over a number of issues.

MADISON – Four Republican Wisconsin State Senators, all on record against state medical marijuana legislation, will be facing recall elections this spring.

The four senators are Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Sens. Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls, Pam Galloway of Wausau and Van Wanggaard of Racine.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Recall elections set for Wisconsin State Senators who opposed medical marijuana - Madison norml | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/norml-in-madison/recall-elections-set-for-wisconsin-state-senators-who-opposed-medical-marijuana#ixzz1p8qNdTlF

Here is a look waaaay back at a time when Wisconsin lawmakers of all political stripes united and passed a medical cannabis bill.

By Gary Storck, Madison NORML Examiner

MADISON -- Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, Gov. Scott McCallum, State Supreme Court Justice William A. Bablitch, US Ambassador to Norway Thomas A. Loftus, U.S. Federal Judge Lynn S. Adelman: all names of prominent Wisconsinites from the last few decades forward.

The group, all former Wisconsin legislators, have something else in common - they all voted for a Wisconsin medical marijuana law that passed both houses by wide margins in 1982 and went on to be signed into law by then-Gov. Lee Sherman Dreyfus, a moderate Republican.

Continue reading on Examiner.com 30 year old medical marijuana law united diverse group of lawmakers - Madison norml | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/norml-in-madison/30-year-old-medical-marijuana-law-united-diverse-group-of-lawmakers#ixzz1oJgOO7kJ

Below is some information about a very important upcoming medical cannabis conference - The Seventh National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics - being put on in Tucson AZ in late April by Patients Out of Time. Here is the Conference Brochure.

Continuing education credits will be available through the University of California's Office of Continuing Medical Education.

Conference Agenda

Friday, April 27, 2012

8:00 - Welcome and Opening remarks - Al Byrne (Patients Out of Time), Donald Abrams, MD (UCSF)

8:30 - Cannabis: Why is it Forbidden? - Mary Lynn Mathre, RN, MSN & Jacki Rickert (Ehlers-Danlos patient)

8:50 - Overview of the Endocannabinoid System - Vincenzo DiMarzo, PhD

9:30 - Care and Feeding of the Endocannabinoid System - John McPartland, DO

10:00 - Break

10:20 - The ECS and Neuropathic Pain - Andrea Hohmann, PhD

10:50 - The Ocular Endocannabinoid System - Melanie Kelly, PhD

11:20 - The Use of Cannabis with Glaucoma - Gary Storck (glaucoma patient & Elvy Musikka (federal medical cannabis patient)

11:40 - Beyond THC: Bringing Back CBD - Martin A. Lee

12:00 - Lunch, with speaker - William Courtney, MD - Raw Cannabis: A Dietary Essential Optimized Through Individualized Phytogenetics (30 minutes)

1:30 - The Role of the Endocanabinoid System in the Regulation of Stress, Mood and Anxiety - Matthew Hill, PhD

2:00 - The ECS and Addiction - Greg Gerdeman, PhD

2:30 - Cannabis as an Exit Drug - Amanda Reiman, PhD, MSW

2:50 - Break

3:10 - Perils and Promising Possibilities with Cannabis and Schizophrenia - Christopher Fichtner, MD

3:30 - Research and Education on Cannabinoids: Update from Canada - Mark Ware, MD

4:00 - Question & Answer from the Faculty

4:30 - Day end

Saturday, April 28, 2012

0800 - Opening remarks - Al Byrne; Brian Becker, MD (Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine); Mary Koithan, PhD, RN (University of Arizona College of Nursing)

8:30 - Cannabinoids and Cancer Care - Donald Abrams, MD

9:00 - Phytocannabinoids in the Treatment of Breast Cancer and Glioma Cell Cancer - Cristina Sanchez, PhD

9:30 - Cannabis Oil and Skin Cancer - Robert Melamede, PhD

10:00 - Break

10:20 - Empirical Rationales for the Possibility of Cannabis Therapeutics in Post Traumatic Stress - Christopher Fichtner, MD

10:50 - Practical Applications of Cannabis for Post Traumatic Stress - Bryan Krumm, RN, CNP

11:20 - Clinical Trials of Cannabis Use for Post Traumatic Stress Among Veterans - Sue Sisley, MD & Yehuda Baruch, MD (invited)

1140 - Perils and Promising Possibilities with Cannabis and Schizophrenia - Christopher Fichtner, MD

12:00 - Lunch, with speaker - Vincent Palazotto - How to Help When There is No Hope (20 minutes)

1:30 - The Use of Cannabis for ALS - Greg Carter, MD & Cathy Jordan (patient)

2:00 - Can Cannabis Prevent Alzheimer's Disease? - Gary Wenk, PhD

2:30 - Question & Answer from the Faculty

3:00 - Break

3:20 - Panel: The ECS and Clinical Implications for Health Care: Clint Werner (Moderator), Andrew Weil, MD, Julie Holland, MD, Melanie Dreher, RN, PhD

4:30 - Day end

Accreditation:

The University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (UCSF) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. UCSF designates this educational activity for a maximum of 12.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.

Contact hours provided by The University of Arizona Medical Center Staff Development and Education. Provider approved by The California Board of Registered Nursing, BRN Provider No. CEP 10039 - Hours Pending

http://medicalcannabis.com/Clinical-Conferences/2012-tucson-az

Here is my look at the recent Oregonian article on out of state patients.

By Gary Storck, Madison NORML Examiner

MADISON - Oregon's largest newspaper, the Oregonian, published an article on Feb. 20, 2012, that reported on the increasing number of out of state patients registering for Oregon's medical marijuana program, the only state medical cannabis program that accepts out-of-staters, "Hundreds of out-of-staters find comfort in obtaining Oregon medical marijuana cards."

I was interviewed for the article, which included a photo of me in my apartment posing next to a highway map of Oregon mounted on a door with a copy of my Oregon registration above.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Wisconsin patients go West for medical marijuana approvals - Madison norml | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/norml-in-madison/wisconsin-patients-go-west-for-medical-marijuana-approvals#ixzz1nLxswvSd

Just how bad are Wisconsin pot laws? How about "Worst in the Midwest?"

By Gary Storck, Madison NORML Examiner

MADISON - According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Wisconsin's marijuana laws, unchanged since the early 1970s, are the most draconian among seven Midwestern states in cases involving simple possession of small amounts of cannabis - second offense.

A review of cannabis laws for the seven states: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, found that Wisconsin state laws are the harshest, far more punitive for small amounts that its neighbors, when a second offense occurs. While individual states may have harsher penalties for a first offense than Wisconsin, none of the other six specify a felony for the second offense, no matter how small the amount.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Wisconsin pot laws toughest in Midwest - Madison norml | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/norml-in-madison/wisconsin-pot-laws-toughest-midwest#ixzz1nBAk6rUE

Oregon's largest newspaper, the Oregonian, did a nice article on out of state patients in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. As one of those out of state patients, I was very pleased to contribute to this article.

Here's an excerpt:

Storck, the medical marijuana activist in Wisconsin, which doesn't have a medical marijuana program, carries his Oregon card with him wherever he goes even though it isn't likely to offer him much legal protection.

"To be able to have at least one state say, 'Yes, we accept that you are a patient,' means so much to me," he said. "It was worth the trip to be recognized as a patient. I have been fighting my whole entire adult life for my medicine. My own home state, where I was born, won't recognize that."

A map of Oregon hangs in his home, a reminder that his marijuana use is legal here.

"I am really thankful to Oregon," Storck said. "I am legal in every inch of that state and that is a beautiful thought for me."

Read the full article here.

Wisconsin's medieval cannabis laws are a cruel reality for the many unfortunates caught in the system for tiny amounts of the herb.

MADISON -- Despite several attempts in the 1970s, state lawmakers were never able to pass a statewide cannabis "decriminalization" law. While a later statute allows counties and certain local government units to treat possession of less than 25 grams of cannabis as a civil infraction instead of a criminal offense, these ordinances, where they exist, are unevenly enforced, if not outright ignored. For example, while both La Crosse City and County passed local cannabis ordinances, local attorneys say the ordinances are not used by prosecutors.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Green Bay marijuana case shows Wisconsin pot laws are dopey - Madison norml | Examiner.com

Medical cannabis activists found lobbyists had taken their spot as a missing permit app canceled a peaceful two decade old medical cannabis vigil.

MADISON -- Cannabis activists found themselves shut out of their traditional spot outside the Governor's State of the State speeches Wednesday night after Capitol Police claimed they had never received an application for a permit from the Madison chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Since the early 1990s, medical cannabis activists have stood vigil outside each annual "State of the State" (SOTS) address. The late Madison activist Ben Masel, a frequent Capitol visitor, began the tradition many years ago.

Continue reading "Lost" permit apps scratch medical cannabis vigil at Walker's State of the State.

Unfortunately, Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, the Wisconsin State Senate Republican Majority Leader, has chosen to assign the Senate version SB371, of the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act, to the Senate Health Committee chaired by an arch-opponent of protecting patients using their medicine. The action speaks volumes about Sen. Fitzgerald's concerns for state seniors, veterans, sick, disabled and dying.

MADISON: Wisconsin Senate Bill 371 - The Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (JRMMA) - has been referred to the Senate Health committee. Senate Health is chaired by Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa), a longtime opponent who famously refused to hold a hearing when a 2007-2008 session bill was assigned to the committee she chaired as an Assembly representative. The JRMMA was rolled out at a Nov. 30 Capitol press conference.

Continue reading "Wisconsin medical marijuana bill assigned to opponent's Senate committee."

An update on the Jacki Rickert MMJ Act.

MADISON: Rep. Mark Pocan's office has confirmed a final total of 15 cosponsors for the newly reintroduced Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (JRMMA).

As with last session and the 2007-2008 session there were no Republican cosponsors. The last bill with Republican support, AB-740, was introduced in 2005 by then Rep. Gregg Underheim, a moderate Republican from Oshkosh who chaired the Assembly Public Health committee. Rep. Underheim gave AB-740 a public hearing in Nov. 2005. Underheim, a one-time opponent of medical cannabis opened up to the medical potential of cannabis after suffering a bout with cancer. He left the legislature in 2006.

13 of 15 cosponsors are from the 99-member Wisconsin State Assembly: Continue reading "Wisconsin medical marijuana bill to get bill numbers, committee assignments."

Here is an update on the Jacki Rickert MMJ Act from Madison NORML Examiner.

MADISON: Rep. Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee) has returned as a cosponsor of the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (JRMMA). With Rep. Toles, the total number of cosponsors currently sits at 15 with a couple days left to add more before the Dec. 22 deadline. The JRMMA is sponsored by Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) and Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee).

Continue reading Madison NORML Examiner: Medical marijuana bill gains more support in Wisconsin legislature

Halfway to a Dec. 22 deadline for cosponsors to sign on to the new Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act and progress is being made. Here's an update on who is a cosponsor as of this writing.

MADISON: The State Capitol's ornate Assembly Parlor was packed with media, medical cannabis patients and others for the Nov. 30 press conference for the introduction of LRB 2466 & 3544, the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (JRMMA).

During the press conference, the JRMMA's lead sponsor in the State Assembly, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison), announced a 3 week window ending Dec. 22 for cosponsors to sign on to the bills. Today his office gave us an update on how things are going.

Continue reading full article...