First Medical Cannabis Lobby Day at Wisconsin State Capitol on Wednesday February 16

First Medical Cannabis Lobby Day at Wisconsin State Capitol on Wednesday February 16, 2005

Wisconsin Radio Network: My marijuana's not legal yet?

February 17, 2005
Source: Wisconsin Radio Network

My marijuana's not legal yet?

by Jackie Johnson
The medical marijuana advocacy group lobbied legislators and displayed reading material and buttons for onlookers.

A man who says he's "living proof" that marijuana is a safe and effective medicine urges legislators to make it legal. The Wisconsin Coalition for Safe Access holds its lobby day at the state capitol. Gary Storck of the medicinal marijuana advocacy group (also with Is My Marijuana Legal Yet?, or IMMLY) points out that cannabis is natural and safe, unlike some other widely accepted medications that have recently been taken off the market -- or at least warned against -- by the FDA. "Marijuana is uniquely suited to treating arthritis, which Celebrex and Vioxx and Aleve all were used for, because it's a potent anti-spasmodic anti-inflamitory, antioxidant and it also is a potent pain reliever."

Storck says the majority of Wisconsinites -- 80.3% -- support marijuana use for medicinal purposes. He says he uses the cannabis himself, and it's been very helpful to his health. "I was born with what's been diagnosed as Noonan's Syndrome. And from an early age it was apparent I did not have the same good health my older siblings enjoyed. I found myself going blind from glaucoma as a child, and I was raised a strict Roman Catholic and I used to pray every night that I wouldn't go blind. And then around the age of 17 I found the answer to my prayers."

Storck urges you write to your lawmakers, and ask them to help sick people statewide get their pot legally. "People are being diagnosed with cancer, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, glaucoma and dozens of other diseases marijuana can help everyday. And to force them out in the black market, or to risk arrest and jail is immoral. People need to let their legislators know that it's time to make this compassionate exception for our sick and dying citizens."

He says if most people knew that their loved one would benefit from marijuana, they'd move mountains to get it for them.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:53 mp3)

SOURCE: Madison WI TV Channel NBC Affiliate 15 http://nbc15.madison.com/news/headlines/1271922.html
Group Wants WI Medical Marijuana Laws Changed

Watch Video: Group Wants WI Medical Marijuana Laws Changed

(MADISON)--A group lobbying at the state capitol Wednesday wants Wisconsin's medical marijuana laws changed.

The Wisconsin Coalition for Safe Access says there are still medical marijuana patients being arrested in Wisconsin and facing sentencing.

The group is pointing a finger at the legislature, saying four sessions have passed and no bill has been introduced.

“The blame for this falls squarely on the legislature for letting this issue fester. When somebody's sick, you don't withhold treatment and that's basically what we're looking at here is, treatment is being withheld but its being withheld by force and by fear and a lot of people wont even access this to save their lives because they don't want to break the law right now," said Gary Storck, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Coalition for Safe Access.

The group says they are strictly for the medical use of marijuana and how it can benefit people that way.

MEDIA ADVISORY
Wisconsin Coalition for Safe Access
Monday, February 14, 2005

On February 16, the Wisconsin Coalition for Safe Access will be holding a Medical Cannabis Lobby Day at the State Capitol.

The group is asking medical cannabis patients and supporters to gather in the Capitol first floor rotunda at 11 am, where the coalition will have an information table. Attendees will then visit their legislators' offices.

Coalition members will also deliver letters supporting medical cannabis from constituents unable to attend and meet their lawmakers in person.

Future medical cannabis lobby days will be scheduled as the legislative session progresses. For further information contact Gary Storck at 608.241.8922 or Blake Trimbell at 608.222.4785.

The Wisconsin Coalition for Safe Access is a project of Is My Medicine Legal YET?, Madison NORML, and Wisconsin NORML.

For immediate release: Wednesday, February 16, 2005

FIRST MEDICAL CANNABIS LOBBY DAY AT WISCONSIN STATE CAPITOL WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2005

An alliance of state activists, the Wisconsin Coalition for Safe Access, is organizing the first Medical Cannabis Lobby Day at the State Capitol on Wednesday, February 16.

Medical cannabis patients and supporters will gather at the group's informational table in the Capitol rotunda on the first floor at 11am. Coalition members will then visit their legislators' offices as well as deliver letters supporting relegalizing medical cannabis to supporters who could not attend.

Organizers vow that is only the beginning. Gary Storck, a Madison medical cannabis patient/activist and spokesman for the group said, "We are already planning future lobby days. Wisconsinites understand that when families are facing serious illness, they ought to have the freedom to use cannabis like any other medicine. With all the medications being recalled, there is more need than ever for a natural remedy like cannabis with thousands of years of safe use by humans. Each day of delay means more families are forced to choose between breaking the law or watching a loved one's suffering go out of control."

Blake Trimbell, a journalist and medical marijuana activist from La Crosse who now lives in Monona said, "Marijuana is a natural medicine that has been used for many reasons throughout history. Only recently has it become illegal. Why are legal officials instead of medical doctors allowed to tell people what they can and cannot use as medicine? Denying a sick and suffering person one more option for relief is a slap in the face."

Brian, a coalition member from Milwaukee said, "As a cancer survivor and someone living with MS, I am offended that the legislature is so slow to act on medical marijuana. The sick and dying know the research supports it, and 80% of the public approves."

For further information contact Gary Storck at 608.241.8922 or Blake Trimbell at 608.222.4785.

The Wisconsin Coalition for Safe Access is a project of Is My Medicine Legal YET? (www.immly.org), Madison NORML (www.madisonnorml.org), and Wisconsin NORML (www.winorml.org).

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Updated Monday, August 08, 2011