La Crosse Tribune: Lawmakers introduce medical marijuana bill
Source: La Crosse Tribune (WI)
Copyright: 2001, The La Crosse Tribune
Contact: letters@lacrossetribune.com
Website: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/
Pubdate: 12 December 2001
LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL
[Inset: Proposed Legilation
- Would allow people to grow or buy marijuana if their doctor gave them a statement consenting to its use for medical purposes.
- Would allow non profit corporations to produce and distribute medical marijuana if they were licensed and regulated by the State Department of Health and Family Services.]
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Ed Thompson endorsed a bill Tuesday that would allow Wisconsin residents suffering from cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and other diseases to legally smoke marijuana to help manage their pain and increase their appetites.
"It's high time that the Wisconsin Legislature gets off its high horse and recognizes how important this is," said Thompson, who is mayor of Tomah and brother of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.
"Nobody's ever died from the use of marijuana," he said. "It's not harmful but helpful."
Reps. Frank Boyle, D-Superior, and Mark Pocan, D-Madison, on Tuesday introduced the bill, which would allow people to grow or buy marijuana if their doctor gave them a statement consenting to its use for medical purposes.
It's an issue state lawmakers have brought up for nearly eight years, Boyle said.
The bill would allow nonprofit corporations to produce and distribute medical marijuana if they were licensed and regulated by the state Department of Health and Family Services.
Gary Storck, of the group "Is My Medicine Legal Yet," said he has been using medical marijuana for 30 years to treat his glaucoma and arthritis, despite the risk of arrest and conviction under state and federal laws.
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