LAWMAKERS EYE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION

Backers Say Measure Would Help Ease Pain of Health Ailments

OSHKOSH - Jacki Rickert doesn't smoke marijuana for a high. She said
she smokes marijuana so she can live.

The Mondovi resident suffers from a rare connective tissue disorder.
While using traditional medicines, she wasted away to 68 pounds. After
using marijuana as a medicine, she's back to her normal weight, she
can move again and most importantly, she can live her life.

It's time for government to realize that marijuana has legitimate
purposes, she said.

"My world changed," said Rickert, founder of the Is My Medicine Legal
Yet? advocacy group. "I could start eating a little bit by little bit."

Wisconsin advocates for the legalization of medical marijuana are
praising an Oshkosh lawmaker for a bill they hope will raise
discussion on legitimate use of the drug.

State Rep. Gregg Underheim, R-Oshkosh, introduced a bill into the
Legislature this week that would allow the medical use of marijuana
for illnesses and ailments including AIDS, cancer and glaucoma.

If passed, the bill would create a medical necessity defense in the
courtroom for those charged with marijuana use or possession. The bill
also calls for the state to create a registry of medical marijuana
users and would authorize certain nonprofit groups to distribute the
drug to those approved for its medical use.

Still, marijuana use would remain a federal crime.

Rickert said there's little chance the bill will pass in the current
session, but she praised it as a good first step.

Right now, marijuana use and possession are state and federal crimes
regardless of purpose. While advocates are seeing attitudes change
toward medical use, legalization remains a source of
controversy.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration argues that marijuana is
dangerous, addictive and provides no medical benefit that legal
prescription medications couldn't.

Supporters of medical marijuana argue that the drug is safer than many
prescription medications and has multiple benefits, including pain
relief and increased appetite.

Eight states have made its use legal, although the U.S. Department of
Justice hasn't recognized those laws. In California, federal drug
agents have raided clubs established for dispensing medical marijuana
several times since the state legalized it in 1996.