BILL TESTS STATE FOR MEDICAL POT USE

Underheim Says High Court Ruling May Pave Way

OSHKOSH -- An Oshkosh lawmaker plans to draft legislation that could
legalize medical marijuana use in Wisconsin. Gary Storck of Madison is
overjoyed by the prospect.

The lifelong glaucoma sufferer believes he would be blind today if it
wasn't for his regular marijuana use. The drug releases tension on his eyes
and it doesn't carry the harsh side effects of some legal medicines.

There is one side effect, Storck said. Right now, he could be jailed for
alleviating his pain.

"I'm sick of living in fear. It's ludicrous. It's reprehensible to forbid a
doctor from doing his job when a drug shows so much potential," Storck said
Thursday.

Gregg Underheim, R-Oshkosh, said the time has come for a statewide
discussion about the use of medical marijuana.

Underheim said a U.S. Supreme Court decision this week should open the door
to a debate on the question of whether marijuana should be available to
Wisconsin patients with debilitating diseases.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up a Justice Department
appeal challenging a lower court ruling on the use of medical marijuana. A
federal appellate court in San Francisco ruled the government may not
revoke the prescription licenses of doctors who recommend marijuana to
patients.

"My objective is to take a look at whether people in Wisconsin could be
supportive of this," Underheim said. "I want to move cautiously, but I want
to get a sense of what people think and what the medical community thinks."

Eight states have laws allowing marijuana use on a doctor's recommendation
despite federal laws that outlaw marijuana under all circumstances.

Underheim, chairman of the Assembly Health Committee, said his mission is
to determine whether medical marijuana is right for Wisconsin residents Jim
Collar writes for the Oshkosh Northwestern.