CONSERVATIVES TROT OUT TIRED STORIES AT HEARING

Spell check Rep. Leah Vukmir's name in a Word document, and "vomit"
is the first suggestion that comes up for her last name. Witness her
boneheaded testimony at the Dec. 15 Joint Committee on Health and you
will want to vomit. In her lap.

The subject was medical marijuana, or, specifically, the Jacki
Rickert Medical Marijuana Act, which was jointly introduced by Sen.
Jon Erpenbach (D. Middleton) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison). Pocan
and now retired northwoods Sen. Frank Boyle introduced similar
legislation in 2007, but it died in committee; Vukmir chaired the
Assembly health committee at the time.

Vukmir - a pediatric nurse who has represented the Wauwautosa
constituency since 2002 and now is running for the 5th District
Senate seat - was a vocal opponent of the first medical marijuana
bill, but she outdid herself at the Dec. 15 reintroduction of the
bill named for Mondovi resident Jacki Rickert (go here for her story:
immly.org).

medmarYou can view the entire 7-plus hour hearing on the Jacki
Rickert Medical Marijuana Act before the Wisconsin Legislature's
Joint Committee on Health in the online archives of Wisconsin Eye (wiseye.org).

Shortly after Rickert and Gary Storck give dramatic testimony about
how marijuana helps their chronic conditions, Vukmir swoops down like
the Wicked Witch of Wauwautosa at 43 minutes and 26 seconds into the
hearing to accuse Pocan and Erpenbach of having ulterior motives.

"I think what I resent most is this facade you are putting forth,
using people who are dying of cancer and other illnesses as your
shield, and I think it's something more than a ruse for you to move
towards full legalization of marijuana. I wish you would just come
out and admit that."

Her statement is followed by gasps of disbelief, laughter and boos.
She goes on to recite the same tired arguments against medical
marijuana: there are legal alternatives; you have to smoke it and
smoking is bad; FDA hasn't approved it; there's no research.

You get tired of refuting that stuff, but conservatives trot it out
like a broken record.

Instead of talking about it, Vukmir and other doubters need to spend
some time with ill people who find some modicum of relief through
marijuana. It doesn't make them stupid or listless or absent like
some of the prescription drugs they have to take for their
conditions. It improves their apppetites AND lifts their spirits.

What sort of nurse would deny a suffering person a simple weed that
can ease their pain?

There are many galvanzing moments at the hearing as people testify to
the healing power of marijuana. There are also idiotic moments, such
as Vukmir and Charles Wood, vice president of the Wisconsin Narcotics
Officers Association and commander of the Waukesha County
Metropolitan Drug Unit, who, naturally, is opposed because the
concept of medical marijuana undermines his authority and could
afffect funding of police drug forces.

Well, at least the lines are drawn and those in support of medical
marijuana in Wisconsin know who their enemies are.

Gary Storck, one of the leading advocates for medical marijuana, said
the next step is to get the bill through Senate and Assembly health committees.

"Kanavas and Lazich are against in the Senate, Vukmir and likely
Strachota in the Assembly committee," Storck said. "We aren't sure
about the rest. People need to keep contacting their representatives
and senators, writing letters, getting friends and family to do the
same. We need to let lawmakers know we want this and are serious." n

Assembly health members in our area: Amy Sue Vruwink, D.-70th
Assembly District; 608-266-8366; 715- 652-2909; fax 608-282-3670;
Rep.Vruwink@legis.wisconsin.gov This e-mail address is being
protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Penny Bernard Schaber; D-57th Assembly District; 608-266-3070; fax
608-282-3657; Rep.BernardSchaber@legis.wisconsin.gov This e-mail
address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled
to view it

Senate health members in our area: Julie Lassa, D-24th Senate
District; 608-266-3123; 715-342-0526; fax 608-267-6797;
Sen.Lassa@legis.wisconsin.gov This e-mail address is being protected
from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it