MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE TO COUNTY VOTERS

An advisory referendum will ask Dane County voters in November whether
they think the state should legalize medical marijuana after the
County Board voted unanimously Thursday to place it on ballots.

The move made the county the state's first to introduce a medical
marijuana resolution. The question would ask: "Should the Wisconsin
Legislature enact legislation allowing residents with debilitating
medical conditions to acquire and possess marijuana for medical
purposes if supported by their physician?"

Sup. John Hendrick of Madison, who introduced the resolution, said he
was surprised at the board's unanimous vote but wouldn't be surprised
if the referendum passed by a 70-30 margin or better.

Hendrick said he personally supports the legalization of medical
marijuana because he has known people with disabling conditions who
have benefited from it. He added he's aware that some people believe
the law is being abused in the 14 states and the District of Columbia,
where pot is legally distributed.

"I guess that's a chance I'm willing to take," Hendrick
said.

Sup. Eileen Bruskewitz of Waunakee said she originally planned to vote
against the resolution but changed her vote because a referendum would
allow people to have a say. Sup. Mike Willett of Verona said he is
"often one that doesn't vote with the crowd," but he also changed his
mind, for the same reason.

"We're overjoyed at the fact it was a unanimous vote," said Gary
Storck, president of the state chapter of the National Organization
for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Storck said it's no longer acceptable to keep people in Wisconsin
suffering, as demonstrated by the veterans who testified at the meeting.

A 1992 attempt in the Madison City Council to get a similar referendum
on the ballot was not successful. Several current aldermen and former
Madison mayor Sue Bauman said they couldn't recall any resolutions
introduced in recent years, though Bauman said she discussed it with
activists.

The Wisconsin Medical Society has recommended marijuana continue to be
illegal until it is studied in patients who have serious conditions.