WOLKEN NORML: CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FIGHTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA'S SOCIAL STIGMA

A sick parent and the social stigma of medical cannabis are what led
the newest Missoula City Council member's decision to join the Montana
chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
(NORML).

Cynthia Wolken, who has served as a board member for Montana NORML for
about a year, said she became more interested in what the group does
after her mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Wolken said her
mother, like many others, refused to use medical marijuana because of
the social stigmas attached to the drug, and the federal laws against
it.

The councilwoman, who is board chairwoman of the Montana Human Rights
Network, said she approached the matter as a social justice issue and
a way to change ideas about medical cannabis.

"I wanted to be a part of the solution," she said.

Wolken represents Ward 2, which encompasses the northwest corner of
the city including Mullan Road and North Reserve. She was sworn into
the city council on January 24 after being selected from a group of
candidates by the members of the city council. Wolken's involvement
with NORML was not on her resume for the city council position.

Fellow Ward 2 city councilwoman Pam Walzer describes Wolken as "bright
and eager to learn." Her work with NORML never came up during
interviews for the open city council seat, according to Walzer.

"I don't think it was that important," Walzer said.

Council President Ed Childers doesn't think it's that important,
either. Though Childers was unaware of Wolken's work with NORML, he
said he didn't see it being a problem.

"As far as I know, she doesn't come to work stoned," he
said.

Childers also said that even if Wolken brings up marijuana as an issue
before the council, it wouldn't be as controversial as the recent
anti-discrimination ordinance and legislation.

Wolken said she isn't trying to hide her involvement with NORML. In
fact, she said that many people in her district have discussed the
issue of medical marijuana with her, and that many are in favor of
medical cannabis.

"I'm not in any way trying to shy away from it," she
said.

Wolken said her knowledge of the medical marijuana issue on the state
level is an advantage for people in Ward 2, and that she'd be happy to
discuss the matter with any of her constituents.