DON'T HARM MEDICAL MARIJUANA USERS

Regarding Joel McNally's article (March 9), and Randy Vizyak's letter
(March 23) about attorney general candidate Paul Bucher's claims that
fellow candidate Kathleen Falk has supported legalizing marijuana: So
what? Taxing and regulating marijuana like alcohol and tobacco
instead of the current counterproductive prohibition would not only
benefit society by offering a safer alternative to alcohol, but also
bring in revenues to a cash-starved state.

On the other hand, Bucher's overzealous prosecution of even medical
users of marijuana as Waukesha County D.A. may have led to the 2002
suicides of Dennis and Denise Schilling. The Big Bend couple took
their lives after Bucher's office decided to begin forfeiture
proceedings to take the family home while prosecuting them for
medical marijuana used to treat Denise's medical problems. After
their suicide, Bucher's office followed through with the forfeiture,
leaving little remaining for the couple's five children. So much for
family values.

Focusing on real problems rather than attempting to fear-monger about
cannabis would be a better approach. But, since Bucher clearly has
little positive to offer, his longtime fixation with marijuana
prohibition comes as no surprise. Voters should take note.

Gary Storck

Madison