MEDICAL MARIJUANA DESERVES STATE DEBATE

I had to agree with the sentiment of a recent letter, "Elected
officials are employed by citizens" (Dec. 21).

Despite the fact state lawmakers are supposed to be representing the
people of Wisconsin, there has been little forward movement on the
issue of medical marijuana. A February 2002 Chamberlain Research Poll
found that 80.3 percent of Wisconsinites supported legalizing it under
a physician's care, with only 16 percent opposed. That means 5
supporters to each opponent! Yet, the Assembly leadership has bottled
each and every bill introduced since 1997 in committee, effectively
killing them.

Medical marijuana is not only very popular with voters, but it
represents an urgent health care need. How much longer will the
Assembly leadership prolong the suffering of the people who pay their
salaries? This issue deserves a full debate and a vote in the full
legislature when the legislature reconvenes in January.

Gary Storck

Madison