CANNABIS CANDOR

Rather than evading the question ("Did you inhale?") or leaving his
position unclear with a brief reply, mayoral candidate Bert Zipperer showed
that he not only understands the drug war is a failure but that he is
willing to lead on the issue (Mayorathon 12/20/02). And by citing Madison's
historic Ordinance 23.20, governing personal and medicinal use of cannabis,
Zipperer demonstrates he respects it and understands that 23.20 should be
as valid today as it was when the city council codified it into law in 1977
after its 1976 approval by Madison voters.

As a medical cannabis activist and a member of the Progressive Dane drug
policy task force and other drug policy reform groups, I've heard some
disturbing accounts of peaceful, otherwise law-abiding city residents being
preyed on by law enforcement because of their use of cannabis. Madisonians
do not want their families, friends and neighbors to be targeted simply
because they use marijuana, and the city needs a mayor who reflects that.

Gary Storck