MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE HAS SUPPORT

Regarding The Reporter editorial, "State's 'hunt/fish' amendment must be
checked for loopholes" (Jan. 31):

While it's nice to see lawmakers agreeing on something for a change,
falling all over themselves to get this constitutional amendment on the
April ballot when there is no evidence the right to hunt and fish is in
imminent jeopardy does nothing to address the many very real problems
facing this state.

Last session, the Legislature dropped the ball by failing to protect a
right that is actually being threatened -- the right to be free of pain --
when it allowed a medical marijuana bill to die in committee without a hearing.

Over 80 percent of Wisconsinites want medical marijuana legalized,
according to a February 2002 poll. An October 2002 Time Magazine poll found
identical support for the entire U.S. Few issues command this kind of
support among the people.

Isn't it time for the Legislature to start doing the people's work? Call
your legislators and Gov. Doyle and ask them to fight for your medical
rights by supporting this session's medical marijuana bill.

Gary Storck, Madison