MOVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

Your Jan. 12 articles, "Lawmakers set their goals," are interesting in that
of all the lawmakers quoted failed to mention moving forward on an issue
that a February 2002 Chamberlain Research Poll found has the support of more
than 80 percent of Wisconsinites: legalization of medical marijuana. Such
support is matched by few if any other issues.

Rep. Scott Suder, who killed last session's medical marijuana bill, AB-715,
by bottling it up in his committee at the instruction of disgraced and
indicted ex-Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, seems intent to continue his
agenda of political grandstanding and partisan game-playing.

In the Legislature's last session, Suder refused to hold committee hearings
on the medical marijuana bill, but held hearings on concealed carry, which
polls have shown has maybe 30 percent support, compared to medical
marijuana's overwhelming support in every category.

Clearly Suder's personal bias was the deciding factor in which bill received
a hearing, not popular support.

It's time for legislators to put the health and well-being of the people of
Wisconsin ahead of their pet projects. For far too long, all but a few
lawmakers have been content to look the other way while their sick and dying
constituents face the trauma of arrest, prosecution, jail and even property
forfeiture.

While the calendar says this is the 21st century, when it comes to medical
marijuana it's still the Dark Ages. Please contact your legislators and Gov.
Doyle and ask them to support a medical marijuana bill.

GARY STORCK

Madison