LAUTENSCHLAGER UNDERSTANDS MEDICAL MARIJUANA

I have to respectfully disagree with your article of Oct. 13 'Biskupic well
prepared for Attorney General.'

Unfortunately many Republicans, while campaigning for office, claim they
will be responsive to the wishes of their constituents, but once in office,
put the agenda of their party far ahead of the wishes of their constituents.

Wisconsinites, by virtue of a Chamberlain Research poll conducted last
February, overwhelmingly support legalizing access to medical marijuana,
with 80.3 percent expressing support and only 16 percent in opposition.

Despite this and national polls showing support of at least 73 percent, the
Bush and McCallum administration's have turned a blind eye to voters'
wishes, with Bush sending DEA agents out to attack medical marijuana
dispensaries in states where it is legal, like California.

Republicans like Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen playing partisan politics
made sure a state medical marijuana bill died in committee this session,
ensuring that Wisconsinites suffering from illnesses like cancer, glaucoma,
AIDS, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and other serious medical conditions
would have to go without and suffer needlessly, or break the law to gain
relief.

I recently had a chance to speak with Peg Lautenschlager, and asked her if
she would use her office to resist federal moves against Wisconsin patients
using medical marijuana if a state law was passed, and she answered yes.
Biskupic would no doubt bring the Bush Administration's war on sick and
dying Americans home to Wisconsinites.

Lautenschlager's vast experience and compassion make her the much better
candidate overall, and voters who want an Attorney General who is tough on
real crime, but who respects the will of Wisconsinites and understands the
sick and dying should not be persecuted for using a God-given herb to
regain a little quality of life should vote for her this November 5.

Gary Storck, Madison