MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION PROMOTED

A handful of speakers presented reasons for legalizing marijuana during
Weedstock Monday afternoon in Beaver Dam.

Democratic Governor candidate Ed Thompson and Bernie Delsey, a candidate
for the 43rd district state assembly seat both talked in favor of
legalizing marijuana.

"I'm a strong proponent in legalizing medical marijuana," Thompson said.

Linda Radloff of Beaver Dam attended the event and agreed with Thompson.

"I'm a nurse, and I like the idea of medical marijuana," Radloff said.
"I've worked with AIDS and cancer patients. They need relief, and it is
terrible to think of them as being criminals."

Thompson said there are other reasons for legalizing marijuana.

"After five years of working in federal prisons I know non-violent people
do not belong locked up with violent people," Thompson said.

Although he does not personally use alcohol or any other illegal drugs,
Thompson said he believes marijuana should be legalized and regulated like
alcohol and tobacco are. He stressed that he was not advocating selling any
form of drugs to children. In fact, he said it may lead to those under age
to have less of an opportunity to get the drugs.

"Gangsters don't have a problem selling drugs to our children," he said.

Delsey agrees that legalization is the way to go. He said it would help law
enforcement to focus on more violent crimes such as rapists and child
molesters.

"Last week Dionne Warwick was taken away for pot in a lipstick dispenser,"
Delsey said. "What kind of threat is Dionne Warwick to us?"

Organizer Ben Masel shared concerns that having marijuana as an illegal
drug has caused more problems then it is worth.

"There are victims on both sides of the war, and no one is winning," Masel
said, about the war on drugs. For 65 years, the drug has been prohibited,
but that has not made it unavailable. However, it has made the drug less
regulated."