Pubdate: Fri, 17 Oct 2003
Source: Post-Crescent, The (Appleton,  WI)
Copyright: 2003 The Post-Crescent
Contact:  http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1443
Author: Jim Collar

BILL TESTS STATE FOR MEDICAL POT USE

Underheim Says High Court Ruling May Pave Way

OSHKOSH -- An Oshkosh lawmaker plans to draft legislation that could 
legalize medical marijuana use in Wisconsin. Gary Storck of Madison is 
overjoyed by the prospect.

The lifelong glaucoma sufferer believes he would be blind today if it 
wasn't for his regular marijuana use. The drug releases tension on his eyes 
and it doesn't carry the harsh side effects of some legal medicines.

There is one side effect, Storck said. Right now, he could be jailed for 
alleviating his pain.

"I'm sick of living in fear. It's ludicrous. It's reprehensible to forbid a 
doctor from doing his job when a drug shows so much potential," Storck said 
Thursday.

Gregg Underheim, R-Oshkosh, said the time has come for a statewide 
discussion about the use of medical marijuana.

Underheim said a U.S. Supreme Court decision this week should open the door 
to a debate on the question of whether marijuana should be available to 
Wisconsin patients with debilitating diseases.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up a Justice Department 
appeal challenging a lower court ruling on the use of medical marijuana. A 
federal appellate court in San Francisco ruled the government may not 
revoke the prescription licenses of doctors who recommend marijuana to 
patients.

"My objective is to take a look at whether people in Wisconsin could be 
supportive of this," Underheim said. "I want to move cautiously, but I want 
to get a sense of what people think and what the medical community thinks."

Eight states have laws allowing marijuana use on a doctor's recommendation 
despite federal laws that outlaw marijuana under all circumstances.

Underheim, chairman of the Assembly Health Committee, said his mission is 
to determine whether medical marijuana is right for Wisconsin residents Jim 
Collar writes for the Oshkosh Northwestern.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens