Pubdate: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 Source: Isthmus (WI) Copyright: 2003 Isthmus Contact: http://www.thedailypage.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/215 Author: Gary Storck CANNABIS CANDOR Rather than evading the question ("Did you inhale?") or leaving his position unclear with a brief reply, mayoral candidate Bert Zipperer showed that he not only understands the drug war is a failure but that he is willing to lead on the issue (Mayorathon 12/20/02). And by citing Madison's historic Ordinance 23.20, governing personal and medicinal use of cannabis, Zipperer demonstrates he respects it and understands that 23.20 should be as valid today as it was when the city council codified it into law in 1977 after its 1976 approval by Madison voters. As a medical cannabis activist and a member of the Progressive Dane drug policy task force and other drug policy reform groups, I've heard some disturbing accounts of peaceful, otherwise law-abiding city residents being preyed on by law enforcement because of their use of cannabis. Madisonians do not want their families, friends and neighbors to be targeted simply because they use marijuana, and the city needs a mayor who reflects that. Gary Storck - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens