Pubdate: Tue, 06 Jan 2004
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2004 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n021/a09.html
Author: Ivan D. Gikling
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Gregg+Underheim (Underheim, Rep. Gregg)

Marijuana --

A SHOW OF COURAGE AMID POLITICS OF DRUG

Congratulations on Steven Walters' article in the Jan. 2 Milwaukee Journal 
Sentinel concerning Rep. Gregg Underheim's controversial switch in position 
regarding medical marijuana ("Cancer changes lawmaker's stance on drug"). 
It eloquently depicted the ongoing complications that the politics of this 
drug entail and showed how strongly a lie created over a half-century ago 
can grow when repeated enough times.

Finally, a Republican with enough courage to challenge marijuana's status 
as having no accepted medical value - being in the same category of class 1 
drugs as crack and heroin - and express the truth without the fear of being 
chastised by fellow Republicans.

Underheim is a perfect example of how politicians ought to act when faced 
with the decision to stick with popular party lines or side with unpopular 
moral obligations. The time is coming when a majority of the public will 
finally recognize the horrible mistakes our government is making in its 
treatment of medical marijuana users.

The argument that marijuana is a dangerous drug with no medical value has 
proved most stubborn and detrimental in its effects at destroying the lives 
of honest, hard-working and otherwise law-abiding Americans. It is 
unfortunate that it took a bout with cancer to realize how backward and 
harmful the current laws are and to make the appropriate switch in positions.

Ivan D. Gikling, President, UWM chapter, National Organization for the 
Reform of Marijuana Laws, Milwaukee
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MAP posted-by: Jackl