Pubdate: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 Source: Reporter, The (Fond du Lac, WI) Copyright: 2004 Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers Contact: http://www.wisinfo.com/thereporter/contactus/readerservices/letter_to_editor.sht Website: http://www.wisinfo.com/thereporter/index.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2271 Author: Gary Storck Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) MEDICAL MARIJUANA DESERVES STATE DEBATE I had to agree with the sentiment of a recent letter, "Elected officials are employed by citizens" (Dec. 21). Despite the fact state lawmakers are supposed to be representing the people of Wisconsin, there has been little forward movement on the issue of medical marijuana. A February 2002 Chamberlain Research Poll found that 80.3 percent of Wisconsinites supported legalizing it under a physician's care, with only 16 percent opposed. That means 5 supporters to each opponent! Yet, the Assembly leadership has bottled each and every bill introduced since 1997 in committee, effectively killing them. Medical marijuana is not only very popular with voters, but it represents an urgent health care need. How much longer will the Assembly leadership prolong the suffering of the people who pay their salaries? This issue deserves a full debate and a vote in the full legislature when the legislature reconvenes in January. Gary Storck Madison - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin