Pubdate: Sun, 27 Nov 2005
Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette (WI)
Copyright: 2005 Green Bay Press-Gazette
Contact:  http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/879
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MADISON WEEKLY

Medical marijuana

The Wisconsin Nurses Association testified in support of a medical 
marijuana bill sponsored by Rep. Gregg Underheim, R-Oshkosh, at an 
Assembly committee hearing Tuesday.

Assembly Bill 740 provides a "medical necessity defense" for 
marijuana-related prosecutions and property seizures.

"It is difficult for nurses to remain silent when seriously ill 
patients are denied access to an effective medical treatment," said 
Gina Dennik-Champion, executive director of the nurses association. 
"We support this legislation because there is medical research that 
indicates that marijuana can serve as a form of medical treatment for 
specific health problems such as nausea, vomiting, pain, and glaucoma 
when other treatments fail."

Energy plan

If the Capitol feels cooler these days, it's not for a lack of hot 
air. It's part of an executive order to reduce state energy usage 
recently signed by Gov. Jim Doyle.

"Faced with huge increases in heating bills, many Wisconsin families 
are looking at their thermostats and making the difficult decision to 
turn it down a notch or two - especially when they're not home," 
Doyle said. "This executive order directs state agencies to take the 
same common sense steps as Wisconsin families are taking."

One first step: the heat will be turned down in the Capitol from 72 
to 68 degrees. State agencies are also directed to turn their 
thermostats down, if they haven't already, and look for other ways to 
reduce energy.

Capitol ornament

People who want to support the state Capitol, and get something for 
the Christmas tree, can purchase one of the 2005 commemorative state 
Capitol ornaments. The ornaments, which were recently unveiled, 
feature a replica of the gilded female statue that tops the Capitol. 
The ornaments, which raise money for the State Capitol Restoration 
Fund, retail for $17 and are available online at www.wisconsin history.org.

Former state treasurer and revenue secretary Cate Zeuske helped 
spearhead the effort and called the ornaments "a keepsake that can be 
passed on from one generation to the next."

Bird flu

Doyle recently outlined plans for the possible event of a bird flu pandemic.

State plans include tactics to isolate patients to prevent spread of 
the virus, agreements that will allow hospitals to assist each other, 
and testing of people who may have been exposed to the virus and are 
hospitalized with symptoms.

"There has been a lot said and written about bird flu lately - some 
of it factual, and some exaggerated," Doyle said. "But either way you 
look at it, a possible pandemic is a frightening thing. And I want 
the people of Wisconsin to know that we're doing everything that we 
possibly can to prepare for an outbreak of bird flu here, should it occur."

What's happening Wednesday

The State Elections Board will be meeting at Brookfield City Hall, 
Common Council Chambers, 2000 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield.

The meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m.

Thursday

Oil executives will be answering questions about high oil and gas 
prices in Wisconsin.

Gov. Jim Doyle subpoenaed executives of five major companies to 
answer questions about the rising cost of home heating and surging gas prices.

Executives subpoenaed include David O'Reilly, chairman and chief 
executive officer of Chevron Corp.; Lee Raymond, chairman and CEO of 
ExxonMobil Corp.; James Mulva, chairman and CEO of ConocoPhillips 
Co.; Ross Pillari, chairman and CEO of BP America Inc.; and John 
Hofmeister, president and U.S. country chair of Shell Oil Co.

The hearing will be held at 1 p.m. at the University of 
Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education facility, 161 W. 
Wisconsin Ave., Room 7970, Milwaukee.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman