Pubdate: Tue, 06 Dec 2005
Source: Badger Herald (U of WI, Madison, WI Edu)
Copyright: 2005 Badger Herald
Contact:  http://www.badgerherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/711
Author: Julie Isen
Note: Julie Isen is a senior majoring in political science.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Gregg+Underheim

MEDICAL MARIJUANA HITS LEGISLATURE

Republican Representative Gregg Underheim has once again proposed 
legislation to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana in the state 
of Wisconsin. This year, as opposed to last year when Underheim also 
introduced this bill, the Assembly Committee on Health held a public 
hearing on AB 740, the Medical Marijuana Bill. On Nov. 11, 2005, the 
Committee, chaired by Underheim, heard 17 people speak in favor of 
the legislation and one speak against. There is strong public support 
for this as well; a 2004 poll conducted by Chamberlain Research 
Consultants revealed that almost 80 percent of Wisconsin residents 
are in favor of medical marijuana legislation.

Now, you may be asking yourself why a Republican from Oshkosh is 
introducing legislation that seems as though it could have come 
straight from a Democrat from Madison, but Underheim has his reasons. 
And they're good reasons at that. Underheim, a true compassionate 
conservative, was diagnosed with cancer in 2002. While he was 
fortunate enough to not have to go through chemotherapy, he has 
spoken with patients who were not as lucky as he was.

Through dealing with a personal tragedy in his own life, Rep. 
Underheim has learned that problems such as loss of appetite from 
certain medications and chronic pain can be lessened with the use of 
medical marijuana. Patients with HIV/AIDS or those going through 
chemotherapy would not need to lose so much weight and risk 
complicating factors such as a lack of nutrients from food. The side 
effects of some treatments for cancer and HIV are so devastating that 
some even choose to not suffer the debilitating stomach pain and 
nausea and forego treatment. With medical marijuana, these symptoms 
can be alleviated. Those who suffer from glaucoma and chronic pain 
can ease the pressure associated with their pain and live fuller lives.

Although Rep. Underheim does genuinely feel strongly about the 
benefits of medical marijuana for those who are suffering, his bill 
does not go far enough to ensure help to those who need it. This bill 
does not allow a doctor to prescribe medical marijuana, only 
recommend it. Also, the bill merely provides a possible defense for 
those who have registered and for whom marijuana has been recommended 
if they get caught.

The law prohibiting manufacturing, delivering and possessing remains 
intact. This begs the question, how exactly do those suffering HIV, 
cancer, glaucoma, and chronic pain patients get this miracle drug 
that can alleviate their pain without many harmful side effects? This 
question has been left unanswered by the proposed legislation.

The compassion shown by Rep. Underheim and the good intentions of his 
legislation are admirable. It has drawn large numbers of bipartisan 
supporters and has the support of the people of Wisconsin. However, 
in order to make a significant difference for those who live in pain 
and suffer on a daily basis, medical marijuana legislation must be 
taken a couple steps further.

This has been made somewhat more difficult recently. In what was yet 
another hindrance to improving the quality of life for suffering 
Americans, the Supreme Court decided in June to allow the prosecution 
of legal users of medical marijuana in states that have official 
programs. Another legislator from Wisconsin, U.S. Representative 
Baldwin, has re-introduced legislation from 2001 that allows states 
to define their own medical marijuana programs. The bipartisan 
"State's Rights to Medical Marijuana Act" could facilitate a 
compromise between the federal government and state's rights. If the 
coalition that has been built and spans party lines is successful, 
perhaps some positive change can be made in the lives of those who 
are in need of some relief as well as hope.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake