Pubdate: Thu, 16 Jun 2005
Source: Post-Crescent, The (Appleton,  WI)
Copyright: 2005 The Post-Crescent
Contact:  http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/
Cited: Gonzales v. Raich ( www.angeljustice.org/ )
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

STATES PUSH FOR MEDICAL POT USE

Wisconsin One of at Least Seven to Seek Reversal

State lawmakers in several states, including Wisconsin, are pushing
ahead with medical marijuana legislation.

The move comes despite a recent Supreme Court ruling and the U.S.
House of Representatives' rejection Wednesday of a bill that would
protect medical pot users from federal prosecution.

Lawmakers in at least seven states -- Alabama, Connecticut, Minnesota,
New Mexico, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Wisconsin -- say they will
continue efforts to pass laws allowing residents to use marijuana for
medical reasons. Some say, however, that recent federal action may
dampen their chances for success.

"It makes it more difficult," says Alabama state Rep. Laura Hall, a
Democrat who has proposed a bill allowing pot's medical use.

The U.S. House, by a 264-161 vote Wednesday, rejected an amendment
that would have barred the Justice Department from prosecuting medical
marijuana users who are following state laws. Proponents, including 15
Republicans and 145 Democrats, picked up 13 votes from last year but
still fell far short of passage.

Wisconsin Rep. Gregg Underheim, R-Oshkosh, has introduced a bill push
for the legal use of marijuana for medical purposes. As chairman of
the health committee, he expects hearings and a floor vote this year
but says passage is "unlikely." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake