Pubdate: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 Source: Portage Daily Register (WI) Copyright: 2006 Portage Daily Register Contact: http://portage.scwn.com/forms/letter.html Website: http://www.wiscnews.com/pdr/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3779 Source: Portage Daily Register Author: Gary Storck LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA The article "Adjusting to civilian life can be a struggle for returning GIs" on March 18 was an eye-opening look at the struggles faced by returning combat veterans. It was good to see the article acknowledge many returning vets use marijuana to help them adapt. Cannabis has long been known as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as many Vietnam vets will testify. Researchers believe cannabis helps the brain forget unpleasant memories, and one of its first medical uses was reducing stress. Sadly, Wisconsinites struggling with chronic and terminal health conditions that can benefit from legal access to medical marijuana were again rebuffed when AB-740, this session's medical marijuana bill, died in committee March 9, the fourth time a medical marijuana bill has failed in five sessions. The leaders of our dysfunctional and corrupt Legislature preach family values and support for our troops while betraying families and veterans by failing to support this urgent need. Become an informed voter this election year and elect only candidates who stand with the 80 percent of Wisconsinites who support legal access to medical marijuana. Gary Storck, Madison - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake