Pubdate: Fri, 11 Oct 2013 Source: Wausau Daily Herald (WI) Copyright: 2013 Wausau Daily Herald Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/zFWcSrzy Website: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1321 LEGALIZE MEDICINAL WEED, TAX IT AND REAP BENEFITS: READERS REACT Several Wisconsin Democrats have introduced a new bill in Madison that would seek - again - to legalize medical marijuana. We asked readers on Gannett Central Wisconsin Media's Facebook pages to share their opinions. Below are some excerpts. We asked: Should marijuana be legal if prescribed by a doctor? I think it should be legalized! There are many good uses for it. Tobacco has all the nasty stuff in it, and that's legal! I'm epileptic, and I have read a lot of things that have said marijuana can help manage seizures. If it's going to help someones health, like mine or anyone else's, legalize it! - - Andrea Lowell Beadell I think it should be legalized and heavily taxed. It would help both individuals and the economy. - - Kimberly Gernetzky I don't care if they legalize it, but don't they have bigger issues to work on? Aren't the Democrats and their supporters always whining that Walker isn't doing anything for jobs. Their biggest idea in two years is to sell weed? - - Chris Filtz Yes, it should be! The pain-fighting abilities from this plant are much safer than a synthetic factory made drug. To anyone who opposes this, I highly suggest you read the article, "Why I Changed My Mind on Weed," by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. - - Shannon Genrich Now is the time to stop spending money on marijuana enforcement and start tackling the real problems Wisconsin has: heroin and meth. - - Joey Kersten I suppose for medical purposes yes, but not for recreational use. - - Jenna Kleifgen If prescribed by a doctor, then yes. - - Doug Mauritz I think it just needs to be legalized; then the government can tax it like crazy like they do with cigarettes. It's an economy booster. - - Monica Matuszak Who cares? I don't use it but it is no different then someone drinking a few beers. If someone wants to waste their money on an herb, let them. - - Kris Hanes If marijuana were a regulated product and taxed properly like tobacco and alcohol, it could be beneficial to the economy and people who actually need it for medical benefits. - - September Pixler I don't see a problem with it. I know someone who could use it for pain and I know people who do use it. - - Tim Blossfield Definitely yes. It works for a multitude of medical issues besides pain management and nausea. Check out PBS and especially Wisconsin Public Television's University of Wisconsin-Madison lectures on all the research done already on all the benefits. - - Paula Heindl - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom