2012 legislative session begins in Madison; medical marijuana legislation reintroduced
On November 30, 2011, Rep. Mark Pocan (D –
Madison) and local activists held a press conference to announce the
reintroduction of the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act! Once again, Sen. Jon
Erpenbach (D – Dane, Green, and Rock counties) joins Rep. Pocan as the Senate
bill sponsor. Please email your state representative and state senator, urging them to
co-sponsor this important legislation.
The
Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act, AB 475/SB 371, is a reintroduction of medical marijuana
legislation filed by Rep. Pocan and Sen. Erpenbach in 2009. The bill would
exempt individuals with doctors' recommendations from state marijuana laws
against possession and use of marijuana. In addition, the legislation would set up a system
of safe, reliable, and regulated access so that patients would not have to use
the criminal market to access their medicine.
Please consider emailing your legislators and asking them to support medical access to marijuana for the seriously ill.
Jacki
Rickert Medical Marijuana Act heard in committee (2009)
On
December 15, 2009, a joint health committee met to hear arguments for and
against the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act. The hearing room was packed
with patients, activists, and supporters all there to help Wisconsin pass
effective medical marijuana legislation. The committee heard from both patients
and advocates, including Robert Capecchi of the Marijuana Policy Project. MPP
appreciates all those who came out to support this bill and all those who have
given time and effort but were unable to make the journey to Madison.
Unfortunately, the bill was not given a committee vote before the regular
session adjourned.
With the reintroduction of
the bill, it’s important to make sure your elected officials are aware that the public supports medical marijuana .
Please ask them to co-sponsor this vital legislation.
For
coverage of the 2009 hearing, please see the following videos:
This is a compilation of patient testimony.
Click "watch" for the "12/15/09 Joint Committee On Health" video archive for full hearing coverage.
The legal status of marijuana in Wisconsin
An individual in Wisconsin convicted of mere possession of less than an ounce of marijuana faces a sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000! To learn more about marijuana usage rates, arrests, and related information in Wisconsin, please see Jon Gettman, Ph.D.'s report.
Stay connected
Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. If you have any questions concerning the status of marijuana policy reform in Wisconsin, you can contact MPP at state@mpp.org. Also, be sure to subscribe to MPP's free legislative alert service today if you haven't done so already.
