Title:
Bipartisan medical marijuana bill introduced in Wisconsin Assembly
Message:
Rep. Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh) has introduced a medical marijuana bill in the Wisconsin State Assembly that would protect people with cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other serious illnesses from criminal penalties for using medical marijuana with their physicians' recommendations. Rep. Underheim is joined by a bipartisan coalition of 15 cosponsors who have taken a stand for medical marijuana patients in Wisconsin. Now we need you to encourage your legislators to do the same.
Please click here to send a letter to your legislators, urging them to support Rep. Underheim's medical marijuana bill. Our automated system will allow you to easily send pre-written letters to your legislators, or you can compose the letters yourself. It is possible for senators to introduce a companion bill in the Senate, and while the bill's lead sponsor is a Republican, it is vital that we continue to enlist bipartisan support. So be sure to contact your legislators in both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature and on both sides of the aisle.
Please take action today.
If your representative has already signed on to the bill, please tailor your letter to thank him or her for taking a compassionate stand. In addition to Rep. Underheim, current sponsors include:
Rep. Terese Berceau (D-Madison)
Rep. Spencer Black (D-Madison)
Rep. Frank Boyle (D-Superior)
Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. Barbara Gronemus (D-Whitehall)
Rep. Eugene Hahn (R-Cambria)
Rep. Terry Musser (R-Black River Falls)
Rep. Carol Owens (R-Oshkosh)
Rep. Joe Parisi (D-Madison)
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison)
Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts (D-Verona)
Rep. Gary E. Sherman (D-Port Wing)
Rep. Jeffrey Wood (R-Chippewa Falls)
Rep. Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee)
Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee)
The medical marijuana bill will likely be referred to the Assembly's Committee on Health, which Underheim chairs. In the meantime, however, we need your help to foster additional bicameral and bipartisan support for this humane, sensible legislation.
So please, contact your legislators today.
Illustrating the immense public support for medical marijuana legislation, the bill's introduction comes soon after MPP released the results of a recent poll, conducted by Chamberlain Research Consultants, showing more than 4-1 support for medical marijuana in Wisconsin. Statewide, 75.7% of respondents said they would support legislation to permit patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, or other serious illnesses to use marijuana for medical purposes with their physicians' approval. Only 18.2% opposed the bill, while 6.2% were either unsure or did not answer. The survey revealed overwhelming support among all age groups and across the political spectrum. Please read our recent press release for more information about the poll. Then, click here to read a news article about Underheim's bill that was published last week.
With organizations like the Wisconsin Nurses Association and the Wisconsin Public Health Association taking favorable positions on medical marijuana, and with massive public support, MPP is hopeful that seriously ill Wisconsinites will soon get the protection that they deserve.
Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this message along to friends and family throughout the state, so that others can stand up for Wisconsin's most vulnerable residents.
