Marijuana Policy Project

After failing to take action on the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act last session, leading lawmakers in both the Wisconsin Senate and General Assembly are once again taking up this important bill. Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-27) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-78) are actively seeking co-sponsors for the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act in the Assembly and Senate.

Wisconsin has yet to pass a workable medical marijuana bill out of committee, despite a 2005 statewide poll that showed over 75% of respondents support legislation to permit patients "with cancer, multiple sclerosis, or other serious illnesses to use marijuana for medical purposes, as long as their physician approves." It is time for Wisconsin legislators have yet to show that they can work together to improve the quality of life for the seriously ill.

Please send your state representative and senator an e-mail today asking them to co-sponsor the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act and urge them to lobby their colleagues to do the same.

If you're able to engage your legislator in a discussion about medical marijuana, and they are interested in supporting a measure that protects patients, please share MPP's model bill with them.

Michigan voters recently passed a medical marijuana initiative, making Michigan the first Midwestern state to permit medical marijuana use by seriously ill patients (and the 13th in the U.S.). Almost one-quarter of the nation now reside in states with medical marijuana laws. Why should Wisconsin residents be denied access to their medicine? Click here to read a story that appeared in the Green Bay Press-Gazette that discusses how the Michigan victory has energized Wisconsin activists.

This progress is thanks to the hard work of Gary Storck and everyone else at Is My Medicine Legal Yet?. We are hopeful that — if enough compassionate Wisconsinites speak out — the bill could even pass this session, due in large part to IMMLY?'s tireless efforts.

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.