WI: Dane County Residents Will Vote On Medical Marijuana

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Photo: Gary Storck
Wisconsin patients ask: Is My Medicine Legal Yet?

​Dane County, Wisconsin citizens will vote in November on whether they think the state should legalize medical marijuana. The County Board voted unanimously to place the advisory referendum on the ballot, making the county the state’s first to introduce a medical marijuana resolution.

The ballot question will ask: “Should the Wisconsin Legislature enact legislation allowing residents with debilitating medical conditions to acquire and possess marijuana for medical purposes if supported by their physician?”
Sup. John Hendrick of Madison, who introduced the resolution Thursday, said he was surprised at the board’s unanimous approval — but he won’t be surprised if the referendum passes by a 70-30 margin or better, reports Devin Rose at the Wisconsin State Journal.

Hendrick said he personally supports the legalization of medical marijuana because he has known people with disabling conditions who have benefited from it.
The legislator added that he is aware some people believe medical marijuana laws are being abused in the 14 states and the District of Columbia where pot has been legalized for medicinal purposes.
“I guess that’s a chance I’m willing to take,” Hendrick said.

Photo: Gary Storck
Gary Storck, Wisconsin NORML: “We’re overjoyed at the fact that it was a unanimous vote”

​Sup. Eileen Bruskewitz of Waunakee said she had originally planned to vote against the resolution, but changed her vote because a referendum will allow people to have a say.
Sup. Mike Willett of Verona said he is “often one that doesn’t vote with the crowd,” but he also changed his mind, for the same reason.
“We’re overjoyed at the fact it was a unanimous vote,” said Gary Storck, president of the state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).
It’s no longer acceptable to keep patients in Wisconsin suffering, as demonstrated by the veterans who testified at the meeting, according to Storck.
A 1992 attempt by the Madison City Council to get a similar referendum on the ballot was not successful — but that was four years before California started the ball rolling by becoming the first state to legalize medical marijuana.
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