Medical marijuana already allowed by several states

ByNORMLRandall

TO THE EDITOR:

(RE: “Don’t get high – get real,” July 1st, 2010)

In rebuttal to Tim Lykes verbal bashing of Mr. Selthofner, I would like to remind him that he’s a great example of what’s wrong with America. Why is it that when someone runs for public office, and they mention the multifaceted benefits of hemp cannabis, there is always a small group of individuals who ask the question “What is that person smoking?”

One of many things this country needs is to take care of its sick and dying, and patients deserve the right to have access to as many options as possible, for relief from their suffering. This I know firsthand as a former cancer patient at the age of 17. Happy are those who’ve never endured the agony of being deathly ill; and miserable are those who suffer from diseases on a daily basis. Medical Marijuana is healthcare, providing relief to numerous individuals throughout this country and the World. 14 states have already agreed to its medicinal value and allow their patients access to it.

A true Wisconsin hero.
A true Wisconsin hero.

The United States is historically soaked in hemp cannabis history. Wars rage on numerous fronts as it has for 1000’s of years. Hemp cannabis was also legal for 1000’s of years, providing numerous products, one being medicine. Its medicine can be delivered into the bloodstream instantaneously, with no ill side effects, while giving the patient a euphoric feeling of contentment; and causing zero deaths. It takes a strong individual to speak about the truth, and I applaud and support Mr. Selthofner’s strength in bringing this message in such a needy time to this state.

I would recommend that Tim and the others talk to someone from LEAP/Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. This is an organization of numerous current and retired police chiefs/officers and other professional judicial and law enforcement individuals, who also have the strength to match what Mr. Selthofner is talking about. Ignorance isn’t bliss. Learn the truth and it will set you free.

Randall Prazuch, Cancer Survivor
Eau Claire, Wis

Letter to the Editor by Randall Prazuch
Letter to the Editor by Randall Prazuch

You may also find this letter to the editor on the Website of Ripon Commonwealth Press at http://www.riponpress.com/main.asp?SectionID=11&SubSectionID=29&ArticleID=1332&TM=81927.48

and in the July 22nd Edition of the newspaper.

To read more about Randall and his story, please use the following link, thank you for caring and sharing.  https://www.northernwinorml.org/2010/06/16/why-i-support-medical-marijuana/

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Press Conference: Building Unity for Just Budget
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Press Conference: Building Unity for Just Budget

ByJay Selthofner Posted on

I spoke and testified at public hearings in the past. The last time we had a public hearing on medical marijuana in Wisconsin was over eleven (11) years ago. Wisconsin had a pretty good chance to pass medical marijuana legislation in the 2019-20 legislative cycle. Governor Tony Evers proposed both medical marijuana and decriminalization in that budget. Republicans gutted anything marijuana or cannabis related from the budget.

Republican leadership and Republican key committee chairs withheld several bills from even a public hearing, including a medical marijuana start up bill vetted by the Republican Caucus.

Still, the landscape in politics does change and coming off an election we can see which of our newly elected official stands up for our rights and which ones do not. Do not give up the fight! That is why I wrote an article entitled “Keep Bud in the Budget and Make Marijuana a Priority” in November of 2020.

Building Unity, A non-partisan multi-organizational project with the goal of building a well-organized united movement for peace, justice, sustainability, and democracy. The coalition wants to create opportunities to collaborate and focus on common needs and aspirations, which included the regulation and taxation of cannabis as a budget recommendation to Governor Evers for the 2021-22 Wisconsin Budget.

I recently testified about cannabis reform, legalization and taxation of marijuana at the Building Unity press conference and public hearing on February 4th, 2021 for a “Just Budget”. I archived the video of the conference below. I spoke at the 20:45 mark.

Rep. Mary Felzkowski Dec 2019 Tomahawk, Merrill and Antigo Meetings
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Rep. Mary Felzkowski Dec 2019 Tomahawk, Merrill and Antigo Meetings

ByJay Selthofner Posted on

I find elected officials hold office hours and listening sessions often. I have also found that if you schedule an appointment to meet with them in district they will try to meet with you. If you plan to go to Madison and schedule an appointment at the State Capitol you will surely get to meet with them. If you do not want to go on an appointment alone, we will accompany you, just ask. If you need information to provide them on your appointment, again, just ask.

I find that elected officials notify people of these in district listening sessions, town halls or office hours in a variety of ways. Some send out emails, some post on facebook, some send out press releases. Usually they do not notify us or anyone in advance and sometimes they do not have give 24 hour notice to these meetings. It is important for you in the field to keep an eye on these events, notify us and attend them yourself. Keep the cannabis conversation going!

Representative Mary Felzkowski Assistant Majority Leader Assembly District 35
Representative Mary Felzkowski Assistant Majority Leader Assembly District 35

Currently we have four (4) active bills/legislation pending in the 2019-2020 cycle. Assembly Rep. Felzkowski, Republican from Irma has introduced AB 236 protecting firearms owners/medical marijuana patients protection. The other three bills she is not listed as a current co-sponsor. While in Madison during the winter of 2018 I had a chance to met with Rep. Felzkowski to discuss the importance of home growing, smoking products and offer my insight on the issue and felt she had a firm grasp on the subject matter. In fact, it was one of the best Republican meetings I had in a long time! Additionally, past reports have indicated she supports marijuana reform and has been dealt the hard task of drafting a bill that will pass the Republican controlled Senate and Assembly.

Thanks for reading and if you are constituent of the Rep. Felzkowski in the 35th Assembly District and want to get active, please do not hesitate to contact me or the chapter.

Rep. Felzkowski next office hours are Thursday December 12 in Tomahawk and Merrill, follow by Friday December 13 in Antigo.

For a copy of active legislation information and bullet points to bring to your meeting, click HERE. You may print this and provide it the Mary Felzkowski at your meeting. Thank you!

Felzkowski December 2019 Office Hours
Felzkowski December 2019 Office Hours

Wisconsin GOP lawmakers consider bill to boost local prosecution of marijuana possession cases
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Wisconsin GOP lawmakers consider bill to boost local prosecution of marijuana possession cases

ByJay Selthofner Posted on

The Wisconsin Senate’s Committee on Economic Development and Local Government heard feedback from interest groups and residents Wednesday morning over a bill (SB 150) that would strengthen local and county governments’ grounds for prosecuting individuals who possess natural and non-prescribed synthetic marijuana.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Richard Gudex (R-Fond du Lac) and Sen. Joseph Leibham (R-Sheboygan) has a companion bill in the Assembly (AB 164), which made its way through the Committee on Urban and Local Affairs last week.

Currently, local governments in Wisconsin may only pass ordinances that allow municipal courts to prosecute for possession of less than 25 grams of marijuana and first-time offenses. The county’s district attorney determines whether to prosecute repeat offenses or possession of more than 25 grams of marijuana.

Gudex says district attorneys may not prosecute these larger violations due to a lack of staff and financial resources.

“This could end up with a person being convicted of possession of 24 grams of marijuana, but then receiving no punishment for possession of 50 grams,” he says. “Whatever one may think about our current drug laws, this makes no sense at all.”

If passed, the bill gives local and county municipalities the authority to bring charges against individuals who possess any amount of natural or synthetic marijuana or offend on subsequent occasions if district attorneys decide not to prosecute.

Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) says giving local governments the ability to bring charges will enable them to recoup costs associated with arresting offenders by imposing fines, and may even act as a revenue source. According to a fiscal estimate (PDF) prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Administration, the bill could also reduce the costs to counties because municipal courts, which handle local ordinance violations, are more likely to impose fines as punishment rather than jail time.

Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) disagrees, noting convictions in municipal courts may lead to jail time, particularly when offenders are unable to pay the fines. She notes Wisconsin will spend $2.5 billion in prison construction by the end of the decade due to increased incarceration, particularly of impoverished and African American people. Their incarceration would jeopardize future employment opportunities, Taylor adds.

“You create a cycle,” she says. “The choices that we make will have a direct effect on what we spend on corrections and whether or not we fix the problem that we have. If what we do is move in this direction, instead of … addressing treatment and mental health issues … then we’re only going to exacerbate the problem.

Curt Witynski, assistant director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, which supports the bill, is not convinced municipalities will prosecute for financial motives.

“Usually the court fee that attaches to the forfeiture isn’t enough to cover a community’s true expenses,” he says. “Right now we can collect a maximum of $28 per ticket in the form of municipal court fees. None of that really balances out in the end for covering communities’ total costs of police, courts and every other staff and resource that needs to go into that process.”

While state law considers marijuana possession a crime, the Dane County District Attorney has not prosecuted for possession of under 25 grams since 2007. In 2010, the Dane County Board of Supervisors amended the county’s code of ordinances to ban the sale of synthetic cannabinoids, but the board’s current position on marijuana use is lenient toward non-synthetic forms.

In May, Dane County Sup. Kyle Richmond submitted a resolution (PDF) expressing support for a federal bill that would decriminalize marijuana. Ten supervisors cosponsored the resolution.

Witynski doubts the bill will alter penalties for marijuana possession in liberal municipalities such as Madison. Chapter 23 of Madison’s Code of Ordinances stipulates that individuals “may casually possess marijuana or cannabis in a private place,” provided the amount of marijuana does not exceed 28 grams. Fines for publicly possessing marijuana in Madison are $114.

Medical Marijuana Hopes in 2017-18 crushed by Republicans, again
Marijuana reform crushed by Republicans, again
State Senate Leaders Fitzgerald (R) and Bewley (D) Reflect on 2019
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State Senate Leaders Fitzgerald (R) and Bewley (D) Reflect on 2019

ByJay Selthofner Posted on

2019 proved to be a tough year in the state legislature.

With a Democratic governor and Republicans controlling both the Senate and Assembly, few bills were passed aside from the state budget.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) says he’s frustrated and hoped for a better rapport with the Evers administration.

“I think the governor, not on purpose, made a couple of judgment calls that maybe didn’t work his way,” Sen. Fitzgerald told reporters during an end of the year press conference. “Like having a cabinet that only includes one legislator.”

Senate Minority Leader Janet Bewley (D-Mason) seems more optimistic.

Sen. Bewley doesn’t want to focus on political fights where one party wins and the other loses.

“Even on both sides of the aisle, people are trying to learn how to work with a new governor,” Sen. Bewley said. “I think the Democrats should feel very proud, and I do feel proud. Number one: that we do have Gov. Evers and a great administration.”

Gov. Evers and Republicans were at odds this month when the governor called the legislature’s budget committee to approve funding to combat homelessness.

Gov. Evers wanted $3.7 million released to help people facing homelessness find more stable housing during the winter season.

Republicans called the meeting illegal and didn’t show up.

So far, the legislation stalled in the senate.

“The price tag came up,” Sen. Fitzgerald said. “There was some discussion about whether or not some of the homeless programs that are currently operating in the state would qualify for some of [the] dollars associated with some of these initiatives, so it’s like a real public policy discussion that’s going on.”

Democrats say they don’t understand why those vulnerable to snow and cold aren’t being helped.

“We have homelessness and not, literally, not enough places,” Sen. Bewley said. “If you are in Ashland, Wisconsin or Mellen, Wisconsin, and you’re homeless, where are you going to go? You don’t have transportation. There’s no help around.”

Both parties could find a compromise in 2020 on issues like increasing access to adoption, addressing water quality, and dealing with the high costs of prescription drugs, but legalizing medical marijuana will be tough.

Earlier this year, a Marquette University Law School poll found more than 80 percent of Wisconsinites support legalizing medical marijuana, but Sen. Fitzgerald thinks that’s a bad idea right now.

“We’ve got all these issues,” Sen. Fitzgerald said. “We’re spending all of this, not only revenue, but energy trying to get a control on these substances that are just wreaking havoc across the state. I don’t know why this is a good time to introduce legal marijuana in Wisconsin.”

“I am not advocating for legalizing marijuana,” Sen. Bewley said. “I would be willing to have a conversation about medical marijuana, and we know that there is bipartisan support for that, but to reduce the penalties for small amounts of marijuana; we need to do that.”

Both parties also seem divided on the big issues they want to tackle in 2020.

Democrats say our state is behind the times when it comes to minimum wage.

“You can’t live on Wisconsin’s minimum wage and it is arrogant and unrealistic to assume that you can go out and get a higher paying job or that you can survive by getting more jobs,” Sen. Bewley said.

Republicans want to work on a property tax cut proposal.

“I’m hearing it already in the district,” Sen. Fitzgerald said. “People are a little surprised. I know it’s still anecdotal, but people are concerned about a bump in their property tax bill. Most of that has been generated by decisions made at the local level.”

The legislative session is scheduled to pick back up the second full week of January.

Sen. Fitzgerald says it might take until March for the legislature to pass all the bills Republicans have on their agenda, but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) says lawmakers could adjourn as early as February.

Source

Senator Olsen expected to address medical marijuana activists at December 21st meeting
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Senator Olsen expected to address medical marijuana activists at December 21st meeting

ByJay Selthofner Posted on

The original site of the T.H.C. Tour from February 2010 will be the home to a special meeting of Northern Wisconsin NORML.

Join the chapter in the sleepy town of Berlin Wisconsin as they expect to be addressed by Republican Senator Luther Olsen.  Senator Olsen represents the district of Jay Selthofner, Executive Director for the chapter.

Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon)

Senator Olsen is expected to speak sharply at 11:30am in the Kay Swan Room (upstairs of the Berlin Public Library). The Senator will be speaking about top ways activists and citizens can make a difference in the legislative process.

Senator Olsen (R-Ripon) has indicated support for hemp, cannabis and medical marijuana reform in the past.

The chapter also hopes the Senator will provide a brief overview of his 2011-2012 roles, goals and agendas.

Please try to attend this historic meeting. Thank you.

The Berlin Public Library is located at 121 W Park Ave, Berlin Wisconsin 54923

Please do not hesitate to contact NorthernWINORML@gmail.com for more information.

Lawmakers across Washington Co. discuss what’s needed to fight growing instances of substance abuse

Lawmakers across Washington Co. discuss what’s needed to fight growing instances of substance abuse

ByJay Selthofner Posted on

Elected officials from Washington County gathered for a Legislative breakfast Friday morning at the Washington County Fair Park to discuss issues surrounding substance abuse and mental health.

Officials shared their views about the Heroin epidemic in Washington County, the success of drug court, funding for prevention and treatment and expanded access to services for people receiving Medicaid.

Officials in attendance included State Senator Duey Stroebel, Representative Dan Knodl and Bob Gannon, West Bend Mayor Kraig Sadownikow, and Washington County Board Supervisors Christopher Bossert, Michael Miller, Kris Deiss, Rick Gundrum, John Bulawa, Roger Kist, Peter Sorce, and Don Kriefall. The event was moderated by Commissioner Dolores Bomrad.

Some of the comments from lawmakers in attendance are posted below and there’s a video of Lou Herrnann talking about her 39 years of sobriety.

-Supervisor Mike Miller – “Talk to your kids about drugs because somebody on the other side of the fence is telling them just the opposite and scare them because this is a scary thing to have a drug problem in your home.”

-Senator Duey Stroebel – “I like more parental engagement, or engagement of teachers or personal responsibility for family involvement and more traditional values; these are more and more of the reasons why we’re seeing the drug issues out there.”

-Mayor Kraig Sadownikow – “I had a chance this summer to get involved with STAND, Students Taking Action Not Drugs, and that’s a brave group of kids. It’s not cool to be in STAND, I imagine. It’s not cool to be the class looked at in class to tell the teacher someone next to them is doing drugs. But let’s support the kids who are looking to help others.”

-Rep. Jesse Kremer – “Talking to my law enforcement agencies, I have a lot of EMS colleagues, and this (marijuana) is not necessarily a gateway drug. I kinda disagree with some folks on that. Talking with law enforcement the gateway drug is definitely opioids and prescription meds. But I agree with Sen. Stroebel I would not vote to legalize marijuana, it would be a terrible burden for our state and our families.”

-Rep. Bob Gannon – “I’ve met in prisons and I’ve looked at the programs we use to prepare people for freedom and there are times we do a woefully poor job at preparing those we’ve sentenced to get back into society.”

-A majority of lawmakers in attendance were against legalizing marijuana in the state of Wisconsin. “I don’t know any employer that says ‘I hope my staff shows up high today,” said Sadownikow.

-Supervisor Mike Miller – “States that have legalized marijuana are using it as a revenue maker because now they can tax the sale of this stuff but they don’t realize the consequences. I firmly believe marijuana is definitely a starter drug.”

-Rep. Bob Gannon – “I’m a tough love guy and if you come out and you’re absolutely bound and determined to get yourself back in prison I say that parole officer walks right into the courtroom and we ship them right back and we use those resources for someone who wants to get right.”

-The Legislative Breakfast has been held annually since 2012.

-In closing out the 2-hour discussion Moderator Dolores Bomrad said Rep. Dan Knodl asked that they end on a positive note. That’s when Lou Herrnann, 75, of Cedarburg stood up in the back of the room and said, “On Nov. 19 I will celebrate my 39th year of sobriety.” She then went on to stress the significance of programs to help those struggling with dependency. 

source

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