Justice for Marijuana Consumers promises Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate
I first read about Joel Winnig by accident back in July of 2010. I found an article on him when researching campaign financing during my run for Wisconsin State Assembly. The Wisconsin Impartial Justice Act was highlighted in the article, along with an introduction to Joel and background information on the making of a historic campaign.
Madison lawyer Joel Winnig says he’s running for Wisconsin Supreme Court because a new law aimed at improving the integrity of the process makes it possible for him to win. The only problem: An old rule aimed at protecting the integrity of the process makes it impossible for him to run as he’d like.
The new law is Wisconsin’s Impartial Justice Act, which provides public financing of up to $100,000 in the primary and $300,000 in the spring election — and potentially much more to counter profligate spending by, or independent expenditures on behalf of, opposing candidates.
To qualify for this largess, candidates must raise between $5,000 and $15,000 from at least 1,000 state residents, in amounts between $5 to $100. But an existing Supreme Court rule that recently withstood legal challenge bars judicial candidates from asking anyone for money or directly accepting it. Others must do this for them.
Over the past year I had the fortunate opportunity to work with a variety of people in and outside the State of Wisconsin, crossing paths with Republicans, Democrats and third parties who all agreed that some degree of marijuana law reform is needed. Joel Winnig was no different. Our paths crossed directly in October when I had a chance to meet Joel and listen to him speak at Harvest Fest in Madison. My speeches and slogan “Talking about Hemp and Cannabis with Truth, Honesty and Compassion” drew some attention from both activists and other political candidates, most notable was Independent Gubernatorial Candidate Jim Langer. During the festival Joel approached me to formally introduce himself and his campaign for “Independence, Integrity and Justice” and handed me a small flyer with his campaign information and top priorities. Now I knew we were at Harvest Fest and gathering support anywhere you can is part of the political game, but after I reading his card and going on record as a candidate that would legalize responsible consumption of marijuana, I knew this guy was not just blowing smoke at me.
No talk of Industrial Hemp or Medical Marijuana, but Justice for Marijuana Users. Now that is a version of “THC” we need more off, especially in our courts and law enforcement. Perhaps addressing the issue with the context of Industrial Hemp, Medical Marijuana and Recreational Cannabis will be the key to passing legislation in Wisconsin. According to opposition the main obstacles in passing Industrial Hemp and Medical Marijuana legislation are due to the continued prohibition of recreational cannabis. So let us address the horrors of prohibition and let a leader emerge, perhaps Joel Winnig. Overall my impression was great from this man and some additional background provided in a feature article sealed my support for him and his campaign.
Joel is running for Supreme Court to restore integrity to the court. Joel has been inspired in his campaign by the goodness of the people of Wisconsin. Joel believes that what he has achieved in life is due to the strong family from which he came, his educational opportunities provided by the public institutions of Wisconsin, his hard work, and the support of his clients. His clients are the working people and small businesses of Wisconsin.
Joel believes that the people of Wisconsin deserve a justice on the Supreme Court who campaigns with complete integrity. Joel’s publicly funded campaign will not be answerable to powerful corporations or special interests. Joel’s campaign belongs to the citizens of Wisconsin.
Is the task at hand insurmountable for Joel Winning? I certainly hope not.
Joel Winnig doesn’t expect to win in his bid for a place on the state Supreme Court. But he’s hoping his candidacy will boost the state’s election finance law and add a positive note to an electoral process that in recent years has been marked by rancor.
The law also makes matching funds available up to $900,000 in the general election if a publicly financed candidate is outspent by a candidate who is not receiving public money, and if special interests weigh in on behalf of an opponent.
Winnig notes that one of the new law’s shortcomings is that it doesn’t even the field in terms of special interests. While candidates battling third-party television ads stand to get up to $900,000, outside groups have spent millions in Supreme Court races.
“There’s not enough money to counteract whatever Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce or Wisconsin Right to Life would choose to spend,” says Winnig. “The good news for (Prosser) is what they would choose to spend would be supporting him and destroying whoever would be running against him. So I’m aware that if I even accomplish what I want to accomplish, I’ll go from being ignored to destroyed.”
As the legislation session for 2009-2010 ended with no real change, my hope is that 2011 will start off strong for the marijuana reform movement in Wisconsin. We can all send a message by supporting Joel Winnig. Help his campaign secure the public financing needed to compete and be a voice for us. His campaign only has until January 4th, 2011 to receive the remaining $5 donations. He received my $5 personal contribution and I urge you to support him TODAY by giving yours. You can contribute directly online at Winning for Justice 2011 and visit the campaign website for more information on Joel Winnig and his campaign to become a Justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This blog is of the personal views of Jay Selthofner and not an endorsement of any candidate by NORML.
