Legislation that seeks to legalize the use of medical marijuana will be reintroduced into the Wisconsin legislature this month. The Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act would amend state law to “authorize an individual to use marijuana for medical purposes as directed by a physician.” http://immly.org/ Sixteen states in addition to the District of Columbia have enacted similar laws protecting patients.
That is good news for over 70% of Wisconsinites favoring physician prescribed marijuana. Sadly, marijuana prohibition applies to everyone, even including the sick and dying. Prohibition has had many negative consequences, none as tragic as the denial of medicinal marijuana to thousands of patients who could benefit from its therapeutic use.
If this herb were discovered today, its discovery would no doubt be hailed as a medical breakthrough. Scientists would praise its potential for treating everything from pain to cancer and marvel at its rich pharmacopoeia; many of whose chemicals mimic vital molecules in the human body. Then the government would ban it.
This herbal therapy has hundreds of uses but let us focus on one segment of the population, which not only deserves more freedom but also has earned it. Our country has sent thousands of Wisconsin men and women abroad to fight its wars. Many who now suffer could benefit from medical marijuana for various aliments including pain, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Why would anyone advocate against this compassionate legislation? Will soldiers be collateral damage from the War on Drugs?
Well, first we read that that further research must be done before Wisconsin politicians can permit physicians to prescribe medical marijuana. There are obvious flaws in this excuse. Between 1840 and early1900s, European and American medical journals published more than 100 articles on the therapeutic use of the drug known then as Cannabis indica, which has been used safely for centuries.
The other excuse for delaying reforms is that there are pharmaceutical chemicals currently available which can be prescribed for the aliments. Of course, the pharmaceuticals are much more expensive and have many adverse side effects. Side effects may include anxiety, depression, addiction, severe withdrawal, homicidal rage, and suicide. (Some months, there are more Army soldiers and veterans who take their own lives than are killed in combat.)
The VA clinic may prescribe our veterans powerful pain killers like Oxycontin and Morphine. Anti-depressants may include Zoloft, Prozac, and others. Many vets report being miserable with adverse side effects of both kinds of drugs. They complain that they were “zombified” by them and many self medicate with alcohol or other products instead.
Marijuana has never caused a death and could be grown inexpensively, even by patients themselves. Perhaps that is the real reason for political opposition. 
One of the most powerful, well financed lobbies in the country is Big Pharma. According to industry figures, the U.S. spends about $300 billion on pills. If medical marijuana were legally available everywhere, Big Pharma might lose up to 5% of the pill market; about 15 billion dollars! Campaign contributions are much more cost-effective than having to compete with a natural product on the shelf or growing in the back yard. Follow the money.
“Some drugs are known to induce paranoia through chemical action. Marijuana, it seems, can do it through political action.” – The Economist
Ask your state representative and senator to support this legislation.
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