MADISON: The year 2010 was a breakthrough year for cannabis in Wisconsin. While the year began with medical cannabis legislation that ultimately failed to pass, efforts to support the bill helped lay the base for new heights in cannabis activism that saw major media coverage, statewide events and the formation of new alliances and groups dedicated to changing cannabis laws. In between were many developments including elections that on one hand brought Wisconsin two historic medical cannabis electoral wins, but on the other saw a reshuffling of state government that ousted allies and elevated opponents to powerful positions.
In early January 2010, despite a successful 8 plus hour hearing on Dec. 15, 2009, doubts about passage were already being circulated: “Eye on the Jacki Rickert MMJ Act: The great disconnect?”
Despite the disappointing vibes being projected by the Democratic leadership (who were later defeated by voters in November), state medical cannabis advocates did not lessen their efforts, ending January with a large fundraiser at Madison’s High Noon Saloon and a Lobby Day and Memorial for patient-activist Mary Powers at the State Capitol.
In February and March, as Capitol sources continued to indicate soft support for the JRMMA, state activists took their efforts to levels never seen before.
MADISON: When AB554/SB368, the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (JRMMA) failed to pass the Wisconsin Legislature in early 2010, it was not for lack of popular support. Polling in 2002 and 2005 had established support in the 75%-80% range.
Over the summer of 2010, IMMLY and Madison NORML made open records requests of a number of state lawmakers. In an earlier article I reported on State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Milladore) and how her records revealed that two special interests, not her constituents, had decided her position. Lassa ultimately joined with Health Committee Republicans to kill the JRMMA.
Another lawmaker who was unhelpful was Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau). Fitzgerald, who served as senate minority leader in the 2009-2010 session, will be majority leader beginning Jan. 3, 2011. His brother Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) will be Assembly Speaker. Since 1993, the Assembly has been in Republican hands all but the 2099-2010 session.
In late July a request was made to Sen. Fitzgerald for “Phone logs and copies of correspondence from all parties who contacted your office regarding the medical marijuana bills AB554/SB368 the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act during the 2009-2010 legislative session.”
