A Wisconsin advocate for medical marijuana sees the introduction of a bipartisan medical marijuana bill in the U.S. Senate as a step forward on the issue. “The fact that this bill is being introduced in the U.S. Senate I think is historic, and a very good sign,” said Gary Storck with Madison-based “Is My Medicine Legal Yet.”
The bill was introduced by Kentucky Republican, Senator Rand Paul, and Democrats, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Corey Booker of New Jersey. Storck notes that state efforts to legalize medical uses for marijuana remain important, but notes that “in the case of
“It’s it definitely a sign that the issue has matured, that it’s been discussed at the Senate level in Washington, and it’s not just some kind of fringe thing.” said Storck. “Granted, this bill isn’t going to pass, but it’s a huge step forward.”
Storck noted that state efforts to legalize medical uses for marijuana remain important, but notes that “in the case of Wisconsin, this is an issue that’s been kicking around now for over 20 years, and we still have seen only minimal progress.” Legislative efforts on medical marijuana have met with no success at the Capitol, and Storck said nothing is likely in this session.
He expects the U.S. Senate bill to at least spur discussion on the issue. “Once you get people to talk about it and discuss it, I think good things flow from that,” he said. The offices of Wisconsin’s U.S. Senators, Republican Ron Johnson and Democrat Tammy Baldwin, said that each would review the legislation.