cannabisnews.com: Medical Cannabis Supporters Unite Medical Cannabis Supporters Unite Posted by CN Staff on September 19, 2007 at 05:26:57 PT By Cara Harshman Source: Badger Herald Wisconsin -- Is your medicine legal? Jacki Rickert’s isn’t. The Wisconsin mother suffers from several incurable medical conditions and says the only effective treatment is marijuana. Rickert joined two state legislators and other medical marijuana supporters Tuesday for a press conference to announce the introduction of new medical marijuana legislation. Tuesday was a symbolic day for Rickert, as it marks the 10-year anniversary of the “Journey-for-Justice,” a 210-mile trek across the state Rickert and an entourage of medical marijuana supporters made in their wheelchairs that ended at the Capitol. In honor of Rickert, Rep. Frank Boyle, D-Superior, and Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, named the new legislation the “Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act”. “I’m real proud that for the first time we are giving the bill a real name,” Boyle said. “This bill will forever be known as the Jacki Rickert Bill.”Rickert is the founder and patient coordinator of Is My Medicine Legal Yet?, a non-profit group dedicated to spreading awareness, furthering access to and research of marijuana for medical use. “We know it works. We know it’s not going to kill us,” Rickert said. “I have never had an allergic reaction to a God-given herb.”IMMLY efforts are meant to support those with a variety of chronic and fatal medical conditions. If passed, patients would have to qualify with the Department of Health and Family Services to receive medicinal marijuana. Pocan said victims of cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, persistent seizures and muscle spasms would be eligible to qualify for medical marijuana under this legislation.“If someone [has the] written consent of their physician or [has] obtained a valid registry card from the DHFS, … they would be allowed to have the possession or be able to grow a certain amount of medicinal marijuana,” Pocan said. Medicinal marijuana, the IMMLY believes, can benefit people of all ages. The youngest supporter at the conference was 21 year old Lynn. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 19, she lost her sight, mobility and independence from the disease. Lynn has smoked marijuana for an extended period of time and said it helped her finally become able to move out of her parent’s house. “If you had a 19-year-old daughter who was in pain every day, what would you do to help?” Lynn asked. “You could be put on five different drugs three times a day every day, like I was. Or you can take pot, and now I’m on two drugs a day.”A similar version of the bill was introduced by Boyle and Pocan in 2001. Former Rep. Gregg Underheim, R-Oshkosh, introduced the legislation again in 2003 and 2005; however, it failed to progress through the legislature on all three occasions. “We want to make sure that this is the year Wisconsin gets it,” Boyle said. “Twelve states have now legalized medical marijuana, and I’m sick and tired of the state of Wisconsin dying a most regressive death in what used to be progressive tradition.” Using marijuana for medical use is currently legal in Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Missouri, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Alabama and Hawaii. “Please, we have to make this legal,” Rickert said. “I beg all of you.” Source: Badger Herald (U of WI, Madison, WI Edu)Author: Cara HarshmanPublished: Wednesday, September 19, 2007Copyright: 2007 Badger HeraldContact: editor badgerherald.comWebsite: http://www.badgerherald.com/IMMLYhttp://www.immly.org/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #34 posted by Hope on September 21, 2007 at 05:10:26 PT Hugs back to you, Jacki! Blessings, too!Thank you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by Gary Storck on September 20, 2007 at 20:36:08 PT Hope: Big Hugs from Jacki Amanda, I read your post to Jacki and she sends BIG HUGS "from a distance." [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Hope on September 20, 2007 at 13:41:31 PT Actually, Gary, a picture of you and Jacki was my very first ever screen saver that didn't come with the computer.I really hope and pray this legislation passes, for Jacki's sake, yours, and all the people that have worked so very hard for it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by Hope on September 20, 2007 at 13:31:42 PT You're very welcome, Gary. You and Jacki, along with George, Richard, Jo-D, Kap...and all, were some of my very first friends and educators in this anti-war struggle. I'll always love and appreciate you guys for that.Amanda/Hope [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by Gary Storck on September 20, 2007 at 11:59:21 PT Hope -- Thanks! Hope,Thanks for your kind words. I'll pass them on to Jacki, who is back home now resting. Below is a link to audio and pix. A great group of patients helped make this possible. Osch drove all night from the Boston Freedom Fest and ended up speaking at the press conference, his second in WI, even though he doesn't live here. It was a good day at the Capitol. Patienmts told their stories, and we got some nice press, statewide radio and more.But, this is only the beginning, once again.But I am so proud to get to work with Jacki, and so proud they named the bill after her. I'm a patient too, but my worst days are every day for her. It's still not too late to make it right... Their medicine's not legal yet [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by ekim on September 20, 2007 at 08:11:54 PT glad your back Runruff thank you for all you and yours have gone thur. please print it for all to see.some info on MI efforts to get med usehttp://www.stoparrestingpatients.org also LEAP has a blog http://blog.leap.cc/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by JustGetnBy on September 20, 2007 at 08:01:00 PT Runoff Welcome home. Peace & Love to you & yours [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by whig on September 19, 2007 at 23:37:17 PT runruff Hi. Awesome to see you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Toker00 on September 19, 2007 at 18:59:55 PT Mayan Here's the result of the poll at the David Ray Griffin site:The U.S. Gov. MADE it happen.............................................66%I have no idea. That's why we need a new investigation!...........14%19 Arab hijackers defeated the entire U.S. defense system........11%The U.S. LET it happen.............................................................7%Sadam Hussein did it. That's why we're in Iraq now....................2%Looks like SOMEBODY'S been reading your posts...:)Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by RevRayGreen on September 19, 2007 at 18:23:58 PT Runruff much peace and love to you. Glad you can breath clean air again. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by John Tyler on September 19, 2007 at 18:13:53 PT Runruff We are all so glad to have you back. You have been in our thoughts the whole time you were away. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by mayan on September 19, 2007 at 18:03:18 PT Runruff!!! That's wonderful!!! You and your wife have endured but prohibition and the insane system which supports it are on the brink of collapse. It's good to know you are well on your way to better days!THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Was WTC7 a Controlled Demolition? http://tinyurl.com/3eyt4bKOPPELL CRITICIZES RIVERDALE PRESS REPORTER AS FRINGE 9/11 'CONSPIRACY' ADVOCATE: http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/koppellconspiracy.phpThe Air Force Crisis Action Team That Failed to Act on the Crisis of 9/11: http://911blogger.com/node/11499The Truthers Are Out There: http://news.yahoo.com/s/weeklystandard/20070918/cm_weeklystandard/thetruthersareoutthereTurning Santayana’s Dictum on Its Head: http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/09/turning-santayana’s-dictum-on-its-head/Dr. David Ray Griffin - Columbus,Ohio - Sept. 25th: http://www.columbus911truth.org/2007/08/23/just-confirmed-dr-david-ray-griffin-sept-25th/9/11 Truth Squads: http://www.911truthsquads.org/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Hope on September 19, 2007 at 17:53:44 PT Please, Wisconsin! Get it this time! "In honor of Rickert, Rep. Frank Boyle, D-Superior, and Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, named the new legislation the “Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act”.“I’m real proud that for the first time we are giving the bill a real name,” Boyle said. “This bill will forever be known as the Jacki Rickert Bill.”"Jacki has been through so much and put astounding effort, in spite of her hardships, into getting this done. It's so fitting that this legislation should be named for her.Please, Wisconsin, please. Please, get it this time!Every time I think of Jacki Rickert, and Gary Storck and the other patients...I can't help but think how wrong the prohibitionists are when they say we, as people trying to change unjust laws, are "using" patients to try and gain sympathy. The thing is, prohibitionists... we can't stop these patients from their fight and struggle. We couldn't stop them if we wanted to. Their lives depend on the grace they find in cannabis. There is no stopping them. We aren't using them at all. We're just trying to keep up with them! They're on the front lines because you are making them fight for the right to use cannabis and have a better quality of life.You prohibitionists are the Villains... with a capital V and you are misusing these patients, their plight, and all the rest of us as well!And by the way, they, nor we, want your "sympathy", if you had the sense, or heart, to have such a thing. We want you out of the way so that we can make progress and make things better for everyone. Congratulations, Jacki! [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Storm Crow on September 19, 2007 at 16:28:45 PT Welcome back! I'm crying happy tears! You two have been through SO much! May blessings rain down on you both! [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by fight_4_freedom on September 19, 2007 at 16:22:59 PT: Just to keep the good vibes rollin Don't give up the fight! Bob Marley - Get Up, Stand Up! [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Graehstone on September 19, 2007 at 15:49:06 PT Welcome Home ... ... and Thank you from the bottom of my heart simply for being who the two of you are. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Had Enough on September 19, 2007 at 15:40:26 PT RUNRUFF !!! Cool…Good to hear from you.After the snide remarks coming from that spiteful judge it sure is nice to know you and mrs runruff are still together.That judge has never known the feelings you and Linda share, probably never will. She tried to split you up, and it backfired on her. She will never know that her intentions made you two tighter, the reverse effect that she was wanting, and hoping for.You’ve paid more than your share of dues, get home, rest up, live for another day.Peace to you brother. You deserve some. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by BGreen on September 19, 2007 at 15:28:29 PT I'm still all tingly and my eyes are red & puffy OK, so nothing has changed for me. LOLJust kidding. I didn't expect to see runruff posting here and I just started crying.Wow!The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Hope on September 19, 2007 at 15:23:11 PT :0) That was such a nice surprise. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Dankhank on September 19, 2007 at 14:49:17 PT welcome back, runruff ... good to see you made it ...Peace to you and yours ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on September 19, 2007 at 14:44:02 PT fight_4_freedom Here's Runruff's story. It's on the left hand side of the front page of CNews.http://www.terryhubbard.com/J/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on September 19, 2007 at 14:41:53 PT runruff It's is great that soon you will be back together again. I'm glad you are almost home and safe. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by BGreen on September 19, 2007 at 14:41:38 PT OMG, runruff!!!!! My eyes are filled with tears of joy! Welcome home!I can't wait for you to get back into the norm here at CNews.com, but I know that Linda takes priority over us and we all understand that.We never forgot about you, brother, and we always held Linda close to our hearts, even though she didn't hang out with us too much.Man, I'm happy for you.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by fight_4_freedom on September 19, 2007 at 14:40:14 PT: I am unaware of what happened But still, I'm sending my love and nothing but positive vibes your way runruff! Congrats Stop Arresting Patients [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Hope on September 19, 2007 at 14:25:36 PT You're alive and Linda's love for you stood the test.That's truly wonderful news. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by dongenero on September 19, 2007 at 14:24:20 PT runruff Good news! Congratulations on your freedom. Best of luck to you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by runruff on September 19, 2007 at 14:20:24 PT: Love the warmth. Actually I am not home yet. I am in the library in Eugene Or. I am in a halfway house being processed for home confinement. I just ducked in here to say hi. Let you all know I have survived and me and Linda are tighter than ever. If I am not home before this weekend I will see her for the first time in 15 months on Sat. I'll write more when I can. must go now and check in. Thanks for the warmth. ' Haven't felt any for a very long time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on September 19, 2007 at 14:13:57 PT Wonderful News Welcome home runruff! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Hope on September 19, 2007 at 14:11:35 PT Oh my! It's so good to see you made it home!Talk to us! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Hope on September 19, 2007 at 14:10:42 PT You didn't let them kill you.... I'm so thankful!Welcome back!Welcome back!Welcome back! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Toker00 on September 19, 2007 at 14:10:42 PT runruff runruff runruff Hot Damn! : ) Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Hope on September 19, 2007 at 14:09:56 PT Oh my gosh! Runruff!It's so good to see you online! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Toker00 on September 19, 2007 at 14:09:11 PT OMG! Our brother is FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome my Brother. Relax. Endulge yourself in our embrace. Let's talk.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by runruff on September 19, 2007 at 13:51:21 PT: The long road home. Hi! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment