Lydia Statz of the Daily Cardinal urges educated vote on Dane County Medical Marijuana Referendum

In a recent report by By Lydia Statz from University Wisconsin Madison Daily Cardinal entitled Upcoming referenda important in election, The marijuana, MATC and tax increase referenda require student research another favorable blow to the belt of marijuana prohibition was thrown.

The first concerns a topic that hasn’t seriously been talked about in Wisconsin until now. Voters in Dane County will have the first chance to sound off on the issue of legalizing medical marijuana tomorrow. The question, “Should the Wisconsin Legislature enact legislation allowing residents with debilitating medical conditions to acquire and possess marijuana for medical purposes if supported by their physician?” is the first marijuana referendum to successfully reach the people. The measure is not binding in any regard, but a strong showing either way will help advise the legislature and next governor on the people’s opinion of the issue.

For anyone who’s read my previous columns, it should be pretty obvious that I will be wholeheartedly voting “Yes.” Admittedly, I would much prefer a referendum that has any potential to change the current laws, but any vote on the issue is a step toward full marijuana decriminalization. Plus, if the predictions are true, the question could pass by a wide margin, showing the state government that this is an issue the people are passionate about-prompting action. So, please, don’t let the apparent wishy-washy nature of this referendum keep you from the polls. Your vote on this issue will definitely “mean” something even if it doesn’t actually “do” anything.