Madison NORML Examiner Top 2012 Wisconsin Cannabis News Stories

Here is the 2012 in review as reported by Madison NORML Examiner Gary Storck:

Here is a look back at at a chronological list of Madison NORML Examiner’s Top Wisconsin Cannabis News Stories of 2012.

The year 2012 began with an ominous note for the chances of success of Senate Bill 371, the 2011-2012 session version of the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (JRMMA) when it was assigned to arch-opponent Sen. Leah Vuknir’s (R-Wauwatosa) health committee to die.

1) January 10, 2012: Wisconsin medical marijuana bill assigned to opponent’s Senate committee

View slideshow: Madison NORML Examiner Top 2012 Wisconsin Cannabis Photos

(Try here if the link above does not appear) For many years dating back to at least the 1990’s, perhaps even longer, medical cannabis activists have held vigil outside the annual Governor’s State of the State (SOTS) address to state lawmakers, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and other members of state government and the media. In 2013, Gov. Walker’s Dept. of Administration ‘lost’ the permit application forcing the vigil to relocate to the Capitol rotunda.

2) January 26, 2012: ‘Lost’ permit apps scratch medical cannabis vigil at Walker’s State of the State

In February, inspired by an outrageous use of Wisconsin’s already outrageous felony for second offense possession of cannabis, any amount, Madison NORML Examiner took at look at just how bad Wisconsin’s pot laws are.

3) February 22, 2012: Wisconsin pot laws toughest in Midwest

Later in February we looked at a new trend of out of state medical cannabis patients heading to the state of Oregon where in 2010, litigation opened up the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) to patients from all 50 states.

4) February 24, 2012: Wisconsin patients go West for medical marijuana approvals

2012 was a year of cannabis anniversaries and Madison NORML Examiner took a detailed look at Wisconsin’s Therapeutic Cannabis Research Act (TCRA), still on the books today, and the legislative cast of characters that made it possible.

5) March 5, 2012: 30 year old medical marijuana law united diverse group of lawmakers

After several years of protests by medical cannabis activists at the annual meetings of the Wisconsin Medical Society (SMS) at Monona Terrace in Madison, the organization finally began to move away from blind opposition to medical cannabis with the adoption of more progressive guidelines from the American Medical Association (AMA)

6) May 02, 2012: Wisconsin Medical Society votes to update medical cannabis position

A vote in Congress on medical cannabis in May found the Wisconsin delegation split with surprising pairings in supporters and opponents.

7) May 10, 2012: WI congressional delegation splits 4-4 in bipartisan medical marijuana vote

Wisconsin was all about recall elections in the Spring of 2012 for Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and a number of state senators. Ultimately, hopes that more cannabis-friendly Democrats might regain partial control of state government failed with Walker surviving the recall. Democrats, however, did regain control of the State Senate for the rest of the year, but lost it for the next session in the Nov. 6 elections.

8) May 23, 2012: Wisconsin recalls offer voters chance to remove medical marijuana obstacles

In August, with a tight U.S. Senate race between Republican former Gov. Tommy Thompson and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison) looming, Madison NORML Examiner took a look at the two candidates and the medical cannabis issue.

9) August 12, 2012: Medical marijuana and the Wisconsin U.S. Senate race

Despite Wisconsin Republicans regaining control of the State Senate and maintaining domination in the State Assembly through redistricting in the Nov. 6 elections, votes for marijuana legalization outside the state in Colorado and Washington State sent ripples even through Wisconsin.

10) November 16, 2012: Legalization wins in CO and WA ignite legalization hopes for Wisconsin

Wisconsin media outlets continued to heavily follow the legalization votes in multiple media sources. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel presented a number of OPEDs and hosted an online poll and a web chat, and their radio affiliate also carried.

Source:  http://www.examiner.com/article/madison-norml-examiner-top-2012-wisconsin-cannabis-news-stories