MADISON: Just over a week until the Nov. 2 general elections and election ad weary Americans are anxiously awaiting the outcomes of numerous contests.

There are predictions of a GOP landslide both at the state and federal levels. Will voters really punish Democrats for not being able to fix the mess they inherited from Republicans in just two years? Meanwhile another whole set of voters are casting ballots for various cannabis candidates propositions and referendums across the nation and here in Wisconsin.

California's Proposition 19 would tax and regulate adult use of cannabis. The whole world is closely watching and waiting to see if California will reject marijuana prohibition. Just north in Oregon, voters are deciding the fate of Measure 74, which would set up a system of regulated medical cannabis dispensaries. Arizona and South Dakota are both looking at medical cannabis initiatives. South Dakota is the only state where a medical cannabis initiative has gone down to defeat, losing 48-52% on a prior attempt. This time things should be different and there will likely be two more medical cannabis states when votes are tallied. In Massachusetts, voters in 73 Massachusetts cities and towns will be casting ballots in local cannabis advisory referendums, two more referendums than there are counties in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin will see two first-time medical cannabis advisory referendums. Dane County voters will be joining those in the city of River Falls in saying yes or no to this 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?"

Statewide, in a tight race for governor, Democratic candidate Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett stated if elected, he would sign medical cannabis legislation if it reached his desk in response to a question on Wisconsin Public Radio. GOP candidate Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has no on record position that we know of, but is believed to be hostile. Independent candidate Jim Langer goes much farther, supporting cannabis legalization for all use.

Incumbent GOP Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen sent his deputy to testify against the Jacki Rickert MMJ Act at the Dec. 15, 2009 combined Health committee hearing at the State Capitol. Van Hollen also was quoted in various state media as being in opposition. Scott Hassett, his Democratic opponent, has been sympathetic to medical cannabis supporters.

The most outspoken candidate for cannabis legalization in state legislative races is Jay Selthofner, the Independent candidate for Assembly District 41. Selthofner, founder of Northern Wisconsin NORML, has featured cannabis, marijuana and hemp in his campaign against Rep. Joan Ballweg, the GOP incumbent. Madoson NORML Examiner's interview of Jay Selthofner can be found here.

In Assembly District 77, which includes the UW-Madison area and Madison's West Side, the Democratic, Green and Republican candidates, Brett Hulsey, Ben Manski and Dave Redick all support medical marijuana, bur Manski offers the best overall position on cannabis overall as expressed in his speech at Harvest Fest Saturday. Both Redick and Manski spoke at Harvest Fest with Hulsey declining. Manski's speech is linked from this article.

In State Senate races, Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee), senate sponsor of the JRMMA, is facing a challenger in pro medical cannabis Republican, Dane County Sup. Kurt Schlicht.

In the district of outgoing State Sen. Judy Robson in the Beloit area, Republican candidate Rick Richard expressed "unequivocal" support for the JRMMA in a Facebook post as recently reported in Madison NORML Examiner. Ed Thompson, a longtime medical cannabis supporter who ran in 2002 for governor as a Libertarian is running as a Republican against Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma). Vinehout, Jacki Rickert's senator, has been extremely unreceptive to medical cannabis. Ed Thompson, currently undergoing cancer treatment himself, will definitely be a voice for patients if voters replace Vinehout, who narrowly won election for her first term 4 years ago.

Another big state senate race is the attempt by anti-medical cannabis zealot Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) to move up to the Senate seat held by Sen. Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa). If Vukmir wins, it could tip the Senate back into GOP hands and put her in a Senate Health committee chairmanship.

In a rematch of a race decided by just 23 votes in 2008, Trish O'Neil will again be facing Keith Ripp. Rep. Ripp (R-Lodi), beat O'Neil by a mere 23 votes in a 2008 recount. Ripp was a recipient of the Madison NORML Examiner "Profile in Cowardice"  award for his indifference to a disabled 3 time Iraq war veteran who asked his support for the JRMMA. In discussions with JRMMA supporters, O'Neil has been supportive.

Another interesting race involving a third party candidate is Libertarian Jim Maas' challenge of incumbent Democratic Rep. Donna Seidel, served as the Assistant Majority Leader during the 2009-10 session. Maas, a strong supporter of medical cannabis and drug policy reform is also facing Republican Charles Eno.

In Assembly District 50, Republican Ed Brooks, is being challenged by Libertarian Ben Olson III, who supports medical cannabis and other drug policy reform issues. The Democratic challenger is Sarah Ann Shanahan. Ed Brooks was not a medical cannabis supporter and was not responsive to requests for support as the JRMMA was stalled in the legislature in the 2009-2010 session.

Daane Hoffman is a Libertarian running for the Kenosha area Assembly District 64 seat currently held by by Democratic Rep. Peter Barca. Hoffman is a medical cannabis and drug policy reform supporter.

In far northern Wisconsin, the candidate for the seat formerly held by reliable medical cannabis supporter Rep. Gary Sherman, Janet Bewley, sent the following response to a query as to her position on medical cannabis legislation: "I have not seen the legislation, but do support a reasonable bill to allow medical marijuana.  A compassionate society should not deny patients access to reasonable treatment.  I see no reason why medical marijuana can not be classified as a prescription medication."

This list is by no means all inclusive. In addition to the candidates listed above, a majority of the Democratic lawmakers who sponsored and cosponsored the JRMMA are seeking reelection. Sadly, as we have reported, the JRMMA had no GOP cosponsors this session. That could change if voters elect a pro-mmj GOP senator.

In Madison, supporters of the advisory referendum will be gathering for a Victory Party at the historic Cardinal Bar, owned by former Madison Alder Ricardo Gonzalez, himself a cannabis supporter during his service on the council. Doors open at 7pm Tuesday Nov. 2, with the first Dane County results expected by 8:15pm. The Cardinal is downtown at 418 East Wilson Street. The Facebook event page with details is here.

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