MADISON: (Updated 10:49am 12/14/11) The State Capitol's ornate Assembly Parlor was packed with media, medical cannabis patients and others for the Nov. 30 press conference for the introduction of LRB 2466 & 3544, the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (JRMMA).
During the press conference, the JRMMA's lead sponsor in the State Assembly, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison), announced a 3 week window ending Dec. 22 for cosponsors to sign on to the bills. Today his office gave us an update on how things are going.
On the Assembly end, confirmed cosponsors include Reps. Terese Berceau (D-Madison), Janet Bewley (D-Ashland), Elizabeth Coggs (D-Milwaukee), Chris Danou (D-Trempeleau) Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee), Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee), Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay), Sondy Pope-Roberts (D-Middleton), Kelda Helen Roys (D-Madison), Chris Taylor (D-Madison), and Josh Zepnick (D- Milwaukee).
And on the Senate end, Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee), the Senate lead sponsor is joined by Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee). Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona) a cosponsor of last session's bill has not yet been reported as signing on to the new bill.
In addition, Rep. Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee) was an Assembly cosponsors of last session's JRMMA, but had not signed on yet as of this writing.
Last session, when Democrats controlled both houses and the governor's office, no Republican lawmakers cosponsored the JRMMA. This session, with the GOP in control of the legislature and the governor's office, no Republicans have yet signed on as cosponsors.
JRMMA supporters have provided this link and this link to send pre-written editable letters to their State Assembly representative and state Senators asking they cosponsor the JRMMA or to thank those who have already done so. The deadline for lawmakers to sign on as a cosponsor is Thursday, December 22, 2011.
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