Tommy Thompson with Ben Masel and others.
MADISON: A group of Wisconsin medical marijuana supporters received advice from an unexpected source last Saturday in Tomah: former Wisconsin Governor/U.S. Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson. The 4-term Republican Wisconsin governor was on hand at his brother Ed’s restaurant, the Tee Pee, to lend a hand to Ed’s campaign for Wisconsin State Senate.
Both Tommy and Ed dropped by the meeting, a statewide Wisconsin NORML/JRMMA.org medical marijuana strategy session/workshop. More than 30 medical cannabis activists from around the state were present, including local elected officials, state legislature candidates, an attorney, and activists leaders from a wide swath of Wisconsin.
Tommy Thompson offered two pieces of advice for getting medical marijuana legislation passed in Wisconsin:
1. "Elect this guy" (Ed Thompson, to the Wisconsin State Senate).
2. Pass the hemp bill first, as it already has bipartisan support, and it's easier to vote for medical when you've already voted for hemp.
Jacki Rickert (Right) with Tommy Thompson.
Earlier, Ed Thompson had addressed the meeting and reiterated his longstanding support for medical marijuana. He also vowed to cosponsor medical marijuana legislation if elected. His opponent, Kathleen Vinehout has steasfastly refused to state any position, even evading supporters who tried to discuss the issue including her own constituent Jacki Rickert, namesake of the bill. Jacki was on hand for the meeting and was filmed for Ed Thompson’s campaign.
In addition to the unexpected guest speaker, an array of activists from locations around Wisconsin were on hand to learn about the referendum strategy. A referendum question that had been created was agreed upon as the question that would be on ballots.
Jacki Rickert and Ed Thompson.
Proposed 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?"
Attendees analyzed cities and villages across the state, factoring in past election results and other details to vet referendum locations. A short list of immediate targets and another list of locales with potential were created.
Attendees and organizers deemed the gathering a success and by Monday, several local organizers had already reached out to local city and village clerks to begin the process.
To learn more, become a member of JRMMA.org online on the web and on Facebook.
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