MADISON: Rick Richard, the Republican nominee for the State Senate seat currently held by Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit), who is retiring, announced his “unequivocal” support for state medical marijuana legislation in a Facebook post today. Richards also promised to cosponsor legislation if elected. In comparison, his opponent Tim Cullen, a cancer survivor who is attempting to return to politics after serving as Democratic majority leader over 25 years ago, offered only tepid support in private discussions, according to the page he would ‘probably’ vote for a bill but wasn’t sure ‘it was the answer’.

Here is Rick Richard’s entire post

It’s past time for Wisconsin to regulate medical marijuana and tax it. I will co-sponsor a medical marijuana bill and vote yes, unequivocally. Personally, I don’t use it, but I do have a personal story. My mother suffers from neuropathy,… and requires big pharma drugs for her chronic pain. Strong evidence suggests that medical marijuana would alleviate her pain without the side effects she currently has from the current synthetic drugs. She is the type that won’t go 1 mph over the speed limit breaking the law, so she certainly won’t try medical marijuana for her pain while it’s illegal. It surprises me that anyone that watched the JRMMA testimony at the capitol would not support the legislation. Chronically and terminally ill patients testified medical marijuana would be the single prescribed medication for pain alleviation without the side effects of big pharma drugs. Healthcare professionals also testified in favor. 14 states now have some type of medical marijuana laws. The U.S. now has model legislation in place, it’s time in Wisconsin to help those in chronic pain, the terminally ill. Recent evidence also shows medical marijuana is the best treatment for returning Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffering from wide ranging issues as a result of PTSD. — Rick Richard, 10/12.10 facebook post.

It’s great to see any candidate take the time to look into this issue instead of offering vague statements and weak assurances. With the unfortunate trend toward GOP monolithicism against medical cannabis in the WI State Legislature over the last several sessions, it is particularly refreshing to hear the issue discussed as it should be, free of partisan politics, by a Republican. Richard’s statement shows he has put real thought into his position and understands that compassion is the number one reason to allow patients legal access. Richard also took the time to watch the Dec. 15 Wisconsin combined medical marijuana committee hearing archived on Wisconsin Eye.

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