MADISON: While marijuana law reform is long overdue in Wisconsin, it is heartening to see more and more candidates willing to take on so-called “third-rail” issues like drug policy reform. One such candidate is Jay Selthofner, who is running for the Wisconsin State Assembly in District 41 as an Independent candidate. The seat is currently held by Rep. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan).
I first met Mr. Selthofner last fall as the campaign to pass the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act was first ramping up, in the weeks before the press conference announcing the launch of the bill. We worked together on the medical cannabis issue both at the Capitol and outside, and he became an integral part of state efforts, focusing on fieldwork and outreach. Selthofner developed the Talking Hemp and Cannabis Tour beginning with Berlin and moving forward. His organizational skills were demonstrated with the Wal-Mart/JRMMA rallies, a high water mark in modern day cannabis activism, with dozens of events happening all over the state on one day.
While the JRMMA failed to pass, running for state legislature seems like a logical next step for Selthofner. Madison NORML Examiner asked him a few questions about his candidacy and how he got there.
MADISON: When the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act failed to pass, it meant that Wisconsin patients would have to continue their long wait for a state medical marijuana program. The JRMMA would would have created a state registry program like those in place in most medical marijuana states including Colorado, Rhode Island, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska and others.
But, recently revealed loopholes in the Oregon and Montana medical marijuana programs allow out of state residents, including Wisconsinites, to obtain state medical marijuana cards.
While the card does not explicitly apply in Wisconsin, prior cases suggest it may offer a level of protection for state patients that they would not otherwise have.
Steve Elliott, in an article for News Junkie Post, “Two Medical Pot States Don’t Require Residency” discusses the Montana loophole:
MADISON: Another negative effect of marijuana prohibition is that the failure to regulate the cannabis market puts cannabis consumers and sellers in danger. Cannabis pronibition has steadily made things worse as lawmakers found new ways to penalize cannabis consumers.
A beneficial herb that once was a widely used American medicine was turned into an illegal product rivalling gold ounce per ounce in value. The failure to follow the reccomendations of panels including the Shafer Commission and establish a legal regulated market has led to myriad potential hazards for peaceful, otherwise law abiding citizens who prefer safer alternatives to society’s approved legal drugs of choice, alcohol, tobacco and prescription medications.
This was demonstrated again by an incident reported in Madison’s Capital Times about three young men robbed at gunpoint attempting to purchase cannabis:
MADISON: Thanks to a unanimous vote on July 15 by the Dane County Board, Dane County voters will have a chance to vote on an advisory referendum on medical marijuana in the Nov. 2 general election.
Alongside the candidates for office, voters will find 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?”
While the first-ever countywide advisory referendum on support for medical cannabis is historic, some may question whether it will accomplish anything. Some may say that it’s only advisory and won’t change anything.
But, while the vote may be advisory, it will have a number of impacts.
