Medical marijuana hearing simply window dressing

For some politicians it is more important to look like they are taking action than to actual take action. Lawmakers in Madison today will hold a hearing to discuss the possibility of legalizing medical marijuana. The committee will hear from people across the state about how the drug can help them alleviate their medical symptoms. Progress, right? Not so much. This hearing is simply designed to provide political cover. That is because no matter what happens at today’s hearing, no matter if the committee votes to approve the bill legalizing medicinal marijuana, it isn’t going to become law this year. That is because the Legislature has already concluded its business for 2022, with no more legislative sessions scheduled. So even if this bill is approved, it can’t be brought to the full Legislature until 2023.  This debate should have been scheduled while the Legislature was still in session so it could be put up for a vote. Those with chronic illnesses should not have to wait while our elected officials play political games to make it look like they are taking action. A majority of Wisconsinites on both sides of the aisle support legalizing medical marijuana. 37 states, including Wisconsin’s neighbors, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois, have all approved the use of cannabis as a medical treatment. It is good that our lawmakers are finally holding their first hearing on this issue, but it should have been done while lawmakers were still in session, because otherwise its just window dressing.