Robin Vos says medical cannabis should only be available in pill form

interview with Channel3000, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he will not support a bill allowing patients to cultivate medical cannabis, "It shouldn't be smoked. It should be taken in pill form. It shouldn't even be edible so a child could get at it." Asked what conditions his plan would cover, Vos cited terminal cancer, Crohn's disease, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other diagnoses that involve chronic pain." data-share-imageurl="https://www.cannabadger.com/sites/default/files/field/image/p1320985-west-milwaukee-mddltn-decrimcb_0.jpg">
Posted: October 29, 2019 by Gary Storck
Category: Medical

In an interview with Channel3000, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he will not support a bill allowing patients to cultivate medical cannabis, "It shouldn't be smoked. It should be taken in pill form. It shouldn't even be edible so a child could get at it." Asked what conditions his plan would cover, Vos cited terminal cancer, Crohn's disease, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other diagnoses that involve chronic pain. When News 3 Now asked how Vos planned to get Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald's support on his medical marijuana plan, he stated, "Chances are, (Fitzgerald's) not going to be here next session. So, it'll mean a whole new dynamic with other leaders in the state Senate who perhaps would be more open to (medical marijuana)."

Erpenbach/Testin/Taylor Medical Cannabis Bill gets Assembly Bill Number and Committee

The Assembly companion bill to SB507, AB570 is now out. While the bill has gained another Republican cosponsor, AB570 was referred to the State Affairs committee, chaired by Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander). Swearingen, a restaurant owner, is also the former president of both the Tavern League of Wisconsin and of Oneida County, and has served in other positions with both groups, according to his state web page.  

James "Jimmy Boy" Edming (R-Glen Flora) is a surprise addition to cosponsors on this bill and illustrates that medical cannabis is gaining traction among conservatives in the caucus. Edming is the third Assembly Republican to cosponsor SB507/AB570 after Representative Todd Novak Assembly who is also the mayor of Dodgeville) Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay). Edming was joined by Democratic Rep. Lisa Subeck of Madison in cosponsoring. In the state senate, 13 of 33 senators are cosponsors, of which Testin is the sole Republican. On the assembly side, a total of 24 have signed on, about one in four assembly reps.

Wisconsin Ethics Commission reports three lobbying groups have already registered on SB507/AB570, the Badger State Sheriffs' Association, Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association, both against, and the Wisconsin Independent Businesses, Inc., registering as "Other." Former speaker and medical cannabis opponent, John Gard, is one of two lobbyists listed by the commission for Wisconsin Independent Businesses, Inc.

Rep. Mary Felzkowski medical bill takes shape

Finally some more potential details of a forthcoming bill from Rep. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) became available in a October 22 report by the Tomahawk Leader.  Felzkowski participated in a Q & A session at the Oct. 15 Lincoln County Board meeting, telling supervisors her proposal would allow patients to cultivate up to five medical cannabis plants and allow "one-on-one relationships with caregivers." Other provisions would limit the number of dispensaries based on county population. Citizens could obtain licenses to grow, process and dispense medical cannabis. Testing labs would not be allowed to have financial interests in growing, processing and dispensing medical cannabis. Medical cannabis approvals under her bill could be issued by doctors, physician's assistants or nurse practitioners.

Cannabadger reached out to Rep. Felzkowski today (Oct. 29) and were advised the bill will is expected be released in the next month. She is still taking a lot of input from other lawmakers to try to craft language written tightly enough that the bill can get a public hearing. The staffer noted any bill is just a starting point and would be amended in the committee process anyways. They hope that a hearing can be held so patients can talk about the benefits of home cultivation, being able to inhale cannabis through smoking or vaporizing, etc. to counter the assertions Speaker Vos made in the Channel3000 interview.