MADISON: Is My Medicine Legal YET? Founder Jacki Rickert, the namesake of Wisconsin medical cannabis legislation, urged supporters to not give up hope and to keep pushing until their medicine is legal at a "Vigil for Victims of Medical Marijuana Prohibition" Monday on Capitol Square. She also promised supporters she would be back for next year's vigil on June 7, 2011, and reminisced about her late friends Cheryl Miller, Mary Powers and Joe Hart, all medical cannabis activists.
Rickert was among several speakers at the vigil at the King St. corner of the State Capitol Square in downtown Madison.
I was another, explaining to attendees, onlookers and passersby about why medical cannabis patients and advocates were gathering downtown on a Monday evening with signs and a memorial table. I also talked about the loss of Mary Powers, the Army veteran and Wisconsin medical cannabis leader taken by cancer in October 2009. I noted how a year earlier, Mary had told vigil attendees that she "knew what her demise would be."
Earlier, our friend Mark Shanahan played the Wisconsin medical cannabis anthem, "Legal Medicine Blues" as attendees, who knew all the words, sang along. Shanahan, who plays the tasty guitar licks on Rick Harris' original recording of the song, has been a strong supporter of medical cannabis over the years, playing numerous events both solo and with his bands, and always playing a sing-along version of the popular tune.
Shanahan played the first IMMLY Benefit at Mother Fools Coffeehouse in Madison with Rick Harris after which Harris wrote Legal Medicine Blues. Harris had performed at the first such vigil on June 7, 2009. Mark Shanahan and his band will again be headlining the 8th Annual IMMLY/Madison NORML medical cannabis benefit at the Frequency on Oct. 1, 2010 with Brok'n Arrow opening.
Also on hand was Jay Selthofner, who read two poems dedicated to friends who had passed away in the last year. Selthofner, a Green Lake County based activist, is also a the co-founder of Northern Wisconsin NORML and was NORML's field director during the JRMMA campaign.
After the speeches, activists held banners, garnering honks of support from passing cars and thumbs up from people passing by, some who joined us.
One passerby was not so supportive. A 40-ish man riding a mountain bike approached us and while stating that Jacki Rickert in her wheelchair "deserves to have medical marijuana", that it was a dangerous "mind-altering drug," and that a couple glasses of wine were much safer. After badgering participants a bit more, activists finally employed a bullhorn to expose his inconsistencies, sending him on his way.
Attendees pronounced the Second Annual Vigil for Victims of Medical Marijuana Prohibition a success.
For more info: While efforts to pass the Jacki Rickert MMJ Act (JRMMA) failed in the 2009-2010 legislative session, plans for advisory referendums this fall and other efforts are underway. Learn more by signing up at JRMMA.org: The official site of the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act or on Facebook. Please add your name to their email list and stay in touch as this movement continues to pick up momentum. Madison NORML Examiner: Jacki Rickert MMJ Act 2010 runs out of time in Wisconsin Legislature. For additional details on medical cannabis and Wisconsin visit JRMMA.org, IMMLY.org, Wisconsin NORML or MadisonNORML.org. Visit my Madison NORML Examiner articles archive. Photo courtesy IMMLY/Madison NORML and friends. All rights reserved. Madison NORML Examiner is dedicated to the memory of our sister and hero Mary Powers (1949-2009).
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Examiner.com
Author: Gary Storck
Contact: Examiner.com
Copyright: 2010 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Website: Jacki Rickert urges Wisconsin medical marijuana supporters to not give up at Capitol vigil
* Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
Rickert was among several speakers at the vigil at the King St. corner of the State Capitol Square in downtown Madison.
I was another, explaining to attendees, onlookers and passersby about why medical cannabis patients and advocates were gathering downtown on a Monday evening with signs and a memorial table. I also talked about the loss of Mary Powers, the Army veteran and Wisconsin medical cannabis leader taken by cancer in October 2009. I noted how a year earlier, Mary had told vigil attendees that she "knew what her demise would be."
Earlier, our friend Mark Shanahan played the Wisconsin medical cannabis anthem, "Legal Medicine Blues" as attendees, who knew all the words, sang along. Shanahan, who plays the tasty guitar licks on Rick Harris' original recording of the song, has been a strong supporter of medical cannabis over the years, playing numerous events both solo and with his bands, and always playing a sing-along version of the popular tune.
Shanahan played the first IMMLY Benefit at Mother Fools Coffeehouse in Madison with Rick Harris after which Harris wrote Legal Medicine Blues. Harris had performed at the first such vigil on June 7, 2009. Mark Shanahan and his band will again be headlining the 8th Annual IMMLY/Madison NORML medical cannabis benefit at the Frequency on Oct. 1, 2010 with Brok'n Arrow opening.
Also on hand was Jay Selthofner, who read two poems dedicated to friends who had passed away in the last year. Selthofner, a Green Lake County based activist, is also a the co-founder of Northern Wisconsin NORML and was NORML's field director during the JRMMA campaign.
After the speeches, activists held banners, garnering honks of support from passing cars and thumbs up from people passing by, some who joined us.
One passerby was not so supportive. A 40-ish man riding a mountain bike approached us and while stating that Jacki Rickert in her wheelchair "deserves to have medical marijuana", that it was a dangerous "mind-altering drug," and that a couple glasses of wine were much safer. After badgering participants a bit more, activists finally employed a bullhorn to expose his inconsistencies, sending him on his way.
Attendees pronounced the Second Annual Vigil for Victims of Medical Marijuana Prohibition a success.
For more info: While efforts to pass the Jacki Rickert MMJ Act (JRMMA) failed in the 2009-2010 legislative session, plans for advisory referendums this fall and other efforts are underway. Learn more by signing up at JRMMA.org: The official site of the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act or on Facebook. Please add your name to their email list and stay in touch as this movement continues to pick up momentum. Madison NORML Examiner: Jacki Rickert MMJ Act 2010 runs out of time in Wisconsin Legislature. For additional details on medical cannabis and Wisconsin visit JRMMA.org, IMMLY.org, Wisconsin NORML or MadisonNORML.org. Visit my Madison NORML Examiner articles archive. Photo courtesy IMMLY/Madison NORML and friends. All rights reserved. Madison NORML Examiner is dedicated to the memory of our sister and hero Mary Powers (1949-2009).
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Examiner.com
Author: Gary Storck
Contact: Examiner.com
Copyright: 2010 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Website: Jacki Rickert urges Wisconsin medical marijuana supporters to not give up at Capitol vigil
* Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
Thanks for putting the video in. Rick was a great friend and activist also. Here is the poem and link to article. 
