Libertarian Nominee Reaffirms Support For Medical Marijuana, Decriminalization
Washington, DC: NORML and other drug policy experts met this week in Washington, DC with Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Ed Thompson, younger brother of Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Tommy Thompson. Thompson, who is running for office as a Libertarian, has made marijuana-law reform – specifically legalizing the use of medical marijuana – one of the staples of his political campaign.
“When it comes to medical decisions, only [a patient] and [his or her] health care provider should be involved in deciding what’s best to restore your health,” Thompson said. “[I] believe that allowing sick and suffering patients to use medical marijuana in consultation with their own physician is right.”
In February, a Wisconsin state poll reported that 80 percent of voters favored legalizing medicinal marijuana to qualified patients. Thompson’s brother, Tommy Thompson, is opposed to even the limited use of marijuana as a medicine.
Ed Thompson, who has admitted to having smoked marijuana in the past, also says he supports decriminalizing the personal possession and use of marijuana by responsible adults.
NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup called Thompson’s willingness to meet with NORML and other drug reformers heartening. “It is encouraging to see major candidates for high office in this country begin to challenge current marijuana policy as a part of their campaign,” he said. “It’s a clear indication of the increasing public and political support for our position.”
Current polls place Thompson third in the gubernatorial race, behind Republican incumbent Gov. Scott McCallum and Democratic challenger Jim Doyle.
For more information, please contact NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup or NORML Communications Director Nicholas Thimmesch at (202) 483-5500.