'That's A Placebo': Medical Pot Advocates On Wis. Cannabidiol Bill
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As a medical marijuana bill remains a controversial issue in Minnesota, Wisconsin has approved a bill for a marijuana component.
Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill this week legalizing cannabidiol, or CBD, which has reportedly been shown to work for children in Colorado. The oil was illegal in Wisconsin, because it contains a small amount of THC.
Still, parents with sick kids here in Minnesota, who have been advocating for a medical marijuana bill, say the Wisconsin bill isn't the solution.
"This isn't going to help anyone anytime soon," Jessica Hauser said.
Her 2-year-old son, Wyatt, suffers from a rare form of epilepsy. He has up to 100 seizures a day. She says the biggest problem with the bill in Wisconsin is access.
"Even if a doctor prescribes or endorses it, they won't have a legal way to access it," she said.
It's still illegal to grow marijuana in Wisconsin, and federal laws prevent interstate transport of marijuana products.
"To me, that's a placebo," said Joni Whiting, from Jordan. "They're not giving them anything."
Whiting lost her 26-year-old daughter to melanoma. She says her daughter's last months of life were less painful when she had access to medicinal marijuana.
"They have to legalize the whole plant, not just a small component," Whiting said. "That's what will help the most people."
Advocates for a bill in Minnesota say it's not as simple as moving across the river to save their loved ones.
"Time is of the essence for kids with seizures, patients with cancer," Hauser said. "We can't wait."
"As long as I have breath in my body I will fight for every one of those mothers," Whiting said.
If a bill passes in Minnesota, it would become the 23rd state to legalize the drug.