State Reps Support Medical Marijuana Extract

Representative Joel Kitchens

Rep. Kitchens released the following statement after the Assembly Committee on Children and Families Executive Committee Hearing: “I am pleased to report that Assembly Bill 49 and Senate Bill 10, both pertaining to tetrahydrocannabinols and the use of cannabidiol, passed unanimously in today’s executive committee hearing. CBD Oil is a natural, non-psychoactive marijuana extract which is used to treat seizures. This bill does not legalize medical or recreational marijuana. This bill legalizes the possession of CBD Oil with a doctor’s prescription. This bill will allow families to possess CBD Oil in Wisconsin without fear of prosecution, affording them peace of mind as they treat their loved ones. When I found out that I would be chairing the Assembly Committee on Children and Families, I knew we would be dealing with important, time-sensitive issues. Last week when we heard firsthand accounts of how CBD Oil can help families, I realized this was the right thing to do on every level. I am proud that the first bill we heard will bring hope, promise and relief to families and individuals that deserve it the most. I thank Representative Scott Krug and Senator Van Wanggaard for their leadership on this issue. Most importantly, I thank the families and individuals who came to tell us their heartbreaking stories during the public hearing, you are the true ‘authors’ of legislation like this. I look forward to voting for this good bill on the floor of the Assembly and I anticipate broad bipartisan support.”

Source: Kitchens press release

Governor Scott Walker

Gov. Walker said he supports a measure that would legalize possession of a marijuana extract used to treat seizures. Walker told reporters that he’s mainly concerned about opening the door to full-fledged legalization of marijuana but the bill appears to be crafted narrowly enough to avoid that. The bill legalizes possession of cannabidiol oil with a doctor’s certification. The oil doesn’t produce a high. The Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure. The Assembly Committee on Children and Families was set to hold a public hearing on the bill. The Assembly passed a similar measure last session but it died in the Senate.

Source: fox6now.com

Congressman Mike Gallagher

Rep. Gallagher delivered a speech on the House floor on the “Commitment to Civility” document he signed along with a bipartisan group of 45 freshman members of the 115th Congress. The document memorializes the members’ agreements to, among other things, restore collegiality, trust and civility to Congress, encourage productive dialogue, and work to build consensus and the public’s trust in our institutions. Here are some of his remarks: “…The disparity between how we do business in Wisconsin and how business gets done (or doesn’t) in Washington, D.C. couldn’t be wider. I’m of the humble opinion that the world needs more Wisconsin, and less Washington D.C. At a time when politics seems more deeply divided than ever, further debased by an endless media cycle that rewards vitriol and scandal, and when faith in our basic institutions is diminishing, I think the overwhelming majority of the American people are looking for something better. They sent us here to fight for our ideas, not to demonize the other side in a cynical attempt to get on TV or fundraise. The American people voted against the politics of the past, which only seeks to divide us and stir up controversy. We can do better. We must do better…”

Source: Gallagher press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Sen. Baldwin and a group of 10 senators led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to appoint an independent Special Counsel to investigate possible illegal communications between retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn and representatives of the Russian government, as well as efforts by Flynn and other White House officials to conceal any wrongdoing. “An independent investigation is now necessary to determine what General Flynn did, who knew about it, and when,” the senators wrote. “To maintain the confidence, credibility and impartiality of the Department of Justice, we urge you to immediately appoint an independent Special Counsel to investigate collusion with the Russian government by General Flynn and other Trump campaign, transition, and Administrative officials.”

Source: Baldwin press release

Senator Ron Johnson

Sen. Johnson and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the chair and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson drawing his attention to the recent hospitalization and possible poisoning of Russian pro-democracy advocate and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza. “As you begin the difficult task of formulating the Administration’s Russia policy, we write to ask you to pay close attention to a most troubling development,” the senators wrote. “Mr. Kara-Murza is a friend of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Over the years, many Members of Congress and our staffs have met with him to discuss the deterioration of the rule of law, free speech, and press in Russia. He testified before our committee in June of last year about the punishment of dissent and the dangers that opposition activists face in Russia. In addition to numerous political prisoners, since Vladimir Putin rose to power in Russia, around 30 journalists, critics, and opponents of the Kremlin’s policies have been killed.”

Source: Johnson press release

 President Donald Trump

Facing a growing chorus of calls from Democrats and Jewish leaders urging him to speak out against anti-Semitism, President Trump said Tuesday the recent spate of threats targeting the Jewish community in the U.S. are “horrible” and “painful.” Trump made the remarks after a tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Source: CNN