APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – The discussion surrounding the legality of medical marijuana is beginning to intensify locally.
The hot topic when Appleton’s Board of Health met on Wednesday was the effects of marijuana.
Some alderpersons, such as Christine Williams, want it to be legalized for medicinal use. Her reason is personally driven.
“My father-in-law died from Parkinson disease, he lived in a state that did not have medical marijuana at the time,” says Williams.
Not everybody feels the same about the issue. Sergeant Nathan Borman with the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department gives an example of how their job would become trickier with the legalization of marijuana.
“The normal test we use for drunk driving isn’t necessarily effective for drug driving, again another thing we would need to address,” says Sgt. Borman.
Many within his department remain uneasy on the perspective of legalization.
“We’re concerned about the legalization of marijuana as a whole and we want to express our concerns on that and how we would address it from a law enforcement perspective,” explains Sgt. Borman.
One health expert acknowledged the need to control the substance if legalized.
“I think it would have to be regulated and have a physician write a prescription so we can’t create more problems than we might have,” says Kurt Eggebrecht, the Health Officer for the Appleton Health Department.
He acknowledged research has proven some medicinal benefits with marijuana exist, but not every claim has been scientifically proven.
“The one thing that I think there’s limited scientific evidence for is that medical marijuana helps reduce anxiety,” explains Eggebrecht.
No action was taken on Wednesday by the board, but next month they’ll have an opportunity to recommend the question be put on April 2nd election.
The issue will head to a full common council if it receives enough votes.
