by TChris

By a vote of 11-5, the common council of Madison, Wisconsin declared the week of March 14-21 "Madison Medical Marijuana Awareness Week." The five dissenters apparently think that awareness is a bad thing. A Madison resident speaking in support of the resolution explained its importance.

"In the face of uncontrollable suffering, marijuana has literally been a godsend," said Gary Storck, a glaucoma patient and medical marijuana advocate. "This resolution will send a message that this community thinks it's wrong that under federal and state law, the sick and dying should have to fear the police."

The council also weighed in on same-sex marriage. By a vote of 12-4, the council passed a resolution urging the Governor to seek the repeal of "discriminatory marriage laws" and opposing any constitutional amendments that would ban gay marriage.