December 12, 2017

From: Marissa Kelley

[University of Wisconsin – Whitewater student] [815 W Main Street] [Whitewater, WI] [53190]

To: Don Vrunwink

[43rd District State Representative] [23 W Ash Ln] [Milton, WI] [53563]

Dear Representative Vrunwink:

I am a senior currently attending the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. I am writing to you

in hopes that you will consider my opinion and facts when voting for the refinement of the
legalization of medical marijuana in Wisconsin. As a student whose focus is on social work and
public health, I find it imperative that the residents of Wisconsin are able to medically use
marijuana and its derivatives without worry of the current restrictions.

As I have studied, although marijuana and CBD oil are legal to patients who suffer from severe
epilepsy, it is nearly impossible for them to receive treatment due to the fact that cultivators have
no legal protection in the growth of marijuana. With the harsh restrictions on who qualifies for
use and access to the medication, it can drive patients to use illegal marijuana or opioid pain
relievers. With the massive opioid epidemic the nation and Wisconsin is currently experiencing,
it is crucial that legislators reduce the risk of increased dependency of opioid abuse. The National
Institute on Drug Abuse funded a study that yielded the prosperous findings listed below, in
regards to medical marijuana and opioid abuse.

 Legally protected access to medical marijuana dispensaries showed lower levels of

prescription opioids
 Reduction in self-report of nonmedical prescription opioid use
 Lower treatment admissions for prescription opioid use
 Decrease in prescription opioid overdose deaths

The legalization and refinement of laws against medical marijuana and cannabinoids may
drastically reduce pain and suffering experienced by those with illnesses, as well as decrease the
steadily increasing rate of prescription opioid related overdoses. I urge you to reconsider the
present restrictions. Thank you for your consideration and please feel free to contact me in order
to further discuss the matter.

Sincerely,

Marissa Kelley