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Madison — Advocates for medical marijuana say they have their best chance yet of passing a bill through the state Legislature.

Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle said recently he supports the idea, and the lead co-sponsors of the bill on Monday announced committee hearings would be held Dec. 15 on the bill.

"I do think the chances are pretty good for this to become law," said Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee), the chief Senate author of the bill.

Erpenbach said Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston) was "open to the idea" of scheduling a floor vote on the bill. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison), the lead Assembly sponsor, said he was confident the Assembly Public Health Committee would approve the bill and forward it to the full Assembly.

Advocates for medical marijuana have pushed their efforts for years but have made little headway in the Capitol. Gary Storck, who has congenital glaucoma, said Wisconsin's laws must change to protect those with cancer, AIDS and other serious illnesses.

"We're not criminals. We're people just trying to get on with our lives," said Storck, a board member of the group Is My Medicine Legal Yet?

The bill would allow people with debilitating medical conditions to grow up to 12 marijuana plants or buy up to three ounces of marijuana from new, non-profit "compassion centers." Patients would have to register with the state Department of Health Services.

If patients bought marijuana on the street, they could use their medical condition as a defense at trial.

Patients would not be allowed to drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of marijuana. They could not smoke it in schools, parks and many other public places.

The bill would cover people with cancer, AIDS, Crohn's disease, Hepatitis C, Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and other maladies.

Jason Glaspie of Madison said he welcomed the bill because marijuana was crucial to managing his pain as he went through chemotherapy and radiation for a cancerous brain tumor.

"I personally feel there's no reason you can have morphine or something that has huge side effects and you can't grow a plant in your garden that makes you feel better," he said.

Erpenbach and Pocan said they saw several signs of improving conditions for their bill. They noted President Barack Obama's administration has taken a hands-off approach in dealing with states that have medical marijuana laws. In the past, federal authorities have conducted raids on dispensaries in California and other states because marijuana is illegal under federal law.

Last week, the American Medical Association called for more research of medical marijuana, which proponents said was another sign of support for medical marijuana laws.

Erpenbach said the Assembly and Senate health committees would consider the bills together at the Dec. 15 meeting.

"It's a combined hearing - not a joint hearing, but a combined hearing," he said.