Mary and Gary Shows Document Capital Lobbying


Mary Powers with Jacki Rickert 10-04-09.


MADISON: August 11, 2010 marks the first anniversary of the filming and release of the first of a series of very short films documenting lobbying efforts at the Wisconsin Capitol, the “Mary and Gary Show”.
The eventually seven Mary & Gary Shows tell the story of lobbying efforts for the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (JRMMA) before its introduction in Nov. 2009 along with the final months of Mary Powers, a disabled Army veteran, cancer/AIDS/HCV patient and medical cannabis activist.
Mary was also the Secretary of Madison NORML as well as an active board member. Mary knew she would not live to see medical cannabis legal in Wisconsin, yet she spent the last months and weeks of her life at the Capitol, imploring lawmakers and staffers to do the right thing and support the JRMMA. Mary was able to gain the cosponsorship of both her state legislators, State Rep. Kelda Helen Roys and her State Senator, Mark Miller. Miller cosponsored the bill the day Mary passed away, on Oct. 22, 2009, at just 50 years of age.
Although Mary’s passing was a crushing loss for those who were fortunate enough to have known her, a high point in the campaign for the JRMMA was a Memorial/Lobby Day at the State Capitol Jan. 20, 2010 where hundreds of medical cannabis supporters paid their respects to Mary, a true activist..
Below is the second in the Mary & Gary series. we had a lot of fun making them, then I would rush home and edit each episode and had it online that night. I’m thankful Mary wanted to make these and share her story.


Second of seven Mary & Gary Showepisodes.
Mary’s life and her quiet dignity in the face of a heavy burden of serious illness and cancer treatments, being wheelchair bound and other indignities should be an inspiration to anyone who really cares about this issue and the quality of life for our veterans, seniors, sick, disabled and dying.
http://www.examiner.com/x-30194-Madison-NORML-Examiner~y2010m8d6-Mary–Gary-Shows-documented-Capitol-lobbying-final-months-of-MMJ-activist-Mary-Powers-life