MADISON, Wis. -- A Republican opponent of allowing medical marijuana in Wisconsin accused Democratic backers of the proposal of using chronically ill patients to push a secret agenda of making pot legal for everyone.

State Rep. Leah Vukmir's claim at a Tuesday public hearing drew boos from many in the room packed with sick people in wheelchairs or walking with the assistance of canes. Supporters said marijuana helps patients deal with painful diseases, cancer treatments and other ailments.

Vukmir said there is no medical reason to use marijuana and that other pain relief measures should be pursued that "do not require individuals to light a joint."

Bill sponsors Rep. Mark Pocan of Madison and Sen. Jon Erpenbach of Waunakee vehemently denied that their goal was to legalize marijuana for everyone.

Advocates for medical marijuana hope a Democratic-controlled Legislature will make Wisconsin the 14th state in the country to legalize using the drug to help ease the pain of cancer treatments and other serious diseases.

The public hearing was held before the state Senate and Assembly health committees.

"We're here for a specific reason: asking for treatment," said Jacki Rickert, a medical marijuana advocate.

Advocating for a bill that holds her name, Rickert said marijuana helps ease pain she feels daily.

"I know I'll still have to take some morphine, but if I'm able to use that in conjunction with cannabis I can cut it in half," said Rickert.

She and other patients who swear by the drug want it to be legal in Wisconsin.

Under the proposal, a person would need a prescription from a doctor to receive marijuana. It could either be grown at home or obtained through a licensed nonprofit dispensary.

"I'm a living medical miracle, why should I be a criminal?" said Gary Storck, who suffers from Noonan's disease. "My doctors in California support me, my doctors in Wisconsin support me. I spent my whole life trying to get this medicine legal."

"We have a room full of people, some of which are dealing with diseases that none of us could really ever imagine, and I don't know how you can look them in the eye and tell them no," said Erpenbach.

But Vukmir said she believes it's a slippery slope where marijuana could eventually be legal for everyone.

"I'm sorry, as a parent I don't want this exposure for children," Vukmir said. "Yes, I think this whole notion of compassion (is valid); yes, I am concerned about people who have illnesses, and there are ways to take care of those people. But this isn't what this is about, and I wish you'd be more honest about that."

Erpenbach took issue with Vukmir's charge and said he has no intention of making marijuana legal across the board.

"I've had a family member struggle with addiction his entire life all because of drugs, and the last thing I want to see happen is full legalization," said Erpenbach.

Medical organizations said they don't support any drug that is used by smoking, and that it's not the state's place to legalize a drug.

"This is about changing the marijuana plant from an illegal substance to an approved medicine," said Michael Miller, with the Wisconsin Medical Society. "This is not the way to approve a new medicine."

But some say it's the only thing that works.

"I was born with a condition. I didn't ask for this. Cannabis has been like a key fitting a lock for treating this condition for me," said Storck.

Both the Assembly and Senate public health committees will still need to schedule a vote on the bill.

According to a fiscal estimate, the state Department of Health Services couldn't say how many people would qualify for marijuana prescriptions.