A cannabis legalization bill has been introduced in Wisconsin for the fifth consecutive legislative session despite previous versions of the bill never receiving a hearing by either the House or Senate, the Wisconsin Examiner reports. Democratic state Sen. Melissa Agard announced the bill in front of a dispensary in South Beloit, Illinois, which is right across the Wisconsin border.
“We know that Wisconsin is ready for legalization—past ready for legalization—it is time for Wisconsin to do what we need to do—to realize that prohibition has failed our state and it is past time to get this done for our community. Legalizing and taxing cannabis in Wisconsin, just like we already do with alcohol, ensures the controlled safe market for our community. Legalizing cannabis ensures there are safe products available to our friends, family, and neighbors.”— Agard during a press conference
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers had included the reforms in his 2021 executive budget; however, they were not included in the budget passed by lawmakers as Republican leaders who called legalization part of “a liberal wish list.”
The proposal would allow cannabis sales to adults 21-and-older, allow possession of up to 2 ounces by adults, and legalize the cultivation of up to six plants. Half of the tax revenues derived from the cannabis market would be earmarked for “underserved communities and communities wronged by” prohibition, Agard said during the press conference.
Agard also noted that Wisconsin—which is bordered by Illinois and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—is “losing out on millions of dollars and family-sustaining jobs to our neighboring states.” Evers last year admitted he was “tired” of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) thanking him for the Wisconsin residents who cross the border to buy cannabis which leads to additional tax dollars for the state.
“We are losing money that we could be reinvesting to help support our friends and neighbors and make our state a place where people want to live, work, play, raise a family and plant their roots,” Agard said during her remarks.
The Wisconsin Senate’s top Republican, Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, said in April that he would not support any cannabis reforms in the state without federal action. He added that there is not enough support among the state’s Republican caucus for the legalization of either medical or recreational cannabis.
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