Republican Lawmakers Kill Cannabis Legalization Provisions in Wisconsin Gov’s Budget Proposal

Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin have killed provisions in the proposed state budget that would have established a regulated, adult-use cannabis program, the Associated Press reports. It marks the third time in as many years Republican lawmakers have jettisoned legalization priorities in Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ spending proposal. 

In a press release, Evers’ office said the reforms “would help Wisconsin compete with other states for talented workers and have more resources to invest in critical state priorities,” and pointed to a February 2024 Marquette University poll that found 60% of Wisconsin voters backed the reforms. 

The governor’s budget estimated adult-use cannabis legalization would result in $58.1 million in revenue in fiscal year 2026-27 “and growing amounts in future years” and would “create a process for individuals serving sentences or previously convicted of marijuana-related crimes to have an opportunity to repeal or reduce their sentences for nonviolent minor offenses.”   

The proposal would have imposed a 15% wholesale excise tax and a 10% retail excise tax on adult-use cannabis products. 

Wisconsin is bordered by Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota – which have legalized cannabis for adult-use – and by Iowa, which has not legalized cannabis for any purpose. Both adult and medical cannabis use remain illegal in the state.