The vast majority of U.S. states have legalized cannabis in some form, although a few holdouts remain. The Badger State is one such place, despite neighboring Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota all approving adult-use cannabis. Now, lawmakers in the Wisconin are hoping to move the needle on cannabis legalization—although they may face an uphill battle.
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During a press conference, a group of Wisconsin legislative Democrats announced a new bill to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. The legislation will also include regulations for intoxicating hemp products and create a medical cannabis program.
According to Marijuana Moment, adults 21 and over would be able to purchase cannabis or hemp products from licensed retailers. Beverages or edibles containing 10 milligrams of intoxicating cannabinoids or less would be considered hemp; everything else would be deemed marijuana.
Proposed possession limits are 2.5 ounces of flower in public, five pounds of cannabis flower at home, and 15 grams of cannabis concentrates. One gram of THC in an infused product is also permitted.
The legislation will also include unspecified restorative justice initiatives, including a potential re-evaluation of past cannabis convictions and prison sentences.
“Across the country, the cannabis debate is over,” Rep. Darrin Madison of Milwaukee said at the start of the press conference.
Madison noted that the legal hemp industry has created 3,500 jobs and contributed $700 million to the Wisconsin economy to date. He cited a separate report suggesting legal cannabis could generate $300 million annually for the state.
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The bill may face pushback from the Republican-controlled legislature. Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos previously claimed he was in favor of reaching a consensus on medical marijuana legalization, but that recreational cannabis would “be awful” for the state.
Partisan disagreements have contributed to the state lagging behind its neighbors with regard to cannabis. The GOP previously defeated amendments to a state budget bill that would have effectively legalized cannabis.
“Politics keeps on blocking progress,” Madison said, adding that 67 percent of Wisconsinites favor cannabis reform.
It may take a political shift in the state legislature for any reform to pass. While proponents are hopeful, post-midterms may be more telling for marijuana in Wisconsin.
