The vast majority of states have some form of legal cannabis, but a few holdouts remain. One such state may finally change its stance on marijuana after GOP lawmakers introduced a new bill aimed at medical consumers: Wisconsin.
The legislation, which has yet to be released to the public, would legalize medical marijuana in the Badger State. Wisconsin Senate President Mary Felzkowski, Sen. Patrick Testin, and Assemblymember Patrick Snyder are leading the initiative.
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In a press release, Felzowski said the measure seeks to empower citizens who may benefit from the therapeutic use of cannabis without fear of retribution.
“Someone who suffers from a serious health condition should not have to make the choice to travel to another state or break the law so they can try an alternative medicine for relief. This legislation is about giving our friends, family members, and neighbors suffering from a chronic illness the freedom to explore another option with their doctor.”
The legislators added that the bill could also provide economic benefits for residents. Wisconsin is a cannabis prohibition island, with neighboring Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota all having legal adult-use marijuana. A 2022 analysis showed Wisconsinites spent $36 million on cannabis in Illinois alone.
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“This is also a chance for small businesses in our state to take part in this market with reasonable regulations on making and selling these products, all while still protecting public safety,” Felzkowski said in the release.
Felzkowski and Snyder previously introduced a medical marijuana measure that ultimately failed. That bill was fairly restrictive, permitting only certain extracts and topicals. Smokable flower or other inhalables would have remained illegal. It remains to be seen whether the new bill has the same stipulations.
A majority of Wisconsin residents support legalizing cannabis. However, with so much political infighting occurring at the Capitol, it remains to be seen whether lawmakers in America’s dairyland will pass reform this time around.
