Surrounded by Legal Weed, Wisconsin Tries Again

Over the last decade, Democrats in Wisconsin, including Governor Tony Evers, have repeatedly tried and failed to legalize marijuana in the state, even as every neighboring state has moved in the opposite direction.

At least five marijuana-related bills have been introduced during that time, only to be quickly shut down by Republicans who control both the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate. Governor Evers has also attempted to include marijuana reform as part of state budget proposals, but those efforts have stalled before gaining any real traction.

READ MORE: Pot For Potholes! Why Wisconsin Should (But Won’t) Legalize Marijuana

Despite those headwinds, Democratic lawmakers are once again pushing forward with a new proposal aimed at legalizing both recreational and medical THC products in Wisconsin.

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What the New Wisconsin Bill Would Do

The latest bill would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older, establish a medical marijuana program for patients 18 and up, and allow possession of up to 2.5 ounces in public and up to five pounds at home. It would also create a Division of Cannabis Regulation within the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to oversee growing, processing, testing, and transportation of cannabis products statewide.

Supporters say the proposal is designed to create a regulated system similar to those already operating in nearby states like Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan.

Regional Pressure Builds Around Wisconsin

Democrats argue Wisconsin is increasingly isolated when it comes to marijuana policy, and that the state is losing millions of dollars in potential tax revenue as residents cross state lines to legally purchase cannabis. That money, they say, could instead be used for roads, schools, and other public needs.

Republicans, however, remain firmly opposed to recreational marijuana. While some GOP lawmakers have expressed openness to a very limited medical program, they continue to reject broader legalization. With Republicans maintaining control of the legislature, the bill is widely expected to face the same fate as previous efforts.

Wisconsin One of the Last Holdouts in USA

Wisconsin now finds itself in a shrinking group of states with no comprehensive marijuana laws at all. Only four other states currently lack both medical and recreational marijuana programs: Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Carolina.

For now, the divide remains, and Wisconsin residents continue to watch surrounding states move forward while their own legalization debate stays stuck in place.