Democrats in Wisconsin submitted a motion to add medical cannabis back into the state’s budget proposal for 2021-2023. They did so as a compromise to allow some sort of cannabis legalization citizens are calling for. Unfortunately, the Joint Finance Committee, the same committee that removed both the medical cannabis and recreational cannabis legalization measures from the proposal, did so again with this new motion.
Medical Cannabis
Representative Evan Goyke (D), who also sits on the Joint Finance Committee, took to Twitter to express his disappointment in the committee’s decision. Not just medical cannabis, but other provisions as well, such as strengthening Wisconsin’s unemployment, replacing lead pipe waterways still in operation, and regional farmer support programs.
“The theme of GOP missed opportunities continues today in Finance,” Representative Goyke tweeted after the Joint Finance Committee voted down the motion for medical cannabis.
Committee Cochairman, Senator Howard Marklin (R), voted to remove almost 400 points from Governor Tony Evers’ budget proposal. He called the motion to re-add medical cannabis to the state’s budget as out of order.
Proposal
Governor Evers has been advocating for the legalization of cannabis for several years. He has also included legalization efforts into previous budget proposals, each of which have been removed by the Republican party. This year, he proposed both medical and recreational cannabis legalization as neighboring state, Illinois, had done so in 2019. Sales have been huge since they started in 2020. Sales are expected to exceed $1 billion, creating a large amount of revenue for Illinois.
“Frankly I’m kind of tired of talking to the governor from Illinois,” Governor Evers said during a virtual town hall meeting. “Whenever I get with him, he thanks me for having Wisconsinites cross the border to buy marijuana.”
Unfortunately, it seems Wisconsin citizens will need to continue to travel to Illinois for their medical and recreational cannabis needs. Wisconsin remains a dry state for another year. Any new proposals will have to wait until the next legislative session.
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