GOP unveils medical marijuana bill: Here's what you need to know

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Assembly Republicans unveiled a proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin, days after Gov. Tony Evers signaled support; however, the effort is receiving mixed reviews from lawmakers.

The GOP bill is one of the most restrictive in the country, by limiting who could legally possess medical cannabis, prohibiting smokable cannabis, and allowing the state to run dispensaries instead of private entities.

Who's Eligible?

Severely ill adults who have chronic diseases like cancer would be allowed to apply for a medical marijuana license under the bill.

Qualifying conditions include cancer, HIV or AIDS, seizures and epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma, severe chronic pain, severe chronic nausea, severe muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, chronic motor or vocal tic disorder, Tourette syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and any terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of less than one year.

Additional conditions could be added under future legislation.

Republican authors of the bill estimate 40,000-60,000 Wisconsinites would be eligible.

Terms and Restrictions

The proposal only partially legalizes cannabis in some forms, such as oils, pills, and edibles. Smokable cannabis would be prohibited.

Residents would not be able to grow their own marijuana either.

Those who qualify under the program would need to show proof of their condition through a physician in order to apply for a medical marijuana license, which would cost $100.

Once approved, a licensed health professional would administer the proper dosage at one of five dispensary locations operated by the state. The regional locations would be decided by the Department of Health Services.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said this provision was important to ease concerns from some Republicans and law enforcement who fear creating a medical cannabis program would be a launching point to recreational use.

"They wanted to have as close to a guarantee as possible that this would not lead to recreational marijuana," Vos said. "So, by having a state-run dispensary, that's probably the biggest difference. We are not going to have every ZIP code with marijuana stores like they do in other states."

No Additional Revenue

Marijuana would not be subject to Wisconsin's sales tax, under the proposal, a key difference compared to neighboring states who generate millions in tax revenue from marijuana sales.

Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota have all legalized recreational marijuana.

Last year, Wisconsinites paid over $36 million in taxes attributed to marijuana sales in Illinois, according to a memo by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Critics Slam Proposal as "Half-baked"

Democrats who have long advocated for recreational marijuana criticized the Republican bill.

Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison) said the proposal picks "winners and losers."

"This is a really serious issue, and it is clear that people in Wisconsin are excited and anxious for us to get it done, but it's vitally important we get it done right," Agard said. "There will be a number of people that miss out on this, and I know we are still going to see full parking lots in our boarding states with Wisconsin license plates."

Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein posted on social media, "Wisconsinites don't want the most restrictive medical marijuana program in the county, we need the most effective."

GOP Concerns

The leading Republican proponent of medical marijuana in the Senate also signaled she's not fully on board with the plan rolled out by Assembly Republicans.

Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) expressed concerns about the state dispensing marijuana instead of the private sector.

"I am a firm believer that private entities, run by those with expertise in this area of medicine, are more efficient and more effective than any government agency," Felzkowski said in a statement. "Taking this option off the table is the primary cause of my unease at this time."

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, who told CBS 58 last month he believes there's “a path” to approving medical marijuana in his chamber, suggested in a statement the bill needs some changes.

"The specific details of the proposal are important and need to be thoroughly vetted before the Senate decides how to proceed," LeMahieu said.

Timeline

Vos said public hearings will be held on the bill "in the coming weeks" as Republicans look to fast-track the proposal in the Assembly.

If the proposal clears both chambers, Gov. Evers said he would sign a medical marijuana bill, even if it's very regulated.