In 2025, will lawmakers inch closer to marijuana legalization in Wisconsin?

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The long-standing debate at the state Capitol whether to legalize medical marijuana is expected to resurface in the new year.

But whether lawmakers can agree on the framework remains to be seen after it was a major sticking point in 2024.

During end of the year interviews, Democratic and Republican leaders both expressed interest in legalizing medical marijuana, but policy differences between GOP leaders could again stall progress.

"I do believe medical marijuana could be a godsend for the people who really need it and that's why I want to get something passed," said Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester).

In early 2024, Assembly Republicans introduced a highly restrictive medical marijuana bill that prohibited smokable cannabis and created state-run dispensaries.

By February, the proposal was dead after it faced criticism from Democrats and top Republicans in the Senate for its limitations and the provision allowing the state to run dispensaries instead of private entities.

Now heading into the upcoming legislative session, it appears lawmakers will have some new marijuana proposals to discuss.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said his caucus is likely to introduce their own bill to legalize cannabis for medical purposes, which would differ from Assembly Republicans' proposal.

"The Assembly's plan for state dispensaries is a non-starter for a lot of members of our caucus," LeMahieu said. "In order for a bill to have a chance, it would need strict guidelines…there's members of our caucus who are very interested in that issue."

LeMahieu did not elaborate on the specifics of the bill.

Vos said he'll probably wait to reintroduce their medical marijuana proposal until he sees what the Senate offers.

"If they have a better plan, I'm always open to looking at it," said Vos. "Until I see a proposal from them, I think our plan is a pretty good one."

Democrats are also prepared to introduce a medical-only bill as well, said Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein.

After Democrats recently picked up 14 seats in the Legislature, shrinking Republican majorities in both chambers, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer said she's optimistic it could lead to more compromise on the issue.

"I think the big picture here is the people of Wisconsin want to see medical and recreational marijuana legalized and I'm hopeful we can see more progress on that now that we have a more balanced legislature," said Neubauer.

Wisconsin remains one of the few states without any form of marijuana legalization despite broad public support and many neighboring states such as Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota all having laws legalizing cannabis for adult use.

In the most recent statewide polling on the issue, 63% of respondents say they support legalizing marijuana, according to a Marquette University Law School poll.

Democrats, including Gov. Tony Evers have proposed measures for recreational marijuana, however those efforts have never gained traction in the GOP-controlled legislature.

Both Vos and LeMahieu say they only support launching a medical marijuana program that focuses on treating chronic pain.

Despite a variety of opinions, there has been some progress over the last few years as lawmakers inch closer to finding consensus.

In 2022, lawmakers held their first public hearing on a marijuana proposal in over a decade.

The last time lawmakers held a hearing on a medical marijuana bill was in 2009 when Democrats had control of the Legislature.

The proposal never advanced out of committee, but since then conversations have continued.