Medical marijuana bill comes to a halt in Wisconsin

 

MADISON Wis. (CBS 58) -- Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he doesn't plan on making any changes to his medical marijuana bill to address concerns raised by Senate Republicans, a move that could impact the chances of the proposal reaching Gov. Tony Evers desk.

On Tuesday, Vos told reporters he's unwilling to amend his bill that would create state-run medical marijuana dispensaries, a provision Senate Republicans have an issue with.

"We have a very detailed bill that I am pretty sure has 50 votes in our caucus to pass," Vos said. "So taking and re-negotiating the bill means we probably lose votes in our caucus."

Vos added, "I'd rather get us through the promise we made which is to have a comprehensive bill that could actually become law, as opposed to an ethereal idea that maybe someone can support one day but never makes it anywhere."

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said last week it would be a challenge for his caucus to support the measure because pharmacists would dispense medical marijuana, instead of private entities.

The Republican from Oostburg also said there's "a lot of that bill is really good," however he added having the state operate the dispensaries is a "nonstarter."

Sen. Mary Felzkowski, a longtime GOP proponent of medical marijuana, has also expressed the same concerns with the proposal. Last session, her bill to legalize cannabis for medical purposes received a public hearing, but never received a vote.

Her office did not respond to a request for comment on whether she's working on her own bill to counter Assembly Republicans.

Meanwhile, most Democrats are widely opposed to the effort because it would be most of the most restrictive medical marijuana programs in the county by limiting who can legally possess cannabis and prohibiting smokeable products.

Gov. Evers has signaled support for medical marijuana legislation but was noncommittal to the GOP effort when asked about the proposal.