Medical marijuana bill dead, GOP leader says unlikely to pass

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A bill that would legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin is dead after a top Republican said it's unlikely to pass this year.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) told reporters his bill that would create state-run dispensaries won't pass this session.

It comes after a key GOP senator told CBS 58 last month it would be "pointless" to vote on the bill due to Vos' unwillingness to make changes to it.

Republicans and Democrats have expressed concerns that the bill allows the state to dispense medical cannabis, instead of private entities. Opponents also disapprove of the provision that prohibits smokable cannabis.

Public hearings on the bill will still happen, but not until lawmakers return for the next legislative session, Vos said.

"When we see that the Senate wants to have a more liberal version than the one we are willing to pass, it doesn't leave us enough time with the waning days of the session," Vos said.

Lawmakers plan to wrap up the current session by mid-March.