Medical marijuana: Senate Republicans signal support
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Medical marijuana legislation is gaining momentum at the state Capitol with Senate Republicans "close" to supporting the plan after years of opposition.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he believes enacting a medical marijuana program in Wisconsin could pass this legislative session only if restrictions are in place to ensure it's used for individuals suffering from severe pain.
"We don't want people going in because their back hurts and getting medical marijuana," LeMahieu said. "It needs to be cancer pain, you know — prescribed."
Last month, the Republican leader told CBS 58 he still had reservations about the proposal but also signaled movement among members of his caucus.
"From a medical marijuana standpoint, I still think it should be something the FDA gets involved with, but I think our caucus is getting closer to potentially getting there on an issue like that," LeMahieu said during a December interview.
It marks the first time a Republican leader of the Senate has signaled support for holding a vote on medical marijuana. Former Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald opposed the plan, which prevented legislation from moving forward.
Over the last few years, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) has shown a desire to legalize medical marijuana.
State Sen. Mary Felzcowski (R-Tomahawk) held a committee hearing last session to get input and recommendations on her proposal that would allow people with debilitating conditions to use medical cannabis with a doctor's recommendation.
The last time lawmakers held a hearing on a medical marijuana bill was over a decade ago when Democrats had control of the Legislature.
Felzcowski and Vos did not respond to requests for interviews.
The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network's Jay Selthofner said there are many reasons to legalize medical marijuana, chief among them is helping treat people who are in pain.
He said people die every day in Wisconsin from painful conditions, and they could be helped by the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana. "There are people with chronic disabilities, people who are plagued everyday by pain. Medical marijuana is a game changer in the everyday life of Wisconsinites."
An October Marquette Law poll showed 64% of registered Wisconsin voters favored legalizing marijuana. Eighty percent of Wisconsin supports marijuana for medical use, according to a 2019 poll.
But the Wisconsin Medical Society is against it, saying a medical marijuana program is premature. In a statement, they said "Until science can determine which elements in grown marijuana are potentially therapeutic and which are potentially harmful, any “medical” marijuana program is at best a pale imitation of true medical therapies developed through scientific research."
Governor Tony Evers has proposed recreation marijuana in previous budget proposals. Republicans blocked the measure.