The public hearing on the legislation , which would legalize medical marijuana, was held in the Senate Committee on Insurance, Licensing and Forestry and attracted about five hours of testimony.
Tony Evers to fully legalize recreational and medicinal cannabis use were stripped out of Evers’ budget document by Republican-controlled committees.
Under the legislation, cannabis can be recommended by physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses who must be registered in Wisconsin and certified to recommend cannabis.
Additionally, the bill limits medicinal cannabis use to eight specific conditions: Crohn’s Disease, glaucoma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Amyotrophic Later Sclerosis.
“As many of you know, having been in the Legislature for quite some time, the bill proposed is usually not the bill passed.
According to the most recent Marquette University Law School poll, 61% of Wisconsinites including both Democrats and Republicans support legalizing cannabis.
Melissa Agard said that the bill doesn’t go far enough, and fails to address systemic issues arising from the drug war and prohibition.
When she served in the Assembly, Agard introduced legislation to fully legalize cannabis — an effort that is still stalled.
Taylor also highlighted that the state leads the nation in the incarceration of Black residents, and hosts the nation’s most incarcerated zip code.
And I have the honor to serve and speak to so many of my constituents on this issue.
They included veterans who used the plant to relieve PTSD and physical pain, people who used cannabis to avoid addictive drugs and people who moved out of state due to Wisconsin’s prohibition.
“It’s beyond time for us to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin,” said Macco, noting that the bill itself isn’t a pathway to full legalization.
Although the Legislature has adjourned until 2023, Felzkowski rejected the charge that the hearing was a gimmick, instead describing it as an important step in a long process.
He was also featured in the 2018 documentary The Chase Key, and was the recipient of the Sierra Club Great Waters Group 2021 Environmental Hero of the Year award.
In Wisconsin’s great progressive tradition, we aim to hold the powerful accountable to the people, follow the money, and dig out the truth.