Wisconsin Lawmakers Introduce Medical Marijuana Bill

Three legislators have introduced a bill that would legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin.

Sens. Jon Erpenbach, D-West Point, and Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, along with Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, introduced the bill Friday.

The bill would require patients to get a doctor’s recommendation. State health officials would have to create a registry system and agriculture officials would have to create a licensing system for growers, producers and sellers.

The bill faces an uphill fight in the Republican-controlled Legislature. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has been open to legalizing medical marijuana for years but Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, has said he doesn’t support it.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers proposed legalizing medical marijuana in the state budget but Republicans removed the provision from the final spending plan.