Evers Likely To Include ‘First Step’ Toward Marijuana Legalization In State Budget

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says he will likely include a “first step” toward legalizing medical marijuana in his first state budget proposal.

Wispolitics.com reported on Wednesday that Evers made the comment in response to a question after meeting with board members of the Wisconsin Technology Council on Tuesday.

Evers was asked about his views on marijuana and said he favors legalization but doesn’t want to rush it.

Evers said his budget proposal will likely start the process of legalizing medical marijuana and other steps for full legalization, including possibly calling for a statewide referendum.

He said he would sign that bill but “I just want to make sure we do it correctly.”

State Rep. Melissa Sargent, D-Madison, praised Evers’ statement, saying it’s encouraging to have a partner in the governor’s office “actually willing to have this conversation.”

“It’s clear that Gov. Evers has heard the voices of the people of Wisconsin and realizes that prohibition of marijuana is not working and that it’s time for us to find a pragmatic and common-sense solution for the state of Wisconsin so that we can move forward and help make our state be more safe and more prosperous,” Sargent said.

When asked whether the budget is the right place for marijuana policy, Sargent said it’s because of the fiscal impact it could have.

“Budgets reflect our values, and I think a lot of people assume that when we put our budgets together that we’re spending money,” Sargent said. “Certainly, that’s the case often. But with the legalization of marijuana across the state of Wisconsin, we would actually see an increase in revenue in ways that we would have money coming into our state so that we could invest in what it is we care very much about.”

Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, of Juneau, has said he doesn’t support legalizing medical marijuana, while Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, of Rochester, has said he’s open to it.

Fitzgerald told WPR on Tuesday that legalization is a policy item and probably wouldn’t stay in the budget. He also said it would be a hard sell among Republican state senators.

“I still don’t believe the support is there within the Senate caucus to move in that direction, but I know the debate is going on nationwide,” Fitzgerald said.

In November, voters in 16 counties and two cities voted in favor of non-binding referendum questions asking whether marijuana should be legalized for medical or recreational use.

Brian Seamonson, the deputy director of the Madison chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), said support for marijuana legalization in Wisconsin is hitting a turning point that politicians can’t ignore.

“I think it’s there and people are coming around,” Seamonson said. “They’re not being afraid to talk about it anymore.”