Medical Marijuana in Wisconsin
While Wisconsin’s neighboring states such as Michigan and Illinois have legalized adult-use of recreational cannabis, Wisconsin remains one of the final twelve (12) states in America that has not legalized medical use of cannabis for its resident patients. Further, Wisconsin is one (1) of only nineteen (19) states that still imposes jail time for simple possession of cannabis. The current Wisconsin laws are drastically affecting racial minorities the most as African American residents were reported 4.2 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than Wisconsin’s white residents.
In 2018, Governor Tony Evers proposed his first-ever budget to remove all penalties from cannabis possession and expungement, as well as to establish a complex medical cannabis program. However, every Republican member voted to scrap the cannabis program. Wisconsin Senate representatives put a further hindrance on implementing a medical marijuana program in the “Badger State” as Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu opined that there are not enough votes to legalize cannabis for medicinal or recreational purposes.
In April 2023, Wisconsin lawmakers made note to the public that Republican lawmakers were working with medical marijuana support groups to develop comprehensive, yet strict medical marijuana legislation that may be announced by the end of the 2023 summer. This is a huge step as Wisconsin law does not permit statewide citizen-initiated ballot measures.
According to an August 2022 Marquette Law School poll, over two-thirds of Wisconsinites support marijuana legalization. Support of legalization of marijuana by Wisconsin residents is further exemplified by their spending of $121.2 million on marijuana from legal retailers in Illinois during 2022 alone, which could have been a huge economic boost to Wisconsin if they had some type of marijuana reform.
Upcoming Applications for Medical Marijuana Business License
As the Republican-led Wisconsin legislative intends to announce a proposed medical marijuana bill by the end of the 2023 summer, now is the time to get started with your comprehensive and strategic business plan. Contact one of our consultants to further discuss your options here.
Last Updated: July 18th, 2023