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SOUTH MILWAUKEE – Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Monday announced a bill creating a medical marijuana program and state-run dispensaries in Wisconsin, marking the first time an effort to legalize cannabis has been pushed by at least one leader of the Republican-controlled state Legislature.
Wisconsin is one of 12 states where recreational or medical marijuana is not available. Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Tony Evers have for years called for the legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical use but have been blocked so far by GOP legislative leaders.
Now, Republican lawmakers are growing warmer to the idea of allowing marijuana use for medicinal purposes, but the bill released Monday would not allow users to smoke cannabis, nor would it pave the way for private dispensaries in Wisconsin.
“The people of Wisconsin have said they want us to try to find solutions for the problems that vex our society,” Vos said. “There are very few Republicans that I know, and I would say most employers and even an awful lot of citizens, that do not want to see this become an end-around to get us toward recreational marijuana.”
Evers told reporters last week he would sign a bill that creates a medical marijuana program, even if it is restrictive — unless Republicans include a “poison pill” like cuts to taxes or diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that he opposes.
Vos said the bill has the support of at least 50 Republicans in the Assembly, which would be enough to pass the…
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