Evers’ budget proposal would legalize recreational marijuana

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says his budget plan will include a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana, an idea that will likely be blocked by the Republican-controlled Legislature but could be a catalyst to allow the use of medical marijuana.

Evers said the recreational marijuana measure could generate $166 million in revenue that would be used to help fund rural schools and programs for marginalized communities, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

“Legalizing and taxing marijuana in Wisconsin - just like we do already with alcohol - ensures a controlled market and safe product are available for both recreational and medicinal users and can open the door for countless opportunities for us to reinvest in our communities and create a more equitable state,” Evers said in a statement.

Wisconsin is among a minority of states that have not legalized marijuana use in some form despite recent state polling showing more than half surveyed support it. Thirty-six states have medical marijuana programs, including states bordering Wisconsin. Fifteen states have legalized recreational marijuana in recent years, including Illinois and Michigan.

Support for one or both of the pot proposals is growing in Wisconsin.

In the 2018 election, 16 counties and two cities voted to support medical or recreational marijuana in referendums. A 2019 Marquette University Law School poll found that 59% of Wisconsin voters supported legalizing recreational marijuana and 83% backed legalizing medical marijuana.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos of Rochester recently said he supported legalizing medical marijuana but not recreational marijuana. He wants the issue to be addressed separately from the state budget.

Under Evers’ plan, buyers would have to be 21 or older to purchase the drug for recreational purposes and 18 or older for medical use. Wisconsin residents could possess at most 2 ounces and six plants for personal use. Out-of-state residents could possess 0.25 ounces at most.