Wisconsin Republicans unveiled a proposal to legalize medical marijuana that is not smoked through state-run pharmacies staffed by pharmacists employed by the government. The plan has a set of limited conditions for patients who may qualify.
In a series of Monday press conferences held across the state, GOP state legislators detailed the much anticipated legislation that would make Wisconsin “the first state to have state run dispensaries,” which are operated by the Department of Health Services.
The proposal, as expected, would create a restrictive cannabis system that restricts patients to smokeless options like oils and gummies. Patients with certain conditions could receive a prescription from a doctor and purchase the products. These products would be available at five dispensaries in the state.
Rep. Jon Plumer said that the program he and his colleagues have developed will be beneficial to many Wisconsinites. He also acknowledged that state-controlled dispensaries are a major difference between their program and other states with medical marijuana laws.
Cancer, epilepsy and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) are all qualifying conditions. So is glaucoma. Also, severe chronic pains, muscle spasms or chronic nausea. Multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, Alzheimer’s Disease, and terminal illnesses with a life expectancy of less than 365 days.
The state would run the dispensaries, but growers and processors could operate independently if they obtained a state permit. Plumer stated that the pharmacists dispensing cannabis to patients will be “state workers”.
“We believe we have put together a good program.” He said that the program will be modified as we gain more knowledge about it and realize what changes we need to make. “But I believe we’re starting from a very strong point.”
Rep. Tony Kurtz, (R), said that the proposal highlights how Republicans “lead to having a great chance to introduce a medical cannabis program with controls.”
He said that the medical marijuana law will “help a great number of people” in our state, including “people I personally know who will benefit from this much-needed program.”
Plumer, who is Plumer’s deputy chief of staff, said the text has not yet been presented but that it is expected to be sent to a committee “shortly” as the lawmakers would like to have it passed through the legislature by “this spring.”
Plumer and Kurtz were the leaders of one of many press briefings Republicans held in various parts of the state to announce the details of the medical marijuana plan. The plan has been under development for months, as the leadership tried to find consensus within their caucus.
Rep. Joel Kitchens, (D), said at another event in Green Bay that “clearly, there is medicinal value” in marijuana. The legislation they have crafted will enact reform “in a very responsible manner, which alleviates some concerns about the abuse of marijuana.”
Gov. Gov.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has taken issue, insisting that the Republican medical marijuana plan should not be seen as a step towards adult-use legalization. He strongly opposes this.
Vos said to on WISN 12 that “one of my biggest fears is that this could be the first step towards recreational marijuana.” This is what scares most members of my caucus, because we know that legalizing recreational marijuana would be a bad thing for Wisconsin.
“We have way to many drugs.” Just recently, we went through an enormous opioid crisis. He said, “The last thing we need are marijuana shops in every small town of Wisconsin like those we see in Michigan and Illinois.” “They’re bad. If [Evers] is willing to sign a restricted version, then I am happy to work with anyone who is interested. If it’s a prelude to getting us to recreational, then it will kill the bill. I hope this won’t be the case.”
He said that the GOP’s proposed medical marijuana program would be the “most restrictive version of the entire country.”
Vos said last month that he’s “pretty confident” the medical marijuana bill will pass next year, even if it takes only Republican votes. Vos, however, said that he is “pretty sure” the legislature will pass the medical marijuana legislation even if “only Republican votes” are needed to get it through.
In the latest interview, he stated that supporters were “very close, or even there,” to getting enough votes for passage.
While Republicans have been working on modest reform , they’ve found that Democratic efforts to push for adult-use cannabis legalization has complicated their work.
Sen. Melissa Agard, who is sponsoring a bill for recreational legalization again in this session has challenged this position. She pointed out that the GOP majority set the agenda, and that they could advance medical cannabis reform at any time, but have not done so.
Agard, who resigned as Senate Minority Leader to run for Dane County Executive, told Marijuana Moment in a Monday statement that she was “thoroughly” reviewing the provisions of the new GOP legislation “because the Devil is truly in the details.”
She said that Wisconsin was becoming an increasingly isolated island of prohibition. Putting forward a medical cannabis bill with overly restrictive provisions would not help move the state in the correct direction. “I will continue my tireless advocacy for full legalization, which will provide public safety, freedom and opportunity to Wisconsinites.
Agard said that the bill “picks winners and losers and this doesn’t have to be like this.” She has also urged the public to pressure their representatives into holding an hearing on her reform legislation.
Last month, Senate Majority leader Devin LeMahieu said that there is “potentially a” path to passing a medical cannabis bill in the session of 2024 — but it would have to be limited.
Evers said, on his behalf, that Wisconsin has “lost out” to neighboring states that have implemented the reform due to the GOP’s inaction.
Evers said that it was time to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana in Wisconsin, just like we do for alcohol. In November, he granted another round pardons . This included dozens of people who had prior marijuana convictions.
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In November, the state Department of Revenue published a fiscal estimate of Agard’s legalization bill’s economic impact. The department projected that this reform would generate approximately $170 million in annual tax revenue.
A legislative analysis, requested by the leader of the minority, estimated that Wisconsin citizens spent over $121 million on marijuana in Illinois alone in the past year, contributing more than $36 million to tax revenue in the neighboring state.
The conservative legislature, however, has been resisting even small reforms for years. For example, removing marijuana proposals from Governor’s budget requests.
A bipartisan group of Wisconsin legislators introduced , which decriminalizes marijuana possession , last month. The sponsors hope that the noncommercial, limited reform will gain enough support to pass the state’s GOP controlled legislature. It could also become law alongside the separate medical cannabis legislation.
DeSantis says he would’respect the decisions that states make’ on marijuana legalization, despite personal opposition
Photo by Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
The post Wisconsin Republicans Announce Plan to Legalize Non-Smoking Medical Marijuana with State-run Dispensaries first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
