According to a legislative analysis requested from a top Wisconsin senator, Wisconsin residents bought more than $121,000,000 worth of marijuana in neighboring Illinois in 2022. This contributed about $36 million to the state’s tax revenue.
Senator Minority Leader Melissa Agard (D), has sponsored legalization legislation at past sessions. The non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau was asked to examine how much money was being transferred from Wisconsin to Illinois through out-of-state cannabis purchases.
LFB released its findings last Wednesday, which estimated that $121.2 million was spent on marijuana by Wisconsin residents in the last year.
Analysts used data from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to arrive at that figure. This data provides monthly breakdowns of in-state and outside-state cannabis sales and county-by-county breakdowns.
LFB stated that their estimates were based on the assumption all out-of state marijuana purchases in counties bordering Wisconsin came directly from Wisconsinites.
Wisconsin’s outdated marijuana laws have been costing us more than $36 millions. Our lives are being disrupted. But this is so disappointing to see Wisconsinites hard-earned tax dollars going to Illinois. The WI GOP refuses the people’s will. https://t.co/TkqUEeOH8F
Senator Melissa Agard (@SenatorAgard), March 17, 2023
It pointed out, however, that actual numbers could be higher/lower based on a number of factors. For example, there is the possibility that some of the out-of-state sales came from other states such as Iowa, or that Wisconsin residents could have purchased cannabis in Illinois counties that do not directly border their state like Cook County, where Chicago is.
The analysis does not include potential sales in adult-use states nearby Wisconsin, such as Michigan.
The report shows that there is a margin of error despite the fact that Wisconsin’s GOP-controlled legislature has continued to refuse to pass legislation to regulate marijuana in the state.
Via LFB.
Agard stated in a press release that “it should upset every Wisconsinite” that tax dollars were being sent across the border to Illinois. This is revenue that could have been going towards Wisconsin’s public schools and transportation infrastructure. Instead, Illinois reaps the rewards of Republican obstructionism as well as their prohibitionist stance regarding marijuana legalization.
She stated that “We are an island in prohibition and the people are suffering because of it.” “As we have seen in neighboring states, legalizing marijuana to be used for adult purposes will generate substantial revenue for our mainstreets. It will also safely regulate the illicit market, reinvest into our agriculture and farming heritage and support entrepreneurship. This will help address the huge and egregious racial disparities that result from marijuana prohibition.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum published a separate report last month that found that half of the state’s adults aged 21 or older live within 75 minutes from a cannabis retailer in another state, such as Illinois or Michigan. If legislative efforts to legalize cannabis in Minnesota’s neighboring states succeed this session, that percentage could rise.
Meanwhile, Gov. Tony Evers (D-) released his biennial budget request last week. It included language to legalize recreational and medical marijuana in the state.
Let’s #LegalizeIt! 69% of Wisconsinites support legalizing marijuana. https://t.co/b8hAlOuBAM
— Senator Melissa Agard
@SenatorAgard March 17, 2023
The governor previously indicated that he would include the adult-use clause in his request, despite a GOP lawmaker warning that such a step could compromise negotiations for more modest medical cannabis legislation.
Agard stated that “if Republicans decide to remove it from their budget, I will once more introduce my bill to accomplish this goal.” He also said it was “high time” that this be done for the benefit of the state and all its residents.
“Listening to the people is the fundamental aspect of our job, as legislators. “The people of Wisconsin have been asking for the legislature to adopt common-sense measures that will propel our state forward,” said the minority leader. “We know that legalizing marijuana for responsible adult use is popular among Wisconsinites, even the majority of Republicans.
Because of the refusal by Republicans in Illinois to legalize marijuana, Wisconsin residents sent $121 million in tax revenue to Illinois and $36 million in total sales.
It is past time that we joined our neighbors in legalizing marijuana. pic.twitter.com/VCtgSSfIpj
— Senator Chris Larson (@SenChrisLarson March 17, 2023
His office calculated that $44.4 million would be generated by the state from “segregated taxes” and $10.2 million more in general fund tax revenue in fiscal year 2025, if reform is passed.
The governor also legalized adult-use and medicinal marijuana in his 2021 budget . However, the conservative legislature has repeatedly blocked the reform.
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Although Robin Vos, Assembly Speaker (R), stated in January that trying the adult-use legalization through budget could “poison” the well in the legislature, jeopardizing discussions on medical cannabis, the Senate leader has said that the less restrictive policy is possible this session.
Devin LeMahieu, Senate Majority Leader (R), stated that “our caucus has been getting pretty close to medical marijuana.” “Most of our members are at a point now where they can vote for medical marijuana. They just want it to be regulated properly.”
Recently, the governor stated that he was encouraged to hear from Senator Leader’s comments about closeness on medical marijuana. He said that he is ready to sign such legislation so long as it doesn’t contain too many restrictions.
Although Evers did not mention his legalization plan in his budget speech for this year, he stressed in his inaugural address last October that there must be a “meaningful discussion about marijuana treatment much like alcohol.”
Some Wisconsin legislators have filed bills to legalize marijuana for adult use. Former Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R has stated that legalization is “likely” to occur at some point. However, the legislature has failed to pass more modest propositions like decriminalization and the legalization of medical cannabis .
Evers met with college students ahead of the November election and encouraged supporters to get involved and vote in order to make sure that the state legalizes marijuana.
If Democrats had gained enough seats, they could also have passed a resolution that Governor introduced to allow citizens and voters to place initiatives on the ballot. Although advocates hope the move will allow voters to decide on marijuana legalization, it is unlikely that GOP lawmakers will agree.
Throughout the past few election cycles, voters throughout the state have been making sure that cannabis reform is on their minds. Recent results show that voters in five states and three counties supported legalization by approving non-binding advisory questions.
Local votes serve a purpose. They provide lawmakers with a clear policy climate-check among their constituents. However, the local votes that were approved won’t change any laws.
In August, a statewide poll found that 69 percent of Wisconsin registered voters believe cannabis should be legal. This includes 75% of independents, 51% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans.
Republicans filed a restricted medical cannabis bill last year. It received a hearing on 4/20 the unofficial marijuana holiday, but it was too late in the legislative session to allow lawmakers to vote on the measure.
Other GOP members have submitted bills to more modestly decriminalize marijuana ownership in the State, but none of these proposals were approved.
For a first offense, marijuana possession can result in a maximum $1,000 fine or six months imprisonment. A felony charge would be filed against anyone convicted of marijuana possession. This could lead to a maximum $10,000 fine, and up to three years imprisonment.
Last year, the governor vetoed a GOP-led bill that would have substantially increased criminal penalties for those who use butane and similar fuels to extract cannabis.
In the meantime, as legislators pursue reform, has issued hundreds of pardons throughout his tenure, mainly to those convicted of marijuana offenses or non-violent drug offenses.
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The post Wisconsin Residents Spended Over $121 Million on Marijuana at Illinois Retailers in 2022, Legislative Analysis Discovers originally appeared on Marijuana Moment.
