Wisconsin: GOP gubernatorial candidates oppose legalization of marijuana despite voter wishes
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According to a poll released in March by Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 61% of respondents supported the legalization of cannabis. The poll found majority support among Republicans at 51%, independents (60%) and Democrats (75%). The poll represents “the first time we’ve seen a Republican majority in favour,” said Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette University Law School Poll.
The results of the poll contrast with the opposition of senior GOP candidates for governor to legalization of cannabis. Republican candidates Rebecca Kleefisch, Tim Michels and Tim Ramthun are pledging to veto any bill legalizing marijuana for any use, jsonline.com reported Thursday.
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However, a growing number of Republican lawmakers and candidates support legalization. Five out of eight Republicans running for office in the state (State Sens. Patrick Testin and Roger Roth; business owners Jonathan Wichmann and Kyle Yudes; and Dr. David King) favor legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.
During a candidate forum in June, Kleefisch said police officers told her that using marijuana was paving the way to greater drug use. “I listen to the police,” said Kleefisch. “We know marijuana is a gateway drug because that’s what law enforcement says. We have to stop it where it begins.” Likewise, Ramthun said “connections in Colorado” told him about “all new problems” in the state after marijuana use was legalized.
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Meanwhile, in a May interview on WTAQ, Michels said: “I don’t support the legalization of marijuana” (…) “I think it’s all a slippery slope. I really do.”
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
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