Wisconsin GOP leaders slam more than 500 governor’s proposals, including legal cannabis

Wisconsin Republicans on Tuesday rejected more than 500 proposals from Gov. Tony Evers (D), including a proposal to legalize cannabis that would, among other things, fund the Milwaukee Brewers’ stadium renovation, create a paid family vacation program and more, reports AP News.

Evers called the step “stupid”. He had proposed using the record-high $7 billion budget surplus to fund a number of state spending priorities, which Wisconsin’s Republican leaders ultimately rejected. Members voted 12 to 4 to remove Evers’ provisions from the budget proposal.

“With a historic $7 billion surplus, we have a historic responsibility and opportunity to invest in needs long neglected and to build the future we want for our state,” Evers said on Twitter before he said listed a row of the 540 priorities that were rejected in a thread.

“These aren’t fringe ideas, controversial concepts, or Republican or Democratic priorities — they’re about doing the right thing. With historic excess comes historic responsibility and today, when we can afford to do more, this vote is stupid and a missed opportunity,” he added.

As far as cannabis is concerned, at least, this isn’t necessarily a shocking move, given that the Republican-controlled Legislature previously eliminated cannabis reform language from previous budget proposals. Wisconsin’s Republican lawmakers had also previously warned that they would not allow a proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis to go ahead.

The cannabis plan would have allowed adults over the age of 21 to purchase and possess up to two ounces of cannabis for personal use and to grow up to six plants. The Treasury would have been responsible for regulating the new cannabis market and issuing business licenses to potential cannabis professionals.

Evers’ office also estimated that the state would generate $44.4 million in “separate tax revenue” from legal cannabis and a $10.2 million increase in state general tax revenue in fiscal 2025 if the reform were passed in would come into force.

The governor is already known for his steady stream of pardons, mostly related to low-level crimes including cannabis-related offences. As of April 2023, Evers has received 933 pardons in just over four years in office.

“One of the most rewarding parts of my job as governor is having the opportunity to give a fresh start to people who have struggled to learn and grow from their past mistakes,” Evers said.

The onslaught of rejected proposals could also be a case of déjà vu for Evers, as the governor also included legalization of recreational and medicinal cannabis in his 2021 budget and decriminalization and medicinal cannabis in his 2019 proposal. The reforms were all blocked by the Republican legislature.

Last month, assembly spokesman Robin Vos told the Associated Press that Republican state lawmakers are working to privately build support for a medical cannabis program that aims to garner bipartisan support that may go into effect later this year should. Vos also expressed that he opposes the legalization of recreational cannabis and does not want to create a medical program to serve as a precursor to the adult market.

However, it looks like voters in Wisconsin are already setting their sights on a broader horizon. An August 2022 Marquette Law School poll of 811 state voters showed bipartisan support for legal cannabis, with 51% Republicans, 75% Independents, and 81% Democrats supporting legalization. A total of 69% of registered voters believed cannabis should be legal.

Additionally, delaying cannabis legalization any longer is likely to wipe out potential government revenue. A report released earlier this year found that 50% of Wisconsinites ages 21 and older live within 75 minutes of an out-of-state cannabis retailer, which is likely to increase as Minnesota moves closer to legalization.