Wisconsin lawmakers are pushing for cannabis legalization

Wisconsin Senator Melissa Agard finally wants to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin. This week the Midwestern state legislature put laws in place to make them happen. More than 60 percent of Wisconsin’s citizens already support full legalization of marijuana, while over 80 percent support legalization of the use and sale of medical marijuana.

Agard announced the legislation outside of South Beloit’s marijuana dispensary. It is right on the state line between Illinois and Wisconsin. “This proposal will not only enable our state to redress past wrongs, it will also open countless doors for our farmers and the agricultural sector to participate in a growing industry,” said Agard. “Wisconsin can no longer ignore the cannabis industry – we are losing millions of dollars and family-sustaining jobs to our neighboring states.”

Agard has been campaigning for marijuana legalization for years. She is one of the many Democratic sponsors of the new Wisconsin law. With the passing of the bill, the Senator wants to provide the state with more economic support. “This proposal will not only enable our state to redress past wrongs, it will also open countless doors for our farmers and the agricultural sector to participate in a growing industry,” said Agard.

“Wisconsin can no longer ignore the cannabis industry – we are losing millions of dollars and family support jobs to our neighboring states. […] Wisconsin is an island of prohibition. Ban didn’t work when it comes to alcohol. It didn’t work with margarine, and it doesn’t work when it comes to cannabis. “

If cannabis becomes legal, Wisconsin is projected to have annual tax revenues of $ 165 million. The District of Columbia and 35 states, including Midwestern states like Illinois and Michigan, are already reaping the benefits. Since Agard has represented District 16 earlier this year, she has continued to campaign for her state to join the majority of the country in order to keep up with the times. Now Agard is urging people to ask their lawmakers to sign law LRB 4361. Call the local lawmakers begging them.

Months ago, the Senator even penned a comment entitled “It’s Not Too Late for Wisconsin to Lead Marijuana Policy”. She has been calling for the legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational use since 2013. She even drafted previous laws in the state to no avail.

“I want to get back to the main reason that everyone should support full legalization in Wisconsin,” she wrote. “It helps us to live up to the ambitious words of our founding that we are all created equal and should be treated as such according to the laws of our state. We can lead in this effort. There is no reason for Wisconsin to be the last state to be legalized; we just have to have the political courage to do the right thing. “

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers also wants to do the right thing. Earlier this year, Evans proposed legalizing marijuana for the biennium 2021-2023. If his plan is approved, $ 80 million of the estimated $ 165 million in government revenue would go straight to the country

“Community Reinvestment Fund”.

The fund would support communications damaged by outdated laws that have exacerbated racial inequality in the state. “Legalizing and taxing marijuana in Wisconsin – just like we are already doing with alcohol – ensures a controlled marketplace and safe products for both recreational and medical users,” Evans told our communities, creating a fairer state. In all honesty, the red and blue states across the country have pushed legalization forward and there’s no reason to leave Wisconsin behind when we know it’s backed by a majority of Wisconsinites. “