Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said today he doesn’t back legalizing medical marijuana in Wisconsin without FDA approval.

During a WisPolitics.com luncheon, LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said if the FDA approves medical use, marijuana should then be treated like any other prescription drug.

“If the federal government delists it and it goes through FDA testing, then it should be treated like any other drug,” LeMahieu said. “If there’s advantages to it, if it helps out people, I have no problem with it as long as a doctor’s prescribing it.

“But I think that discussion needs to be done at the federal level and not have some rogue state doing it without actual science behind it.”

He also said there’s not enough support within his caucus for medical or recreational marijuana, which Gov. Tony Evers has proposed legalizing in his state budget.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has voiced support for medical marijuana, but said it should be taken up as standalone legislation.

Regarding recreational marijuana, LeMahieu said police officers and employers have concerns about people driving or working under the influence and that he’s also concerned about long-term social effects. And he said it’s important for states to keep their laws in line with federal laws.

During today’s luncheon, LeMahieu also addressed the state budget, election-related bills and priorities for spending federal COVID-19 aid.

See more in today’s PM Update.

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