MADISON – Today, Rep. Hysell, Rep. Madison, Sen. LaTonya Johnson, and other legislative Democrats introduced legislation to legalize cannabis for recreational and medicinal use.
In response, Rep. Hysell (D-48) released the following statement:
“Legalization is about freedom. Adults in Wisconsin deserve the freedom to make their own decisions, including whether or not to use cannabis. Wisconsin is an outlier when it comes to this issue. Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio have all passed legislation to legalize cannabis for responsible adult recreational use.
“The status quo of prohibition is no longer acceptable. In 1975, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that its constitution protected a citizen’s right to possess a small amount of marijuana for personal use. Yet over fifty years later in Wisconsin, we still don’t have that right.
“Standing in the way of people’s freedom is not good politics. Almost 70% of Wisconsinites want to legalize cannabis for adult use and even more for medical. And, according to President Donald Trump, Governor Scott Walker even lost his reelection in 2018 because of his opposition to marijuana. At an Oshkosh rally in 2020, Trump told Walker, who was in the audience:
‘The next time you run please don’t put marijuana on the ballot at the same time you’re running.’
“Trump was referencing the over one million Wisconsinites that voted in 2018 on local advisory referenda to legalize marijuana.
“This legislation is comprehensive and sets up a path for revenue collection, consumer and child protection, an efficient licensure process, a medical program, and decriminalization and expungement for those negatively impacted by prohibition.
“I also want to recognize, and appreciate the leadership, of Dane County Executive Melissa Agard for her years in the legislature advancing this issue. We stand on her shoulders today, continuing the work that she began in 2013.”
