Wisconsin Lawmakers Reintroduce Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill

A pair of Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin reintroduced a medical cannabis legalization bill in Madison Jan. 26.

Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Patrick Snyder’s legislation is identical to a bill Felzkowski filed last year, according to an AP News report.

The latest proposal from Felzkowski and Snyder would create a new state commission to regulate medical cannabis in Wisconsin. Physicians who earn a certification from the commission would be able to recommend cannabis to their patients, according to AP News.

Patients could then access medical cannabis in liquid or oil form, which could be dissolved in alcohol or in a topical formulation, the news outlet reported. Inhalants would be prohibited under the legislation, according to AP News.

The bill also levies a 10% state excise tax on wholesale cannabis.

Last year’s medical cannabis proposal stalled under then Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, AP News reported.

Devin LeMahieu, Fitzgerald’s successor, has said that medical cannabis legalization should be done at the federal level, AP News reported, although Felzkowski told the news outlet that the senate majority leader is “more than willing” to allow a hearing on the legislation.

Gov. Tony Evers supports legalization and included proposals to decriminalize adult-use and legalize medical cannabis in his 2021-2023 state budget proposal last year, although the provisions were ultimately scrapped by Republican lawmakers.