Decriminalization and legalization bills introduced!
Last update: August 25, 2017
On August 24, Rep. Melissa Sargent filed AB 482, a bill to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana for adult use. It would also create a medical program for seriously ill patients in Wisconsin. In June, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced S 318/A 409, which would reduce the penalty for possessing under 10 grams of marijuana from up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 to a $100 civil fine.
Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia have stopped jailing individuals for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Polling shows that the majority of Wisconsin residents support ending marijuana prohibition. If lawmakers are not willing to respect that, they should at the very least take the step of eliminating the unnecessary and harmful criminal penalties for simple possession.
Medical marijuana legislation
There has been modest progress on improving Wisconsin’s CBD-focused medical cannabis law. On April 17, 2017, Gov. Scott Walker signed Act 4, which expands the state’s existing limited medical cannabis law, Lydia’s law, enacted in 2014. The original law allowed patients with documentation of a seizure disorder to possess CBD treatments, but it did not legalize the production of CBD products in the state. Act 4 expands the program to protect all patients who possess CBD and have a letter from their physician. Unfortunately, it remains illegal to produce or distribute CBD products. Sen. Chris Larson and Rep. Jimmy P. Anderson introduced legislation (S 104/A 158) that would allow state-licensed businesses to produce and dispense CBD treatment products.
Take action!
Speak out: Ask your senator to support medical marijuana legislation!
Contact us: Let us know if you’d like to be involved in the fight for sensible marijuana policy in Wisconsin by emailing [email protected].
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