News & Press Center
Recent News
Governor Evers Includes Marijuana Legalization in Budget (February 2025)
February 24, 2025
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has included marijuana legalization in his budget request for the 2025-27 biennium. The governor's more than 160-page Budget in Brief outlines a plan to "legalize, regulate, and tax the sale of marijuana for recreational use, much like Wisconsin already does with alcohol."
This marks another attempt by the governor to advance marijuana reform through the budget process. While Republicans will undoubtedly remove all policy from the budget, narrower majority-minority margins this session might lead to some discussion this year.
Assembly Majority Leader Rep. Tyler August, R-Walworth, stated: "I don't think anyone is naive enough to think that marijuana and THC products aren't present in the state of Wisconsin when they are readily available over state lines, so I think we need to come to an answer on this. I'm hopeful that we can."
Companion Bills AB50 and SB45 Introduced (March 2025)
March 6, 2025
Companion bills AB50 and SB45 have been introduced to detail what marijuana legalization could look like in Wisconsin. These bills would create several avenues to legally obtain marijuana, including through an adult-use market, a medical program, and home grow opportunities.
The Bills would also regulate delta-8 and delta-10 THC as marijuana and eliminate the prohibition of possessing or using marijuana drug paraphernalia.
Initial responses to the proposal indicate that medical marijuana may have a path forward, but not necessarily as written in the Bills or budget proposal. Those interested in becoming involved in the marijuana industry in Wisconsin should stay tuned.
Wisconsin Governor Wants To Let Voters Legalize Marijuana By Ballot (January 2025)
January 6, 2025
The governor of Wisconsin says residents of the state should be allowed to propose new laws by putting binding questions on the ballot—citing the fact that issues such as marijuana legalization enjoy sizable bipartisan support while the GOP-controlled legislature has repeatedly refused to act.
Gov. Tony Evers (D) said during a press conference that he will be including a proposal in his 2025-27 biennial budget to give citizens the right to put forward ballot initiative to enact statutory or constitutional policy changes if a majority of voters approve them.
"The will of the people should be the law of the land. Republican lawmakers have repeatedly worked to put constitutional amendments on the ballot that Republicans drafted, and Republicans passed, all while Republicans refuse to give that same power to the people of Wisconsin. And that's wrong," he said.
Press Releases
Governor Evers Announces Marijuana Legalization in Budget Proposal
February 15, 2025
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced his 2025-27 biennial budget will include proposals to legalize recreational and medical marijuana in Wisconsin.
"Legalizing marijuana is about more than just generating new tax revenue," said Gov. Evers. "It's about creating new jobs and economic opportunity in our state. It's about providing a path to recovery for those struggling with pain management and substance use disorders. And it's about connecting the dots between racial disparities and economic inequity by creating new opportunities for people and communities that have been historically left behind."
The governor's proposal would generate an estimated $165 million annually beginning in the second year of the biennium. The governor proposes to use these revenues to fund a Community Reinvestment Fund to support equity initiatives and invest in sparsity aid for rural school districts.
Wisconsin Department of Revenue Releases Fiscal Estimate for Legalization
January 30, 2025
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Revenue today released a fiscal estimate of the economic impact of marijuana legalization, projecting that the reform would generate nearly $170 million annually in tax revenue.
The estimate was based on analysis of sales data from neighboring states with legal cannabis markets, adjusted for Wisconsin's population and anticipated demand. The revenue would come from a proposed 15% excise tax on wholesale marijuana sales and a 10% retail excise tax, in addition to the state's 5% sales tax.
Media Coverage
Wisconsin needs to change its marijuana laws. Racial disparities demand it.
February 2, 2025
An opinion piece in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel argues that Wisconsin's marijuana laws need reform due to significant racial disparities in enforcement. The article cites data showing that Black Wisconsinites are 4.2 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than their white counterparts, despite similar usage rates.
The author argues that legalization would not only address these disparities but also generate significant tax revenue for the state. Gov. Tony Evers has said legalizing cannabis could generate $165 million for the state.
Is Medical Marijuana Coming to Wisconsin in 2025?
January 14, 2025
An analysis from Wisconsin Marijuana Card examines the prospects for medical marijuana legalization in Wisconsin in 2025. The article notes that while public support for medical marijuana continues to grow, political challenges remain a significant barrier to legalization.
The piece highlights recent comments from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including Republican State Representative David Steffen and Democratic State Senator-elect Jamie Wall, who have both expressed interest in finding a bipartisan solution.
Industry Updates
Wisconsin Hemp Industry Prepares for Potential Regulatory Changes
March 15, 2025
Wisconsin's hemp industry is preparing for potential regulatory changes as legislation that would regulate delta-8 and delta-10 THC as marijuana gains traction. The proposed changes in AB50 and SB45 would significantly impact businesses currently operating in the hemp-derived cannabinoid market.
Industry representatives have expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming the clarity that regulation would bring, while others worry about the potential impact on their businesses. The Wisconsin Hemp Alliance has called for a balanced approach that protects consumer safety while allowing the industry to thrive.
Neighboring States See Boost from Wisconsin Cannabis Tourists
February 28, 2025
Dispensaries in Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota continue to report significant business from Wisconsin residents crossing state lines to purchase legal cannabis products. A legislative analysis estimated that Wisconsin residents spent more than $121 million on cannabis in Illinois alone in 2022, contributing $36 million in tax revenue to the neighboring state.
This "cannabis tourism" has become a talking point for legalization advocates in Wisconsin, who argue that the state is losing potential tax revenue to its neighbors. Some border dispensaries report that Wisconsin customers make up as much as 30% of their business.