Political Landscape for Cannabis Reform in Wisconsin
Governor's Position
Governor Tony Evers (D) has consistently supported marijuana legalization in Wisconsin. In his 2025-27 biennial budget proposal, he included measures to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis similar to alcohol.
Key Aspects of Governor Evers' Approach
- Including marijuana legalization in multiple budget proposals
- Advocating for both recreational and medical marijuana programs
- Proposing to allow Wisconsin residents to put binding questions on the ballot, citing marijuana legalization as an issue with bipartisan support that the legislature has blocked
- Estimating that legalization could generate approximately $170 million annually in tax revenue
In January 2025, Governor Evers stated that marijuana reform is one of several key priorities the state should pursue in the 2025 session, especially given the state's budget surplus.
"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." — Governor Tony Evers, January 2025
Legislative Dynamics
The Wisconsin legislature remains divided on marijuana policy, with Republicans controlling both chambers but with narrower margins following the 2024 election.
Republican Leadership
- Assembly Speaker has been resistant to comprehensive legalization
- In 2024, Assembly Republicans proposed a limited medical marijuana program with state-run dispensaries, but the proposal faced criticism from some within the party
- Senate President has indicated she's "hoping to have a conversation" about legalizing medical marijuana in 2025, though she acknowledged the Assembly Speaker remains "an obstacle"
"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." — Assembly Majority Leader Rep. Tyler August, R-Walworth
"I do not want to see state-run dispensaries. The state should not be in the business of selling basically anything except for state-run things. Marijuana is not one of those things. If we're going to call it medical marijuana, it needs to be treated like a pharmaceutical. But the marijuana debate is going to be something that is not going to go away. The margins are tighter." — State Sen. Dan Feyen, R-Fond du Lac, Assistant Majority Leader
Democratic Position
- Democrats have consistently supported broader legalization
- Most would prefer full legalization but know that's a non-starter with the Republican majority, so medicinal is most likely, if anything
"Marijuana legalization is incredibly popular in Wisconsin. We saw that as local communities were passing referendums on medical and recreational marijuana, and I just think having 15 members in the State Assembly who are in very close seats means that people are just going to be listening." — Assembly Minority Leader Rep. Greta Neubauer, D-Racine
"I've had proposals for years. Speaker Vos had a very interesting bill last time that I wasn't in favor of. So, [I'm] hoping maybe we can work together and merge some okay ideas to actually get medicinal marijuana to the state of Wisconsin. I'm hopeful; we really are in a desert of nowhere." — Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton
Recent Changes in the Legislature
- Democrats picked up 14 seats in the Legislature during the November 2024 election
- Narrower majority-minority margins this session might lead to some discussion this year
- The changing composition of the legislature could put pressure on some lawmakers in competitive districts
The 2024 election results have created a political environment where compromise on medical marijuana might be more feasible than in previous sessions, though comprehensive recreational legalization still faces significant hurdles.
Ballot Initiative Proposal
In January 2025, Governor Evers proposed giving Wisconsin citizens the right to put forward ballot initiatives to enact statutory or constitutional policy changes:
- The proposal would be included in his 2025-27 biennial budget
- Evers specifically cited marijuana legalization as an issue with majority support that has been blocked by the legislature
- In 2022, the governor signed an executive order for a special legislative session to give people the right to put citizen initiatives on the ballot, but the GOP legislature did not adopt the proposal
This approach would potentially provide an alternative path to marijuana legalization in Wisconsin, bypassing legislative gridlock by allowing voters to decide directly. However, it would first require the legislature to approve the ballot initiative mechanism itself, which remains unlikely in the current political environment.
Public Opinion
Public support for marijuana legalization in Wisconsin remains strong:
- A Marquette University Law School poll in 2024 found that 86% of Wisconsin residents favored legalizing medical marijuana with a doctor's prescription
- A survey in early 2025 found that 65% of voters in rural parts of Wisconsin support legalizing cannabis
- Multiple local communities across Wisconsin have passed referendums supporting both medical and recreational marijuana
The disconnect between public opinion and legislative action remains one of the most notable aspects of the marijuana debate in Wisconsin. Despite consistent polling showing majority support for at least medical marijuana, the legislature has yet to pass comprehensive reform.
Economic Impact
The potential economic impact of marijuana legalization in Wisconsin has become a significant part of the political conversation:
- The Wisconsin Department of Revenue projected that legalization would generate nearly $170 million annually in tax revenue
- 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
- Legalization could create new jobs in cultivation, processing, retail, and ancillary services
- The economic argument has gained traction even among some conservatives who might otherwise oppose legalization
The economic benefits of legalization, particularly the potential to keep tax revenue in Wisconsin rather than seeing it flow to neighboring states, has become a compelling argument for reform advocates.
Key Stakeholders
Several key stakeholders influence the political landscape for marijuana reform in Wisconsin:
Political Figures
- Governor Tony Evers (D) - Consistent advocate for legalization
- Assembly Speaker - Resistant to comprehensive legalization but has shown openness to limited medical program
- Senate President - Has indicated willingness to discuss medical marijuana
- Sen. Melissa Agard (D) - Sponsor of comprehensive legalization bills
Advocacy Groups
- NORML Wisconsin - Advocates for marijuana law reform
- Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network - Grassroots advocacy organization
- Marijuana Policy Project - National organization with Wisconsin initiatives
Opposition Groups
- Wisconsin Family Action - Conservative organization opposing legalization
- Law enforcement associations - Many have expressed concerns about legalization
Medical Community
- Wisconsin Medical Society - Has expressed cautious positions on medical marijuana
- Individual healthcare providers - Opinions vary widely
Interstate Context
Wisconsin's position on marijuana is increasingly influenced by the policies of neighboring states:
- Illinois - Has legalized recreational marijuana, with many Wisconsin residents crossing the border to purchase
- Michigan - Has legalized recreational marijuana
- Minnesota - Has legalized recreational marijuana
The fact that Wisconsin is now surrounded by states with more permissive marijuana laws has created both economic and political pressure for reform. Wisconsin residents can easily travel to neighboring states to purchase cannabis products, resulting in lost tax revenue and creating a situation where Wisconsin law enforcement must deal with products legally purchased in other states.