On Wednesday, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced he would support a limited medical marijuana legalization proposed by Republicans.
“I would think that getting it all done in one fell swoop would be more thoughtful as far as meeting the needs of Wisconsinites that have asked for it,” the Democrat told The Associated Press. But if that's what we can do today, I'll support it.”
Republicans planned a Monday bill introduction. GOP lawmakers have consistently rejected Evers and other Democrats' proposals to legalize medicinal and recreational marijuana. Vos said the idea would be restricted and fashioned after adjacent Minnesota's medicinal marijuana regime before legalization.
“I’m glad that the governor is open to supporting our proposal,” Vos said Friday. "But if he keeps saying it's only a precursor to recreational marijuana, this proposal will die."
Republican state Sen. Mary Felzkowski, who authored a medicinal marijuana measure that received its first hearing in 2022, was also pleased that Evers was sympathetic to it. Felzkowski denied involvement in the Assembly's current plan.
Evers indicated he would back a restricted Republican bill despite not having seen it. Democratic Sen. Melissa Agard, who has supported complete legalization, said Republicans were not consulting her on the measure and she didn't know what it would include.
The devil’s in the details with all policy making,” Agard added. “It's hard for me to say I support or oppose something I haven't seen.” Wisconsin is a national outlier. Thirty-eight states allow medicinal marijuana and 24 allow recreational. Wisconsin's legalization effort has grown as neighboring have relaxed rules.
Marquette University Law School surveys have demonstrated that Wisconsin people have long supported marijuana legalization.