Democratic Governor Tony Evers and his GOP rival Tim Michels disagree when it comes to the legalization of marijuana in Wisconsin. Evers has even promised to prioritize legalization in his upcoming state budget if he is re-elected. The Democratic governor told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a recent article that “it’s time for Wisconsin to join more than a dozen states across the country by legalizing and taxing marijuana, much like we already do with alcohol, so we can continue to compete for talented workers to come to our state, expand access to medical treatment for thousands, and have more resources to invest in critical state priorities like K-12 education.” Although Michels has not recently commented on the issue publicly, he did say in a radio interview with WTAQ in May that “I do not support the legalization of marijuana. I think it’s all a slippery slope. I really do.” According to an August Marquette University Law School Poll, 69% of registered voters thought marijuana should be made legal while 23% wanted it to remain illegal and 8% did not register an opinion.
Evers’ plan for legalization, a replica of a plan he proposed in 2021, would require marijuana retailers and distributors to obtain permits from the state Department of Revenue. Marijuana producers and processors would be required to get permits from both the Department of Revenue and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). DATCP would also be required to test marijuana products for potency and contaminants. Evers’ plan would impose a 15% excise tax on wholesale marijuana sales while retail sales would require a 10% excise tax in addition to the existing sales tax. According to Evers, the taxes would generate an additional $165.8 million in fiscal year 2025.
Legalization in Wisconsin hinges on the GOP-controlled legislature, which has not indicated a desire to change the status quo. While the co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee, Rep. Mark Born and Sen. Howard Marklein have not commented on the chances of Evers’ proposal being included in the next budget, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu has indicated he would not support legalization in Wisconsin until the Food and Drug Administration signs off on it. “I think that discussion needs to be done at the federal level and not have some rogue state doing it without actual science behind it,” LeMahieu said in 2021.
