Wisconsin Senate Minority Leader Proposes Medical Cannabis Legalization for 2025

LOS ANGELES- Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard (D-Madison) has announced plans to introduce legislation to legalize medical cannabis in Wisconsin during the 2025 legislative session. This initiative builds upon previous efforts that have encountered resistance from Republican lawmakers.

Agard intends to reintroduce a bill similar to her 2022 proposal, which sought to establish a medical cannabis program under the oversight of the state’s Department of Health Services. She expressed openness to amendments, stating, “I’ll put it out there, but I’m open to amendments. I’m open to changes.”

Governor Tony Evers (D) has identified marijuana legalization as a priority for the 2025 legislative session, ranking it second among his administration’s objectives for the coming year. Evers has been a consistent advocate for cannabis reform, emphasizing its potential benefits for the state’s criminal justice system and economy.

Despite these efforts, the Republican-controlled legislature has historically opposed cannabis legalization. However, recent Democratic gains in the Senate have ended the GOP’s supermajority, potentially creating new opportunities for bipartisan support. Agard noted, “With 18 Republicans and 15 Democrats, I think they’re going to need our votes to get anything done in the state Senate.”

Public opinion in Wisconsin appears to favor cannabis reform. A poll by The Tarrance Group, released in August, found that 62% of Wisconsin residents support legalizing marijuana for adult use. Additionally, a recent survey revealed that nearly 65% of rural voters in the state support broad cannabis legalization.

Under current Wisconsin law, possession of even a small amount of cannabis is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail for a first offense, and a felony with up to 3.5 years in jail for subsequent offenses. Advocates for legalization argue that reform could address these stringent penalties and align Wisconsin with neighboring states that have already enacted cannabis legalization measures.

As the 2025 legislative session approaches, discussions surrounding cannabis reform in Wisconsin are expected to intensify, with potential implications for the state’s legal framework and economy.