Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly approve ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana

Cannabis was the big winner in Wisconsin's midterm elections.

Cannabis referendums passed overwhelmingly in all 16 counties and 2 cities, with up to 88 percent support for medical and 76 percent support for recreational. While these referendums were only advisory, they show cannabis law reform to be more popular than many of the lawmakers who won in these areas. This should send a strong message to the incoming Wisconsin legislature that cannabis law reform — including medical cannabis, cannabis decriminalization, and cannabis legalization — must be a priority in 2019.

Another huge victory was kicking out staunch prohibitionist Gov. Scott Walker and prohibitionist Attorney General Brad Schimel and electing Tony Evers and Josh Kaul to replace them. Both Democrats are supportive of medical cannabis and open minded on recreational cannabis. The close margin in statewide races means they both owe their jobs to the hundreds of thousands of cannabis voters who came out to support the referendums.

U.S. Senate hopeful Leah Vukmir suffered a double-digit loss at the polls. As chair of the Wisconsin Senate's Health and Human Services Committee, she blocked all medical cannabis legislation. During a televised debate this fall, she claimed cannabis is more addictive than meth. Wisconsinites rejected her Reefer Madness-style fear-mongering on cannabis and they understand its safety and efficacy.

NORML plans to schedule meetings with Governor-elect Evers and legislative leadership to ensure the clearly demonstrated will of the people is quickly enacted.

Read more: https://www.wisconsingazette.com/news/wisconsin/wisconsin-voters-overwhelmingly-approve-ballot-initiatives-to-legalize-marijuana/article_e340f62e-e2f8-11e8-98e1-b78ef59e1e11.html