Democratic representatives in Wisconsin are redoubling their efforts to legalize recreational cannabis for adults. Senator Melissa Agard and Representative Darin Madison believe that by legalizing and taxing cannabis, public safety will improve through regulation, state agriculture will flourish, and the industry will emerge “out of the shadows,” potentially generating billions in state revenue.
The proposed legislation recommends directing 60% of the cannabis tax revenue towards communities that have been disproportionately impacted by past racial marijuana policies, reports the Wisconsin Examiner. Madison underscored the existing racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests and convictions, despite comparable usage rates among different races.
Agard, having conducted tours to advocate for legalization, highlighted the widespread, bipartisan support, with nearly 70% of Wisconsin voters in favor of legalization, according to recent polls. She also addressed the concerns of those opposing, characterizing them as largely based on misinformation. Agard noted that states where cannabis is legal have not witnessed an increase in youth usage and have established measures to tackle impaired driving and safeguard both employers and employees.
“Wisconsin is losing millions of dollars of revenue to our neighboring states due to the GOP’s refusal to listen to the will of the people. Wisconsin’s legislature cannot afford to sit idly by – we must legalize to promote economic development in Wisconsin,” Agard tweeted in January.