Current:Home > FinanceWisconsin Senate GOP leader says state-run medical marijuana dispensaries are a ‘nonstarter’-LoTradeCoin
Wisconsin Senate GOP leader says state-run medical marijuana dispensaries are a ‘nonstarter’
View Date:2024-12-24 21:03:19
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Having state-run dispensaries for medical marijuana in Wisconsin as proposed by Assembly Republicans is a “nonstarter” in the Senate, but there’s still the possibility of reaching a compromise that could pass, the Senate GOP leader said Thursday.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said at a WisPolitics.com event that the “challenge” for the Assembly bill is that many GOP senators are opposed to having the state operate the dispensaries.
“It’s a nonstarter for a lot of our caucus members,” LeMahieu said. “Why would we let government grow the size of government?”
The highly restrictive bill unveiled this week by Assembly Republicans would limit medical marijuana only to severely ill people with chronic diseases such as cancer and allow for it to be dispensed at just five state-run locations. Smokable marijuana would not be allowed.
LeMahieu said creating a new office within the Department of Health Services to handle medical marijuana “seems like overkill.”
Still, LeMahieu didn’t rule out the possibility of reaching a compromise that could result in legalizing medical marijuana.
“I think there could be a way to do it,” he said.
The measure must pass the Senate and Assembly, and be signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, before it would become law. Evers, who like many Democrats is a proponent of full legalization, said earlier this month that he would support medical marijuana only but was noncommittal on the Assembly’s plan.
Under the Assembly bill, the exact locations of Wisconsin’s dispensaries would be up to the state Department of Health Services, but they would be located in five different regions of the state. Given that recreational marijuana is legal in neighboring Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan, many Wisconsin residents would be closer to a dispensary in another state where they could purchase whatever they wanted.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum estimated in a report last year that more than half of all Wisconsin residents over the age of 21 live within a 75-minute drive to a legal dispensary in another state. And that was before Minnesota legalized recreational marijuana.
The Assembly proposal would limit the availability of marijuana to people diagnosed with certain diseases, including cancer, HIV or AIDS, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, severe muscle spasms, chronic pain or nausea, and those with a terminal illness and less than a year to live.
Wisconsin remains an outlier nationally. Thirty-eight states have legalized medical marijuana and 24 have legalized recreational marijuana. The push for legalization in Wisconsin has gained momentum as its neighbors have loosened their laws.
Marquette University Law School polls have shown a large majority of Wisconsin residents have supported legalizing marijuana use for years.
veryGood! (13)
Related
- California voters reject measure that would have banned forced prison labor
- The EU’s naval force says a cargo ship hijacked last week has moved toward the coast of Somalia
- More than 2,000 mine workers extend underground protest into second day in South Africa
- With menthol cigarette ban delayed, these Americans will keep seeing the effects, data shows
- Horoscopes Today, November 11, 2024
- The Excerpt: Gov. Abbott signs law allowing Texas law enforcement to arrest migrants
- Members of a union representing German train drivers vote for open-ended strikes in bitter dispute
- Russia ramps up its military presence in the Arctic nearly 2 years into the Ukraine war
- CRYPTIFII Introduce
- Ancient curse tablet targeting unlucky pair unearthed by archaeologists in Germany
Ranking
- 2 dead in explosion at Kentucky factory that also damaged surrounding neighborhood
- Frenchy's Chicken owners: Beyoncé's love for Houston eatery stems from Third Ward roots
- Excessive costs force Wisconsin regulators to halt work on groundwater standards for PFAS chemicals
- Former NFL running back Derrick Ward arrested on felony charges
- Joan says 'Yes!' to 'Golden Bachelorette' finale fantasy beach proposal. Who did she pick?
- Putin ratchets up military pressure on Ukraine as he expects Western support for Kyiv to dwindle
- Excessive costs force Wisconsin regulators to halt work on groundwater standards for PFAS chemicals
- Detroit officer accused of punching 71-year-old man is charged with manslaughter following his death
Recommendation
-
25 monkeys caught but more still missing after escape from research facility in SC
-
Céline Dion lost control over her muscles amid stiff-person syndrome, her sister says
-
Miranda Cosgrove Reveals Why She Doesn't Drink or Smoke
-
Drew Lock gives emotional interview after leading Seahawks to last-minute win over Eagles
-
Will Trump curb transgender rights? After election, community prepares for worst
-
Some of the biggest stars in MLB can't compete with the fame of their furry friends
-
Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney lovingly spoof Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' single cover
-
Alabama couple gets life for abusing foster child who suffered skull fracture, brain bleed