WISCONSIN: Evers Announces Proposal to Legalize Medical Use and Decriminalize Possession of Marijuana
Today, Monday (2/18/2019), Governor Tony Evers announced his proposal to overhaul Wisconsin's marijuana laws, legalize medical use, decriminalize possession, and align CBD oil laws to match federal standards.
While outlining his state budget in a press conference, he pointed out it's about time Wisconsin joins around 30 states that have already ensured citizens have access to CBD and legalized medical marijuana.
"As a cancer survivor, I know the side effects of a major illness can make everyday tasks a challenge," Evers said at the press conference. "People shouldn't be treated as criminals for accessing a desperately-needed medication that can alleviate their suffering."
He also made it very clear that his proposal isn't only based in response to health care concerns, pointing out the disproportionate arrests of minorities for this drug-related crimes.
"Wisconsin has the highest incarceration rate in the country for black men, and drug-related crimes account for as many as 75-85 percent of all inmates in our prisons," the governor stated in a press release. "Too many people, often persons of color, spend time in our criminal justice system just for possessing small amounts of marijuana. That doesn't make our communities stronger or safer"
The governors proposal also has plans to decriminalize production, distribution, and possession of marijuana, as long as it is 25 grams or less. This would also expunge any records of people who were already convicted for any violation less than that amount who had served their sentence or probation.
Specific language was stated to be able to prevent all law enforcement in Wisconsin from creating their own penalties and ordinances.
Also included in the proposal was the state's laws on CBD, cannabidiol. As federally, this is no longer classified as a drug because it has no psychoactive effects, the state should align itself with those laws. Currently you are only able to access CBD oil if a physician gives you a yearly certification.
Even though federally it's legal, only 14 of the 33 states where medical marijuana is legalized, have enacted medical laws that are CBD specific. This has just become federally legal in December so states are just now figuring out how to regulate and make sure the products are what they say they are. As time goes on more and more will figure out how to handle this.