http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/marijuana-hemp-dairy-farmers-wi-s5.jpgSurrounding Midwestern states have legalized cannabis, sending tax revenue, jobs, and economic activity across state lines.

MADISON - Representative Amaad Rivera Wagner (D-Green Bay) today announced his support for LRB-4219, legislation to legalize cannabis for responsible adult use in Wisconsin, create a regulated medical cannabis system, generate new state and local revenue, and provide a pathway to expunge or adjust past marijuana related convictions.

Wisconsin is currently surrounded by Midwestern states that have legalized cannabis, sending tax revenue, jobs, and economic activity across state lines while Wisconsin communities face school funding shortfalls and rising property taxes.

“Wisconsin is surrounded by states that have legalized cannabis. We can keep exporting revenue and opportunity, or we can finally support what the vast majority of Wisconsinites want and do this the right way here at home.”

Why it matters

• School funding and property taxes: Legal cannabis would create a new revenue stream at a time when school districts are under strain and homeowners are facing rising property taxes.
• Regulation and public safety: The bill establishes clear age limits, testing standards, licensing requirements, and child resistant packaging.
• Justice and accountability: The legislation creates a process to vacate, expunge, or adjust past cannabis related convictions and proactively notify eligible individuals.
• Economic stability: The bill protects Wisconsin jobs and small businesses as federal hemp rules change later this year.

“When we talk to school boards and homeowners, the message is consistent. Costs are rising faster than families can keep up. Legal cannabis revenue is not a silver bullet, but it is a responsible tool that can help stabilize school

funding and ease pressure on property taxes.”

“For decades, cannabis laws have been enforced in ways that punished poverty and race more than behavior. This bill gives us a chance to stop repeating that mistake and to actually repair some of the damage that has been done to families and communities.”

Some key highlights from the bill include: legal possession for adults 21 and older; medical cannabis registry for patients 18 and older; state regulation of production, testing, packaging, and sales; a sales tax option for municipalities; a structured tax framework benefitting both state and local budgets; and expungement and conviction review process for previous non-violent cannabis-related convictions.

Rep. Rivera-Wagner is a co-author, and the bill is currently circulating amongst the Legislature for additional co-sponsors.