State Representative Melissa Sargent is working to make marijuana legalization a reality in Wisconsin. She says she will re-introduce legislation to do so in the upcoming legislative session in January.
"It is in the best interest of our state to look toward the future and recognize the vast medicinal, economic, social justice opportunities marijuana legalization would bring to our state," Sargent said in a statement.
"Referenda around Wisconsin passed with overwhelming support proving that the people are ahead of the politicians on this topic, and agree that the most dangerous thing about marijuana in Wisconsin is that it is illegal."
Advisory referendums on marijuana were on ballots in 16 counties and two cities for the Nov. 6 election.
Those counties were Milwaukee, Rock, Dane, Sauk, Brown, La Crosse, Marathon, Portage, Clark, Langdale, Marquette, Eau Claire, Forest, Kenosha, Lincoln and Racine. Racine and Waukesha cities had the question as well. Ten of those counties only addressed medical use of the drug.
In every case, the majority answer to the question to legalize marijuana was yes.
However, the results don't change state laws or city ordinances. What they do is give elected officials an idea of where voters stand on the issue and work as a catalyst for future legalization.
Rep. Sargent has previously introduced the legislation in the state legislature, but it failed to pass.
