Wisconsin favors legalizing cannabis, but hurdles remain

MADISON, Wis. — Gary Storck has been here before. “The reason I say it’s coming is that pretty much across the state, law enforcement has de-emphasized marijuana enforcement, particularly for possession,” said Chisholm, a Democrat. While Mahoney, a Democrat, has no problem with residents of Dane County who are “smoking a doobie,” he said statewide law enforcement groups would oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Evers’ plan has also been endorsed by other Wisconsin top law enforcement officials, including Chisholm, who believes that the proposal could help to reduce disparities in how marijuana possession is treated around the state. As with Evers’ plan, Sargent’s bill would also allow nonviolent offenders to wipe marijuana-related possession convictions from their records “in ways that they currently cannot.” When asked what he would say to lawmakers in Wisconsin in a 1-minute pitch for legalization, Robinson responded: “I would definitely try to impress on them that cannabis is likely more popular in their district than they are.” Sargent agreed: “People across the state of Wisconsin are far ahead of policymakers when it comes to this piece of legislation.” Chisholm believes Evers’ proposal represents “an opportunity to educate everybody — even the people that are adamantly opposed to it.” People like Storck, who have long been waiting for legalization, hope that 2019 is not a repeat of the past.