Rep. Melissa Sargent introduced LRB-2457, a bill to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin, two weeks after Republicans failed to meet the state’s July 1 budget deadline due to stalled negotiations between Scott Walker and GOP leaders. Sargent’s proposal is the third attempt to legalize marijuana in the state.

In a press release, Sargent noted that her most recent bill differs from the prior ones by providing employment and benefit protections for marijuana users, requiring insurance coverage for medicinal marijuana for terminal illnesses, and incorporating marijuana into current alcohol and tobacco educational curricula in schools.

The new bill also treats marijuana as an agricultural product, requiring the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to conduct periodic inspections and to promote best practices for producing, harvesting, and packaging.

Previous efforts to legalize marijuana have also never received a public hearing nor had a single Republican cosponsor, Sargent’s release noted.

“This bill is so much more than legalizing marijuana —i t’s about legalizing opportunity and prosperity,” said Sargent. “The state budget was due two weeks ago, and Wisconsin simply can’t afford to wait any longer — we deserve a real plan to create new jobs and stimulate our lagging economy, and that’s what this bill is.

“Business as usual is simply not cutting it. We need to start thinking about new, innovative ways to jumpstart our economy. Wisconsin has a billion-dollar budget deficit, Republicans have no real ideas for fixing our transportation fund, and Scott Walker still hasn’t created the 250,000 jobs he promised six years ago. Meanwhile, in Colorado, legalizing marijuana generated $2.4 billion in economic activity and created more than 18,000 new jobs in a single year alone. The most dangerous thing about marijuana is that it’s illegal, and as our budget crisis worsens and we continue to see new evidence to support legalization’s economic benefits, the more unjustifiable—and even foolish — it becomes not to legalize.

“I’ve spoken with my Republican colleagues across the aisle, and some of them have expressed their quiet support for my bill.

“Given the severe budget crisis Wisconsin is facing, I am hopeful they can get past the ‘D’ next to my name long enough to give legalizing marijuana the earnest review and consideration Wisconsin deserves.”

Editor’s Note: Sargent also sent a letter to Gov. Scott Walker, Speaker Robin Vos and Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald asking for their support. Read it here.

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