Friday, September 20, 2019

Gov. Tony Evers calls for decriminalization of recreational marijuana use

From JSOnline:

, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Gov. Tony Evers delivers his State of the State address at the Capitol in Madison in January. Evers has proposed in his next two-year spending plan to legalize marijuana use for medical use and decriminalize possession and distribution of small amounts. (Photo: Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers wants to allow Wisconsin residents to carry or sell small amounts of marijuana and legalize its use for medical reasons, aides said Sunday.
Evers will propose in his first state budget proposal to decriminalize marijuana if its users, manufacturers and distributors handle 25 grams or fewer and create Wisconsin's first medical marijuana program that would be regulated by the state's health and agriculture departments. 
The plan, to be unveiled Monday in the state Capitol, also would expunge convictions of possessing, manufacturing or selling 25 or fewer grams of marijuana from criminal records of those found guilty of such crimes in the past.
For perspective, 25 grams of marijuana could fit inside a standard Ziplock sandwich bag. 
Spokeswomen for Evers did not respond to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel request for full details of the plan. 
Wisconsin is one of 17 states that has not legalized marijuana in some form. In the case of medical marijuana, growers use unprocessed marijuana plants or extracts to treat symptoms of illness or other medical conditions.  
Evers' plans might have trouble getting through the Republican-controlled Legislature, particularly in the state Senate, where leaders there have opposed legalizing marijuana use. 

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