Milwaukee, Wisconsin Voters Back Non-Binding Referendum to Legalize Cannabis

Voters in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin on Election Day passed an advisory referendum backing the legalization of cannabis in the state, the Milwaukee Journal reports. Voters in the county were asked: “Do you favor allowing adults 21 years of age and older to engage in the personal use of marijuana, while also regulating commercial marijuana-related activities, and imposing a tax on the sale of marijuana?” 

In all, more than 74% of voters backed the referendum, which is nonbinding. 

In September, Gov. Tony Evers (D) said that were he to be reelected, he would include adult-use cannabis legalization in his next state budget. Evers retained the governorship during last week’s election. 

Evers had included legalization in his 2021 state budget but was blocked by the Republican-led Legislature. During the midterm elections, Democrats picked up seats in the state Assembly and Senate; however, only enough to prevent Republicans from maintaining their two-thirds majorities, rather than majorities, according to the Associated Press.

Under Evers’ previous legalization plan, his office estimated legal cannabis sales could generate $166 million in revenue that the governor proposed could be used to help fund schools.

Last year, Evers said he was “tired” of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker thanking him for the Wisconsin residents that crossed state lines to buy legal cannabis.

“Frankly I’m kind of tired of talking to the governor from Illinois,” Evers said in a video posted to Twitter. “Whenever I get with him, he thanks me for having Wisconsinites cross the border to buy marijuana.”