Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said he’s “tired” of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) thanking him for the many Wisconsin residents who cross into Illinois to buy cannabis products and pay taxes to the neighboring state.
The admission, first reported by Marijuana Moment, was shared during a video statement Gov. Evers released yesterday on Twitter.
A Twitter follower asked: “When will we hear about marijuana reform?”
It’s a great question—our #BadgerBounceback agenda proposes regulating and taxing marijuana much like we do with alcohol, so I’ve got answers ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/5IcNnmhnUF
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) April 14, 2021
The governor has previously called for reforming the state’s cannabis laws and even included legalization and cannabis tax revenues in his 2021-2022 budget proposal. Additionally, the issue has popular support among both Democrat and Republican Wisconsinites — but the GOP-controlled legislature has so far failed to take action.
“Frankly I’m kind of tired of talking to the governor from Illinois. Whenever I get with him, he thanks me for having Wisconsinites cross the border to buy marijuana.” — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, in a statement
The governor followed up his video statement with a virtual town hall to examine the state’s legalization prospects, taking public comments and urging constituents to pressure their local officials on the issue.
Meanwhile, Illinois was the first state to legalize cannabis and establish an adult-use marketplace via the legislative process. Since its launch at the start of 2020, Illinois’ cannabis industry has repeatedly broken its monthly sales records, most recently with $109 million worth of cannabis products sold in March 2021.
