Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) is proposing in his 2025-27 biennial budget changing state law to allow for citizen-led ballot initiatives. The governor’s office suggested the change could help address the disconnect between public opinion and the GOP-controlled Legislature on issues like cannabis reforms.
Twenty-four U.S. states have now adopted some form of adult-use cannabis reforms, many through voter-backed ballot initiatives. In Wisconsin, however, there is not currently a way for citizens to petition for their own initiatives. Meanwhile, voters considered five statewide referendum questions last year, all of which were put on the ballot by Republican lawmakers.
The Evers administration noted that “without the ability to propose new laws or constitutional amendments,” voters have “little recourse when the Legislature fails to enact policies that have broad public support.”
“Republican lawmakers shouldn’t be able to ignore the will of the people and then prevent the people from having a voice when the Legislature fails to listen. That has to change. If Republican lawmakers are going to continue to try and legislate by constitutional amendment, then they should give the people that same power and that’s what I’ll be asking them to do in my next budget.” — Gov. Evers, in a statement
Cannabis remains illegal in Wisconsin, even for strictly medical purposes.
Cannabis is legal for adults aged 21+ in neighboring Illinois, however, and the state has reportedly generated tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue from Wisconsinites crossing state lines to purchase products in its taxed-and-regulated cannabis market.
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