Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers isn’t backing down on marijuana reform. Once again, he has included a proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis in his 2025-27 budget plan, reigniting a debate that has repeatedly hit a wall in the state’s Republican-controlled legislature.
A Familiar Battle Over Legalization
For years, Evers has pushed to bring legal cannabis to Wisconsin, but previous efforts have been blocked by GOP lawmakers. His latest attempt mirrors the proposals he’s previously backed, aiming to regulate marijuana like alcohol and generate new tax revenue for the state.
The new proposal, introduced as Assembly Bill 50 and Senate Bill 45, lays out a clear framework:
- A 15% excise tax at the wholesale level and a 10% excise tax at retail.
- Residents 21 and older could legally possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.
- Nonresidents would be allowed up to a quarter-ounce, a provision not commonly seen in other states.
- Home cultivation of up to six plants per household.
- Licensing and regulation handled by the Department of Revenue, with applications selected through a scoring system.
Despite growing public support for legalization, Wisconsin remains one of just nine states in the U.S. without either a recreational or medical cannabis program.
Breaking from the Norm
This proposal isn’t just about catching up with neighboring states like Illinois and Michigan, where cannabis is fully legal. It also introduces elements not typically seen in other adult-use markets.
For instance, the bill proposes regulating delta-8 and delta-10 THC products—the controversial, hemp-derived cannabinoids often sold in a legal gray area. In Wisconsin, these would be treated as marijuana, a move that could shake up the state’s already booming hemp industry.
Another unique aspect of the bill? It includes criminal justice reforms, allowing for the expungement of marijuana-related convictions and sentence reviews for those already behind bars due to past offenses.
Revenue Potential vs. Political Roadblocks
One of the strongest arguments for legalization is the financial boost it could bring. Other Midwestern states have seen hundreds of millions in tax revenue from marijuana sales, funding everything from schools to infrastructure projects.
Take Illinois as an example: in 2023 alone, the state generated over $450 million in cannabis tax revenue. Wisconsin, a state with over 5.8 million residents, is missing out while consumers continue to cross the border to buy legally elsewhere.
But revenue potential hasn’t been enough to sway Republican lawmakers in the past. Last year, they rejected an adult-use plan from Evers. Even a limited medical marijuana bill backed by Republicans failed to move forward.
What Happens Next?
Evers’ proposal still faces steep odds. The Republican-controlled legislature has historically opposed recreational marijuana and isn’t likely to change its stance overnight. However, with more Wisconsinites in favor of legalization and tax dollars flowing to neighboring states, the pressure is mounting.
If the bill gains traction, it would be a historic shift for Wisconsin, bringing it in line with much of the country. But if history is any indicator, this fight is far from over.