A Pew Research Center poll released Wednesday said three-fourths of Americans believe marijuana will become legal for recreational use, despite their own opinions on such policies. Wisconsin however, might take much longer to legalize, despite a Dane County referendum in which a majority of voters showed their support for the legalization of marijuana.
In Dane County’s referendum Tuesday 64.5 percent of voters said they are in favor of full legalization, compared to 35.5 percent of voters who oppose it.
The referendum, while non-binding, reveals support is much stronger in Dane County than across Wisconsin overall. However, according to state Sen. Fred Risser, R-Madison, that majority translates to less than 13 percent of registered voters because less than 20 percent of registered voters participated.
“I don’t think [the referendum is] going to have any effect in the legislature,” Risser said. “Most of the legislators have their minds made up on this one. They are not going to pay that much attention to Dane County.”
Last week’s Marquette University Law School poll, which surveyed 801 registered Wisconsin voters, showed 42 percent of voters support legalization, compared to 52 percent who said it should remain illegal.
Tuesday’s vote also coincided with the state Legislature unanimous passage of a bill allowing a marijuana byproduct called cannabidiol or CBD Oil Extract, to be used to treat children with seizure disorders.
State. Rep. Robb Kahl, D-Monona, authored the bill after being approached by a constituent from his district last November.
“Every legislator approached this issue with an open mind, listened to the concerns of their
constituents and recognized that CBD Oil Extract has no potential for abuse or addiction, but has proven to be a lifesaving medication for persons – especially young children – whose seizures cannot be safely controlled with other medications,” Kahl said in a release.
If the Gov. Walker signs the bill into law, Wisconsin would join 20 other states, along with the District of Columbia, that have some form of legalized medical marijuana.
Risser said he does not see anything happening under the current legislature and governor, despite the referendum’s results and a bill authored by state Rep. Melissa Sargent, D-Madison, to legalize recreational marijuana.
However, Risser said he would support a bill that fully legalized marijuana.
“I would decriminalize marijuana absolutely,” Risser said. “Incarcerating people is very foolish. It’s a waste of money and it doesn’t solve anything.”
