Wisconsin finally begins discussion about legalizing it

It isn’t likely to become law in Wisconsin, at least not yet, but it is good that Governor Tony Evers is proposing legalizing marijuana use in the state. Evers has proposed legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in his budget proposal. Most expect this will be a non-starter with the Republican-controlled legislature, but some think it could lead to allowing medicinal marijuana use. Wisconsin remains among a minority of states that have not approved legalizing marijuana for either recreational or medicinal use. 36 states have laws allowing for the medicinal use of pot, while 15 states have passed laws allowing recreational use. Evers says decriminalizing marijuana, and taxing it, could bring in $165 million per year in new revenue, money that would go to fund rural schools and underserved communities. Survey after survey show growing support for legalizing pot in Wisconsin. While allowing people to possess small amounts of pot is unlikely to pass the current Wisconsin legislature, there are some benefits to the idea. In addition to raising tax money, it would help end the racial disparity for marijuana users. Black people are four times more likely to be incarcerated for pot possession than white people, the 14^th biggest margin in the country. Evers’ idea may not pass this time, but it likely will eventually. It is good that Wisconsin is finally coming to the table to have that discussion.