Wisconsin legislature fails to act on medical cannabis and legalization bills

While neighboring Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota have legalized cannabis for adults’ use, Wisconsin remains stubbornly behind the times. It is one of only 19 states that still imposes jail time on simple possession of cannabis. And despite massive 86% popular support, the Badger State is one of only 10 states that lacks even a compassionate medical cannabis law.

Wisconsin doesn’t allow statewide citizen-initiated ballot measures, meaning the only way to improve statewide cannabis policies is to convince the legislature to do so.

In fall 2025, Senate President Mary Felzkowski (R) introduced a bill to finally allow medical cannabis. Her bill passed out of committee, but did not receive a floor vote.

In 2026, nearly every Democratic legislator introduced legislation to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults and medical use. No Republican lawmakers signed on to the bills — SB 1045, SB 1045 — and the GOP legislative leaders failed to schedule a committee hearing or vote before the legislature adjourned for the year.

This November, Wisconsin voters will elect a new governor and state senators, among other offices. Supporters of cannabis legalization should reach out to their candidates for the state Assembly and Senate to ask if they’ll commit to supporting legalization. You can find your districts here. Then, cast an informed vote in the primaries on August 11 as well as on Election Day on November 3.

Voters are far ahead of Wisconsin’s elected leaders

In November 2018, around a million Wisconsin voters approved advisory questions on their ballots calling for more humane cannabis laws. Every single one of the measures passed. Medical cannabis questions received between 67% and 89% of the vote in the 11 counties and two cities where they appeared. Adult-use questions garnered between 60% and 76% of the vote.

Over 10,000 Cannabis Possession Arrests

Data from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer shows that Wisconsin authorities made 10,605 arrests for cannabis possession in 2025 alone. Over the past 10 years, law enforcement in Wisconsin made more than 130,000 arrests for cannabis possession. Criminal records shut the door of opportunity, making it hard to get a job, professional license, and housing.

Let your legislators know no one should be arrested for using a plant that is safer than alcohol. In the Land of the Free, adults should not be threatened with incarceration or burdened with a criminal record for relaxing with cannabis.

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