Republican Felzkowski Hints at Supporting Decrminalization.
When it comes to Decriminalization of Marijuana in Wisconsin, this is our basic recommendation to the state as printed in our Print Your Own Signature Support Page:
- Decriminalize personal possession of marijuana. Replace criminal violations with civil violations (Fines not Crimes!) Since Michigan is now an adult useage state with limits of 2.5 ounces of personal marijuana and transfers to adults 21 and older (including out of state residents) we recommend that the state of Wisconsin decriminalizes personal possession of cannabis in Wisconsin to 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of marijuana..
- Remove the felony provision for personal possession of subsequent offenses. Personal possession of cannabis is medically legal in 30+ states and recreational/adult use is legal in 11 states. This is a plant, and no one in Wisconsin deserves a felony for possessing a plant substance that a majority of United States citizens can purchase legally. Create a program for expungement.
I was surprised to see decriminalization as a topic in a recent news article “Medical marijuana gaining bipartisan support in Wisconsin; local businesses prepare for legislation” that featured Republican Mary Felzkowski talking about medical marijuana reform and her bill, Creation of a Medical Marijuana Program. I certainly do not expect every news report to be activism focused, and maybe the reporter did not even know we have active Decriminalization Bill (SB 577), maybe the Assembly Representative did not either……. that is why we do the work we do!
Here is the news article and at the end of the report I left a link to all the active bills so people can send in their support:
WISCONSIN – 2020 marked the start of recreational marijuana sales in Illinois, and the second year of legal weed in Michigan.
Meanwhile, the drug is still illegal in the Badger State, despite support from a majority of its residents.
A recent push for new marijuana laws in Wisconsin could impact local businesses.
Ken Majeski owns The CBD Store in Tomahawk. He sells products derived from marijuana, but they have no psychoactive properties. CBD doesn’t get you high, but Majeski says it has some health benefits.
“People use it for back pain, sciatica, headaches, menstrual cramps,” said Majeski. “I use it myself for tendonitis.”
Majeski is a strong supporter of medical marijuana legalization.
“I don’t see much difference between alcohol and marijuana,” said Majeski.
He says Wisconsin is behind the curve on the controversial issue.
“We passed medical marijuana referendums by a huge margin,” said Majeski. “If that doesn’t put pressure on our legislators, I’m not sure having states nearby having it legal will put pressure on them.”
However, Wisconsin has seen a push for marijuana legislation on both sides of the political aisle. Last month, Republican State Representative Mary Felzkowski introduced a bill that would legalize medical marijuana for people with specific illnesses and conditions.
“I’m a firm believer in it,” said Rep. Felzkowski. “I went through a bad bout of cancer a few years ago, and I would have loved to have had it for some of the afflictions that I had.”
Although the bill was shut down, Felzkowski says it’s a step in the right direction.
“We would really like to get a committee hearing and start the conversation because there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” said Rep. Felzkowski.
If medical marijuana were to become legal in Wisconsin, only so many people would be allowed to sell it based on demand. Majeski says he will be one of the first to apply for a license to sell medical marijuana if it ever becomes legal.
“I’m not sure a store like mine could exist and be viable as a CBD only store in a state that has medical marijuana,” said Majeski.
The DEA lists marijuana as a schedule one drug, among the likes of heroin and LSD. While representative Felzkowski doesn’t support the legalization of recreational marijuana, she thinks it should be decriminalized at the federal level.
“Fines and penalties are one thing, but to make it a felony or misdemeanor, I struggle with that,” said Felzkowski.
- SB 377 / AB 220 publicly known as “Legalize Opportunity – Legalize Marijuana” Adult Use Legislation
- SB 507 / AB 570 publicly known as “Medical Cannabis Effort”
- SB 577 / AB publicly known as “Decriminalization”
- SB 237 / AB 236 publicly known as “Firearm Owners / Patient Privacy Protection”
- LRB 5095-1 publicly known as “Creation of a Medical Marijuana Program”
