AD 95: Incumbent Billings (D) vs Schnitzler (R)
The 95th Assembly District of Wisconsin is located in western Wisconsin, the district comprises parts of central and eastern La Crosse County and western Monroe County. It includes the city of Sparta and much of the city of La Crosse, along with the villages of Bangor, Cashton, Melvina, Norwalk, and Rockland. The district includes the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse campus and Western Technical College.
La Crosse County 2018 referendum results: 63% YES
“Should the State of Wisconsin legalize the use of marijuana by adults 21 years or older, to be taxed and regulated in the same manner that alcohol is regulated in the State of Wisconsin, with proceeds from taxes used for education, healthcare, and infrastructure?”
Jill Billings (D-La Crosse)
Incumbent . Currently in leadership position as the Democratic Minority Caucus Vice-Chair.
Elected to La Crosse County Board, 2004–12; Assembly in November 2011 special election. Reelected since 2012.
Billings has come along ways since the 2018 article I wrote.
During 2017 Rep. Billings supported CBD legislation and an Assembly Joint Resolution to place a medical marijuana on a state wide non binding referendum.
In 2018 she ran unopposed and in October 2018 had somewhat disappointing news comments, including invoking the “slippery slope theory” by saying “A common path for other states is to open the door with CBD oil and then medical marijuana and then recreational marijuana,” and goes onto questioning the validity of medical marijuana.
The 2019-2020 she was not vocal on adult use marijuana reform. Medical marijuana saw two different bipartisan versions this session, which both came up empty with her name. She only co-sponsored a decriminalization measure, AB 980 to barely earn her C- that session.
In 2021-22 legislative session a majority of Democrats co-sponsored adult use marijuana legislation, but Rep. Billings was absent from that initiative also.
During her 2022 Wi Eye at the 15:00 minute mark she takes a minute to answer the “marijuana question” and says she recently changed her stance and then went onto buy into the “fentanyl laced marijuana scare” and mentioned that Wisconsin is an island of prohibition.
The 2023 adult use recreational cannabis legislation presented by Democrats was introduced by 25 (out of 35) Democrat Representatives; while being cosponsored by 10 (out of 11) Democratic Senators. Although we got her vocal support and probably a yes vote, we did not get her co-sponsorship.
Now onto this year and there are 99 state Assembly seats and 16 state Senate seats on the ballot this November. The ACLU of Wisconsin sent a questionnaire to all candidates and published their answers on August 21st, 2024.
We are not surprised that she answered YES to the ACLU question: Do you support the legalization, regulation, and taxation of marijuana for recreational use by adults 21 and over in Wisconsin?
Glad to see the support it still there with Billings, maybe next session we will see her name on some sort of cannabis bill.
Please follow her campaign on facebook page and visit his official website for more details on this candidate.
vs
Cedric Schnitzler (R-Sparta)
At the age of 26, he took the challenge to run for Monroe County Board and successfully won, being the second youngest member to serve on the board. He has served on and off on the County Board for over 30 years. Currently the Monroe County Board Chair.
Stance on Cannabis Reform = Unknown
Stay tuned and get active!
I will provide you additional 2024 Wisconsin State Election coverage throughout the campaign season. This next election is extremely important for marijuana reform and I will continue to bring you information as more candidates make their political moves.
In the event that we end up with divided government in the 2024-25 legislation session, the official formation of The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus would be a must first step towards reform. The official establishment of this Caucus will represent the growing, bipartisan support in Wisconsin.
Although session as ended we still urge you to contact your elected officials. The top four action alerts are still functionable on The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Action Network for you immediate use.
Sources: CNanalysis (Likely Dem +11) WisPolitics /2024 Assembly Races (55% Dem), Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps, Ballotpedia
