Candidate Statements: Protecting Hemp & Building Wisconsin’s Cannabis Future

Sample candidate statements by Jay Selthofner

I’m running because Wisconsin is at a crossroads—and nowhere is that clearer than in our hemp and cannabinoid industry.

Over the past several years, farmers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs have built a legal marketplace from the ground up. They followed the law. They invested in their communities. And now, that progress is at risk.

My commitment is simple: we will protect what Wisconsin has already built—and we will do it immediately.

First 100 Days: Save Hemp

In my first 100 days, I will make saving Wisconsin’s hemp industry a top priority by:

  • Forming and organizing a Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus to bring lawmakers together around practical, fact-based policy
  • Introducing and advancing legislation to protect hemp-derived cannabinoids, building on efforts like prior session bill SB 682/AB 747.
  • Working directly with stakeholders to ensure regulations are clear, enforceable, and fair—not destructive

We are not going to allow confusion or overreach to wipe out an entire industry overnight.

A Clear Legislative Path Forward

We need a structured, responsible approach—not chaos and not prohibition. My priorities will move in this order:

1. Protect Hemp (Immediate)

Stabilize the existing market and provide legal clarity so businesses and farmers can operate with confidence.

2. Decriminalization

No one should have their life derailed over minor cannabis offenses. We will take steps to reduce penalties and move toward a more just system.

3. Medical Cannabis

We will implement a low-barrier, patient-first medical program that includes:

  • Self-certification
  • Low or no fees
  • No taxes on medicine
  • Strong patient protections
  • Caregiver / patient cultivation rights established

4. Full Legalization

We will advance a responsible adult-use framework that:

  • Supports small businesses and farmers
  • Prevents monopolization
  • Creates fair taxation and reinvestment into Wisconsin communities

Guiding Principles

This approach is grounded in a few key beliefs:

  • Regulate products after the farm gate—not before
  • Keep barriers low for Wisconsin farmers and small businesses
  • No municipal opt-outs—fair access across the state
  • Protect personal freedoms, including patient rights and lawful ownership protections
  • Build a system that is sustainable, not overregulated or punitive

Bottom Line

This isn’t about starting from scratch—it’s about protecting what already exists and building something better from it.

Wisconsin has an opportunity to lead with common sense, fairness, and economic opportunity.

I’m ready to get to work on day one.

30 Second Stump Speech

Wisconsin’s hemp industry is under threat—and the people who built it deserve better.

In my first 100 days, I’ll lead the effort to save hemp by forming a Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus and passing legislation to protect hemp-derived products and the small businesses behind them.

Then we move forward the right way:
 Decriminalization first, patient/caregiver medical grows next, and full legalization done responsibly shortly thereafter.

This is about common sense—supporting farmers, protecting small businesses, and respecting personal freedom.

We don’t need prohibition.
 We need smart regulation—and I’m ready to deliver it.

Shorter Republican Version to Signal to the Hemp Cannabis Industry that their campaign is listening and responding: 

Wisconsin farmers and small businesses built the hemp industry the right way—and I’ll fight to protect it. My priority is simple: save hemp first, stop government overreach, and create clear, responsible cannabis laws that support freedom, small business, and Wisconsin agriculture. 

Or

Wisconsin’s hemp industry deserves protection, not prohibition. I support common-sense cannabis policies that defend farmers, small businesses, and personal freedom—starting with immediate action to protect legal hemp products and keep the government from crushing a growing Wisconsin industry.

Shorter Democratic Version to Signal to the Hemp Cannabis Industry that their campaign is listening and responding:  

Wisconsin families, patients, farmers, and small businesses deserve cannabis policies rooted in fairness and opportunity. I’ll fight to protect the hemp industry, advance decriminalization, expand access to affordable medical cannabis, and build a responsible legal market that benefits communities—not corporate monopolies.

Or

Cannabis is a plant—and Wisconsin already has a working model with hemp. We don’t need crushing excise taxes, overregulation, or corporate monopolies. I support a fair, farmer-friendly system that protects small businesses, keeps taxes reasonable, and treats cannabis policy with common sense instead of fear.