Non-binding advisory questions about marijuana legalization appeared on the ballots in three counties and five towns in Wisconsin.
This election cycle, nine separate municipal reform propositions were successful in meeting the requirements to appear on ballots in their respective counties.
All of them were approved.
The text of the local ballot questions that were before voters this year:
APPROVED—Dane County: “Should marijuana be legalized, taxed, and regulated in the same manner as alcohol for adults 21 years of age or older?”
APPROVED—Dane County: “Should all records of previous convictions for marijuana possession in small amounts in the State of Wisconsin be expunged?”
APPROVED—Eau Claire County: “Should cannabis be legalized for adult use by Wisconsin residents at least 21 years of age, and in addition, be taxed and regulated in a manner similar to alcohol possession and use?”
APPROVED—Milwaukee County: “Do you favor allowing adults 21 years of age and older to engage in the personal use of marijuana, while also regulating commercial marijuana-related activities, and imposing a tax on the sale of marijuana?”
APPROVED—Appleton: “Should marijuana be legalized for use by those 21 and over, taxed, and regulated like alcohol in the State of Wisconsin?”
APPROVED—Kenosha: “Should marijuana be legalized for adult use, taxed, and regulated like alcohol?”
APPROVED—Racine: “Should marijuana be legalized for adult-use, taxed, and regulated like alcohol?”
APPROVED—Stevens Point: “Should marijuana be legalized for adult-use, taxed, and regulated like alcohol in the State of Wisconsin?”
APPROVED—Superior: “Should marijuana be legalized for adults over the age of 21, taxed, and regulated like alcohol?”
The approvals come as no surprise as support was well known. By way of illustration, a poll conducted in August indicated that a strong 69% of Wisconsin’s registered voters think that cannabis should be legal. That percentage rises to 81% when you add in the Democrats, 75% when you count the independents, and 51% when you count the Republicans.
Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke (R) has said legalization is “likely” to happen at some point, and some state lawmakers have filed bills to make it legal for adults to use cannabis, but the legislature has failed to pass even more modest proposals like decriminalization or the legalization of medical cannabis.
