Cannabis legalization in Wisconsin is something that Gov. Tony Evers has made clear he backs, both for medical and recreational cannabis. However, he’s willing to compromise and take a small step forward full legalization by backing a Republican plan for limited legalization of medical marijuana.

Evers told the Associated Press (AP) that while he supports full recreational cannabis legalization in Wisconsin, he’s well aware others in state leadership do not, despite adult-use legalization in 23 states. He said that if Republicans introduce a limited legalization bill, as they are expected to do soon, he will support it.

“I would think that getting it all done in one fell swoop would be more thoughtful as far as meeting the needs of Wisconsinites that have asked for it,” he said. “But if that’s what we can accomplish right now, I’ll be supportive of that.”

It’s the latest move in the protracted battle over cannabis legalization in Wisconsin, the last state left in its region without a government-regulated legal cannabis market.

Wisconsin Stands Alone Among Its Neighbors

Because of the deadlock at the federal level, where cannabis is still illegal and scheduled among dangerous drugs like heroin and LSD, the cannabis legalization movement is a state-by-state political battle. It started in 2012 when voters in Colorado and Washington approved recreational cannabis legalization. The most recent state to approve recreational cannabis is Ohio, a decision that means more than half the U.S. population now lives where cannabis is legal.

Wisconsin has been a holdout even as the states around it legalize recreational cannabis. Of the states that Wisconsin shares a border with, Michigan approved legal cannabis in 2018, followed by Illinois in 2019 and Minnesota in 2023. Iowa, which shares a relatively small border with Wisconsin, also has not approved legal recreational cannabis.

Like Iowa, Wisconsin has a low-THC medical marijuana program. In reality, it means the only legal cannabis products in the state are those with CBD, a non-psychoactive ingredient of the cannabis plant that does have many potential health and wellness benefits.

Evers, who took office in 2019 and won re-election in 2022, said before his re-election that cannabis legalization in Wisconsin was something he wanted to accomplish in his second term. He told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the time had come for Wisconsin to join the growing list of states that make money from marijuana taxes and fees.

He said Wisconsin should treat cannabis like the state treats alcohol “so we can continue to compete for talented workers to come to our state, expand access to medical treatment for thousands, and have more resources to invest in critical state priorities like K-12 education.”

Republicans Oppose Recreational Cannabis Legalization in Wisconsin

Evers has run into a roadblock with legalization from Republicans. In a political standoff that somewhat mirrors the one at the national level, state GOP members in the Wisconsin Legislature have repeatedly rejected proposals to legalize both medical and recreational cannabis.

They continue to take a hard line on the issue. Robin Vos, Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, told AP that the proposal Republicans will file includes a limited medical marijuana program. He added, “I’m glad that the governor is open to supporting our proposal. But if he keeps saying it’s only a precursor to recreational marijuana, it will kill this proposal.”

State residents have said they favor legalization. A poll by Marquette University Law School found that 69% of Wisconsin voters favor legalizing marijuana, with 23% saying they oppose legalization and 8% not having an opinion.