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Nov. 6 general election ballots in 14 counties will include advisory referendums asking voters if they would support legalizing medical use or recreational use of marijuana.(Photo: Marina Riker, Associated Press)
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When voters in 16 Wisconsin counties and
two cities go to the polls Nov. 6 they will join a nationwide debate by
marking their ballots for or against legalizing marijuana use either
for medical reasons or personal recreation.
The
advisory referendum questions are scattered on local ballots throughout
the state, from Milwaukee and Dane to La Crosse and Langlade counties
and the cities of Waukesha and Racine. All were approved by county
boards or city councils.
Supportive officials and
marijuana legalization activists say the referendums will provide a
measure of public opinion that can be shared with the state Legislature,
and possibly spur new laws relaxing or eliminating current prohibitions
on pot.
Rep. David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) said voter
approval of the November legalization questions, at a minimum, should
persuade legislators to approve a statewide advisory referendum on
marijuana legalization.
"There would be no denying the results of a statewide referendum," Bowen said.
But
Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) said there will be no need to wait for
a statewide vote after the November referendums since she, too, expects
approval of the various questions. Those results will come on top of
opinion polls that already show majority support for marijuana
legalization among state voters, Sargent said.
Sargent
intends to re-introduce her marijuana legalization bill when the
Legislature starts a new session in January. She is optimistic the
November referendums will encourage more legislators to co-sponsor the
legislation than in past sessions.
"The most dangerous thing about marijuana in Wisconsin is that it is illegal," Sargent said.
Her
opinion is that that as long as pot remains illegal, it will continue
to be distributed widely in a black market that fosters crime and offers
no consumer protection while creating racial disparities in arrests for
simple possession or use of small amounts of marijuana.
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