Wisconsin Republicans have unveiled a proposed bill that would legalize medical cannabis, but with strict limitations on who can get it and where it can be sold.
The bill would only allow access to people diagnosed with serious diseases including cancer, HIV or AIDS, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, severe muscle spasms, chronic pain or nausea, according to the Associated Press. Patients with terminal illnesses and less than a year to live would also qualify.
“We want to make this available to people, but we want to have tight controls on it as well,” said state Rep. Jon Plumer.
Access to medical cannabis would also be limited to five, state-run dispensaries. Locations have yet to be determined but it’s likely they would be strategically placed throughout the state.
The bill will also dictate that no “smokeable” marijuana can be dispensed in the state. But other forms including gummies, concentrates, oils, tinctures, creams, vapes and liquids will be allowed.
Governor Tony Evers last week said he would support the bill, though he seemed dismayed that the proposal stopped short of full, state-wide recreational and medical cannabis.
State Senator Melissa Agard called the bill a “disappointing” proposal from Republicans.
“As Wisconsin is increasingly an island of prohibition, putting forward an overly restrictive medical cannabis bill does not move our state in the right direction. I will continue to tirelessly advocate for full legalization that will provide the public safety, freedom, opportunity, and economic benefit that Wisconsinites deserve,” said Agard in a statement. “This bill is picking winners and losers, and it doesn’t need to be this way.”
Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota, all of which border Wisconsin, have all legalized adult-use recreational cannabis.
