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FACT BRIEF

Is marijuana legalization included in Wisconsin's proposed budget every year?

By Jacob Alabab-Moser
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YES

Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers recommended the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana in 2019 and 2021 — the years in which the biennial state budget was passed since he was elected. 

Evers' 2019 proposal presented a medical marijuana program and the decriminalization of small amounts of the substance, while his 2021 plan proposed legalizing recreational use. Republican lawmakers rejected both, removing them from the budgets. 

In 2022, Republicans filed a limited medical cannabis measure, but the bill did not make it past the hearing stage. 

In fall 2022, Evers said he plans to propose legalization once again for the 2023-25 budget. His office estimated the state would earn about $165 million from legalization in the second year of the budget. The governor said he would use the revenue to fund initiatives related to K-12 education, community development and medical care.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Wisconsin Department of Administration 2019–21 Wisconsin executive budget
State of Wisconsin Press release: Gov. Evers proposes legalizing marijuana, investing portion of revenue in equity initiatives and rural schools
Wisconsin State Legislature 2021 Senate Bill 1034
Marijuana Moment Wisconsin governor pledges to put marijuana legalization In upcoming budget after voters approve reform on the ballot
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Evers wants to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin; challenger Michels wants it to stay banned
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Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.