In August, the Senate passed its own version of the legislation, which contained substantively identical marijuana language, in August.
Since its initial introduction last year, some steps have been taken to resolve marijuana research issues.
That marks a significant development—and one of the first cannabis-related moves to come out of the Biden administration.
Days later, the Senate passed a similar bill but nothing ended up getting to the president’s desk by the end of the last Congress.
At a time when more and more local Wisconsin jurisdictions are independently enacting cannabis reforms, this bill seeks to standardize decriminalization at the state level.
Local governments would have some flexibility in setting their own policies, but they could not impose a civil fine of less than $100 or more than $250 for low-level possession.
As it stands, marijuana possession is punishable by a maximum $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail for a first offense.
The discretion that local municipalities would be afforded is limited, and it appears the legislation could actually lead to increased civil penalties in cities that have imposed much lower fines for possession.
“We know that by putting this bill into effect that we can get rid of that patchwork at the local ordinances in different areas.
Police would also have some discretion under the legislation.
Finally, the legislation also provides liability protections for employers who choose not to drug test most workers for THC.
Evers tried to legalize recreational and medical marijuana through his proposed state budget earlier this year, but a GOP-led legislative committee stripped the cannabis language from the legislation in May.
A strong majority of Texans back even broader reform, according to recent polling.
“Marijuana is a really popular issue, and a large majority of Hoosiers want to see this get done,” Schmuhl said.