Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin have once again eliminated cannabis legalization measures from Governor Tony Evers’ budget proposal, marking the third consecutive year this has occurred. The proposed budget included plans to create a regulated adult-use cannabis program, which the governor argued would help Wisconsin attract skilled workers and generate additional revenue for state programs.
According to a report from the Associated Press, the budget proposal projected that legalizing adult-use cannabis could yield approximately $58.1 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2026-27, with expectations for increasing revenue in subsequent years. The governor’s office emphasized that the legalization would also offer pathways for individuals with prior marijuana-related convictions to seek sentence reductions or expungements for nonviolent offenses.
The proposed cannabis program included a 15% wholesale excise tax and a 10% retail excise tax on cannabis products. Despite support from a majority of Wisconsin voters—60% according to a February 2024 Marquette University poll—Republican lawmakers have consistently dismissed these legalization efforts.
Currently, cannabis remains illegal for both medical and recreational use in Wisconsin, while neighboring states like Illinois and Michigan have legalized it. The ongoing rejection of cannabis reforms in Wisconsin raises questions about the state’s competitiveness and its ability to benefit from the growing cannabis market. With the state surrounded by jurisdictions that have embraced cannabis legalization, the economic implications of this decision are significant.
English 
Spanish 
German 
Czech