By Pocan Predicts Legalization Next Year
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) told Marijuana Moment that there’s a “really good chance” Wisconsin legalizes marijuana next year if Democrats can “flip the legislature” in the November elections. The Democratic congressman, who represents Wisconsin, said the state is poised to legalize marijuana as soon as next year especially if his party wins control of the legislature, but perhaps even if Republicans maintain a majority under new leadership for the 2027 session.
Marijuana reform proposals have stalled under Republican control of the legislature in recent sessions, Pocan said. The congressman was responding to a question about Wisconsin having among the highest amount of marijuana arrests in the U.S. last year, according to recently released FBI data.
Leadership Change Could Open the Door
Pocan said he thinks cannabis legislation has a shot even if the GOP stays in control. He noted that current Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R), who the congressman said is “very anti-marijuana,” is retiring at the end of this year and is likely to be replaced by someone who is more open to reform.
While leadership elections have not yet been held, Majority Leader Tyler August (R) has been mentioned as a possible successor to Vos. “The incoming Republican if they have the majority, although I think we can flip it is far more libertarian, even more than a Republican,” Pocan told Marijuana Moment. “So I would think if he really maintains those values, that would change.
But it really was kind of held back by one individual largely in Wisconsin.”
August suggested last year that it is time to modernize Wisconsin’s approach to cannabis.
Reform Efforts Have Stalled in the Legislature
Marijuana reform proposals have stalled in the Wisconsin legislature under Republican control in recent sessions, according to Pocan.
Pocan said that if Democrats win control of the legislature in November, there is a “really good chance” of legalizing cannabis in Wisconsin in the short term.
