Senate GOP ‘close’ to supporting medical marijuana, leader Devin LeMahieu says

Republican lawmakers in the state Senate are “close” to supporting the legalization of marijuana in Wisconsin for medical use, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said Thursday.

LeMahieu, who until now has opposed the idea, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he believes legislation to create a medical marijuana program in the state could be passed this legislative session as long as regulations are put forward to ensure it’s for those in serious pain.

“Our caucus is getting pretty close on medical marijuana,” LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said. “A lot of our members, who are maybe at a point where they can vote for it now, they just want to make sure it’s regulated well.”

“We don’t want people going in because their back hurts and getting medical marijuana. It needs to be cancer pain, you know — prescribed.”

LeMahieu’s comments mark the first time a leader of the Senate Republicans has shown support for the idea. Opposition within the caucus has been a key hurdle for proposals in the past.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in recent years has shown support for legalizing medical marijuana, but former Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, who now represents the 5th Congressional District, and LeMahieu had previously expressed deep skepticism toward the idea. LeMahieu in 2021 said he would not support legalizing marijuana for medical use unless the Food and Drug Administration approved it as a prescription drug.

[Read more at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]