Significant amount of Wisconsin voters want marijuana legalized

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — While tight races for U.S. Senate and governor drew most of the attention on Election Day, many voters made their voices heard in favor of marijuana legalization.

Tuesday, Wisconsin voters in five municipalities and three counties saw referendum questions about legalizing marijuana.

In Milwaukee County and surrounding areas, significantly more than half voted yes.

Milwaukee County voters were asked if they’re in favor of the recreational use of marijuana for people of drinking age. Voters were also asked if the state should regulate commercial marijuana-related activities and impose a tax on marijuana sales.

Seventy-four percent voted in favor, and there was a similar story in Racine and Kenosha — 72% of Kenosha voters said yes to marijuana legalization.

Kyle Flood is a former school board member, activist, and the president of Kenosha Residents for Cannabis Reform.

Flood says the referendum results don’t surprise him. “We need all of our local municipalities to decriminalize. Several already have,” he said.

Flood believes marijuana legalization has a future here in Wisconsin.

“We have an uphill battle, but the way we get past that is to change who those leaders are in the Legislature, who make these decisions. I’m not talking about electing more Democrats or more Republicans. I’m talking about convincing the Republicans in the Legislature to change who’s calling the shots and to pick someone who’s more in tune with the people of Wisconsin,” said Flood.

Polls have consistently shown broad support for both medical and recreational marijuana in Wisconsin. But Republicans, who have had full control of the Legislature since 2011, have repeatedly blocked any efforts to loosen the law.

“There’s so much we could do with that tax revenue. It doesn’t make sense that we’re not taking advantage of it and just losing it to Illinois,” said Flood.

Governor Evers can’t legalize marijuana on his own, but has said he will continue to push lawmakers to pass reform legislation. He estimates marijuana could bring more than $160 million in revenue to the state.