Legalization of industrial hemp by state lawmakers last session continues to bring lots of good change to Wisconsin in a short amount of time. On Thursday Sept. 20, the Milwaukee County Board approved 17-1 Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez’s resolution to have the Parks department conduct a study of possible revenue-generating uses for the Mitchell Park Greenhouses including producing industrial hemp. The sole vote against was cast by the board’s chair, 1st District Sup. Theo Lipscomb.

On Aug. 21, the Fond du Lac County board was one of 7 counties voting on cannabis advisory referendums, but unlike the six others, rejected approving a referendum, instead voting to refer it to the Public Safety committee on a 15-8 vote on a motion by District 23 Sup. Martin Ryan. The move came during a contentious meeting that saw sheriff’s deputies removing at least one person from the chambers.