Updated 02/23/2017 7:31:41 AM: The Assembly Committee on Children and Families held an executive session on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 9:00 AM on AB49/SB10 CBD legislation. . The session was carried live on Wisconsin Eye. A substitute amendment legalizing production of CBD in Wisconsin was introduced by Rep. Chris Taylor. Rep. Taylor noted that families faced a difficult path in obtaining CBD oil out of state. She said her preference was to legalize medical cannabis.
Vice-chair Rep. Bob Gannon (R-West Bend) spoke against Rep. Taylor’s amendment. Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake) said the amendment would delay passage of bill and it needed to be passed today. She claimed families could obtain CBD oil in Illinois and Minnesota, which is not true. She also said she worried about marijuana being addictive. She cited the story of a friend’s child who supposedly progressed to hard drugs after starting with pot.
Committee chair Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) cautioned about talking about medical cannabis. Chris Taylor pointed out the bill was already going against the DEA. Said access is an issue. Said it is the heart of the bill. Rep. Jill Billings (D-LaCrosse) thanked the chair for accepting the amendment on late notice. She discussed delivery, a way for parents and people in pain to get CBD legally. She said going to Illinois requires a state medical cannabis card. She said mail order breaks the law too. She said going to vote for it because of the moms. Said the amendment puts people in a much better situation because they can get the medicine.
Rep. Kitchens says the federal government has failed families, not lawmakers. He said as a veterinarian he is worried about what families might get. Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) says she struggled with telling families they can use CBD, but need to commit a felony to get it. Says she is a cosponsor but supported out of hesitation. The amendment addresses supply. Thinks it’s the next crucial step.
Rep. David Bowen says why wait for FDA, why not step up now? Rep. Kitchens says could be contraindications, etc., from CBD use. Bowen says he is baffled can’t do more.
Rep. Taylor says amendment allows state to ensure it is safer than ordering online and is made safer. Licensing, etc. would ensure it is safer. Opportunity for more testing and safety with state having a bigger role. Rep. Kerkman sputters, let’s vote on bill and get it done.
Rep. Kitchens says supports intent of amendment but supports looking at production “down the road.” Taylor promises it will be followed up. Says was under impression there was way to obtain when she signed on. Says lets work together to get this addressed.
Kitchens claims state DHS unable to adequately test CBD and called for a vote.
7-4 vote along party lines to defeat Taylor amendment to allow production.
Vote for AB49 and SB10 is unanimous. Krug absent for some reason. Vote held open a half hour.
The committee held its public hearing on Feb. 15. The full senate already voted Feb 8 to pass SB10 by a 31-1 margin with one member abstaining.
Legislative leaders have vowed to pass AB49/SB10 by March, and Gov. Scott Walker has promised to sign it but has said he doesn’t support fully legalizing medical cannabis.