La Crosse County supervisors okayed a cannabis legalization advisory referendum for the Nov. 6 ballot Thursday night by a 17-8 margin, becoming the sixth Wisconsin county to do so. The six in order of passage are Milwaukee, Rock, Dane, Sauk, Brown and La Crosse. The combined estimated 2016 population of the six counties totals 2,095,117. The statewide estimated 2018 population is 5,818,049.
The question that will appear on November ballots will be: "Should the State of Wisconsin legalize the use of marijuana by adults 21 years or older, to be taxed and regulated in the same manner that alcohol is regulated in the State of Wisconsin, with proceeds from taxes used for education, healthcare and infrastructure?"
While the referendum passed easily, one opponent on the board, Sup. Vicki Burke, cited some convoluted political logic in expressing why she wouldn't vote for it, saying, "Our job is the protection, the health and safety of people. People voting at the polls don't have that responsibility. We do."
Status ofv Wisconsin County Cannabis Advisory Referendums as of Friday, July 20, 2018. (Cannabadger.com)
Population of Counties approving referendums as of 7/20/2018 (2016)
Rank - County Population
1-MILWAUKEE 952,085
2-DANE 536,416
4-BROWN 262,052
9-ROCK 162,309
12-LA CROSSE 118,274
24-SAUK 63,981
TOTAL 2,095,117
In Marathon County, the board held an educational meeting July 19 that included a session on medical cannabis with nine speakers. The board will meet to vote on the referendum Tuesday, July 24, 2018 7:00pm. Supporters are strongly urged to attend to help make sure this referendum makes the ballot.
The proposed question for Marathon County is:
"Should the State of Wisconsin allow individuals with debilitating medical conditions to use and safely access marijuana for medical purposes, if those individuals have a written recommendation from a licensed Wisconsin physician"
Previous Cannabadger coverage of Wisconsin county advisory referendums:
Brown County board approves medical cannabis advisory referendum
Sauk is 4th Wisconsin county to approve Nov. 6 cannabis advisory referendum
Dane County is third county to approve November cannabis advisory vote
Brown, St. Croix, Langlade and Sauk county cannabis advisory referendums head to full board votes
Langlade and Walworth join 8 other counties looking at cannabis advisory referendums
Cannabis legalization advisory referendum update: Rock County approves, other counties moving forward
Wisconsin County Cannabis Legalization Advisory Referendums moving forward across state
More Wisconsin counties looking at advisory referendums on pot legalization
Dane County Board to consider cannabis legalization advisory referendum for November ballot
Full Milwaukee County Board OKs cannabis legalization advisory referendum for November ballot
Milwaukee County Board committee OKs pot legalization referendum proposal; sends to full board for vote
