UPDATED: 03/24/2017 8:04:47 AM: The 2017-2018 Wisconsin legislative session has seen a lot of legislation introduced for this early in the session, and GOP-sponsored bipartisan CBD legislation SB10/AB49 sponsored by Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa) was the first. This legislation was a priority after failing to pass the Senate last year and has already passed both houses and awaiting the signature of Gov. Scott Walker. Walker’s office told me last week that he plans to sign it within the next two weeks, so we should be hearing more about that soon.

In addition, Democrats have introduced medical cannabis legislation SB38/AB75 sponsored by Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) and Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison). The two are also sponsors of a resolution to place an advisory referendum SJR10/AJR7 about medical cannabis on the Nov. 2018 ballot.

The referendum question would read: “Question 1: Medical Marijuana. 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?”

There is a bipartisan industrial hemp bill AB147 from Rep. Dave Considine (D-Baraboo), who sponsored a hemp bill last session along with former Rep. Chris Danou (D-Trempealeau). Newly added 3/24 is another bipartisan hemp bill, this one sponsored by Rep. Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) and Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Poinr). Testin defeated longtime cannabigot Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) in the Nov. 2016 elections. Lassa killed the 2009 JRMMA by siding with Republicans in committee and sponsored or cosponsored zero cannabis-related bills during her tenure.

There is also a bill to legalize in-state CBD production and distribution, SB104/AB158 from Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. Jimmy P. Anderson (D-Fitchburg).

Besides the bills listed below with bill numbers at the time of writing, there are a couple more bills which should be introduced soon, those would be a statewide cannabis decriminalization bill from Rep. Adam Jarchow (R-Balsam Lake). Rep. Jarchow’s bill is truly exciting as a GOP-sponsored bill and hopefully will get a chance for a hearing. Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) recently announced on Facebook via video she would be re-introducing her hybrid adult use/medical use bill in April.

Below is a list of all bills so far with numbers so far this session and their current status:

State Assembly

2017 Assembly Joint Resolution 7
Relating to: an advisory referendum on legalization of medical marijuana.
Status: Health

2017 Assembly Bill 49
Relating to: definition of tetrahydrocannabinols and the use of cannabidiol.
03/7/2017 Asm. Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 98, Noes
02/8/2017 Sen. Read a third time and passed, Ayes 31, Noes 1
Status: Awaiting Gov. Walker’s signature

2017 Assembly Bill 75
Relating to: medical use of marijuana, the regulation of marijuana distribution entities, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, making appropriations, and providing a criminal penalty. (FE)
Status: Health

2017 Assembly Bill 147
Relating to: industrial hemp, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Status: Agriculture

2017 Assembly Bill 158
Relating to: production and possession of cannabidiol for treatment of a medical condition and providing a penalty. (FE)
Status: State Affairs

State Senate

2017 Senate Joint Resolution 10
Relating to: an advisory referendum on legalization of medical marijuana.
Status: Available for Scheduling

2017 Senate Bill 10
Relating to: definition of tetrahydrocannabinols and the use of cannabidiol.
03/7/2017 Asm. Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 98, Noes 02/8/2017 Sen. Read a third time and passed, Ayes 31, Noes 1
Status: Awaiting Gov. Walker’s signature

2017 Senate Bill 38
Relating to: medical use of marijuana, the regulation of marijuana distribution entities, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, making appropriations, and providing a criminal penalty. (FE)
Status: Health and Human Services

2017 Senate Bill 104
Relating to: production and possession of cannabidiol for treatment of a medical condition and providing a penalty. (FE)
Status: Health and Human Services

2017 Senate Bill 119
Relating to: growing and processing industrial hemp, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
Status: Agriculture, Small Business and Tourism