Sen. Julie Lassa

History	Dec. 15, 2019 marks 10th anniversary of historic 2009 combined health committee hearing on the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act December 14, 2019 - Dec. 15, 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the Dec. 15, 2009 combined health committee hearing on the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (JRMMA). In Nov. 2008, Democrats swept into power in Wisconsin, gaining control of both houses of the state legislature with incumbent Gov. Jim Doyle already holding down the executive branch since 2003. Then-Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) and Sen. Jon...
Medical	Looking back at Wisconsin 2009 joint committee hearing on medical cannabis December 15, 2018 - In Nov. 2008, Democrats swept into power in Wisconsin, gaining control of both houses of the state legislature with incumbent Gov. Jim Doyle already holding down the executive branch. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) and Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee) were the sponsors of Assembly Bill 554/Senate Bill 368, the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act (JRMMA). With Democrats chairing both health committees...
Decriminalization	Wisconsin pot decriminalization bill has support across political spectrum June 25, 2017 - Wisconsin's historic new bipartisan cannabis decriminalization bill Senate Bill 318 includes a number of sponsors of cannabis law reform legislation not seen before the current legislative session. Not only is the lead Assembly sponsor a Republican, Rep. Adam Jarchow (R-Balsam Lake), there are five other GOP cosponsors, Kathleen Bernier (R-Lake Hallie), Reps. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) Dale...
Politics	70% of Wisconsin State Senators sponsor cannabis-related bills in 2017 May 17, 2017 - Updated 2017-05-30 5:46:39 PM So far in the 2017-2018 session, 24 of 33 Wisconsin state senators have sponsored or cosponsored at least one cannabis-related bill. Of the 9 senators who have not signed on to any cannabis-related legislation, all are Republicans, who hold the majority with 20 seats. Up until May 30, the group included one Democrat, 90-year old Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison). Although...
Legalization	2017 Session Cannabis Related Bills in WI Legislature so far March 23, 2017 - 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...
History	2016 Cannabadger Wisconsin Year in Cannabis Review December 14, 2016 - 2016 marked another difficult year for cannabis legalization in Wisconsin. With all branches of state government under the control of Republicans who have shown little interest in cannabis for six years and counting, progress at the state level was again stymied. With any forward progress impossible at the state level, cannabis activists once again concentrated on local efforts, with mixed...
Elections	Anti-Medical Pot Wisconsin Senator Julie Lassa loses seat November 9, 2016 - It’s not often I get to write about the defeat of a longtime nemesis of medical cannabis legislation in Wisconsin. State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point), was defeated by Republican Patrick Testin in the Nov. 8 general election by a 52-48% margin. Testin had expressed support for medical cannabis to voters while campaigning. State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point), a longtime nemesis of medical...
Legalization	Why Wisconsin can’t vote to legalize cannabis October 12, 2016 - This November citizens in nine states will be voting to legalize medical cannabis or adult use. Wisconsin will not be among them. As of June 2016, 25 states and Washington D.C. currently have some form of medical cannabis law and 4 plus Washington D.C. have legalized adult use. I recently read an article in Motley Fool that listed Wisconsin among 14 states that would likely be the last of the...