Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers included plans to legalize recreational and medical marijuana as part of his new two-year budget, aimed at generating $ 165 million.
Evers would aim to use the money raised from the sale of marijuana to finance rural schools and the poorest communities in the state.
“Legalizing and taxing marijuana in Wisconsin – as we already do with alcohol – guarantees a controlled market and a safe product available for recreational and medicinal users and can open the door to countless opportunities to reinvest in our communities and create a fair state” said Evers.
Tony Evers, Democratic candidate for governor of Wisconsin, speaks during a campaign rally for Democratic candidates in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, on Monday, October 22, 2018. Senator Bernie Sanders visited Wisconsin as part of a nine-year swing. states with giving a boost to progressive candidates ahead of the November 6 elections. Photographer: Daniel Acker / Bloomberg via Getty Images
(Getty Images)
“Frankly, the red and blue states across the country have moved forward with legalization and there is no reason why Wisconsin should be left behind, when we know it is supported by the majority of Wisconsin residents.”
Evers also said that sales would generate more revenue for the state, create jobs and reduce criminal justice costs, the WPR reported.
Voters in 16 Wisconsin counties and two major cities supported the use of marijuana, mostly related to medical marijuana.
66 ICE FISHERMEN RESCUED FROM ICE FLOWERS IN WISCONSIN BAY
The motion is likely to be blocked by the Republican-controlled legislature. Republican Assembly President Robin Vos of Rochester said recently that he would support the legalization of medical marijuana, but not recreational marijuana.
Vos asked that the issue of recreational use be addressed separately from the state budget, reported the Wisconsin State Journal.
State Senator Kathy Bernier of R-Chippewa Falls called the governor’s proposal “divisive”.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
“The end result is, he knows, I know, we know that the Republican Legislature is not going to legalize marijuana on its own,” said Bernier. “So, let’s talk about the things we can do and work together.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.