MADISON: The latest issue of “Wisconsin Briefs” from the State Legislature’s Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB), Brief 10-7. issued in early November 2010, features the issue of medical cannabis and legislation present and past, from the Dane County and River Falls MMJ advisory referenda to AB554 and SB368 back to the 1990′s.

Here is the opening paragraphs of the brief, which was prepared by LRB Legislative AnalystKinnic Eagan, :

On November 2, 2010, Wisconsin voters in Dane County and the City of River Falls were asked if they support medical access to marijuana for seriously ill residents so long as their doctor recommends its use. The nonbinding referendum passed 75.5 percent to 24.5 percent in Dane County and 68 percent to 32 percent in River Falls. While the results of the advisory referenda do not change law, they may reflect a public interest in legalizing the medical use of marijuana.

Bills to legalize the medical use of marijuana have been introduced in the Wisconsin Legislature since the late 1990s. During the 2009-2010 legislative session, two bills on this subject were introduced, Senate Bill 368 and Assembly Bill 554. Nationally, 14 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) have adopted laws related to the medical use of marijuana. This brief provides background information on the issue of legalizing the medical use of marijuana and current law and legislation related to its use in Wisconsin. This brief does not address the broader subject of decriminalization of marijuana use.

The brief also contains information on other states that have legalized medical cannabis, summaries of opinions pro and con, tables showing current laws, and links to various references including the texts of AB554 and SB368, the Dec. 15, 2009 combined Health Committee hearing, and other related information.

Download PDF file here: Wisconsin Briefs from the Legislative Reference Bureau Brief 10-7 November 2010

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