WC Wisconsin News

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has his mind made up in the marijuana legalization debate now sweeping the state.

“It's about darn time we listen to the people and legalize and tax marijuana in Wisconsin, much like we already do with alcohol,” he said in a recent Twitter post. The statement cemented his position in a battle that has seen him move to legalize the drug only to watch his efforts thwarted by Republican-controlled legislatures, despite public support for the change being on the rise.

From Milwaukee to Dane and Eau Claire counties, voters have joined in the growing movement to legalize marijuana; with residents in Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, Stevens Point and Superior also throwing their support behind the cause; a WISN report said.

"We will have a budget that includes legalizing marijuana," Evers told reporters, quoted by WISN. "At some point in time, the will of the people will become the law of the land."

Even as public support for the cause seems to grow by the day, Evers knows making it the law won’t come easy.

"I certainly don't think we're going to see the wholesale legalization of marijuana in Wisconsin, because the Republicans in the legislature simply do not support that," UW-LaCrosse political science professor Anthony Chergosky told WISN.

Chergosky added that he can envision a scenario in which the legislature moves to vote to legalize the sale of the drug exclusively for medical use.

"It would be one way for Republicans to try to find some common ground with the governor," he said.