Cannabis tour: Democratic leader to promote marijuana legalization in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Democratic Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard (D-Madison) will announce plans Thursday, April 20, for "The Grass Routes Tour," promoting cannabis legalization in Wisconsin. 

Sen. Agard will be meeting with stakeholders, supporters and community members, according to a press release, for a town hall in four different locations in Wisconsin.

The Tour will include four stops around the state where the Democratic Senate Minority Leader will meet w/ stakeholders, supporters, community members and local leaders for a town hall. https://t.co/NcBCkAUXw7

— Emilee Fannon (@Emilee_Fannon) April 19, 2023

Last year, Republican lawmakers held a public hearing on a bill to legalize medical marijuana in some forms -- the first time in over a decade. The proposal never made it out of committee as Democrats and Republicans have been at odds over how to regulate cannabis. 

Governor Tony Evers has proposed legalizing marijuana in his second state budget, but GOP lawmakers plan to reject it. 

Polling shows more than 80% of Wisconsinites support legalizing marijuana for medical use, according to the Marquette University Law School. However, Republicans who control the Legislature have prevented marijuana bills from moving forward. 

In recent years, there's been growing support among Republicans who favor legalization of marijuana in Wisconsin, according to the latest MU Law School Poll. A majority of Republicans (51%) surveyed said they support marijuana legalization, with 42% opposed. That's a 10-point shift in opinion from 2019, when 41% supported legalization and 56% opposed.