How Wisconsin’s ‘5 Dispensaries’ Plan Could Doom Medical Marijuana Legalization
Plus: What Governor Evers Thinks About the Republican Proposal for Medical Marijuana
A group of Republicans in the Wisconsin State Assembly has introduced a proposal to legalize medical marijuana in the state, but with strict limitations and regulations that could make it unworkable and unpopular.
The proposal, which was announced on Monday, aims to provide access to medical cannabis for seriously ill patients who have either a terminal illness or a chronic health condition that is certified by a physician. However, the proposal also imposes several restrictions on the type, amount, and availability of medical marijuana, as reported by the Associated Press.
Dispensaries: State-Run and Scarce
One of the most controversial aspects of the proposal is that it would limit the number of dispensaries that could sell medical marijuana to only five, and they would all be operated by the state Department of Health Services. The sponsors of the proposal said that these measures are necessary to ensure the safety and quality of the product, as well as to prevent diversion and abuse.
However, this plan could also create many problems for patients and providers, such as:
Lack of access
With only five dispensaries in the entire state, many patients would have to travel long distances to obtain their medical marijuana, which could be costly and inconvenient, especially for those who are terminally ill or have mobility issues.
Lack of choice
With only one supplier, the state would have a monopoly on the medical marijuana market, which could limit the variety and quality of the products available to patients. Patients would have no say in what strains, forms, or dosages of medical marijuana they could use, and they would have to rely on the state’s discretion and expertise.
Lack of competition
With no private sector involvement, the state would have no incentive to improve its services, lower its prices, or meet the demand of the patients. The state could also face legal challenges from the federal government, which still considers marijuana illegal, or from other states that have more liberal marijuana policies.
Patients: Seriously Ill and Restricted
Another restrictive aspect of the proposal is that it would only allow patients who have either a terminal illness or a chronic health condition that is certified by a physician to use medical marijuana. They would also need to obtain a state-issued identification card and a prescription from a licensed pharmacist. Additionally, the proposal would only allow patients to use nonsmokable forms of marijuana, such as oils, pills, or edibles.
These restrictions could also pose many challenges for patients and providers, such as:
Lack of eligibility
With such a narrow definition of who qualifies for medical marijuana, many patients who could benefit from it would be excluded, such as those who suffer from chronic pain, PTSD, epilepsy, or other conditions that are not considered terminal or chronic by the state.
Lack of evidence
With such a limited scope of medical marijuana use, there would be little opportunity for research and data collection on the efficacy and safety of medical marijuana for different conditions, dosages, and forms. This could hamper the scientific and medical understanding of medical marijuana, as well as the public awareness and acceptance of it.
Lack of autonomy
With such a strict regulation of medical marijuana use, patients would have little control over their own health care decisions, and they would have to comply with the state’s rules and regulations. Patients would also have to deal with the stigma and discrimination that could arise from using medical marijuana, especially in a conservative state like Wisconsin.
Politics: Divided and Indifferent
The proposal reflects the reluctance of the Republican majority in the state Legislature to embrace more comprehensive marijuana reforms, despite the growing public support and the neighboring states’ actions.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, one of the co-sponsors of the proposal, said that this is the “farthest” that the Republicans are willing to go at this point, and that they have no intention of legalizing recreational marijuana or expanding the medical program beyond the current parameters.
The proposal also faces an uncertain fate in the state Senate, where the Republican leadership has shown little interest in advancing any marijuana legislation. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said that he has not seen the proposal yet, and that he would need to consult with his caucus and the stakeholders before deciding how to proceed. He said that the proposal would need to undergo a thorough vetting process before it could be considered by the Senate.
Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, has repeatedly called on the Republican-controlled state Legislature to pass a bill to legalize marijuana, citing the potential benefits for the state’s economy, health care, and criminal justice system. However, his previous attempts to include marijuana legalization in his budget proposals were rejected by the Republican lawmakers, who argued that it would increase crime, addiction, and social problems.
Last week, Evers signaled that he would be open to supporting a more limited form of marijuana legalization, such as the one proposed by the Republicans, if it could help some patients who need it.
However, he also expressed skepticism about the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposal, saying that it would create a “bureaucratic nightmare” and that it would not meet the needs of most patients. He said that he would wait to see the details of the proposal before making a final decision.
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