Don Behm

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

All advisory referendums on marijuana use in Tuesday's general election — from approving medical purposes only to all-out legalization for adults — were supported by solid majorities in the 16 counties where they were placed on the ballot.

The successful campaigns for cannabis use in all corners of Wisconsin prompted longtime advocates to say they will try to meet soon with Gov.-Elect Tony Evers, a Democrat, and leaders of the GOP-controlled Legislature to review the results and seek changes in state laws.

The pro-cannabis use votes in Wisconsin came the same day as Michigan voters approved a statewide ballot initiative legalizing marijuana use and allowing regulated sales beginning next month. Michigan is the first state in the Midwest to end a prohibition on pot.

A solid majority of voters in six Wisconsin counties Tuesday told the Legislature it was time to end this state's prohibition on marijuana use by adults.

On the same day, larger majorities of voters in 11 counties and one city supported medical marijuana referendums. Racine County offered separate referendums on both issues.

The referendums are not binding on the GOP-controlled Legislature but pot advocates expected such a clear message would convince lawmakers to relax medical restrictions if not end prohibition altogether.

"Legislators are elected to represent the constituents in their districts," said Eric Marsch, executive director of the advocacy group Southeastern Wisconsin NORML.

Advisory referendums on legalizing adult use of cannabis were approved in Milwaukee, Dane, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Racine and Rock counties.

Ending the state prohibition on pot along with regulating its distribution and taxing sales were favored by 70 percent of Milwaukee County voters. Dane County voters gave legalizing adult marijuana use an even larger percentage of support with 76 percent in favor.

In Racine County, a 59 percent majority said marijuana use should be legalized for adults and regulated while an overwhelming 81 percent majority in a separate referendum said sales should be taxed, presumably if it was made legal.

The other county votes in support of legalizing weed: Rock County, 69 percent; La Crosse County, 63 percent; and Eau Claire County, 54 percent.

ELECTION RESULTS:Wisconsin and Milwaukee-area midterm results

FULL COVERAGE:2018 Wisconsin Elections

Eleven counties and the City of Waukesha offered ballot questions on medical use only.

In Waukesha, 77 percent of voters Tuesday said marijuana should be legalized for medical use in the state and regulated as a prescription drug.

In Racine County, the home of state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), voters gave medical marijuana 85 percent approval.

The other 10 counties and their voting results in support: Clark, 67 percent; Brown, 75 percent; Forest, 78 percent; Kenosha, 88 percent; Langlade, 77 percent; Lincoln, 81 percent; Marathon, 82 percent; Marquette, 78 percent; Portage, 83 percent; and Sauk, 80 percent.

Medical marijuana refers to the use of unprocessed marijuana plants or extracts to treat symptoms of illness or other medical conditions.

RELATED:In an advisory referendum, Waukesha residents overwhelmingly favor the legalization of medical marijuana

Votes confirm polling on pot

Tuesday's referendum voting results confirmed the findings of recent state and national polls showing that public attitudes toward use and possession of pot have steadily increased in recent years.

A Marquette University Law School poll of Wisconsin voters in August found that 61 percent of respondents said marijuana should be fully legalized and regulated like alcohol while 36 percent opposed legalization.

Fully 62 percent of Americans participating in a Pew Research Center poll in September said marijuana use should be legalized. That is double the 31 percent support reported in 2000.

Milwaukee County Supervisor John Weishan Jr. of West Allis said he sponsored the Milwaukee County referendum to persuade the Legislature to follow the lead of other states in regulating the legal use of marijuana and collecting a sales tax on purchases.

"I'm not surprised by the outcome," Weishan said. "There's been strong support here for decriminalization and legalization for a long time."

Legislature hasn't acted

Republican majorities in both the Assembly and Senate have not acted on a variety of pot proposals in recent years.

For that reason, marijuana advocates focused a lot of attention on Racine County and Waukesha to show support among conservative voters, Marsch said.

Nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized small amounts of marijuana for adult recreational use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Michigan will be added to the list.

Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia have established comprehensive medical marijuana programs for the use of unprocessed cannabis plants or extracts to treat symptoms of illness. Missouri and Utah took that issue to their voters in Tuesday's general election.

Since marijuana is a federally controlled substance, federal law prohibits prescriptions for the plant. To get around this obstacle, states with medical marijuana programs use the terms physician recommendations or referrals.

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the cannabis plant as medicine, the agency has approved a CBD-based liquid medication for the treatment of two forms of severe childhood epilepsy.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is low in THC. It doesn't make people high and it isn't intoxicating.

Wisconsin and 14 other states allow use of only low-THC cannabidiol products by prescription.

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