“While I’d love to say we’ll have a public hearing on this bill, more than anything this is to begin a conversation,” she said.

Of the bill co-sponsors, Clark recently announced he will not run for reelection and Hulsey, who has had a public falling out with Democratic Party leadership, is facing two primary opponents and has not decided whether he will run for reelection again.

One of his opponents, Madison Ald. Mark Clear, indicated he would support the pot legalization bill, saying “prohibition has failed.”

Clear said that he believes seeing Colorado and Washington cope with legalization could help reluctant politicians in Wisconsin embrace the concept of legal pot.

“I think that there’s some fear that politically that might be somewhat of a loser,” he said. “I actually don’t think that’s the case.”

Clear’s only declared primary opponent, fellow Madison Ald. Lisa Subeck, is not willing to commit to legalization yet, although like most Democrats, she emphasizes her support for legalization of medical cannabis and suggests the state shouldn’t be spending significant time and money cracking down on pot offenders.

“I am open to considering Rep. Sargent's bill for full legalization and look forward to doing additional research on the bill's impact before committing my support,” she said recently.

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