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Gov. Tony Evers plans to provide a pathway for the legalization of medical marijuana in his state budget and said he supports eventual full legalization.

Evers, speaking Tuesday to the Wisconsin Technology Council, said he plans to include a “first step” toward medical use in his upcoming budget and wants to explore ways to legalize recreational use that favor entrepreneurs and small businesses.

“At the end of the day, do I favor legalization? Yes.” Evers said. “So we will likely have in our budget a first step around medical marijuana.”

If a bill fully legalizing recreational marijuana were presented to him, Evers said, “I personally would sign that bill.”

Meanwhile, Attorney General Josh Kaul told a Milwaukee TV station he is open to allowing medical marijuana and will advocate for it with the Legislature.

Evers, as he’s done on the campaign trail, said Tuesday he would support an advisory referendum to determine whether Wisconsinites approve legalizing marijuana in full.

Such a referendum would not have the force of law. Wisconsin does not allow voters to enact their own laws, as other states such as California do, without the Legislature approving it first through a bill.