GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A Green Bay alderman wants a referendum on marijuana legalization, although the power to make such a change rests with the state Legislature, not the city.
Ald. Randy Scannell is proposing a referendum for the Nov. 8 ballot reading “Should marijuana be legalized for adult-use, taxed and regulated like alcohol?,” according to an agenda published Friday.
As support for the notion, Scannell describes what has happened in Michigan:
“We’ve seen that our neighbors are benefiting by legalizing cannabis. Michigan legalized adult recreational marijuana in 2018 and now, what was previously illegal, is monitored and regulated. Not only is this giving adults more freedom to make their own personal choices, but it’s ensuring safer and more predictable options while generating significant economic activity and public revenue. In March, Michigan sent more than $42.2 million to 163 municipalities and counties as a part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act,” Scannell wrote.
The City Council’s Protection & Policy Committee will discuss the idea at meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday. It will be held via Zoom.
The council would have to act by mid-August to place the advisory question on the November ballot.
Backers of legalizing marijuana have been blocked by the Republican-controlled Legislature, which has shown little interest in such bills. There was a public hearing on a bill in April, but no legislative sessions scheduled until 2023, action is not imminent.
In 2018, voters in 18 municipalities held advisory referendums, which generally showed support for various forms of legalization.
