Emily Berge (D) to challenge Jesse James (R)
We have worked in this district and during the 2018 campaign had Republican (James) opposed legalizing recreational marijuana, having a great deal to say about it, adding he wants to be a leader on the issue?
But having Law Enforcement (Republican James) on our side for medical marijuana cannot hurt, as the then candidate James expressed support for medical cannabis.
Sticking to a campaign promise and having sponsored medical marijuana legislation his first term as a freshman Republican earned this legislator a B- rating.
Holds office State Assembly District 68. Link to Full Scorecard Vote
Rep. James Position on Marijuana Legalization: Opposed; State Representative Jesse James (R) Altoona and former Altoona Police Chief says he is against the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
“We need to take into consideration the states that have already legalized marijuana and look at the impact it has had,” James says. “This is a very complicated issue.”
He says there is a big focus on marijuana legislation, especially now that it has been legalized in two neighboring states.
“There are emails that come daily regarding the legalization of marijuana,” James says. “I also want to be the spokesperson that educates people to at least take a moment and try to understand the impact but let’s look at the future and the devastation that is going to come because it will.”
Rep. James Position on Medical Marijuana: Supports, sponsored limited medical marijuana program with no smoking/no home grows.
However James does support medical marijuana. He says the senate will not look at it this session but it is something that could be considered by the assembly in the near future and possibly next session.
“It is something we should be able to support because it will help so many people with medical conditions,” James says.
Sponsored Legislation: Assembly Bill 236 Regarding firearms and confidentiality of medical marijuana patients and Assembly Bill 750 Creation of a Medical Marijuana Program.
Contact Jesse James, Email: Rep.James@legis.wisconsin.gov, Web: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/68/James, Phone: 608-266-9172
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Not new to marijuana reform, Emily Berge is currently serving on the Eau Claire City County and she voted in favor of lowering the marijuana fine to $1 which ended up passing council. I reached out to her campaign and she reminded me of the above and added:
Thank you for reaching out to me. Considering that in 2018, 67% of Clark County voters voted in favor of medical marijuana and 54% of voters in Eau Claire County voted in favor of legalizing and regulating marijuana (and another 31% voted for medical marijuana ), I think it is essential to work towards marijuana reform. Since the 68th Assembly District includes these counties with Eau Claire County being the largest county in the district, it is clear where most of my district stands on marijuana reform.
Learn more at campaign of Emily Berge by following her campaign on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/berge4wisconsin
Learn more about how to register to vote at MyVote.wi.gov
Learn more about requesting an absentee ballot / voting by mail at MyVote.Wi.Gov
