Syliva Ortiz-Velez (D) Assembly District 8 Candidate Statements
Wisconsin Assembly District 8 (Map)
When I research candidates for office and a simple google search turns up multiple results with that candidates name and marijuana reform, it makes my job a little easier. When the candidate also has marijuana reform as a platform campaign issue, that makes the public finding that information easier.
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez is the current 12 District Milwaukee County Supervisor and also a Democratic Candidate for Assembly District 8 in Milwaukee. She is fondly known as the queen of hemp in Milwaukee County. Past news articles have highlighted her reform efforts:
- 2018 supported placing marijuana related referendum on the ballot for November 2018
- Passed a resolution to proprogate hemp clones at the mitchell park domes greenhouses
- Passed a resolution to use agricultural land owned by the Milwaukee County for lease to others for hemp production
I immediately went to her official campaign website and found the following statement:
Pass Medical Marijuana Legislation: Sylvia will fight to get medical marijuana legislation passed. With the rise of drug overdoses and opiate addictions, medical marijuana has proven to be a safe and natural alternative for relief to patients suffering from several medical conditions. Doctors and patients – not politicians and corporate interests – should be the ones able to make the decision about your care! Medical marijuana has also proven to be a great source of jobs and revenue in other States. Why not Wisconsin?
Of course there is more to cannabis reform then just medical marijuana, so Syliva completed our 2020 Candidate Questionnaire and here are her positions on a few aspects of cannabis policy:
| Over three dozen US states and territories, not including Wisconsin, are regulating marijuana for medical and/or adult-use, despite marijuana’s federal illegality. Ending federal prohibition would alleviate the tension between these states and the US government and allow states to set their own policies free from federal interference. Do you support or oppose ending the federal prohibition of marijuana? |
| Support |
| Please provide a position statement regarding legalizing the medical use of marijuana. |
| I will fight to get medical marijuana legislation passed. With the rise of drug overdoses and opiate addictions, medical marijuana has proven to be a safe and natural alternative for relief to patients suffering from several medical conditions. Doctors and patients – not politicians and corporate interests – should be the ones able to make the decision about your care! Medical marijuana has also proven to be a great source of jobs and revenue in other States. Why not Wisconsin? |
| Do you support or oppose decriminalizing the simple possession of marijuana? |
| Support |
| Please provide a position statement regarding decriminalizing the simple possession of marijuana. |
| Simple possession for marijuana possession should not be illegal. People should not have to worry about going to jail for just trying to get their medicine. |
| The prohibition of marijuana allows for the disproportionate criminalization of black and brown Wisconsinites, despite similar rates of consumption across all races and ethnicities. The impacts of marijuana criminalization are far reaching and include long-lasting collateral consequences well beyond the criminal charge. Do you support the automatic expungement of non-violent marijuana possession convictions? |
| Yes |
| Please provide a position statement regarding automatic expungement of non-violent marijuana possession convictions. |
| As a woman of color, I understand and can relate to the proven racism that has been involved in the prosecution of marijuana possesion. Here in Milwaukee County a 2016 study showed that 85% of the prosecutions were african amercian and disportionately affects people of color more disproportionately. Wisconsin should automatically expunge non-violent marijuana possession convictions. |
| Legalizing the responsible adult-use of marijuana provides states the opportunity to take marijuana off the street corner and place it behind an age-verified counter to better provide for consumer and public safety and prevent youth access. Taxing and regulating the adult-use of marijuana also provides economic stimulus through job creation and tax revenue. Do you support or oppose legalizing and regulating the responsible use of marijuana by adults? |
| Support |
| Please provide a position statement regarding legalizing and regulating the responsible use of marijuana by adults. |
| I will support full legalization of marijuana for the use by responsible adults. Many people wont seek medical treatment for things like PTSD and people shouldn’t have to be sick to get the medicine they need. My husband suffered deeply from PTSD and many of our veterans wont seek help but still need the medicine to make them feel well. |
The winner of the Democratic Primary on August 11th will advance to the general election: Candidates in the Democratic Primary are Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, JoAnna Bautch and Enrique Murguia.
Republican Primary Election August 11 for Assembly District 8: Candidates are Angel Sanchez (Candidate Questionnaire on file) and Ruben Velez.
General Election is Tuesday November 3rd, 2020.
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
