Deb Silvers (D) to challenge Kevin Petersen (R)
Assembly District 40 (MAP) is primarily Waupaca County and eastern half of Waushara County, including the City of New London.
Republican assembly representative Kevin Petersen from Waupaca has not co-sponsored any legislation on marijuana reform since elected in 2006.
During 2019, the Assembly Republicans prefiled a bill for the 2020 legislative session to create a medical marijuana program in Wisconsin (Assembly Bill 750) which he failed to co-sponsor.
March 2020 Republicans circulated a decriminalization bill for co-sponsorship which he did not co-sponsor.
Holds office State Assembly District 40
Contact Kevin Petersen
Email: Deborah.Bowers@legis.wisconsin.gov
Web: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/40/petersen
Phone: 608-266-3794
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| Deb Silvers of New London is the Democratic candidate for the 40th Assembly District. Although new to politics, the Wisconsin native brings a long history of volunteerism and activism to her candidacy that highlights education, the environment, and health care. A wife, mother, and grandmother, Silvers takes seriously the responsibility we all have for making our world a better place. A moderate Democrat, Silvers believes Wisconsin’s future is at stake with this election. Talking without action accomplishes nothing, which is why she knows this is her time to step up. As a substitute teacher in New London, Silvers enjoys connecting with the youth in her community. We did not need to educate her on marijuana reform as she completed the 2020 NORML Candidate Questionnaire and here is her position on marijuana reform: 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 feel that legislation is needed to support what Wisconsin citizens/voters want. According to the Marquette Law School poll in September of 2019, 83% of Wisconsinites supported medical cannabis. Therefore I would support legislation to end the federal prohibition of marijuana. |
| Do you support or oppose decriminalizing the simple possession of marijuana? |
| Support |
| Please provide a position statement regarding decriminalizing the simple possession of marijuana. |
| I support legislation to decriminalize simple possession of marijuana. I support policies that Governor Evers proposed including both marijuana decriminalization and medical cannabis legalization. The state of WI. Needs to remove criminal penalties for possession. |
| 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. |
| Automatic Expungement of non-violent marijuana possession convictions is a Lengthy and expensive process. Would I support policies to streamline this process, Yes. The amount of paperwork, back logged court cases and expenses to the individual makes it challenging to overturn. I feel that the system would need to be re-written in order to support the release of individuals of these prior crimes. I support legislation to create the needed man-power to lead to a quick process. |
| 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 support Melissa Sargent’s full Legalization bill (AB 220.) In addition to Governor Evers legislation. I feel WI could benefit from the sales tax revenue and the economical impact of job growth in this area. I would encourage Legislative support and reflect that a majority of WIsconsin citizens are in support of this legalization. We need job growth as it relates to the impact of COVID-19 and this would be a good start. |
Learn more about the Campaign of Deb Silvers on the campaign Facebook page and visiting her website at https://www.debsilversforassembly.com/
General Election is Tuesday November 3rd, 2020.
Learn more about how to register to vote at https://norml.org/act/register-to-vote or MyVote.wi.gov
Learn more about requesting an absentee ballot / voting by mail at MyVote.Wi.Gov
