Jay Selthofner is running for Wisconsin State Assembly in District 41 as an Independent candidate. He is passionate about improving our local economy and our environment, is a respected member of the local business community, and he understands very well the problems facing the farmers, businesses, families, and other citizens who make up the Wisconsin economy. He is a lifetime resident of Wisconsin, married for 10 years and has three children.
Jay is also a co-founder and Executive Director of Northern Wisconsin NORML, secretary for Wisconsin NORML, former board member for Madison NORML and the Wisconsin Ambassador for Americans for Safe Access. As well as volunteering his time and services to Is My Medicine Legal Yet? and other organizations, he organized the T.H.C. Tour (Talking Hemp and Cannabis) and traveled Wisconsin assisting the movement to seek passage of the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act.
Charmie Gholson is co-owner and Editor of the Midwest’s first and only medical marijuana trade journal, The Midwest Cultivator. She is a working journalist, ghostwriter, drug policy reform advocate, mother of three sons and oldest of three sisters. She lives in Ann Arbor Michigan.
Charmie works as a staff writer for LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, an organization of law enforcers who speak out against and work to end the failed drug war. She’s honored to work for this amazing group of cops.
From 2003-2009, Charmie created, produced and hosted Renegade Solutions, a Native Rights public affairs radio show that reported on environmental and social justice issues, including drug policy reform. She has written for many national publications, including The New York Times Magazine, and was a columnist for Current Magazine for ten years.
Charmie speaks on a wide range of topics: how and why to end the failed drug war, the rise of paramilitary drug raids, asset forfeiture (policing for profit), taking the profit out of the drug war, how to move from being an activist to an ambassador, how the drug war has skewed police priorities, and minimizing potentially dangerous interactions with police. She believes marijuana is a medicine, whether it’s used recreationally or to treat illness, and legalizing marijuana is an essential step towards a return to traditional medicines and healing.
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Tori LaChapelle
My name is Tori LaChapelle. I’m 30 years old, I’m a mom, I’m a nurse and I have fibromyalgia. I’m in pain everyday of my life. 24 hours a day. Everyday. There is no escape. What I have is widespread pain, disturbed sleep, and exhaustion from head to toe. What I have is a malfunction in the way the nervous system processes pain. There is no “pain killer” in any pharmacy today that can help me. As a nurse, I’ve watched patients struggle with pain, death, and addiction. All of which can be eased with the use of medical marijuana.
Study after study, thousands of patients and hundreds of doctors have proven that medical marijuana treatment for chronic pain is effective and safe. Yet in Wisconsin it is still illegal and I, along with millions of chronic pain patients, many of them MY patients, are still suffering. If we reach for cannabis to ease our pain at this time, we are classified as criminals when in reality it is criminal to keep from us safe and effective medicine.
It’s time for Wisconsin patients, advocates and citizens to stand up, speak out and make sure medical marijuana legislation is passed to stop the unnecessary suffering.
Tori LaChapelle, originally born and raised in Dodge City, KS relocated to the Madison area in 1999. She is the proud mother of 4 beautiful boys. She has worked closely with the terminally ill and dying, chronic pain patients and dementia patients. She will discuss the benefits of delta 9 THC for chronic pain patients and the importance of patient advocacy and decriminalization.
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Video by Jessica Franke, treasurer, Friends of Jay Selthofner (http://www.jayselthofner.com/) and Secretary, Northern Wisconsin NORML (https://www.northernwinorml.org/)
Do not miss this local activist networking event! Pick up blank signature forms for distribution locally. Come down and sign for support and say high to the NORML crew!
Meet your NORML representatives working on reform, receive updates on state and federal legislation, membership sign up and NORML schwag available.
Help with planning for 2020 final push in the legislation session.
Northern Wisconsin NORML meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month for food, fellowship and public meeting. All new attendees to the meeting will receive a free activist kit and the chapter will be giving away some additional products and merchandise at the July 12th, 2012 meeting.
The Northern Wisconsin NORML T shirt Design contest is still underway. We would like to do this on a monthly basis but we need more design submissions by artists. This project just might be a quarterly T-shirt contest without your input and activity! We are planning on printing a limited edition of each design and then moving onto the next! But, we need your help! So artists, you have free reign. People sitting in a circle with good ideas, submit your designs also! We will pick a winner once per month (or quarter).
Check the calendar of events often for updates, things to bring to the meeting and to confirm agendas.
Join us from 4:20pm to 5:30pm as the chapter board of directors, along with members and supporters enjoy fellowship as an informal group gathering together prior to our meeting. The meeting location is the Harmony Cafe, 233 E College Ave in Appleton, which has food and beverages available for sale.
At 5:30pm we begin our general meeting, which is expected to last until 7:00pm, sometimes finishing early, but we have the room reserved up till 8pm in case we need to go longer.
Meetings are open to the general public and you need not a be a member to attend.
Meetings are also broadcast over the Internet via Google + Hangouts. NOTE: YOU WILL NOT BE ON CAMERA UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE, ONLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MODERATING THE MEETING ARE BROADCAST.
NOTE: Membership is the key to being a strong chapter and we are currently looking for field directors to work with the Treasurer and fundraising team on specific projects, please contact us at NorthernWiNORML@gmail.com if interested in assisting with this project.
LEGALIZE 4:2012 SHIRTS, BUTTONS AND OTHER GEAR AVAILABLE AT:
Our NORML chapter is trying to make a difference by making micro-loans to small business owners in countries adversely affected by our drug war. Consider joining our Northern Wisconsin NORML Kiva Lending Team or even forwarding this to a friend.
We have set a goal to reach 25 new members by December 31st, 2011. Won’t you please help us reach that goal? You don’t have to make a loan right away (or at all) but we would appreciate your support as a team member either way. Read more about our goal here.
In this Group: Carmela Cristino Mateo, Elizabeth Lopez Samano, Epifania Sandoval Dominguez, Eldida Mateo Alejandro, Gloria Flores Morales, Laura Gil Florentino, Maria Florentino Hernandez, Maria Guadalupe Trejo Ramirez, Maria Del Pilar Gonzalez Vieyra, Silvia Samano De Jesus, Maribel Samano Octaviano* not pictured
This group is called “Rositas del Ocho” (The Little Roses of the Eight). The members chose this name because these ladies are from neighborhood #8 and enjoy Damask roses (otherwise known as roses of Castille). Most of the residents raise sheep. This group consists of eleven members.
Elizabeth López Samano is one of the members of this group. She is 27 years old and completed her education through the preparatory level. Elizabeth is a housewife and merchant and says that her business is fundamental to her ability to move forward and contribute to her family’s expenses. She has two sons. Sra. Elizabeth sells roasted pork tacos at the flea market every Monday. She has been in this business for eight years. Her dedication has resulted in her customers choosing her because of the good service she provides. This loan will help her buy feed for the pigs that she raises, as well as condiments she uses for preparing pork tacos. She dreams of someday having a larger establishment so that she can satisfy the demand for her product.
What: Awareness March for support of Industrial Hemp Cannabis
When: Tuesday, October 11th, 2011, 5:00pm
Where: Corner of N Main and Irving St, Oshkosh
March will start immediately after an introductory meeting of NORML
Participants will be marching to the sun dial.
Why: To raise awareness for HR 1831 – The Industrial Hemp Act of 2011
House Bill 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011, would exclude low potency varieties of marijuana from federal prohibition. If approved, this measure will grant state legislatures the authority to license and regulate the commercial production of hemp as an industrial and agricultural commodity.
Several states — including North Dakota, Montana, and Vermont– have enacted regulations to allow for the cultivation of hemp under state law. However, none of these laws can be implemented without federal approval.
Passage of HR 1831 would remove existing federal barriers and allow states that wish to regulate commercial hemp production the authority to do so.
With the U.S. hemp industry valued at over $400 million in annual retail sales and growing, a change in federal policy to allow hemp farming would mean instant job creation, among many other economic and environmental benefits. According to a 2010 Congressional Resource Service report, “approximately 30 countries in Europe, Asia, and North and South America currently permit farmers to grow hemp.” But the United States does not. As a result, U.S. companies that specialize in hempen goods have no choice but to import hemp material. These added production costs are then passed on to the consumer who must pay artificially high retail prices for hemp products.
Supporters of Industrial Hemp are in Oshkosh to promote the growth of the Northern Wisconsin NORML, the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, to bring awareness to HR 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011 and also in a direct response to Senator Jessica King’s recent i9 public comments about this “controversial plant.”
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Jay Selthofner at 920-410-2920 or visit www.NorthernWiNORML.org for more information.
Wisconsin Governor Race – Republican Primary August 9th, 2022
Rebecca Kleefisch, Timothy Ramthun and Tim Michels are not supporting reforming cannabis laws. Neither was Kevin Nicholson who dropped out of the race in July 2022.
Kleefisch recently stressed her position was informed by her relationship with law enforcement officers who she said informed her marijuana use creates a pathway to more potent drug consumption and gives way to narcotics trafficking.
“I listen to cops,” Kleefisch said “We know that marijuana is a gateway drug because this is what law enforcement says. We need to stop it where it starts.”
Republican Jonathan Wichmann has been the most vocal advocate in the Republican party supporting this important issue.
Notable is also Senator Patrick Testin who is running also and not up for re-election in his Senate seat. He at least co-sponsored a grow your own medical marijuana bill a session or two back, but he has really be missing in action on the issue, especially for veterans.
Senator Roger Roth gave up his Senate seat to run for Lt. Governor. He must know something or is done with politics for awhile after this. He really has not done much to support cannabis reform in his career as a politician. He maybe letting up a little because of veterans use data and our lobbying efforts, but we still do not consider him friendly.
The rest of the GOP candidates are Will Martin from Racine, Kyle Yudes from Eau Claire, David C. Varnam from Lancaster, Cindy Werner from Milwaukee, David D. King from Milwaukee.
Of the eight Republican contenders running for lieutenant governor, five said they would back creating a pathway to legalize cannabis for healing purposes.
State Sens. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, and Roger Roth, R-Appleton, business owners Jonathan Wichmann and Kyle Yudes, and Godsquad founder David King said in a recent debate they are in favor of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Lancaster Mayor David Varnam, government agency consultant Will Martin and Fredrick Douglass Foundation ambassador Cindy Werner opposed legalizing medicinal cannabis.
Wisconsin Attorney General Race
Wisconsin Attorney General Candidates’ Forum conducted on June 8, 2022.
Adam Jarchow was one of the first Republicans to be vocal about the change needed in the cannabis laws in Wisconsin. As an assembly representative he authored a bill to decriminalize marijuana statewide in Wisconsin. The GOP prohibition candidate and special interest group Wisconsin Family Council are attacking Jarchow for his views on cannabis and calling him a supporter of legalization…. Are they right?
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Eric Toney is the GOP prohibition candidate attacking Jarchow for his views. Toney authored and published an op ed piece entitled What’s Adam Jarchow smoking? which Toney said ““In the debate I won against my GOP primary opponents one thing was clear; Adam Jarchow is trying to hide his support for legalizing recreational marijuana. As a front-line prosecutor for nearly a decade, I’ve prosecuted many violent crimes that involve marijuana and I’m firmly opposed to legalizing this drug.”
Karen Mueller is also in the race. Karen is a civil rights attorney from Chippewa Falls, where she resides with her family. She is the Founder and General Counsel of the Amos Center for Justice and Liberty, which defends those who have experienced a violation of one or more of their liberties by governmental agents or by private actors carrying out the work, purposes, or goals of the government to the detriment of citizens. Throughout her legal career, Karen has been a civil rights and employment law attorney in her own private practice and has worked with discrimination and harassment claims. Karen received her J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law.
Mueller said during the debate that the DOJ should concentrate its resources on prosecuting violent crime.
Wisconsin Secretary of State
Candidate Coverage Coming Soon!
Wisconsin US Senate
Incumbent Ron Johnson faces Republican David Schroeder from Milwaukee. The voting record of Senator Ron Johnson speaks for itself and we have to consider him a prohibitionist and provides a lot of double talk on the issue. He was quoted saying “I can’t support it (recreational marijuana) myself because I think it sets a really bad example for young children,” Johnson said.
We asked the primary challenger Republican David Schroeder about his stance on cannabis reform and this is what he told us:
“Decriminalize it, legalize it, tax it. After legalization, use grants to assist small businesses in communities that have been previously harmed by its criminalization to invigorate those communities. Take organized crime’s role out of it.”
Incumbent Glen Grothman will face Republican Douglas Mullinex. What Grothman says on the issue sometimes just does not make sense. He claims to be a supporter of hemp cannabis, but when it comes to THC he changes his tune. His voting record speaks volumes.
*Update June 24th, 2022 : There is no Democrat Candidate that filed to run in this election. I met with Douglas Mullenix who had an excellent understanding on the issue of cannabis reform and I believe would be more helpful in federal legalization efforts than the Incumbent Grothman.
Shaun Clarmont displayed a great understanding of the cannabis laws and what is needed to reform them. He is blowing no smoke when it comes to his view on cannabis. He was up front and returned our request for his stance on marijuana reform. We believe Clarmont to be the Cannabis Candidate in this Republican Primary.
Red Arnold (R) from Milwaukee: I personally think it should be decriminalized statewide but given the current political climate of the Republican party the best we could realistically hope for would be medical use. It’s a step in the right direction but regardless we have to be careful that we don’t screw it up like so many other States have with this “seed to weed” approach which would only allow wealthy individuals or corporations get in on the growing, cultivating & distributing of it.
Peter Gilbert (R) of St Francis: “I am not in favor of legalizing it because of the impaired driving. The driving is bad enough anyway. Also it can lead to other dangerous drugs.”
STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 9
Incumbent: Devin LeMahieu (R) is facing two challengers in this Republican Primary. Senate Majority Leader LeMahieu has had a very rocky start to his position. He wants to wait for the FDA to act on medical cannabis even though a majority of Republicans in office have indicated a willingness to support medical marijuana under strict government oversight and program guidelines that limit conditions, do not allow smoking products and would not allow any home growing/cultivation.
The first challenger we analyze is Republican Jeanette Deschene from Manitowoc. She was easy to contact and very friendly. Jeanette shared extensively with us her view and cannabis reform. To make it short, she is stronger than LeMahieu on the issue, that is for sure. Is she a Cannabis Caucus Candidate? We would like to think so. If elected she would replace a thorn in the side of legalization with that of a nice organically grown bud.
Ruth Villareal is a Republican from Sheboygan that has also filed to run in this race a provided this statement to a constituent: “As a nurse of 15 years I do believe that cannabis has its place at a viable treatment and has medicinal benefits.“
There is no Democrat filed to run in this race during the general election, so the primary takes the seat.
STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 19
Incumbent: Roger Roth is gone and off to another race, he wants to become Lt. Governor. He has been no friend of marijuana reform up, but recently seemed to lighten his opposition a little to medical marijuana/THC.
Rachael “RCG” Cabral-Guevara from Appleton will leave her Assembly seat to seek this Senate seat. During her first term in office, she was the only Republican to co-sponsor the Democratic version of medical marijuana that allows smoking products and allows home grows. She also talks a lot about the issue. We had chance to meet with her in Neenah during her first year in office. We were impressed by her knowledge about the subject of cannabis law reform. She was great to have a conversation with and we left the meeting feeling confident that she does care about this issue. We also authored a blog article entitled Who is Rachael “RCG” Cabral-Guevara?
Andrew Thomsen (R) Appleton responded to a few of our questions, but we kind of figured he was a prohibitionist. He seems to be running a negative door to door campaign, bashing his fellow Republican for her views on marijuana reform. We asked him the following questions and here are his answers:
Question: What is your stance on marijuana reform? Thomsen: In speaking with members of law enforcement, marijuana legalization is not a position I can support. The argument that legalization would provide a windfall of revenue for the state is overstated. Moreover, until it is legalized at the federal level, I believe the state should comply with federal law.
Question: What about your congressman (Mike Gallagher – R) says 10 amendment gives states the right to legalize and the feds don’t fund enforcement of federal marijuana laws due to no funding in budget? Thomsen: The 10th Amendment reserves to the States the ability to legislate where the federal government does not. And the federal government has made clear that the possession of marijuana anywhere in the United States is illegal. Whether the federal government funds enforcement does not change the federal law. Until the federal government changes the law, I do not believe there is any legislating that the state can do under our Constitution. Moreover, in my conversations with law enforcement, I have affirmed my position that the legalization of marijuana is something that I cannot support.
Question: Do you believe the federal government is correct or do you support removing removing marijuana from the schedule it is in? Thomsen: If Wisconsinites want to decriminalize marijuana, they should work with Congressman Gallagher to change the federal law. Nevertheless, if the federal government did leave it to the States to decide, I would still not support the legalization of the marijuana and would vote against it.
Question: The state of Wisconsin allows municipalities and counties the ability to govern 25 grams or less, by statue. Many municipalities have removed the fine or lowered it to $1 or a nominal amount…. at the state level marijuana is a misdemeanor or felony and the state does not have a citation/non criminal charge… would you support a state wide decriminalization? Thomsen: I am not for decriminalization.
Incumbent: Van H. Wanggaard (R) is a huge obstacle to any marijuana reform at all. He is powerful and usually sits on a committee that kills any bill before it. Replacing this dinosaur with any elephant seems justified.
Since there is no Democrat filed to run in the general election; it is up to Jay Stone (R) from Pleasant Prairie to get the job done. His campaign website has medical marijuana as a campaign issue, stating this: Compassion for Those Who are Suffering: My older sister Robin began to have balance problems when she was a teen. A medical doctor diagnosed Robin with multiple sclerosis (MS) when she was 24. Robin’s physician told her about medical studies that suggested smoking marijuana may help her cope with MS. For the last 11 years of Robin’s life, Robin was paralyzed and confined to her bed. The only medicine Robin wanted was her medical marijuana. Based on what I witnessed, Robin’s medical marijuana improved the quality of her life and may have actually extended it. I believe other people who suffer from medical conditions similar to my sister Robin should have a medical marijuana option.
STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 23
Incumbent: Kathy Bernier (R) retires, so this seat is up for grabs, but only in the GOP world. No Democrat filed to run in the general election.
Whose is this three way battle and how many votes will decide this race? Chances are not many…….
Assembly Rep Jesse James (R) leaves his seat and is seeking the Senate now. He is proud that he wants to be the leader on keeping Wisconsin marijuana illegal. He is the “Mr. Reasons Not to Legalize” and wants to take that mentality to the Senate.
Brian Westrate (R) from Fall Creek during the 2018 referendum campaign said this about county non-binding referendums: “he thinks legalizing marijuana in the state isn’t likely to happen any time soon. To me this was an underhanded tactic by the democrats to turn their voter base out.” The news report went onto add that Westrate said “if Wisconsin goes down the road of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes, he’d like to see a system in place where doctors are writing prescriptions for legitimate ailments.“
In 2017 he was quoted as saying “There are people for whom medical marijuana appears to be the only remedy as an end of life care issue or perhaps medical science has failed to come up with a way to lessen their pain with an ailment their dealing with. I don’t advocate the use of illegal drugs or smoking anything… I think this would be something that would be worthwhile to put before the people.”
Sandra Scholz from Chippewa Falls is the third candidate in the race and we have contacted her campaign and will report back when she answers.
STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 29
Incumbent: Jerry Petrowski (R) never really made any public comments about his stance on marijuana reform and not much was known about him on the issue. The three way primary race will see Cory Tomczyk from Mosinee, Brent Jacobson from Mosinee and Jon Kaiser from Ladysmith battle it out. We have not contacted their campaigns yet as we would like to find a field activist to help directly in this district.
Cory Tomczyk told The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network that he supports medical marijuana and it should have been legal by now. But he cannot support outright legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
Jon Kaiser: I think our state has dropped the ball. Every state around us has legalized and we missed out on the boom, but that gives us the opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t. It’s a great opportunity to bring in a lot of tax revenue.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 1
Incumbent: Joel Kitchens (R) will face primary challenger in Milt Swagel of Kewaunee.
Milt Swagel told us this: My stance is that hemp is hemp,and marijuana is marijuana. Hemp is legal,and marijuana is not. I see no reason to legalize marijuana. I will not vote for the legalization of marijuana.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 5
Incumbent: Jim Steineke (R) does not seek re-election and three fight it out in a primary battle.
Joy Goeben of Hobart: I support medical marijuana and would like to see more research to find areas where it would be helpful and in what areas it is not effective. I am a strong supporter of veterans and have looked into the benefits of medical marijuana on mental health conditions such as PTSD, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. I understand that there is a trend where marijuana is being substituted for other drugs which can allow for improvements in overall health. Medical professionals should have access to the tools they need to help their patients, marijuana is one of those tools. I am still researching the use of recreational marijuana. While I am a strong supporter of personal freedom, I want to carefully consider the issue because I do not want to introduce or support legislation that will cause harm.
Tim Greenwood of Kaukauna: Fully supports legalization of marijuana.
Kraig Knaack of Freedom: I support legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes, and am definitely open to its legalization for recreational purposes (although I would like to see a plan for some regulation of it). I think current possession of marijuana should be decriminalized. And while I’m generally opposed to new or higher taxation, I would support taxing marijuana sales (ideally utilizing that tax money for a specific purpose). Adding the tax should not be excessive – it shouldn’t be viewed as a “punishment” – but I believe some taxation is appropriate.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 6
Incumbent: Gary Tauchen (R) does not seek re-election and six come out of the woodwork to replace him. Wow, what a primary battle and this seat will be decided by a vote or two!
David Kohn of Bonduel
Nathan Michael of Tigerton
Matthew Kyle Albert of Appleton so far is looking the greenest, but we will keep you posted. Boots on the ground are working in this district!
Craig Arrowood of Shawano
Dean Martin Neubert of Hortonville
Peter Schmidt of Bonduel
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 13
Incumbent: Sara Rodriguez (D) did not seek re-election to this seat.
Tom Michalski of Elm Grove
Erik Ngutse of Waukesha
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 31
Incumbent: Amy Loudenbeck (R) does not seek re-election and three compete in the primary.
Maryann Zimmerman of Whitewater
Jason Dean of Whitewater: My stance on marijuana reform is that it needs to happen. On the medical side, there is data that shows that it is an effective treatment for some conditions. On a social side, with proper controls it can serve as a great revenue source for the state while reducing the workload of our legal system.
Ellen Schutt of Clinton
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 32
Incumbent: Tyler August (R) is a prohibitionist and the right hand man of Robin Vos. Bart Williams of West Bend will challenge him in the primary.
Bart Williams told us I support medical marijuana as long as we implement it the way it is intended. I want to see what happens with the implementation of medical marijuana before commenting on recreational cannabis.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 33
Incumbent: Cody Horlacher (R) does not seek re-election and two battle it out.
Scott Johnson from Jefferson
Dale Oppermann from Jefferson
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 52
Incumbent: Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R) does not seek re-election and four will fight to the political death in a GOP primary. Our lucky contestants are all from Fond du Lac:
Donald R. Hannemann: We have had several conversations with him and do not feel he is the enemy and would be willing to work with us.
Robert P. Thresher
Lawrence Foster
Jerry L. O’Connor is opposed to reform stating “This is not a cause I am supporting“.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 59
Incumbent: Timothy Ramthun (R) does not seek re-election.
Vinny Egle from Kewaskum is our first pick in the primary over Ty Bodden from Hilbert. Bodden does not support recreational marijuana and is doing “research” on medical cannabis and also speaking to law enforcement about medical and decriminalization.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 60
Incumbent: Robert Brooks (R) did co-sponsor medical marijuana and decriminalization, but he faces a challenger in Samuel Kreig of Port Washington.
Sam Kreig told us this: My official response to your question is that I currently have no plan for reform. While I believe that marijuana reform is on the minds of many voters, I have decided to advocate on different issues, like ending career politicians with term limits, bringing down heated rhetoric, and improving police/civilian relationships.
Now, I know that this answer is not what you’re looking for. So I shall give you a personal response as well. I don’t believe that marijuana is something I would personally want more availability for. Humans don’t need drugs (or alcohol) to live long, happy, and fulfilling lives. That being said, just because a person smoked some marijuana doesn’t make them a bad person. There is something to be said for actively breaking the law, but that doesn’t make you a criminal. So with that, if a bill came to the floor of the Assembly removing criminal statutes to use of marijuana I would vote “yes.” Not because I see any benefit to marijuana, but because I find 6 months in prison and a $1000 fine for a first offense. And, a second time offense being punished with a $10,000 fine and up to 3.5 years in prison is an unusual punishment.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 61
Incumbent: Samantha Kerkman (R) does not seek re-election.
Mike Honold of Union Grove
Amanda Nedweski of Pleasant Prairie
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 63
Incumbent: Robin J. Vos (R) faces Adam Steen of Burlington.
Robin Vos inability to advance medical marijuana under his watch show he is either a liar or poor leader. It is hard to believe anything Vos says regarding cannabis.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 68
Incumbent: Jesse James (R) does not seek re-election.
Hillarie Roth from Altoona: I have no problem with medical marijuana at all. As a registered nurse I understand the benefits of controlled, managed use for a wide range of conditions. Recreational use, however, is not something that I would advocate for.
Karen Hurd of Fall Creek: I am currently researching and studying the issue of the legalization of marijuana. I have been given written material by constituents on both sides of the issue—and then I have my own educational/clinical experience in working with those of my clients that are users of marijuana. My Master of Science degree in Biochemistry has given me the molecular knowledge of how cannabinoids impact cells. However, there is more yet to know, and other considerations most be taken into account besides the impact at the cellular level. I also am gathering data from other states as well that have legalized marijuana and what impact it has had—whether pro or con. Many constituents have spoken to me about this issue—some pro, some con.
Chris Connell of Eau Claire: I am a staunch Republican with strong libertarian leanings. I’ve pretty much felt like weed should be legal my whole life. BUT, with recent developments like the newer super potent strains and fentanyl poisoning, I am more hesitant these days. In the purest form of marijuana use, I believe a person should be able to grow his own and consume it himself in the comfort of his home. That is libertarian. Anything other than that muddies the waters and I will need to learn much more.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 71
Incumbent: Katrina Shankland (D)
Repbulican Primary Challengers are Scott Soik of Stevens Point and Robert Glisczinski of Amherst.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 73
Incumbent: Nick Milroy (D) did not seek re-election.
Republican Primary Challengers are Scott Luostari of Poplar and Angie Sapik of Lake Nebagamon.
Angie Sapik: Let’s be clear on my stance with cannabis. I support legalizing and regulating the use of cannabis and believe the legislation should be conducted at the state level. I’m a pro-business candidate and cannabis business is booming. I also support decriminalization for possession and the freedom for recreational or medicinal use of cannabis. While I have not authored or co-sponsored a legalization bill, I believe I would be inclined to support such legislation.
Scott Luostari: I support legalizing marijuana and here is why. The market is never going to disappear. So the least we could do is try to determine who would have control of it.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 74
Incumbent: Beth Meyers (D) does not seek re-election.
Republican Primary Challengers are Chanz Green and John Schey of Glidden.
Incumbent: Sondy Pope (D) did not seek re-election.
Republicans are Nathan Graewin of Verona and Jacob Luginbuhl of Verona.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 81
Incumbent: Dave Considine (D) will see one of these two in the general election:
Shellie Benish of Lodi or Bob Wood of Baraboo
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 83
Incumbent: Chuck Wichgers (R) is out of this race because of re-districting.
Nik Rettinger of Mukwonago or Pat Goldhammer of Waterford will take the seat as no Democrat has filed to run in this race.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 84
Incumbent: Mike Kuglitsch (R) does not seek re-election. Three will compete for the seat and go onto the general election.
Laura Barker from Greenfield: If you are asking about the legalization of recreational marijuana, then if such a bill would come before the legislature- I would vote against it.
Bob Donovan from Greenfield
David Karst from Greenfield
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 87
Incumbent: James W. Edming (R) will face a primary challenger in Michael Bub (R) of Medord.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 92
Incumbent: Treig E. Pronschinske (R) will face a primary challenger in Ryan T. Owens of Osseo
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 96
Incumbent: Loren Oldenburg (R) will have a Republican primary challenger in Holly Ottesen Liska (R) of Hillsboro.
Holly Ottesen has been in conversation with us and at this point we feel is much more open to reform than the Incumbent.
Coming soon will be updates on current candidates! But you can help, if you know a candidate listed and their views on marijuana reform, contact us today!
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Functional
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The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.