Wisconsin residents spent millions on legal pot – in Illinois

By Caroline Reinwald | WISN by way of CNN

ILLINOIS (WISN) — Wisconsin residents are selecting to spend their hard-earned money in Illinois, particularly on weed.

The Illinois Division of Monetary and Skilled Regulation estimates the state made $36.1 million in tax income final yr from Wisconsinites touring throughout state strains to purchase marijuana.

The identical report mentioned greater than half the hashish gross sales made in counties bordering Wisconsin had been made by out-of-state residents.

“It’s the facility of the purse. We all know individuals spend their cash to match their values and it’s clear the legislature right here in Wisconsin is out of contact with what nearly all of individuals need,” mentioned Wisconsin state Sen. Melissa Agard. “I feel we have to proceed to elevate up the voices and values of the individuals who ship us right here to the constructing and do the actual work that they’re asking.”

Wisconsin is at present an island for marijuana legalization within the Midwest, with every surrounding state having some type of legalization.

Gov. Tony Evers is proposing totally legalizing marijuana in his state finances proposal,
however state Republicans say that received’t occur.

“For individuals who have long-term continual points, I’m very sympathetic and I’d prefer to discover a technique to get it throughout the end line,” mentioned Wisconsin Meeting Speaker Robin Vos.

Vos mentioned he doesn’t help legalizing leisure marijuana.

“If we’re going to do medical marijuana, it has nothing to do with producing taxes for the state and it has nothing to do with creating a brand new business,” Vos mentioned. “We don’t must turn into like Illinois or Michigan the place wherever you go, there’s the stench of marijuana.”

A current Marquette Regulation Ballot reviews 61% of Wisconsin voters help hashish legalization in Wisconsin.