Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin, United States, have announced the introduction of a new bill that proposes the legalization of cannabis for adult and medical use in the state.

The initiative, according to the website Marijuana Moment, is advocated by lawmakers as a way to expand the "freedom of the people" and align Wisconsin with neighboring states that have already advanced in cannabis regulation.

The state is one of the few in the Midwest that still maintains a total prohibition on the plant, even with legalization already in effect in nearby territories, such as Illinois and Michigan.

What the Legislation Proposes

According to Marijuana Moment, the bill would allow adults aged 21 and over to legally purchase, possess, and use marijuana, as well as establish rules for cultivation, processing, testing, and sale of cannabis. The proposal includes the creation of a specific regulatory body linked to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

The text also includes a medical cannabis program, with patient registration and coverage for different health conditions, as well as mechanisms for reviewing and potentially overturning convictions for crimes that would no longer exist under the new law.

Despite the announcement, the bill will still need to go through debates and votes in the state legislature, where Republicans hold the majority, which may influence the progress of the proposal.

Source: Content originally published on Marijuana Moment.