Wisconsin could see long-awaited movement on medical marijuana legalization in 2025, as Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D) prepares to reintroduce a bill aimed at creating a regulated medical-use program. With the political landscape in Madison shifting after recent elections, Hesselbein and other supporters say the time is finally right to restart the conversation.
“We’ve got to get medicinal out there, because there are a lot of people that could benefit from that,” Hesselbein said in an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio this week. The proposed legislation would build on a 2022 measure that stalled in the face of Republican opposition.
The difference this time? The GOP no longer holds a supermajority in the state Senate, which means Democrats now have the leverage to influence major legislative priorities.
Political Shifts Create New Opportunities
Hesselbein’s announcement comes as Wisconsin Democrats gain momentum in a legislature long dominated by Republican control. After the November elections, the state Senate now sits at 18 Republicans and 15 Democrats—a more balanced split that could force the GOP to negotiate on key issues.
“With 18 Republicans and 15 Democrats, I think they’re going to need our votes to get anything done in the state Senate,” Hesselbein explained. The reduced GOP dominance opens up a window for bipartisan discussions on medical marijuana—an issue that has seen growing support even among Republican voters.
Governor Tony Evers (D), who has consistently pushed for marijuana reform throughout his tenure, echoed his support earlier this month during a statewide listening tour. Evers ranked legalizing marijuana second on his list of priorities for 2025, alongside other measures like healthcare expansion and gun safety.
A Focus on Medical Use, Not Adult-Use—For Now
Hesselbein’s proposal is notably focused on medical marijuana only, a shift from broader Democratic efforts in recent years that also sought to legalize recreational use. This pragmatic move reflects an effort to build consensus across party lines and address concerns from more conservative lawmakers.
The bill would empower Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services to oversee a statewide medical marijuana program, providing patients with access to regulated cannabis products for therapeutic use. The measure mirrors SB 1035, a 2022 proposal that stalled in committee.
Republican leaders have expressed varying degrees of openness to medical marijuana. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) admitted earlier this year that GOP lawmakers were open to discussions but claimed differences between Senate and Assembly proposals couldn’t be resolved before the session ended.
“The Senate wants to have a more liberal version than the one that we’re willing to pass,” Vos said in February, signaling that compromise could be possible with a more focused approach.
Rural Support Adds to Momentum
Adding fuel to the push for medical marijuana reform is growing public support, especially in rural Wisconsin. A recent survey conducted by the conservative-leaning Institute for Reforming Government and the State Policy Network found that nearly 65% of rural voters favor broad marijuana legalization.
The poll, which surveyed 541 voters across rural counties, reflects a notable shift in attitudes. It underscores how marijuana reform is no longer a strictly urban or partisan issue. Many rural voters, including Republicans, see medical marijuana as a legitimate solution for chronic pain, PTSD, and other conditions affecting their communities.
- Key takeaway: 65% of rural voters support marijuana legalization, signaling bipartisan public backing that could influence lawmakers hesitant to act.
In addition to the survey, anecdotal evidence suggests attitudes are softening. Wisconsin residents are surrounded by states—Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota—that have already legalized recreational cannabis. As a result, many Wisconsinites are crossing state borders to access marijuana, generating tax revenue for neighboring states instead of their own.
Incremental Progress with an Eye Toward the Future
While medical marijuana legalization appears to have a real shot in 2025, adult-use legalization remains a more distant goal. Hesselbein acknowledged the political reality, saying, “We’ve got to start somewhere.” Advocates view medical use as a critical first step toward broader reform down the line.
Governor Evers, for his part, remains optimistic that full legalization will eventually come. “We’ve been working hard over the last five years, several budgets, to make that happen,” Evers said earlier this year. “I know we’re surrounded by states with recreational marijuana, and we’re going to continue to do it.”
Hesselbein echoed the governor’s sentiment, emphasizing the need to build momentum: “We’ve got to get the conversation started once again.”
Looking Ahead
Wisconsin remains one of the few states in the Midwest without any form of legal marijuana access, placing it increasingly out of step with regional trends. Lawmakers like Hesselbein and Governor Evers hope 2025 will change that.
While challenges remain, the combination of political shifts, public support, and bipartisan interest in medical cannabis creates an opening reform advocates haven’t seen in years. For Wisconsin patients, the possibility of legal, regulated access to medical marijuana is closer than ever.
