MADISON, Wis. — The debate over whether to legalize some form of marijuana in Wisconsin continues to be a conversation inside the halls of the state Capitol.

This week, Democrats proposed legalizing both recreational and medical marijuana, along with a path to expunge and review sentences for those convicted of a cannabis-related crime.

Part of the reason for the latest bill is related to Congress’ approval of a ban on most hemp-derived products in the recent Farm Bill.

“Cannabis legalization isn’t just about consumers. It’s about jobs, rural economies, and giving farmers clarity instead of chaos,” Phillip Scott, a Wisconsin hemp farmer, said during a Monday press conference.

“Legal cannabis gives Wisconsin a chance to do the right thing,” Mike Sickler, a hemp and THC business owner, added. “It allows businesses like mine to transition into a regulated system instead of shutting down or leaving the state.”

With a matter of weeks left in the legislative session, there aren’t too many lawmakers who think anything meaningful will get done about marijuana in Wisconsin this year.

Most of the top leaders Spectrum News spoke with heading into 2026 admitted that, while the chances are slim, medicinal use is way more likely than recreational use.

“Medical [is a] possibility, but it’s a long shot, I would say,” Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Dan Feyen, R-Fond du Lac, said.

“We are continuing to have conversations on medical marijuana,” Minority Leader Sen. Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, said. “I would like to see full recreational, but I’m cognizant that the Republicans are nowhere near that.”

The push for full legalization could become a bigger priority if Democrats pick up majority power in the upcoming November election.

“The reality right now is that THC products are available in Wisconsin through hemp, and there are some changes coming on that from the federal level,” Assembly Minority Rep. Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, said. “But the people of Wisconsin have been very clear that they want access to medical marijuana and recreational marijuana, and we’ve been working on that for many years. I do hope they will be able to get something done here.”

With more THC products on the market, Republicans, who control the legislature, said regulating those will probably be the priority.

“There’s marijuana, there’s two things: We’ve got the THC beverages and gummies, and then we’ve got actual marijuana. I think it’s unlikely that we’ll see any movement on actual marijuana legislation, be it medical or recreational. I think it’s much more likely that we will see some action in the THC,” Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, R-Walworth, said. “The lower level, the hemp-derived beverages, the Delta-9s, the 10s, those types of things. Because it’s, right now, a widely unregulated market in Wisconsin.”