MADISON, Wis. (Gray) – Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill on Monday to legalize marijuana for recreational and medicinal use in Wisconsin.

“It’s time to legalize cannabis, and it’s time to do it right,” said state Rep. Darrin Madison, D-Milwaukee. “Wisconsin is ready. The data is clear. The historic harms are undeniable. And the support of the people is with us.”

The legislation would also require the Wisconsin Department of Justice to reach out to Wisconsinites with marijuana crimes on their records to offer eligibility to remove those crimes from the record.

Jay Selthofner, founder of the Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network, stood alongside Democratic lawmakers at the state Capitol to support the bill.

“I’ve been a lifelong user,” said Selthofner. “Helping bring back a useful plant, a useful economic plant to our economy, is very patriotic.”

Some state Senate Republicans are hoping to pass their own bill to legalize marijuana for just medicinal use.

In a December interview, state Senate President Mary Felzkowski said she hopes the GOP bill gets across the finish line.

“I’m about freedom for people to choose products that help them,” Felzkowski said. “It’s whether or not we have the votes to get it through the full Senate. I would love to see that happen.”

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