Milwaukee County supervisor proposing marijuana referendum for November ballot

Milwaukee County Supervisor John F. Weishan, Jr. wants voters to weigh in on the question of personal marijuana use, as well as commercial regulation and taxation. So he's proposing an advisory referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot.

"It's time for Wisconsin to join the many states across the country that have legalized marijuana and benefited from the revenue that comes with commercial sale and taxation of one of America's largest cash crops," Weishan said in a news release.

Weishan's proposed referendum question would ask voters: "Do you favor allowing adults 21 years of age and older to engage in the personal use of marijuana, while also regulating commercial marijuana-related activities, and imposing a tax on the sale of marijuana?"

The Committee on Judiciary, Safety, and General Services is expected to consider Weishan's proposal May 11.

If the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors adopted Weishan's resolution, the county clerk would add the referendum question to all county ballots.

Marijuana is currently legal for adults in nine states and the District of Columbia, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. Eight states have enacted laws legalizing and regulating marijuana for adult use, and marijuana possession and limited home cultivation are legal in Vermont and the District of Columbia.