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Democratic lawmakers in the Wisconsin Legislature have introduced a proposal aimed at legalizing recreational cannabis possession for adults, while establishing regulatory and tax frameworks for cultivation, distribution, and retail sales.

The legislation, identified as Senate Bill 1045, seeks to reshape the state’s current cannabis policy. Wisconsin remains among a small group of U.S. states without a comprehensive medical marijuana program and continues to criminalize simple cannabis possession in many cases.

The bill has gained backing from the entire Democratic minority caucus, including 15 senators and 33 assembly members. Supporters say the reform would modernize state drug policy and create new economic opportunities through regulated cannabis commerce.

Under the proposal, individuals aged 21 and older would be allowed to legally possess cannabis for recreational use. Adults could purchase hemp-derived intoxicating products, while medical cannabis access would be permitted for people aged 18 or older, or younger patients with guardian consent.

The draft law also allows licensed businesses to produce, process, and sell cannabis products. Public possession would be capped at 2.5 ounces of cannabis, and households could store up to five pounds of cannabis flower for personal use.

Regulatory oversight would be assigned to a new Division of Cannabis Regulation within the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The agency would supervise retail operations, while the Department of Health Services would maintain a medical cannabis patient registry.

Taxation measures included in the bill impose a 10% wholesale excise tax and a 5% retail sales tax. Medical cannabis purchases would be exempt from these taxes. Local governments would also be permitted to add their own tax of up to 5%.

Municipal authorities would retain the right to restrict cannabis businesses within local boundaries if community policy requires it.

The legislation introduces a category for low-dose hemp-based products containing controlled levels of THC. Products exceeding 10 milligrams of hemp-derived THC would be classified as marijuana.

Federal policy changes expected later in the year could tighten the definition of legally permitted hemp products. If those changes are implemented, the Wisconsin proposal would reclassify some products as low-dose cannabis-infused items.

Provisions also state that low-dose cannabis products could be sold outside licensed dispensaries, provided they follow strict manufacturing, testing, packaging, and age-restriction rules.

A separate Republican-backed initiative to regulate hemp products containing limited THC levels is also under legislative review but has not advanced out of committee.

The bill reflects broader national debates over cannabis regulation, public health policy, and state-level control of controlled substance markets. Lawmakers supporting the proposal argue that legalization could reduce criminal penalties while generating tax revenue and supporting regulated industry growth.