Evers may back GOP-led medical marijuana bill

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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, who has pushed for full legalization of recreational marijuana, said Wednesday that he is open to a more limited medical marijuana legalization being promoted by Republicans, the Associated Press reports.

Republicans have been working behind closed doors for years on a medical marijuana bill, and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said in December that they would unveil it this month. Republicans have repeatedly rejected calls from Evers and other Democrats to legalize all uses of marijuana, including medical and recreational.

Vos said the proposal would be limited and modeled after the medical marijuana law that had been in place in neighboring Minnesota before it moved to full legalization. Evers said he was open to a limited medical marijuana program but that he had not yet seen the Republican proposal.

The push for legalization in Wisconsin has gained momentum, as its neighbors have loosened laws. Marquette University Law School polls have shown large majority support among Wisconsin residents for legalizing marijuana use for years.

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