APPLETON – It appears Appleton voters will get a say on whether Wisconsin should legalize marijuana for personal use.
The city’s Safety and Licensing Committee on Wednesday recommended the city hold an advisory referendum on Nov. 8 asking the following question:
“Should marijuana be legalized for adult use, taxed and regulated like alcohol in the state of Wisconsin?”
The committee’s recommendation will be considered by the Common Council next Wednesday. A majority of the 15-member council already has indicated support for the referendum.
Four council members — Alex Schultz, Nate Wolff, Kristin Alfheim and Chris Croatt — backed the referendum in committee, and another five council members have co-signed a resolution calling for the referendum.
“We’re surrounded by states that have legalized marijuana in one form or another,” Schultz told The Post-Crescent. “People are going out of state constantly to get the stuff and bring it back in. Why don’t we make money on it instead of sending it out to our partners?”
The referendum wouldn’t carry the force of law. Rather, according to the resolution, it would “measure public opinion on 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.”
Council member Sheri Hartzheim opposed the referendum in committee. She said legalizing marijuana is “a state thing, and the state is behind in…
