A Milwaukee County Board committee unanimously approved a proposal Thursday that would place an advisory referendum on the November ballot to approve the sale, usage and taxation of recreational marijuana.
The proposal still needs to be approved by the full board.
The Committee on Judiciary, Safety and General Services opened Thursday’s meeting to the general public for comments, questions and concerns.
The official question, proposed by County Supervisor John F. Weishan, would allow adults 21 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.”
Ten states allow recreational marijuana usage — Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Alaska, Vermont Massachusetts and Maine, a list that doesn’t include Midwestern states.
According to a October 2017 Gallup poll, nearly 64 percent of American’s support the legalization of marijuana–up from 50 percent in 2010.
In a July 2016 poll done by the Marquette University Law School, 59 percent of Wisconsin voters believed marijuana should be legalized and regulated like alcohol.
In terms of profit, a big focus of the referendum, legalized marijuana is a multi-billion dollar industry and is expected to be as valuable as $24 billion in 2025.
