The state Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill legalizing possession, with a doctor’s approval, of CBD oil, a marijuana extract used to treat seizures that does not produce a high.
The vote sends the bill, which already passed the state Senate, to the desk of Gov. Scott Walker.
"I share of the hopes of thousands across Wisconsin that Governor Walker will sign the bill quickly," the bill’s Senate sponsor, Van Wanggaard, a Racine Republican, said in a statement.
Also Tuesday, the state Senate voted to eliminate the elected office of state treasurer, teeing up a final Assembly vote later this week that could place the measure before voters next year.
The CBD oil measure passed on a 98-0 vote, despite concerns from some Democrats who said it doesn’t do enough to ensure that families who need CBD oil can obtain it.
Lawmakers passed "Lydia’s Law," a measure meant to ensure access to the oil, in 2014. But Wanggaard said that law didn’t do enough to provide access.
The Senate voted 18-15 to approve a resolution to amend the state Constitution to eliminate the office.
If the Assembly OKs the measure on its scheduled vote Thursday, it would send the measure to a statewide vote in April 2018.
Republican supporters of the measure, such as its sponsor, Sen. Dan Feyen of Fond du Lac, say it eliminates an office that no longer has any real duties.
Democrats said it would eliminate independent oversight of state finances and give Gov. Scott Walker’s administration greater control of the state public lands board, on which the state treasurer currently serves. The measure approved by the Senate instead would place the lieutenant governor on that board.
The current state treasurer, Republican Matt Adamczyk, has been on record supporting the elimination of the position.
Mandatory reporting of abuse
The Senate also passed a bill that would force guards at Wisconsin’s troubled Lincoln Hills youth prison to report child abuse.
The Senate approved the measure on a voice vote Tuesday. Bill sponsor Democratic Sen. LaTonya Johnson calls the proposal a first step to fix what she calls a "broken juvenile justice system." It’s the first action the Legislature has taken to address problems at the state’s juvenile prisons.
The FBI is investigating allegations of widespread abuse of juveniles at the prison near Irma. Inmates have filed two federal lawsuits challenging conditions at the prison and demanding improvements.
The bill would make juvenile prison guards mandatory child abuse reporters, a move that would protect them from being fired for reporting incidents.
Workers in nearly 30 professions are mandatory reporters under Wisconsin law.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Bill To OK Possession Of CBD Oil Heads To Scott Walker
Author: Mark Sommerhauser
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Photo Credit: M.P. King
Website: La Crosse Tribune
