Wisconsin’s Indigenous Communities Start Medical Cannabis Push

‘Wisconsin Wellness’ Campaign Pushes for Cannabis Access for Public Health Benefits

A new initiative led by Wisconsin tribal members is gaining momentum in the push for medical marijuana legislation in the state. The “Wisconsin Wellness” campaign, launched by the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) and the Wisconsin Tribal Task Force on Cannabis, is emphasizing the public health benefits of cannabis access, particularly for treating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain.

A Call for Cannabis as Medicine

The campaign’s central argument is that cannabis should be recognized as a form of medicine, with advocates pushing for its use in addressing a range of health issues. Rob Pero, president of the ICIA and director of the campaign, highlighted how legalization could benefit Indigenous communities in Wisconsin, which he says are disproportionately affected by criminalization and health disparities.

“Understanding that our communities are disproportionately impacted has put a massive emphasis on Indian Country putting plant medicine at the forefront to understand how it can benefit our communities from a wellness perspective,” Pero said.

Indigenous communities, according to Pero, face higher rates of PTSD and substance abuse, conditions that medical cannabis could potentially alleviate. He also pointed to the opioid and fentanyl crises that have ravaged many Native American communities as a significant factor in why cannabis legalization is so crucial. “The fact that we are being impacted by opioids and fentanyl at a historic rate is just one of the reasons that we have the most to lose,” he explained. “And when we talk about the most to gain, we talk about being able to manage our own options for wellness.”

The Legal Landscape in Wisconsin

Currently, both medical and recreational marijuana are illegal in Wisconsin, putting the state at odds with neighboring Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan, where cannabis access is legal to varying degrees. While Wisconsin’s Democratic leaders, including Governor Tony Evers, have advocated for full legalization of medical and recreational cannabis, the state Legislature, controlled by Republicans, remains resistant to the idea.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has publicly opposed recreational marijuana, although there is some division among Republicans on medical cannabis. A GOP bill proposing a limited, state-run medical marijuana system failed to gain traction in the most recent legislative session.

The Health and Economic Argument

For Pero and the Wisconsin Wellness campaign, the health benefits of medical cannabis take precedence over the economic incentives. “We all live in Wisconsin. We’re all watching people go across state borders to really commit a crime and bring medicine back to the state,” Pero said, referring to Wisconsin residents who travel to neighboring states to purchase cannabis legally. “So why can’t we utilize the power of sovereign nations in our state … to actually build some community around this issue, so that we all have better choices for the next generation?”

Advocates also point to the economic opportunity Wisconsin is missing out on by not legalizing cannabis. Many would-be users travel to Illinois, Minnesota, or Michigan to purchase cannabis legally, taking revenue away from Wisconsin businesses.

While the economic argument is clear, Pero emphasized that his group’s main concern is public health, especially in light of the severe toll that opioid addiction and other health crises have taken on Indigenous communities. The campaign seeks to reshape the conversation around cannabis legalization, framing it not just as a legal or economic issue, but as a necessary step toward improving health outcomes for underserved populations in Wisconsin.

The Road Ahead

As the Wisconsin Wellness campaign gains traction, it faces significant political hurdles. With state Republicans remaining largely opposed to full legalization, the future of medical cannabis in Wisconsin is uncertain. However, the campaign is hopeful that by raising awareness of the health benefits and advocating for the sovereignty of Indigenous nations, they can build a coalition strong enough to push for meaningful legislative change.

Ultimately, the Wisconsin Wellness campaign aims to create a path forward where cannabis can be used as a tool for wellness, particularly for communities that have historically been overlooked and disproportionately affected by health disparities and substance abuse. The campaign is not just about changing the law—it’s about changing lives.