By Joe Morey News Editor
Members of the LCO Tribal Governing Board met with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul to discuss various items including marijuana. The meeting took place in Madison on January 8, 2025.
Making the trip for LCO were Chairman Taylor, Vice Chairman Tweed Shuman, Secretary/Treasurer Bill Trepanier, TGB member David Bisonette, LCO Attorney General Dylan Linehan, and the Tribe’s Cannabis Consultant, Thi Le.
During the discussion on cannabis, Gov. Evers spoke on how he will introduce full marijuana legalization in the Executive Budget proposal. Additionally, the proposal will include language for constitutional amendments via ballot initiatives, which largely favors social issues like marijuana legalization.
“The Govornor and AG are relatively optimistic that it could be accomplished this session, but it will be up to the legislature,” Thi Le reported. “It’s not clear how likely Gov. Ever’s proposal will pass, but he expressed that he, through his executive power, is unable to do much more to advance legalization. He’s committed to working with Tribes during the process as legislative bills are introduced.”
Le explained she believes the state, based on what they've revealed, has not been preparing for legalization.
“What I mean by that is they haven't looked into what a medical program might look like or mean for intergovernmental affairs or jurisdictional cohesiveness,” she said.
LCO Secretary-Treasurer Bill Trepanier said, “The governor remains a strong supporter of our tribe and will continue to work with us on any issues that affect us from the state level.”
He went on to say Josh Kaul has been made aware of our efforts in cannabis and is willing to involve us in future meetings on the subject.
During the discussions, Kaul revealed that his office has not explored the jurisdictional and prosecutorial considerations of regulated marijuana market. He anticipates that there will be some form of legalization that is passed through the legislature and as a result of our meeting his office will begin to dive into legal/prosecutorial aspects.
Thj Le reported Kaul said he is committed to holding regular meetings concerning their research and development. She said he stated that most prosecutor discretion lies within the county and local law enforcement, and that his office would not intervene unless there is an egregious violation of law (e.g., drug trafficking operation).
“He also brought up the question initiating a pilot program and whether there’s a ‘cleaner’ way to get something set up or passed more easily than state-wide legalization,” Le said.
According to Le, the TGB still plans to move forward in cannabis development and getting the infrastructure in place and they are still looking into precedents and legal implications that might favor LCO.
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