Erik Severson Announces Run for Senate District 25

Erik Severson Announces Senate Run — But Where Does the Doctor Stand on Cannabis Reform?

Former State Representative Dr. Erik Severson has announced his candidacy for Wisconsin’s 25th Senate District, launching a campaign built around rural values, health care expertise, and conservative leadership. But for the growing number of Northwoods voters who care about cannabis reform — especially medical marijuana — Severson’s record raises more questions than answers.

Severson previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2011 to 2015, representing the St. Croix/Polk County region. During that time, he held a powerful position that placed him squarely at the center of the state’s health-policy debates: Chairman of the Assembly Health Committee. That role gave him direct influence over whether medical cannabis bills received hearings, advanced, or died quietly in committee.

And under his leadership, they died.

A Health Committee Chair Who Declined to Act

When Wisconsin’s 2013 medical marijuana legislation began circulating — part of a renewed effort by patients, veterans, and caregivers — Republican leadership immediately signaled opposition. Reporters who contacted Severson for comment noted he “declined to comment” on the bill at the time. That silence, combined with his committee’s refusal to schedule hearings, effectively killed medical cannabis for that session.

Advocates who were active during that era — myself included — don’t recall Severson ever offering public support for cannabis reform. No co-sponsorships. No press releases. No floor speeches. No votes in committee pushing reform forward.

For a physician in a position of power during a critical window for patient advocacy, the absence of engagement speaks volumes.

Did Severson Ever Support Reform? The Record Says “No.”

A review of his past legislative footprint shows:

No medical marijuana co-sponsorships
No public statements supporting legalization or decriminalization
No committee actions advancing cannabis bills
No patient-focused cannabis testimony or bill advocacy
No known collaboration with reform organizations

Severson was in office when Wisconsin began its modern push for medical cannabis (2009–2014). His voice was never part of the movement.

Does His Relationship With Adam Jarchow Indicate a Reform Stance?

Some observers have wondered whether Severson’s connection to fellow Republican Adam Jarchow signals a more open position on cannabis. Jarchow has been more libertarian-leaning in his rhetoric over the years, but personal or political proximity alone does not make someone a cannabis reformer.

Legislative records do.

And Severson’s do not show support.

A Physician’s Voice Matters — If He Chooses to Use It

As a medical doctor, Severson would have enormous influence on the cannabis debate if elected to the State Senate. Health professionals carry bipartisan credibility, especially with older conservative voters who want to hear medical reasoning, not partisan talking points.

If Severson were to support medical cannabis today, it would be a significant development for the Northwoods — and for the statewide effort to modernize Wisconsin’s out-of-date marijuana laws.

But that would require him to step forward publicly and state a position — something he never did during his four years in the Assembly.

A New Race, But an Old Question: Where Does He Stand Now?

Severson’s campaign website highlights familiar themes: rural values, healthcare experience, public safety, and fiscal conservatism. Cannabis is not mentioned once.

Given his past record, activists and voters are justified in asking:

Will Dr. Severson support medical cannabis if elected to the Senate?
Why did he decline to act on reform when he had the power to do so?
What has changed since his 2011–2015 Assembly service?
Will he meet with medical cannabis patients, veterans, and farmers?

The Northwoods deserves straight answers — especially as Wisconsin becomes increasingly surrounded by states with legal medical or adult-use cannabis.

A Call for Clarity Before 2026

As Severson re-enters public life, now is the time for cannabis advocates to press him directly. With Democrats and Republicans alike acknowledging the inevitability of reform, a physician-candidate failing to take a position is no longer acceptable.

We invite the Severson campaign to publicly clarify his stance on:

Medical cannabis legalization
Decriminalization of small amounts
Closing the gap with Minnesota and Michigan
Hemp-derived cannabinoid regulations
Veterans’ access to cannabis as a treatment option

Until then, Erik Severson’s record remains exactly what it was a decade ago: silent on cannabis, and aligned with leadership that blocked reform.

The Northwoods — and the entire state — deserves to know if the doctor is finally ready to listen to the patients. If he is not going to listen to us, we can at least listen to him and what he says about marijuana in a recent interview when he announced his campaign.

Sources

Ballotpedia: Erik Severson – https://ballotpedia.org/Erik_Severson
Ballotpedia: Adam Jarchow – https://ballotpedia.org/Adam_Jarchow
Wisconsin State Legislature – Assembly records, committee assignments, and bill histories (2011–2015 sessions)
News coverage of 2013 medical marijuana legislation and Republican committee opposition
Severson for Senate Campaign Website – https://severson4senate.com/
Wisconsin media archives (2011–2014) regarding cannabis legislation and committee actions
Accounts and observations from Wisconsin cannabis activists active during 2009–2014

Author’s Note

This article is part of ongoing coverage examining where Wisconsin’s current and former elected officials stand on cannabis policy. As the 2026 election cycle approaches, clarity, transparency, and accountability are more important than ever. Wisconsin voters deserve honest information about which candidates will support meaningful cannabis reform — and which ones have yet to show leadership.

Call to Action

If you care about cannabis reform in Wisconsin, now is the time to act. Contact candidates, ask direct questions, attend listening sessions, and make your voice heard. Voters, patients, caregivers, farmers, business owners, and activists all play a role in shaping the future of cannabis policy in our state.

Stay engaged, stay informed, and stay active. Candidates don’t move on this issue unless the people demand it.

If you can, please keep an eye on Severson for me, his campaign website has no contact form, information or email and as of the publishing of this article I could not find that he had any social media or facebook page for his campaign.

Where is Senate District 25 in Wisconsin

The 25th Senate District is located in northwest Wisconsin, where Wisconsin meets Lake Superior, the district comprises all of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Polk, Sawyer, and Washburn counties. It contains the cities of Superior, Ashland, Bayfield, Hayward, Spooner, and Washburn. The district also includes the Bad River Indian reservation and the Chequamegon–Nicolet National Forest.

(Prediction for the 2026 Election: GOP 54% and DEM 46% for new Senate District 25).