Vining vs. Roberts: A Competitive Wisconsin Senate Race With Big Implications for Hemp and Cannabis Reform

Wisconsin Senate District 5 is one of the most competitive state Senate races of 2026, and it deserves attention from the hemp and cannabis reform community. With Republican incumbent Rob Hutton retiring and new legislative maps reshaping the district, Democrat Robyn Vining faces Republican Mike Roberts in an open-seat contest that could help determine control of the Wisconsin Senate.

The district spans western Milwaukee County and eastern Waukesha County, including Brookfield, Elm Grove, Pewaukee, most of Wauwatosa and West Allis, and portions of Milwaukee and Waukesha. These suburban communities combine small businesses, manufacturing, health care and professional services—all sectors with a stake in sensible hemp and cannabis policy.

Robyn Vining: A Clear Commitment to Reform

Vining has a documented history of supporting cannabis reform. She co-sponsored adult-use legalization legislation in previous sessions, and her 2026 WiscoCan questionnaire makes her current position clear: she supports adult-use legalization, medical cannabis, decriminalization, expungement of nonviolent cannabis convictions, and regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

Importantly, Vining also supports SB 682 / AB 747, the Testin-Kurtz hemp regulation legislation. She has engaged with industry stakeholders and publicly participated in efforts to protect Wisconsin’s hemp businesses.

Her record has not been perfect or consistent every session—she did not co-sponsor cannabis reform legislation in 2025–26—but her questionnaire provides voters with a clear commitment to moving reform forward.

Read Robyn Vining’s complete WiscoCan questionnaire answers.

Mike Roberts: Where Does He Stand?

Republican Mike Roberts is a health care professional and small-business owner making his first run for public office. His campaign emphasizes affordability, health care and bringing people together, but his position on hemp and cannabis reform remains unclear based on the public information reviewed for this election coverage.

That uncertainty matters. Wisconsin’s hemp industry faces significant regulatory challenges, and the next Legislature will have important decisions to make about the future of hemp-derived cannabinoid products and broader cannabis policy.

Roberts has been asked whether he supports sensible hemp regulation, medical cannabis, adult-use legalization and protections for Wisconsin farmers and small businesses. Voters deserve answers rather than assumptions based on party affiliation.

Why This Race Matters

Senate District 5 is a genuine opportunity for Democrats to gain a seat, but cannabis reform advocates should look beyond party control alone. Candidates’ actual positions on hemp and cannabis policy matter to the businesses, farmers, patients and consumers affected by state law.

Vining has provided documented answers supporting reform. Roberts still has an opportunity to clarify his position and demonstrate whether he would support a practical, regulated approach.

The bottom line: If Wisconsin is going to protect its hemp industry and move toward sensible cannabis laws, voters need to know where both candidates stand before Election Day.

Ask the candidate Mike Roberts questions, share his answers, and help make hemp and cannabis reform part of the conversation in Senate District 5.

Candidate and race resources

Stay tuned and get active!

I will continue to provide you additional 2026 Wisconsin State Election coverage throughout the campaign season. This next election is extremely important for cannabis reform and I will continue to bring you information as more candidates make their political moves.

In the event that we end up with divided government in the 2027-28 legislation session, the official formation of The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus would be a must first step towards reform. The official establishment of this Caucus will represent the growing, bipartisan support in Wisconsin.

Although session has ended for 2025-26 we still urge you to contact your elected officials, as they technically can continue to work, hold committee hearings and potentially vote on any issue that is deemed to be a great priority to Wisconsinites. The top action alerts are still functionable on The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Action Network for you immediate use.

A huge thank you once again to all my Election Coverage Sponsors, please support them if you can. One easy way to find them all and where they are throughout our great state of Wisconsin is to use The Stoner’s Travel Guide to Wisconsin website map and tag system, here you go, check them all out: https://thestonerstravelguide.com/places/tags/2026-election-coverage-sponsor/