AD 2: Sortwell (R) vs Saunders (D)
Both candidates have indicated they will be attending the Pizza, Pot and Politics – Fox Valley Marijuana Meet and Greet on Saturday October 5th from high noon until 4:20pm in Appleton. Come say high and find out what the buzz is all about!
The 2nd Assembly District of Wisconsin is located in northeast Wisconsin, the district comprises most of northern Manitowoc County and southern Brown County, along with parts of southeast Outagamie County. It includes the villages of Combined Locks, Denmark, Francis Creek, Kimberly, Mishicot, and Reedsville, and most of the village of Wrightstown and the southern half of Kaukauna.
The reality is under the new maps the Republican is almost safer now than in the past and that means we will most likely be dealing with the Incumbent Republican again next session. The new maps paired two Incumbents together in this new district, John Macco and Shae Sortwell. Both of these Republicans have supported some sort of cannabis reform, but both stopped short of signing onto any legislation that would legalize and end prohibition of cannabis in Wisconsin. As Macco does not seek re-election, all eyes are again going to be on Sortwell in the 2024-25 legislative session.
Alicia Saunders (D-Kimberly)
Alicia Saunders campaign facebook page puts it simple, she is blue collar, Navy veteran, single mom looking to make a difference.
On the topic of marijuana reform, she gave one of the best responses a candidate can give over a facebook message.
Our approach to marijuana needs to be practical and safe. I’m all for legalizing it as long as we keep it regulated to prevent any problems. We should treat it like alcohol—set the legal age at 21 and make sure folks aren’t driving under the influence.
Legalizing recreational marijuana could also be a big win for Wisconsin’s wallet. Right now, states like Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota are making money off it, and that’s money that should be staying right here. We could use that cash to boost local services and projects that help everyone in our community.
Plus, we can’t ignore the health benefits marijuana brings. It’s been shown to help with serious issues like multiple sclerosis, nausea from chemotherapy, chronic pain, and even easing PTSD symptoms. It’s about looking after our health and our economy at the same time.
All of this to say I support legalizing marijuana.
Please visit her official campaign website to learn more about her campaign.
vs
Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers)
Incumbent. Truck driver. Hazmat Technician and Emergency Response Team Member. Former U.S. Army Sergeant, U.S. Army Reserve Chemical Corps. Previous office: Gibson Town Board supervisor; Green Bay City Council member. Elected to the Assembly since 2018.
I first heard of Shae Sortwell when he ran for State Assembly and gave a positive statement about marijuana reform on the campaign trail prior to the 2018 election. When asked Would you support changing state law to legalize marijuana and/or cannabis products? If so, under what conditions? If not, why?
Whatever the state does, cannabis is still federally illegal. States cannot overturn Federal law. President Trump has hinted that this issue ought to fall to the states, but the federal Attorney General has threatened our state CBD industry. We could have people trying to follow the law because Wisconsin “legalized,” who then get prosecuted by Federal authorities. I do not want to set our citizens up for failure and make criminals out of people who are trying to follow the law. As far as what the state should do under current circumstances, I would support decriminalization rather than legalization.
He sponsored legislation his first session as a freshman Assembly Representative. He was leading the way to common sense reform within the GOP.
In 2019 Sortwell authored Support Assembly Bill 236 Regarding firearms and confidentiality of medical marijuana patients. This was an early sign back in 2019 that some members of the GOP were thinking about trying to pass a medical cannabis bill. This type of legislation has not resurfaced and I could be wrong, but I do not recall these provisions being in the Republican versions of medical marijuana legislative they presented.
In 2019 Sortwell spoke about his support for increasing the THC requirement from .3% to 1% for now defunct State of WI Industrial Hemp Piolet Program. (Republicans did not fund the hemp program to become permanent and Wisconsin is now regulated mostly by the federal industrial hemp program).
Myself and fellow activists met with Sortwell late in 2019 to discuss potential cannabis reform. We felt the meeting was a success.
In 2020 Sortwell authored a Jury Nullification Bill. I do not believe that bill has resurfaced or language included in any other criminal justice reform bills, but I could be wrong on that also.
The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network participated in a 2021 forum with Sortwell and opposition lobbyist Julaine Appling (President, WI Family Council) in which Sortwell was supportive of overall reform efforts.
If he wasn’t trying to pass a bill within his own caucus, Sortwell could join forces with the Democrats and become a vote needed should the Democrats not take the Assembly in the Fall 2024 General Election. Sortwell has broken ranks a little and worked on the Decriminalization bill. Although the decriminalization bill has morphed to something with more pork from the earlier 2017 and other versions, it still has not mustered much support within the Republican Caucus and has never had a public hearing.
Rep Shae Sortwell as the GOP lead author on decriminalization has been somewhat disappointing. Last session (2021-22) he brought along 5 other Assembly Representatives (Brooks, Tittl, Cabral-Guevara, Moses and Summerfeld) to his decriminalization bill. This 2023-24 legislation did not attract any other co-sponsors in the Assembly and Rep. Sortwell stands alone as the only Republican to put his name on a marijuana decriminalization bill in 2023.
On medical marijuana, we all know by now that the Republicans 2023-24 medical cannabis bill was not a success. Vos gave the green light by not only authoring the controversial bill, but Vos sent the bill to fellow bill author and committee chair Rep. Clint Moses to hold a public hearing. Rep. Clint Moses did not hold a public hearing. The Republican Senate flat out rejected this bill and did not even try to author their version or submit an amendment. Most activists looked this last ditch effort as just a PR stunt. Sortwell was an original author of this legislation.
Does Sortwell have enough political power to sway the harsh Republican Senate next session who are going to retain control? Probably not, giving he could not move the Republican Assembly to actually pull the trigger on any reform measures.
Since I have been paying attention to these folks in Madison, the simple math of Democrats + Friendly Republicans = Super Majority to override Republican Leadership opposition seems like the winning combination. Friendly Republicans seem to disagree.
Campaign Website and Campaign Facebook Page
Stay tuned and get active!
I will provide you additional 2024 Wisconsin State Election coverage throughout the campaign season. This next election is extremely important for marijuana 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 2024-25 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 as ended we still urge you to contact your elected officials. The top four action alerts are still functionable on The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Action Network for you immediate use.
Sources: CNanalysis (Very Likely Rep +22) WisPolitics /2024 Assembly Races (63% Rep), Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps, Ballotpedia
