Dave Murphy (R) Cannabis Profile
Dave Murphy’s Hemp Flip-Flop: “Dave’s Not Here, Man” — Except When He Is
For years, Rep. Dave “Kratom” Murphy has floated around Wisconsin drug-policy debates like a guy who can’t quite decide which door he walked through. I’ve met with him, lobbied him, watched him nod along and say the right things — only to reverse direction the moment the political winds shift.
But nothing captures the chaos of Murphy’s record better than what happened this session.
AB 503: October 9 — Murphy Co-Sponsors the Hemp Ban
On October 9, Murphy put his name on AB 503 — the now-infamous bill to ban hemp-derived products and mimic the federal crackdown attempt.
This is the bill that would devastate Wisconsin’s hemp businesses, punish responsible retailers, and hand the market over to illicit players… again.
Did Murphy understand what he signed?
Hard to tell.
But he co-sponsored it. That’s the undeniable part.
AB 747: December 3 — Now He Co-Sponsors the Bill to Regulate Hemp
Then, less than two months later — December 3 — Murphy also signed onto AB 747/SB 682, the bipartisan bill to regulate hemp products rather than banning them outright.
So which is it, Dave?
Ban hemp?
Regulate hemp?
Both?
Neither?
This wasn’t nuanced policymaking — it was legislative whiplash.
Schrödinger’s Co-Sponsor: simultaneously for and against the hemp industry depending on which bill list you check.
A Long Pattern: “Dave’s Not Here, Man”
Try asking Murphy where he stands on cannabis or hemp and you’ll get the classic Cheech & Chong routine:
“Dave?”
“No, man… Dave’s not here.”
One moment he tells advocates he supports cannabis reform.
The next he signs a prohibitionist bill and later claims he “didn’t really know much about it.”
It would be funny if people’s livelihoods weren’t on the line.
This Isn’t New — Murphy’s Been Confused for Years
2019: Says Yes to Medical Marijuana (Privately), but Never Signs On
Back in 2019, Murphy said he supported medical marijuana.
Great!
Except… he never actually co-sponsored the bills.
Not once.
Not when it mattered.
2021: The Bad BHO Bill — He Admitted He Didn’t Know What He Signed
In 2021, Murphy co-sponsored the so-called Bad BHO bill, a poorly written attempt to criminalize butane hash oil.
Later in private, he admitted to me he had been asked to co-sponsor it and didn’t really understand the bill.
That’s not leadership — that’s autopilot.
2023: The Kratom Bill — His One Clear Position… Sort Of
In 2023, Murphy suddenly became the face of the Kratom consumer protection bill — openly talking about his own kratom use, buying it in Michigan, and bringing it back to Wisconsin. He pushed that bill hard, almost proudly.
And yet, somehow…
A guy who understands alternative medicine well enough to champion kratom can’t figure out where he stands on hemp?
It doesn’t add up.
Then Came the Residency Scandal
As if the hemp flip-flopping wasn’t enough, Murphy became the center of a new controversy when he purchased a home outside his district while still serving as a representative.
He was publicly called out by constituents and Democratic leaders — including Rep. Lee Snodgrass, a legitimate cannabis-reform champion.
After being confronted, Murphy quickly updated his voting address…
Only for it to be revealed that the “new” address was also outside the district.
Shortly after, he announced his retirement at 70-plus years old.
Maybe he’s confused.
Maybe he’s tired.
Maybe he’s just done.
Final Thought
Dave Murphy’s legacy on cannabis, hemp, and alternative medicine could have been clear, principled, and consistent. Instead, it’s a stack of contradictions:
- Says he supports medical marijuana but never backs it.
- Admits he didn’t understand the Bad BHO bill he co-sponsored.
- Champions kratom while attacking hemp.
- Co-sponsors a hemp ban in October and a hemp regulation bill in December.
- Moves out of his district, denies it, then retreats into retirement.
At the end of the day, when Wisconsin needed clarity and leadership on hemp reform…
“Dave?
…Dave’s not here, man.”
Closing Statement
I’ve reached out to Rep. Murphy’s office for clarification on this very confusing situation — because frankly, Wisconsin deserves answers. But Murphy’s flip-flop isn’t just about one legislator struggling to pick a lane. It’s a symptom of a much bigger problem: Republicans in Wisconsin are completely dysfunctional on hemp and cannabis policy.
And to be fair?
Some Democrats aren’t far behind.
The more I talk with lawmakers from both parties, the clearer it becomes: most of them don’t understand hemp, don’t want to take the time to learn, and don’t grasp how their decisions impact farmers, retailers, consumers, and the entire Wisconsin hemp economy.
Maybe it’s time to go back to Hemp 101 for the entire Legislature — because right now, too many lawmakers are making decisions based on fear, confusion, misinformation, or political convenience. And the people paying the price are the ones actually working in the industry.
Until legislators are willing to learn, listen, and lead, Wisconsin will stay stuck in this loop of contradictions — with “leaders” like Dave Murphy proving just how lost the Capitol really is on hemp reform.
And here’s the truth: I don’t have time to chase down 132 elected officials every time one of them co-sponsors the wrong bill, misunderstands the issue, or gets swept up in political games. Nobody in this movement has that kind of time — not farmers, not business owners, not advocates, and certainly not the consumers who rely on these products.
That’s why we need something bigger than one-on-one education.
We need structure.
We need accountability.
We need focus.
It’s time for leaders from BOTH parties to step up and form the bipartisan Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus.
A real caucus would force legislators to actually learn the issue, stay consistent, communicate across party lines, and stop making decisions in the dark. It would bring hemp, cannabis, kratom, farmers, retailers, medical patients, and public safety officials into one coherent conversation — not 132 scattered ones.
If you support this idea, please sign the petition and help us identify and select the leaders who will finally bring sanity, stability, and modern policy to Wisconsin.
Because inconsistency like Murphy’s isn’t just frustrating — it’s a sign that the Legislature desperately needs a roadmap. And forming a bipartisan Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus is the next step toward making that happen.
As always, thank you for the past support! If you are interested in sponsoring my 2026 Election Coverage, sponsorships are now open. Thank you to the all the businesses (and The Wisconsin Libertarian Party) for already coming aboard as sponsors! Another option to help is to come to my dispensary in Ripon and buy some supplies. Our store is stocked with products of the companies that are election coverage sponsors. You can also shop online on any of my affiliate programs I have partnered with. And last but not least, you can buy the new book I co-authored which is The Stoner’s Travel Guide to Wisconsin.
