Wisconsin Patients are out of time!
Patients Out of Time: A Legacy of Advocacy and a Tool for Wisconsin’s Cannabis Future
In 2010, Wisconsin held its first public hearing on medical marijuana. That moment didn’t just happen on its own — it was made possible by the tireless work of grassroots advocates, patients, and national leaders willing to come together and shine a spotlight on cannabis reform. I was proud to be part of that effort. Through fundraising and organizing, I was able to bring in nationally recognized expert from Patients Out of Time, one of the most respected medical cannabis education organizations in the country. The testimony helped frame the issue in a serious, evidence-based light and was pivotal in setting the tone for what could have become meaningful reform in Wisconsin.
Unfortunately, momentum stalled. While another public hearing did take place in 2022, it was only held in the Assembly. The Senate, despite growing support for medical marijuana among the public and within the legislature, never held a hearing of its own — not even an informational one. Notably, then-Representative Mary Felzkowski, who participated in early discussions around cannabis reform and led the 2022 efforts, is now a sitting State Senator. Yet, from 2010 to 2025, the Wisconsin Senate has failed to so much as formally discuss cannabis reform in public, let alone hold a hearing on medical marijuana.
Even more frustrating, the very next session after that 2022 hearing saw real promise. Key Assembly members were listed as authors and cosponsors of medical marijuana legislation. One of those lawmakers — Representative Clint Moses — was even the chair of the committee to which the bill was referred. But despite having the power to schedule a hearing, he took no action. It’s become a familiar pattern in Wisconsin politics: talk, delay, repeat.
Now, fifteen years later, Wisconsin still lags far behind neighboring states on cannabis reform. Even with industrial hemp making strides and intoxicating hemp derivatives being legally sold, lawmakers remain hesitant or outright hostile to comprehensive cannabis reform. And what laws the state has passed can be changed again — for better or worse — depending on which way the political winds blow.
That’s why staying engaged and informed is so important. And that’s why Patients Out of Time remains relevant now more than ever. As part of a new project with fellow activists — The Stoner’s Travel Guide to Wisconsin — we’ve proudly listed Patients Out of Time as a featured cannabis-friendly resource for patients, advocates, and professionals. This fall, they’re holding their 16th National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics — a critical event for anyone involved in cannabis policy, medicine, or reform. The conference takes place in September and brings together doctors, nurses, researchers, and advocates from across the country to discuss the science and application of cannabis therapeutics. It’s the kind of event Wisconsin desperately needs more of — one where lawmakers can learn from real science, not outdated propaganda or political spin.
Wisconsin cannabis activists must remain vigilant. As history shows, progress can stall, and setbacks are always possible. Attending this conference, learning from experts, and keeping the pressure on our elected officials — in both the Assembly and Senate — is how we ensure patients are not forgotten, and how we continue pushing forward. Patients Out of Time helped us in 2010, and they’re still helping us now — let’s show up and support their work.
