NORML's Smoke the Vote

B+ Kathy Bernier (R - WI) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE

Her goal is to get a public hearing on the issue of medical marijuana for the 2021-22 session. That is the first step in Wisconsin. Senator Bernier has taken more than first steps supporting marijuana reform. In 2017 she was an Assembly Representative and one of the first Republicans in a long time to support marijuana reform by sponsoring a decriminalization bill. In 2020, she is the lead in the Republican controlled Senate trying to navigate a bill through committee. Early in 2021 she is the sole author on the Senate side for a decriminalization bill. She deserves and A for effort alone!

Biography

Born Eau Claire, Wisconsin, April 29, 1956; 3 children, 6 grandchildren.
Graduate Chippewa Falls Senior High School, 1974; B.A. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 1998; Certificate in Public Management Essentials, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2005.
Member: U.S. Elections Assistance Commission Board of Advisors; Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Marshfield Chambers of Commerce; Lake Hallie Optimists Club; National Foundation for Women Legislators (State Director); American Legislative Exchange Council; Assembly of State Legislatures; National Conference of State Legislatures, Elections and Redistricting Committee; Wisconsin County Clerks Association (lifetime member).
Former member: Wisconsin Women in Government; Wisconsin County Constitutional Officers; Chippewa County Humane Association; Kiwanis Noon Club.
Chippewa County clerk, 1999—2011; Village of Lake Hallie trustee, 2007—11 and 2015—16.
Member of the State Women’s Council
Elected to Assembly 2010—2016. Elected to Senate 2018.

Member of Women's Council

Position on Marijuana Legalization

Unkown, leans no because of federal conflict. Also says that even if she did support it, there is not enough support in the overall Senate at this point - 2021

Position on Marijuana Decriminalization

2017-18 Sponsor of Decrminalization

2021-21 Author and only sponsor of decriminalization bill SB 164

Position on Medical Marijuana

Watch video. Sponsor of bill to create a program, video link says she is okay with smoking and home grows.

"With 33 other states leading the way on this, we can and must find a way to make this work in Wisconsin.The medical marijuana program our bill establishes is highly regulated while still creating access to the relief many Wisconsinites need as they deal with continuous pain.”