NORML's Smoke the Vote

C Kalan Haywood (D - WI) DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE

This first year assembly representative from Milwaukee did not sponsor any legislation on marijuana reform in 2019-2020 or in 2021-22. We are giving him a C for his candidate statements addressing marijuana reform, his continued public support in the news, but a Board Member for SE WI NORML indicated she was not happy with his communication on the issue.

We do congratulation him on becoming the youngest person ever elected to state office. At 19 years old, we have high hopes for his future as a marijuana reformer and would like to see him co-sponsor legislation on the issue.

Holds office State Assembly District 16

Biography

Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 5, 1999; single.
Graduate Rufus King International Baccalaureate High School, 2017; attending Cardinal Stritch University for B.A. in Business Administration, 2017–present.
Full-time legislator. Former nonprofit consultant.
Member: City of Milwaukee Restorative Justice Advisory Committee (chair); BlackCEO Milwaukee Chapter (vice president); Determined Young Investors (president). Former member: City of Milwaukee Youth Council (president).
Elected to Assembly 2018.

Position on Marijuana Legalization

August 2018 : We can’t forget to address our broken criminal justice system. We have too many people trapped in a cycle of crime, incarceration, and recidivism. We need to legalize marijuana, expunge criminal records and end the failed truth-in-sentencing law, which prevents parole.

Position on Marijuana Decriminalization

“The conversation around marijuana has to involve decriminalizing marijuana as well.”

Position on Medical Marijuana

“Especially medical marijuana. I have an uncle who is suffering from cancer…that could help ease some of his pain.”

“The other states around us have legalized marijuana use, and now we’re on an island.”