We have a field activist in the district and the Incumbent was a target district, so we know there is some high activity in the area and hoped a viable challenger would emerge and embrace the issue. Mr. Bangstad not only took the time to chat with us, he personally addressed his campaign via Facebook. He followed up with his answers to our 2020 Candidate Questionnaire.
He currently owns the Minocqua Brewing Company, a large brewpub in Minocqua.
There are several strong arguments for full legalization:
o Marijuana is known to be less addictive and socially dangerous than alcohol. It should be legal, regulated, and taxed in a way similar to alcohol.
o Such a change would remove marijuana distribution from drug dealers to registered businesses, which will reduce risks to public safety and prevent youth access.
o The taxes obtained from the sale of marijuana could be put to many good uses, including drug treatment and prevention. Such funds are particularly needed during our economic recession.
I support decriminalization and followed by a statewide referendum so the people can decide if they want legalization of recreational marijuana. I assume that would pass, and that process would give greater buy-in and support for the change and help quiet the critics. - source
Simple possession of marijuana is not a threat to public safety or health. The criminalization of simple possession of marijuana has been a major factor in mass incarceration, especially among communities of color. This is both a social justice issue and an economic one because of the high cost of prisons and the needless use of police to enforce these unjust laws.
As a matter of social justice, people should not be imprisoned for non-violent marijuana possession. As an economic matter, we should save taxpayer money. - source
According to several studies, marijuana helps relieve suffering and stress. It is also less dangerous – individually and socially – than alcohol. States should be free to regulate marijuana, free of federal interference. - source