A board member for NORML has been active with marijuana reform for over a decade in her district. Both Senator Olsen and Rep. Ballweg seemed sympathetic back in 2009 while the Republicans were in the minority under a Dem controlled legislature. 2010 changed as Republicans took control and basically killed everything marijuana related, always. Since then, Rep. Ballweg has really failed on the issue.
During 2019, Assembly Republicans worked on the issue and prefiled a bill for the 2020 legislative session to create a medical marijuana program in Wisconsin (Assembly Bill 750 / Senate Bill 683) which Rep. Ballweg (R-Markesan) failed to co-sponsor.
March 2020 Republicans circulated a decriminalization bill for co-sponsorship which she did not co-sponsor.
NOTE: Advisory Referendums on Marijuana in 2018 passed 78% in Marquette County and 80% in Sauk County and Rep. Ballweg Constituent Surveys in 2019 had 73-83% support for marijuana reform.
Holds office State Senate District 14
- Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 16, 1952; married; 3 children, 3 grandchildren.
- Graduate Nathan Hale High School (West Allis), 1970; attended University of Wisconsin-Waukesha; B.A. in Elementary Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 1974.
- Co-owner of farm equipment business. Former first grade teacher.
- Member: Council of State Governments (chair-elect 2019, chair 2020); Midwest Legislative Conference (chair 2016); Markesan Chamber of Commerce (former treasurer); Waupun Chamber of Commerce; Green Lake County Farm Bureau; Waupun Memorial Hospital (board of directors, former chair); Agnesian HealthCare Enterprises LLC management committee (former secretary); volunteer, Markesan District Schools; Markesan PTA (former president); Markesan AFS Chapter (hosting coordinator, president, former host family, liaison).
- Former member: FEMA V Regional Advisory Council.
- Markesan City Council, 1987–91; mayor of Markesan, 1991–97.
- Legislature: Elected to Assembly since 2004. Leadership positions: Majority Caucus Chair 2013, 2011.
Member of Midwestern Higher Education Commission
Opposed
Opposed
Opposed
"I believe any valid medicinal benefits from this plant should be studied and used. We now have authorization of CBD oil for seizures and additional treatment options could be found.
However, we should not be promoting products for smoking, given the effects on individual and public health. THC contained in the product does impair individuals on the road and in the workplace.
Those promoting medical marijuana claim it is an effective substitute for prescription opioids, and prescriptions have been reduced because of legalization. But actually, because of the awareness of addiction all states have seen prescriptions of opioids go down, including 30 percent in Wisconsin." 10/9/18
Email: joanballwegforsenate@gmail.com
Web: https://www.joanballwegwi.com/
Phone: 608-266-0751
State Capitol, Room 409 South Post Office Box 7882
Madison, WI 53708