Cannabis legalization is getting a concentrated push in the state of Wisconsin, where on Thursday Rep. Melissa Sargent of Madison announced that she would propose legislation to legalize recreational marijuana.

Wisconsin’s new Democratic governor, Tony Evers, announced Tuesday his plans to include the initial steps of cannabis legalization in his state budget proposal for 2019. Speaking before Wisconsin Technology Council board members, Gov. Evers responded to a question about his views on cannabis. Evers said he personally favors adult use legalization, echoing Minnesota’s new governor, Tim Walz.

In 2009, it looked like Wisconsin was going to be a leader in passing progressive marijuana legislation. Democrats controlled the Legislature and a bill that would have made Wisconsin the 15th state to legalize medical marijuana had the support of Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. Polls showed wide public support.

But the bill died in committee when Democratic Rep. Julie Lassa voted with Republicans to tank it.

Nearly a decade later, Wisconsin remains on the sidelines, watching as Michigan and Illinois battle it out to see which state can attract marijuana tourists first. 

The Great Dane in Madison has brewed a pale ale with CBD.

Great Dane brewpubs will launch CBD-infused beer, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages starting Dec. 13 at all five of the brewpub's locations — in Madison, Fitchburg and Wausau. 

It's likely the first brewer in Wisconsin to add cannabidiol to beer. 

The launch includes a celebration from 4:30 to 6 p.m. that day hosted by The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co., and its CBD partner, Madison-based GreenRX, at the The Great Dane Pub, 123 E. Doty St., in Madison.

CBD is cannabidiol, which is extracted from the flowers of hemp plants and is considered non-psychoactive. Marijuana, hemp and hops are related agriculture products.

Interest in producing hemp, the non-psychoactive cousin of marijuana, is growing in Wisconsin.

While this year's harvest doesn't look the best because of wet weather and inexperienced growers, interest in the crop is strong after legislative action this year lifted the state's decades-old ban on industrial hemp, The Post Crescent reported.

"Currently, there is more demand than supply," said Abbie Testaberg, a River Falls area resident who is equipping a 5,200-square-foot indoor, aeroponic growing and processing facility.

Nearly 140 Wisconsin farmers planted the crop this year. Many of them said they plan to continue planting next year despite this year's challenges.

Farmers in Wisconsin have high hopes for a new cash crop: Hemp. It looks and smells like marijuana but it will not get you high. FOX 11 Investigates examined the state’s new hemp pilot program earlier this year.

Robert Hornacek traveled to Mount Horeb to follow up on the program and what it could mean for the future. “The size of the plants has exceeded my expectations,” said John Eichorst of Mount Horeb Hemp.

From a distance, his half-acre hemp field almost looks like a field of Christmas trees. “It’s been a lot of work,” Eichorst said.

Willie Hughes was one of the Wisconsin farmers growing hemp legally for the first time in about seven decades, and he wanted his crop to thrive.

Growing hemp carried uncertainty. What care did it need? How is it harvested? What’s its legality, considering the federal government still classifies it as an illegal substance?

Many curious farmers chose to stay on the sidelines and not grow hemp this year. They wanted to see how others handled it before jumping in. Hughes put extra pressure on himself.

More than a dozen counties around Wisconsin will ask a question about the legalization of marijuana on the ballots in November. The counties are asking different questions, but they are all advisory referendums, meaning they don't require the state legislature to take action.

"It's really just sending a message to the state that the citizens want to see a change in the law," said Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell.

In Dane County, the question on the ballot is, "Should marijuana be legalized, taxed and regulated in the same manner as alcohol for adults 21 years of age or older?"

We’re four weeks away from the November midterm elections, and obviously a lot in the political landscape could change on that day. Democrats could retake Congress, governor’s mansions could flip to a new party and so much more, writes Joseph Misulonas.