Building Wisconsin’s Cannabis Future: Updates from the Wisconsin Cannabis Safety Alliance

Posted on 11/21/2024

Wisconsin Cannabis Businesses and Advocates join forces to discuss the formation of The Wisconsin Cannabis Safety Alliance.

The Wisconsin Cannabis Safety Alliance (WCSA) recently held a pivotal meeting to discuss the future of cannabis in Wisconsin. Key players in the industry came together to explore how best to promote safety, education, and community well-being while addressing the challenges unique to our state. Here are the highlights:

1. Community Collaboration for a Safer Industry

The WCSA aims to unite cannabis advocates, businesses, and professionals to ensure Wisconsin’s cannabis industry operates responsibly. The focus remains on self-regulation to fill the gaps left by the state’s lack of cannabis oversight.

Participants discussed:

• The importance of building trust with the community.

• Developing a framework for safe and transparent cannabis practices.

• Educating consumers on product safety and responsible usage.

2. A New Business-Focused Alliance

During the meeting, Wisconsin cannabis businesses proposed forming a separate group, potentially called the Wisconsin Canna-Businesses Alliance. This business-focused organization would address:

• Economic growth opportunities for local businesses.

• Streamlined compliance and operational support.

• Advocacy for policies that benefit small businesses in the cannabis industry.

• Providing guidance to new and existing cannabis business in Wisconsin

While operating independently, this new alliance plans to collaborate with the WCSA on shared goals, such as public education and product safety. The group plans to act as the self-regulated entity that can be accessed directly for questions and concerns about guidelines from the public.

3. Prioritizing Education and Transparency

Educating consumers about cannabis safety and responsible use was a recurring theme. The WCSA is working to:

• Develop clear labeling and packaging guidelines to avoid confusion or deceptive marketing (e.g., candy-like designs).

• Advocate for transparent product information, such as potency levels and ingredients.

• Partner with reliable labs to ensure consistent and trustworthy product testing.

  
  

4. Inclusion and Equity at the Forefront

Representation matters. The WCSA is committed to amplifying diverse voices, including veterans, minority communities, and healthcare professionals. Key points included:

• Veterans’ advocates shared the life-changing impact of cannabis for PTSD and other conditions.

• Ensuring equity in the industry by supporting underserved communities.

• Collaborating with healthcare professionals to provide accurate, unbiased information.

5. Ensuring Product Quality and Safety

Attendees addressed the need for standardized product testing in Wisconsin, as inconsistent methods can lead to unreliable results. Ideas discussed included:

• Partnering with labs to create a unified testing framework.

• Educating consumers on how to identify safe, quality cannabis products.

• Establishing a "trusted source" stamp to recognize businesses meeting high safety and transparency standards.

6. Promoting Local Solutions

Wisconsin’s rich agricultural heritage makes it an ideal place for local cannabis cultivation. Attendees emphasized:

• Growing cannabis locally to ensure quality and keep economic benefits within the state.

• Reducing reliance on imported products with questionable origins.

Next Steps

As Wisconsin’s cannabis community grows, collaboration remains key. The WCSA will focus on:

• Creating educational materials to inform the public about safe cannabis use.

• Establishing safety and transparency guidelines for businesses.

• Supporting the Wisconsin Canna-Businesses Alliance as it forms to address industry-specific needs.

How You Can Get Involved

Wisconsin is on the cusp of major changes in cannabis advocacy. Whether you’re a consumer, business owner, or advocate, your voice matters. Follow the progress of the Wisconsin Cannabis Safety Alliance and the proposed Wisconsin Canna-Businesses Alliance to stay informed and involved.

Join the conversation today!

• greenwi.org

• Linktree.com/LetsLegalizeWI

Together, we can create a cannabis industry that benefits everyone in Wisconsin.

The Plan to Free Cannabis in Wisconsin

First off, thank you to each and every one of YOU – for every comment, like, and share. But especially thank you to everyone who has shown up at an event, rocked a Legalize Wisconsin hoodie, or talked to a friend or neighbor about the safety of cannabis.

Our state is about to do something NO OTHER STATE has done.

The folks who helped legalize Minnesota are strong allies as we move forward, and they deserve a round of applause. They've offered to help simply out of respect, remembering how hard it was for them, and wanting to help their neighbors here in Wisconsin. They're also helping us watch our backs and prevent big money from hijacking this opportunity. Because let's be honest, Vos is blocking cannabis, but only until someone lines his pockets more than current interests are doing.

Wisconsin is being watched by everyone – hemp and marijuana are at odds in “legal states.” If hemp was just CBD, marijuana wouldn't care. But hemp has figured out that it's protected at the state and federal level because of THCA. THCA wasn't understood when it was first discovered just over a year ago. Everyone rushed to understand it, and you can't blame them – the government has made this a legal battle. Any chance to grow has to be explored.

Wisconsin is about to flip the whole damn table.

And there's no one else I'd rather go to battle with, side-by-side, than the people of Wisconsin, and the legacy hemp businesses and growers here.

We have farmers, businesses, nurses, advocates, Native American representatives, African American representatives – all those truly affected by this fight to correct the injustices forced upon us for so long.

It's ironic that for thousands of years before the “war on drugs,” cannabis was used for medicine and relief. But American politicians saw a way to use cannabis as a tool. They literally rewrote our history books and trained generations to believe cannabis was this terrible thing abused only by African Americans who got it from Mexico. They fired up the propaganda machine and force-fed it to the people. We need to remember it's not our parents' fault they don't believe us; they've been ingrained to turn away from cannabis.

Wisconsin has been quietly building a ship, a ship the figurative size of the Titanic. It was started by the true groundbreakers – the advocates who have been around since the Wisconsin NORML days, and even a few from before that. But those folks have been putting in work for decades… and they deserve the appreciation far more than I. I just figured out the social media side – I was not a founding builder; I am the billboard displaying the beautiful vessel these folks built to the people of Wisconsin.

We have an opportunity to truly change the cannabis world in the USA as we know it. Our “hemp businesses” have been gifted the opportunity of a lifetime. And they're choosing to prioritize safety instead of just chasing an incredible amount of money – they are protected at the federal and state level to sell “marijuana” as “hemp.” Lawyers and chemists will soon explain it to you. It's a lot of jargon and interpretation of laws.

But I can tell you this: we have a chance to harness what we can legally do and set up the framework to weather any storm the government tries to bring down on us.

I have slept very little this past week because the excitement and determination I have are overflowing.

I need you to be patient. I need you to trust me. I want to answer all of your questions. And I will, just as I have answered nearly every comment ever posted to any Let's Legalize Wisconsin social media account. Because I truly care about the people and ensuring they have safe access to cannabis and the education that should come with it.

We are on the brink of something that is going to shake up the United States.

The Titanic has set sail.

We are the biggest ship of our era.

We think we are unstoppable if we do this right.

We have the best of the best on board.

The only difference between our ship and the actual Titanic is that we see the iceberg in our path.

That iceberg is politics and politicians.

But we have our whole ship guarded with the most durable life-saving material possible – the very laws and rules those politicians wrote in stone, now used to protect us.

All aboard.

This ship has room for anyone who cares about doing what's right over what we are told to do.

Stronger Together.

Always.

-Bobby Beans.

(If your looking to join us in the good fight - visit greenwi.org to jump aboard!)

New Coalition Unites Wisconsin Hemp Businesses to Shape a Safer Future

Unintentional THC Addition in 60 Wisconsin Pizzas Underscores Urgent Need for Cannabis Safety Standards

Wisconsin Cannabis Safety Alliance – Advancing safe, responsible standards for Wisconsin’s cannabis industry.

Madison, WI – In response to a recent incident where 60 pizzas were unknowingly served with THC-infused dough due to unintentional addition in a shared kitchen, Wisconsin’s cannabis advocates are taking collective action to address safety concerns. Let’s Legalize Wisconsin has formed a coalition inviting all Wisconsin hemp businesses to join in creating a unified voice and working together to establish safe, quality standards for cannabis products statewide.

Temporarily operating as the Wisconsin Cannabis Safety Alliance, the coalition will establish a permanent name once all participating members have joined and agreed upon a unified identity. Supported by the Wisconsin Hemp Farmers and Manufacturers Association (WIHFMA), Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), USDA, Wisconsin Wellness, and Nubreed Equity Acres, this alliance provides a collaborative platform for Wisconsin businesses to align around shared goals. The group’s mission is to protect public safety and ensure that cannabis products are prepared and handled responsibly, offering Wisconsin residents safe access to reliable, effective medicine.

For businesses interested in joining the coalition and contributing to a safer cannabis market, visit makewilegal.org/WCSA

An Incident that Highlights the Need for Change

The contamination occurred in a shared kitchen used by both a pizza company and an edible hemp products business, leading to unintended exposure for consumers. The incident resulted from the incorrect oil being mistakenly used from a cooperative commercial kitchen to prepare a batch of dough. Between October 22 and October 24, 60 contaminated pizzas were unknowingly served to customers.

Rob Pero, founder of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) and Wisconsin Wellness, expressed his support, adding, "This incident highlights the risks we face without proper cannabis safety standards. Public safety should be at the forefront, ensuring that consumers know exactly what they’re receiving in every product. This coalition is a step forward in protecting consumers and building trust in Wisconsin’s cannabis industry."

"The pizza incident serves as a reminder of Wisconsin’s unique challenges. Many don’t realize that products like those in legal states are being sold here as ‘hemp-derived,’ often with limited or no oversight. Don’t get me wrong—some businesses go to great lengths to ensure their products are safe and properly tested, and we look forward to their voices guiding this overdue change," said Bob Hickey Jr., founder of Let’s Legalize Wisconsin.

A Unified Voice for Wisconsin Businesses and Public Health

The coalition’s primary purpose is to serve as a unified voice for Wisconsin’s cannabis industry, fostering collaboration on industry-wide standards that ensure safe, high-quality products. Through the partnership of Let's Legalize Wisconsin, WIHFMA, ICIA, USDA, Wisconsin Wellness, and Nubreed Equity Acres, the Wisconsin Cannabis Safety Alliance is working to advance safety, wellness, and community-driven values, all while providing a reliable framework for local businesses.

Phillip Scott, founder of the Wisconsin Hemp Farmers and Manufacturers Association (WIHFMA), emphasized, “Our coalition is built on the principle that safe, high-quality cannabis products benefit everyone in Wisconsin. By working together, hemp and non-cannabis businesses alike can create a secure environment for consumers and set the standard for responsible industry growth in our state."

Dustin Reinheimer, a USDA Sampling Agent for Hemp Farmers across Wisconsin, underscored the coalition’s dedication to quality and safety: “As a USDA hemp agent, my first concern is safety. This includes quality control and fair trade practices. From my years of experience, I see firsthand how important standards are for both farmers and consumers within our community."

Marcus Stallings, founder of Nubreed Equity Acres, added a call for inclusivity: “Bringing social equity to Wisconsin’s hemp industry is not just a goal but a necessity. Through this coalition, we’re working to ensure that everyone—especially those historically underrepresented—has a seat at the table as we build a safe, inclusive, and community-driven future for cannabis in Wisconsin."

Establishing Essential Standards for Safe Access

To protect consumers and establish trust in Wisconsin’s cannabis products, the coalition is advocating for key practices that include:

• Clear Labeling and Product Testing – Ensuring all products are accurately labeled and tested, minimizing accidental THC exposure.

• Dedicated Production Spaces – Supporting separate spaces for THC-infused products to prevent cross-contamination with non-cannabis businesses.

• Compliance Checks and Consumer Protections – Developing protocols to uphold safety and quality, fostering public confidence and health.

  
  

Through these standards, the coalition aims to make it easier for consumers to find products that meet established guidelines, ensuring that they know the products they’re buying are safe and responsibly produced.

"Establishing clear guidelines shows our dedication to consumer well-being. With the right standards and education, Wisconsin’s cannabis industry can thrive responsibly and safely," added Hickey. “By joining together, we aim to set a high standard for cannabis in Wisconsin that residents and businesses can trust."

About the Coalition Partners:

• Let’s Legalize Wisconsin – A statewide initiative advocating for safe, responsible cannabis legalization through education, community collaboration, and policy engagement. Let's Legalize Wisconsin strives to create a safer, more accessible future for all Wisconsinites.

  
  

• WIHFMA - Advocating for sustainable growth, WIHFMA represents Wisconsin’s hemp farmers and manufacturers.

  
  

• ICIA - Founded by Rob Pero, ICIA works to blend Indigenous practices with the cannabis industry, championing inclusivity and shared growth.

  
  

• USDA - Partnering to promote sustainable farming, USDA brings agricultural expertise to Wisconsin’s cannabis landscape.

  
  

• Wisconsin Wellness - Launched by Rob Pero, Wisconsin Wellness supports the movement for safe, medicinal cannabis access in Wisconsin and focuses on public health through wellness-oriented practices.

  
  

• Nubreed Equity Acres - Focused on equity, Nubreed Equity Acres promotes inclusivity in Wisconsin’s emerging cannabis economy.

  
  

Support Safe Access and Industry Standards

Let’s Legalize Wisconsin and its coalition members urge lawmakers to support these essential safety practices. This coalition invites Wisconsin hemp businesses to join in shaping a safer, more transparent path forward for cannabis across the state.

For businesses interested in joining the coalition, visit makewilegal.org/WCSA to learn more and apply.