16 counties will answer marijuana referendums in November

16 counties and two cities will see referendum questions about marijuana on their ballot this November.

The pro-marijuana group NORML has been working with county boards to get the advisory referendums on the ballots.

"They vary from strict recreational questions, to medicinal questions. Some of the referendums have both a medicinal and a recreational question on them,” said Brain Seamonson with Madison NORML.

The questions are designed to gather public opinion and won't change any laws.

Seamonson said the 16 counties cover more than half Wisconsin’s population.

Dane County Board Supervisor Yogesh Chawla sponsored the referendum question for Dane County which reads: Should marijuana be legalized, taxed and regulated in the same manner as alcohol for adults 21 years of age or older?

"We wanted to write it in such a way to people know this isn’t about just legalization this is about taxation and regulation as well,” said Chawla.

Chawla said he hopes the findings can be used to reform drug laws.

“You’re seeing a diverse number of counties, not in what their population is but also in where they’re located so we’re really getting an accurate picture of what the people of Wisconsin want,” said Chawla.

To see what's on your ballot visit myvote.wi.gov.