By Joe Bachman
Editor

PORTAGE COUNTY — Voters took to the booths to overwhelmingly vote in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, and closing dark store loopholes.

According to the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, large retailers make the case that the value of a property is the same whether it is an abandoned building, (a ‘dark store’), or a flourishing and profitable business. However, many believe that retailers should be taxed on the value within the inventory and profit in the store, and not as an empty building.

This referendum will urge state officials to take action on both items. Many counties across the state have adopted similar resolutions, and Portage County now joins them.

Portage County residents also voted in favor of advising state officials to legalize medical marijuana. The move comes in light of the continued opiate epidemic, and contributes medical marijuana as a viable treatment option to help curb opiate and prescription drug addition in Portage County.

Dark Store Votes:
In favor – 26,684
Oppose – 5,919

Medical Marijuana Votes:
In Favor – 28,129
Oppose – 5,755

In Amherst, residents voted down the ability for the Amherst Town Board to appoint one person to hold both the office of Town Clerk and Treasurer.