Proposal: Lower marijuana possession fine to $1

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    Milwaukee (WISN ) — If someone is caught with a small amount of marijuana in Milwaukee County, it could soon only cost them a $1 fine.

A county board supervisor is proposing the change the same week Gov. Tony Evers proposed legalizing and taxing marijuana in Wisconsin.

“This resolution will reduce the fine of possession of 25 grams of marijuana to no more than a dollar,” Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez said.

Ortiz-Velez said her proposed ordinance would be a de facto decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana in the county — fine of $1.

Fines right now of $250 to $500.

Advocates said the proposal is also about social justice.

“The Wisconsin chapter of the ACLU found that Black Wisconsinites are 4.2% more likely to be arrested for possession than white Wisconsinites even though there is a common usage rate,” Ortiz-Velez said.

Advocates said 25 grams is less than a month’s supply for a typical medical marijuana user.

“Between a half a gram to a gram would be a typical size for a joint, so it’s about 25 joints,” said Eric Marsch, executive director of Southeastern Wisconsin NORML.

“Wisconsin is woefully behind many of our neighbors. If you look just south to Illinois, if you look at Michigan, those are states that have gone through a legalization process,” Glendale Mayor Bryan Kennedy said.

“Why would we want to bring more mind-altering drugs into the equation?” State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) said.

Wanggaard, a former police officer, is against such efforts.

“Not that alcohol is much better, but alcohol, at least, it’s out of your system,” Wanggaard said.

The proposal will be taken up by the judiciary committee March 11 in Milwaukee County.

The change would apply anywhere within Milwaukee County.

Ortiz-Velez said Milwaukee County authorities issued 187 citations in 2019 for marijuana possession.

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