State bill would erase city’s move to decriminalize marijuana possession, increase minimum penalty to $100
Statement from members of the Common Council: Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II
A proposed bill in the state Legislature would create a minimum penalty of $100 for getting caught with half an ounce of marijuana or less – essentially erasing Milwaukee’s ordinance that sets fines of $0 to $50 for those receiving first-time tickets for possession.
This would make things much worse here in Milwaukee – a diverse community where the numbers show huge historical disparities in the fines, charges and incarceration rates for black and brown people for possessing marijuana.
One of the primary intentions of the 2015 ordinance was to bring the penalty down low enough where it would not be worth writing a ticket for possession. According to data from the Municipal Court, that’s exactly what has happened:
- In 2010, there were 384 juvenile marijuana possession charges in the city, and by 2021 (through Oct. 31) that number had dropped 95% to 19 charges.
- In 2010, there were 2,286 adult marijuana possession charges in the city, and by 2021 (through Oct. 31) that number had dropped 82% to 403 charges.
Strangely, despite the minimum $100 penalty it proposes for possessing 14 grams or less, the bill keeps in place a provision allowing local governments to use discretion to set fines for possessing MORE than 14 grams of weed.
We do applaud the portion of the bill that reduces the possibility of felony charges for repeat penalties. That’s the direction we were going in six years ago, and it’s the direction toward which most residents of our city and state would like to push all elected officials.
Just more than a year after intense local and nationwide marches for social justice and greater accountability for police (and in a state already far behind most of the nation when it comes to marijuana laws), let’s not take a step back.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Legalizing of Marijuana
- What Will Wisconsin Do Now That Feds Are Moving to Ease Marijuana Restrictions? - Rich Kremer - May 2nd, 2024
- A Better Wisconsin Together Renews Call for Cannabis Legalization - A Better Wisconsin Together - Apr 20th, 2024
- Republicans’ Medical Marijuana Bill Is Likely Dead - Baylor Spears - Feb 18th, 2024
- The State of Politics: Why GOP Divided on Medical Marijuana - Steven Walters - Jan 15th, 2024
- Bill Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession Under 14 Grams - Rich Kremer - Jan 15th, 2024
- GOP Proposal Supports Small, State-Run Medical Marijuana Program - Anya van Wagtendonk - Jan 8th, 2024
- Senate Democratic Leader Reacts to Republican Medical Marijuana Proposal - Dianne Hesselbein - Jan 8th, 2024
- Democrats Push Again to Legalize Marijuana - Erik Gunn - Sep 25th, 2023
- Senator Agard: Response to Speaker Vos’ Medical Marijuana Comments - State Sen. Melissa Agard, Senate Democratic Leader - Apr 20th, 2023
- State Residents Paid $36 Million in Illinois Marijuana Taxes in 2022 - Isiah Holmes - Mar 20th, 2023
Read more about Legalizing of Marijuana here
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