Chairwoman Nicholson Supports County and State Efforts to End Marijuana Prohibition

MILWAUKEE – Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson weighed in today on two new proposals related to marijuana use and possession at the state and local levels.

Yesterday County Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez detailed a proposal to reduce the fine for marijuana possession within Milwaukee County to no more than $1.

In a related move, Governor Tony Evers announced just a few days ago that he will include provisions to legalize medical and recreational marijuana in his upcoming state budget.

Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson released the following statement regarding these proposals:

“I applaud Governor Evers and my colleague Supervisor Ortiz-Velez on their respective proposals to legalize marijuana in the State of Wisconsin and significantly reduce the fine for marijuana possession in Milwaukee County.

“Legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana can help us work towards our goal of achieving racial equity and making Milwaukee County the healthiest in Wisconsin. We have seen time and time again that our drug laws have had a disproportionately negative impact on Black communities. Legalization in other states has often brought greater benefits to white and affluent communities by excluding those affected by the war on drugs from its associated economic opportunities. The proposals from Supervisor Ortiz-Velez and the Governor are great steps forward in righting the wrongs of the past.

“My hope is that the State Legislature includes Governor Evers’ proposal in the final state budget, but I understand this will be an uphill climb. This is why it is important that we do all that we can on the local level to decriminalize marijuana possession and free our constituents from the undue financial burden currently put upon those charged with possessing small amounts of marijuana.”

Nicholson previously voted in favor of a 2019 County resolution in support of Governor Evers’ proposals to legalize medical marijuana.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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