Rep. Stubbs, Lt. Gov. Barnes Announce Legislation Decriminalizing Marijuana
"The mass incarceration of African American men who have been disproportionately charged and imprisoned for low-level marijuana offenses is something that must be urgently addressed."
MADISON – Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison), together with Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Reps. David Crowley (D-Milwaukee) and Dave Considine (D-Baraboo), and Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison), today announced legislation to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in Wisconsin. Twenty-six states and Washington, D.C. have enacted laws to stop jailing their residents for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Rep. Stubbs’ bill, LRB-3603, works to address Wisconsin’s shameful racial disparities and high levels of mass incarceration, especially in the African American community.
“Wisconsin has among the worst racial disparities in the country. The mass incarceration of African American men who have been disproportionately charged and imprisoned for low-level marijuana offenses is something that must be urgently addressed,” Rep. Stubbs stated. “We need to rethink and modernize our marijuana laws in Wisconsin. Far too many children are being raised without both parents present due to possession of a small amount of marijuana. And when one community is so disproportionately impacted by these policies, it is beyond time to pursue real solutions. Simply put, we need action – not another study or report. With limited law enforcement resources, it just makes sense to focus our efforts on serious crimes which will make our communities safer.”
In Wisconsin, African Americans are arrested for marijuana possession at four times the rate of white residents despite similar rates of usage. Most of the decriminalization states impose a civil fine, which avoids the life-altering consequences of a criminal record.
“People of color have disproportionately felt the impact of outdated policies all across our criminal justice system,” Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes said. “Possession of small amounts of marijuana is no reason for anyone serve a prison sentence, lose out on a job, nor lose their voting rights. Marijuana decriminalization is an issue I’ve championed since I’ve been a state legislator. Today, I am proud to stand with Rep. Stubbs as she introduces this important legislation that sets us on the right path to prioritizing higher level crimes and smarter criminal justice policy.”
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
- 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
- Wisconsinites Paid over $36 Million in Taxes to Illinois on Cannabis Purchases - State Sen. Melissa Agard, Senate Democratic Leader - Mar 16th, 2023
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