Yes, you read that right... While the rest of the country moves toward decriminalization and legalization, Wisconsin moves BACKWARDS and created tougher penalties for simple marijuana possession! Nearly half of America’s states have eased up on the use of marijuana, but Wisconsin is moving toward further criminalization of the drug. Some states now allow its use for medical purposes. Others have decriminalized pot or even legalized it. But in Wisconsin, quite a few legislators want to get tougher. The Wisconsin Assembly on Tuesday approved a bill that would give local governments more power to penalize marijuana use. They could prohibit the possession of any amount of marijuana and issue citations, if the district attorney declines to file charges. Right now, municipalities can enact or enforce ordinances prohibiting possession of 25 grams or less of marijuana. Republican Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt is one of the bill’s sponsors. He says authorities in his district are frustrated when they arrest people for marijuana possession, but the cases don’t go anywhere. You have local resources that are being expended by the police department in working towards keeping society safe, and they are having their efforts being rebuffed by the district attorney, possibly, Thiesfeldt says. While Thiesfeldt claims communities would be better off prosecuting more pot crimes, Democratic Assemblyman Evan Goyke predicts taxpayers costs would increase. What happens when we try to collect $200 from someone who doesn’t have $200, they don’t pay it. And they get a warrant for their arrest and then they sit in their county jails and then they don’t pay the citation. This is a terrible way to try to collect money, Goyke says. Other Democrats say further criminalization of marijuana in Wisconsin could hurt people who might use it for pain relief. The bill has already cleared the Senate, and now goes to Gov. Walker for his signature. #cannabis4WI #Parents4PotWI
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 02:53:52 +0000
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