The Appleton Safety and Learning Committee is leading the conversation with city officials regarding a proposal to lower the fines for marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession.
At least two Appleton Alders are on board as they proposed lowering the fine from $200 down to only $5.
The City Council is pointing to other states where marijuana is legal, and that the conversation around the drug has changed over the past several years.
Not everyone is on board however, as Police Chief Todd Thomas said that he believes $5 is too low.
While he did agree that the conversation has changed, and that the ordinance needs modifying, he also cited studies that showed that marijuana damages young people’s brains, as they are not fully developed.
The recommendation is going to the Common Council for a final decision.
