Lt. Governor Barnes, Democrats Propose Decriminalizing Small Amount of Marijuana

Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and four Democrats propose decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana in the state. Their bill would decriminalize possession of 25 grams or less of cannabis. Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Leader Scott Fitzgerald both oppose the easing of marijuana laws, but Vos indicated he might consider medical cannabis legislation. African-Americans in Wisconsin are arrested for marijuana possession at four times the rate of white residents despite similar usage rates. Barnes says there is more danger, more harm being done by people who are under the influence of alcohol than marijuana. The lieutenant governor added,” simple marijuana possession is not a reason for anyone to serve a prison sentence, lose out on a job, nor lose their voting rights.”