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Spend resources with wisdom

ByNorthernWINORML.org

Our nation and state budgets are busting, and Occupy Wall Street Protests bring to light the Democratic and Republican support for Wall Street Banks. The banks get bailed out and the 99% of people get sold out.

In 2010 our Minnesota law enforcement arrested 11,361 people for marijuana possession, that is about 65% of MN drug arrests. At what cost to local and state budgets do we make people criminals for use of a plant with legitimate medical uses, and used for adult recreation can not kill you with any size overdose? Last year over 900,000 Americans had a marijuana arrest, so our failed trillion dollar war on drugs should get re-examined, right? Cannabis prohibition has failed, more funding of it is just nuts!

Follow the money and you often find big problems, with Wall Street Banks as well as our War On Drugs. Cannabis prohibition supports organized crime costing over 40,000 dead in Mexico in past 7 years and over 500 of those were police.

A medical marijuana law was passed in Minnesota and Tim Pawlenty did a veto. He had support of MN Police Unions. I recall when same Police Unions said if MN passed a “Shall Issue” gun permit law that MN would become the wild west! I agree with past Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum who supported and said about medical marijuana; “… keep government’s nose out from between a doctor and patient…”

I worked as a RN, and support an end to cannabis prohibition and replacing the drug war criminal system in place now with a public heath model and tax/regulate cannabis as we do more deadly cigs and alcohol. Now in Washington a bill (HB 2306) to end federal cannabis prohibition is having all hearings blocked by “less regulation” Republicans and our local Congressman Peterson. What are they afraid of by holding hearings – the truth?

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Jessica Katzenmeyer (D) to challenge Joe Sanfelippo (R)
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Jessica Katzenmeyer (D) to challenge Joe Sanfelippo (R)

ByJay Selthofner Posted on

Rep. Joe Sanfelippo Marijuana Scorecard Grade
Rep. Joe Sanfelippo Marijuana Scorecard Grade

In past sessions medical marijuana bills died under the watch of Rep. Sanfelippo from New Berlin.  As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health, medical marijuana was not even allowed a public hearing under his watch.  In the 2019-20 session, medical marijuana advocates had high hopes as medical marijuana reform was not directed to his committee.    He obviously did not co-sponsor the Republican GOP medical marijuana bill (AB 683) and he continues to give public statements opposing any marijuana reform.

Position on Marijuana Legalization: As chair on the Assembly Committee on Health, Rep. Joe Sanfelippo issued this statement in February 2019 regarding Tony Evers’ decriminalization plan: “Governor Evers’s plan for decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana is both irresponsible and uninformed. This is a case of the Governor advancing his own agenda despite a large body of scientific research demonstrating real dangers associated with marijuana use. Contrary to the growing narrative that marijuana is harmless, the scientific and medical communities have raised genuine concerns about the risks that marijuana consumption poses to health and public safety.”

Position on Marijuana Decriminalization: Opposed

Position on Medical Marijuana: He does not believe there are benefits of medical marijuana. He was quoted in February 2019 saying, “There is no quantitative, definitive science and research that can prove the efficacy of marijuana for medical purposes.” 

Rep. Sanfelippo holds office State Assembly District 15. Link to Full Candidate Scorecard

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Democrat Jessica Katzenmeyer proudly announces her candidacy for Wisconsin Assembly District 15 compromising of western West Allis and northern New Berlin.

“I am running because I’ve always been passionate about helping people and serving the community. I have the knowledge and life experiences to be a force for positive change and to make a difference for the people of the 15th Assembly District.”

Jessica is self-employed in the Milwaukee area. She is an LGBT+ rights activist, author of the blog series “Crossing the Line”, and is an active member of the Democratic Party. She is a 2017 graduate of Emerge Wisconsin and has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She served for nearly 3 years on the Teamsters Local 344 Political and Legislative committee as Secretary and 5 years on the UPS Safety Committee.

I had a chance to ask Jessica about her stance on marijuana reform and she replied “I am 100% in favor of marijuana legalization and decriminalization. Recently we released my healthcare plan. As one of the 4 pillars of my healthcare plan includes legalizing marijuana for medical use which has shown more and more positive benefits for people who use it.“

The election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Learn more about Jessica Katzenmeyer and her campaign on social media on Twitter @Jess4Assembly and on Facebook Jess for Assembly her website can be found at www.Jess4Assembly.com.

Learn more about how to register to vote at MyVote.wi.gov

Learn more about requesting an absentee ballot / voting by mail at MyVote.Wi.Gov

Wisconsin Marijuana Voter Information
Wisconsin Marijuana Voter Information
Drug war editorial indicates a patient approach more effective than criminal enforcement
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Drug war editorial indicates a patient approach more effective than criminal enforcement

ByJay Selthofner Posted on

Howard Wooldridge is back in the news with one of the first editorials of the year.   A slogan of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (L.E.A.P.) is one that is needed to be heard, read and spoke throughout Wisconsin.  “Drug Abuse is Bad, but the Drug War is Worse!” Mr. Wooldridge is not only a former cop, but also a drug policy specialist with Citizens Opposing Prohibition (COP) and has been making some news in Wisconsin with his recent editorials, this one printed in the Wisconsin State Journal and giving his professional prospective on the situation in Wisconsin.

Regarding Wednesday’s article “Heroin abuse, deaths on the rise,” as a retired police officer, I am familiar with drug overdose and death.
As a traveler, I have met with doctors and officials in Switzerland to see first-hand the success of their method of handling heroin.
Since 1994 they have treated heroin use as a medical issue and have been rewarded with dramatic decreases in crime, and no one in the program has died of an overdose in 16 years. This model has been adopted by Germany, Denmark and Holland because it works.
The American model of treating drug addicts as criminals (except for those addicted to alcohol and cigarettes) has not worked in decades, despite a trillion tax dollars spent.
Know that my colleagues, such as Madison Police Chief Noble Wray, will always advocate locking abusers up as it provides solid job security and overtime for his officers.

I am looking forward to reading more from this gentleman in the near future and will be sharing his prospective and information with my elected officials and community leaders.  You can read more from Howard Wooldridge on his blog at http://www.citizensopposingprohibition.org/blog-home/.  I have saw a couple versions of the famous T-shirt “Cops Says Legalize Drugs! Ask me why?” and here is a great way to support their organization and get a personalized shirt.

Get your personalized shirt direct from COP!

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Retired Surgeon editorial on alcohol and marijuana

ByJay Selthofner Posted on

Community Columnist – Is legalization of pot on the way?

December 20th, 2010 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial

Whoever you are, I thank you for consuming my allotment of the 32 gallons of alcoholic beverages each Wisconsinite guzzles every year. I couldn’t have done it on my own. We have cheeseheads, but our beer bellies are the reason we lead the nation in the percent of heavy drinkers, binge drinkers and OWI. California may be No. 1 in dairy, but when it comes to booze, well, we got ’em on that one.

Wisconsin’s appetite for alcohol is not unique. Civilizations were making wine in 1000 B.C. Mankind seems to have needs for mood-altering substances, and ethanol has been a very widely culturally acceptable recreational substance. Interestingly, we condemn “drug” use but condone alcohol as a social norm.

Alcohol affects the central nervous system, causes changes in behavior and is addictive; it’s, therefore, a drug and a mind-altering drug from the first sip. While the use of alcohol is fashionable, alcohol is the third-leading lifestyle-related cause of death in the United States, and in 2008 almost half of all traffic fatalities here were related to alcohol. We acknowledge the lives ruined by alcohol but defend its traditional status in our lives.

Given alcohol’s high potential for abuse and without an acceptable medical use, it logically should be a federally regulated Schedule I Controlled Substance like marijuana. On the other hand, while alcohol will never become a controlled substance, it is probable there eventually will be Wisconsin initiatives to make marijuana, like alcohol, a legal substance. Fifteen states and D.C. already have legalized “medical” marijuana, and currently 10 states treat possession of small amounts of marijuana as civil, rather than criminal, offenses.

The proponents of legalization point out the there is little disparity between the pharmacologic effects of marijuana and alcohol so there is no logical reason to treat the two differently, especially when marijuana is known to be less addictive than alcohol. They also contend that marijuana, unlike alcohol, has established medical benefits and that classifying marijuana as an illegal drug is an exercise in futility for law enforcement that wastes taxpayer money and police time.

It would not be surprising that given long-term budget deficits there will be suggestions to raise revenue without increasing taxes by holding our collective noses and legalizing marijuana to generate income as we did in legalizing the lottery in 1988. That would make sense to Milton Friedman and over 500 other economists who estimate that marijuana legalization would yield $6.2 billion in tax revenue if marijuana were taxed at rates comparable to those on alcohol and tobacco. The saved $7.7 billion currently expended per year by governments in controlling illegal marijuana would be spent on the problems associated with widespread marijuana use.

Anyway, if ever legalized marijuana compounds our abundant problems with alcohol, I pray that an obstacle to the easy acquisition of both substances is established by mandating each can be obtained only at Department of Motor Vehicle offices. That’ll put a hitch in some habits.

John Ridley of Mequon is a retired surgeon. E-mail jr22js@wi.rr.com

I will admit, the last couple times I was at the DMV it was very efficient.   The facility I used was remodeled, well staffed and finely oiled, even the chairs were comfortable.  I did not have to sit in them long as my mission was easily accomplished.  In fact, I did not even have time to finish my conversation with an old classmate I ran into while at the DMV.  Funny, we were talking about hemp and cannabis also.  I don’t know if this retired surgeon DMV location is that bad or he is just that aware that Wisconsin probably has more bars than grocery stores these days.  And do not forget they sell a whole variety of alcohol beverages for us to kill our selves and each with also.

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33rd Assembly Rep Cory Horlacher Marijuana Survey

ByNorthernWINORML.org Posted on

Representative Cody Horlacher Assembly District 33 (R - Mukwonago)
Representative Cody Horlacher
Assembly District 33
(R – Mukwonago)

Rep. Cody Horlacher (R-Mukwonago) representing Wisconsin’s 33 Assembly District has a question about marijuana for you, the constituents that live within the following area:

 
The 33rd Assembly District is comprised of
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Jefferson
Cambridge
Fort Atkinson
Helenville
Sullivan
Hebron
Palmyra
WAUKESHA COUNTY
Mukwonago
Eagle
WALWORTH COUNTY
Troy/East Troy
La Grange
He is also a member of the 2019 Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
 
 
This committee has been assigned Assembly Bill 220 / Legal Opportunity / the legalization bill sponsored by Melissa Sargent.
 
So if you are not a a constituent of his you may want to approach Rep. Cody Horlacher via Telephone at (608) 266-5715 or email at Rep.Horlacher@legis.wisconsin.gov and phrase your phone call or email with direct support of Assembly Bill 220 “Legalize Opportunity” and add “Please do not hold up this legislation in committee. Please hold a public hearing and put this piece of legislation to a floor vote!”

Legalize Opportunity
Legalize Opportunity

For more information on Assembly Bill 220 Legalize Opportunity please visit out website:

 
If you live in this district please contact us today as we need some assistance directly in his district by his constituents!
 
Here is the question on his spring budget survey:
 
Legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes has been proposed. Law enforcement, educators and the medical community oppose legalization. Which best describes your views on marijuana legalization?
 
I do not support any legalization of marijuana use
 
I support limited medical legalization only
 
I support full decriminalization of marijuana for recreational or medical use
 
Answer Rep. Horlacher spring / budget survey with a marijuana question by using the following link:
Keep BUD in the Budget!
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Keep BUD in the Budget!

ByJay Selthofner Posted on
Wisconsin Budget Process
Wisconsin Budget Process

Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep folks safer at home, the governor is once again calling on Wisconsinites to share their thoughts at virtual listening sessions. Because The People’s Budget listening sessions are being held virtually this year, listening sessions will be focused by topic area:

  • Healthcare and Public Health
  • Environment, Infrastructure, and the Economy
  • Criminal Justice Reform
  • Our Kids and Education

 
These listening sessions will provide the governor with an opportunity to hear about the issues affecting our communities and our state directly from Wisconsin families and workers.

Wisconsinites interested in helping craft the 2021-23 People’s Budget can submit a written public comment on any topic at any time here. If you are interested in participating in the People’s Budget listening sessions, you can register to attend here.

If you need some pointers on how cannabis reform relates to our budget, please use the chart below. We know for a fact that Governor Evers is friendly to medical marijuana and decriminalizing small personal amounts of cannabis from a crime to a fine. We also know for a fact that in the 2019-20 budget process Republicans stripped anything marijuana reform from the final budget. Republican leadership and Republican key committee chairs withheld several bills from even a public hearing, including a medical marijuana start up bill vetted by the Republican Caucus.

Still, the landscape in politics does change and coming off an election we can see which of our newly elected official stands up for our rights and which ones do not. Do not give up the fight!

Keep Bud in the Budget by Jay Selthofner

Even if marijuana reform does not make its way back into the budget or is again stripped out of it, there is no doubt that we still need to hold our newly elected officials accountable and make marijuana reform a priority in the 2021-22 legislative cycle.

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Budget Cuts Could Force Wisconsin to Decriminalize 25 grams or less by July 1, 2013

ByNorthernWINORML.org Posted on

In an effort to cut costs, it appears Wisconsin may becoming soft on crime.

wisconsin-public-defenders-office
Wisconsin Public Defenders Office

The State Public Defender’s Office is seeking alternatives to certain crimes. These changes would save the State over $7.7 million in the next biennial budget.

According to “Overview of State Agency Major Request Items”, a document put together by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Public Defender’s Office is looking to amend several crimes to become mere ordinance violations. One of those crimes…drug possession.

This is the exact wording of the proposal…

“Amend s. 961.41 of the statutes to provide that all first and second offense drug possession violations, other than for methamphetamine, involving 25 grams or less be reduced to an ordinance violation provided there is reasonable doubt that the individual was not manufacturing, distributing or delivering the drug.”

But it doesn’t stop there. The Public Defender’s Office wants to make further corrections to drug laws by making third time drug possession a misdemeanor charge.

“With low risk offenders, evidence based decision making shows they don’t need much intervention and that was the overlying theme to these issues,” Randy Kraft, Communications Director for the State Public Defender’s Office said.

Lieutenant David Poteat, Director of the Brown County Drug Task Force, calls the changes absurd.

“To say that they’re low risk offenders I don’t think is realistic. If you look at heroin in particular, that is tied to so much of our property crime in the area, it’s unreal. So people using heroin are also ones stealing from stores, stealing from homes, breaking into cars. It’s connected to so much other crime than just that,” Poteat stated.

The changes will not only cut down on 7,000 cases annually, but will reduce costs by an estimated $713,000 in 2013-14 and $1,426,000 in 2014-15.

“The justice system we have in Wisconsin does come at a price tag to our taxpayers,” Randy Kraft commented. “For us to fix some areas that need an increase in funding, we also have to identify issues where it would save monies as well.”

Kraft says in order to advance other programs, “the only way the agency could submit the increases was to identify corresponding decreases.”

Poteat disagrees.

“The Sheriff’s Department has a budget as well. Each department has to do their part to maintain that budget and keep costs down. We try to operate as efficiently as possible, but you cannot do that at the risk of the public.”

While the Public Defender’s Office is looking at decreasing the cost of crime, they’re also looking at increasing pay for assistant public defenders and private bar attorneys. The increase in salaries comes at a cost of over $9million.

But first State lawmakers must agree to the changes. If adopted, the law changes would become effective July 1, 2013.

Source:   GREEN BAY, Wisc. (WFRV)  http://wearegreenbay.com/