Help Needed! Supporters of cannabis reform who live in Tomah, WI are needed to attend a city meeting on July 11, 2016 at 6pm at the Tomah City Hall.
If you live outside of Tomah but would still like to show support, you could come with signs and provide peaceful demonstration outside of the City Hall while residents speak inside.
In an effort to cut costs, it appears Wisconsin may becoming soft on crime.
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/
WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Wis. (WLUK) — A Winnebago County board supervisor is pushing an ordinance that would reduce simple marijuana possession to a $1 fine.
The county’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee considered the measure Monday night.
A Winnebago County board supervisor is pushing an ordinance that would reduce simple marijuana possession to a $1 fine February 6, 2023. (WLUK)
Prior to Monday’s meeting, Supv. Brian Defferding, District 6, spoke on why he believes this should happen.
“The ordinance would adjust the county penalties for cannabis and THC down to $1 for up to 25 grams. Then after 25 grams, then it would follow the state statutes. And the state statutes, it would then be a felony charge,” says Defferding.
The ordinance also provides the same exception for paraphernalia.
“We have to ask ourselves, ‘Is this really worth our taxpayer dollars to pursue? Is it really worth our taxpayer dollars to criminalize and incarcerate people over just simply cannabis possession?'” says Defferding.
Although, it does pose concern for the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
“I think it puts the officers and the deputies in a bit of a bind to make that determination on what they are going to do for a $1 fine, which is why I think legislating at the county level can be dangerous,” says Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz.
The public was also able to make comments at the meeting.
“I think it may be a little premature to discuss it here at this time. I would say if there was the ability to hold off on this until, let’s say the fall era,” said State Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-55th District.
“I definitely don’t think we should push it back. Whether or not the state plans to act on the matter of marijuana legalization is irrelevant,” said a Winnebago County resident.
Matz has concerns about the 25-gram amount.
“With 28 grams, you could make 60 joints or 90 bowls. Now, that’s much more than what I would consider to be personal use,” says Matz.
Matz says that amount could encourage selling.
“In my personal opinion, I think people should be able to grow it in their backyard and sell it in their front yard,” says Defferding.
At the meeting Monday night, the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee postponed further discussion until August.
Source: Fox 11 News
Public Monthly Meeting of Northern Wisconsin NORML held on Thursday, August 8th, 2013.
Held at Harmony Cafe, 233 E College Ave, Apppleton WI 54911
Join us from 4:20pm to 5:30pm as the chapter board of directors, along with members and supporters enjoy fellowship as an informal group gathering together prior to our meeting. The meeting location is the Harmony Cafe, 233 E College Ave in Appleton, which has food and beverages available for sale.
At 5:30pm we begin our general meeting, which is expected to last until 7:00pm, sometimes finishing early, but we have the room reserved up till 8pm in case we need to go longer.
Meetings are open to the general public and you need not a be a member to attend.
Meetings are also broadcast over the Internet via Google + Hangouts. NOTE: YOU WILL NOT BE ON CAMERA UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE, ONLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MODERATING THE MEETING ARE BROADCAST.
The chapter will post the link once live on the Northern Wisconsin NORML Facebook Page.
NOTE: Membership is the key to being a strong chapter and we are currently looking for field directors to work with the Treasurer and fundraising team on specific projects, please contact us at NorthernWiNORML@gmail.com if interested in assisting with this project.
2015 Joint State Tour to Washington / Oregon Promotional Flyer
Contacts and Additional Information:
Northern Wisconsin NORML: https://www.northernwinorml.org/
Jay Selthofner at 920-410-2920 or jayselthofner@gmail.com
Original Press Release: https://www.northernwinorml.org/2015/06/16/joint-state-tour-wa-or/
For more information, itinerary and costs:
2015 Joint State Tour WA/OR Itinerary and cost
RSVP for this trip:
www.NorthernWiNORML.org/2015JointStateTour
Washington Recreational Marijuana:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/Marijuana/RecreationalMarijuana
Oregon Medical Marijuana:
https://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/ChronicDisease/MedicalMarijuanaProgram/Pages/index.aspx
Oregon Recreational Marijuana:
http://www.oregon.gov/olcc/marijuana/pages/default.aspx
– See more at: https://www.northernwinorml.org/2015/06/16/joint-state-tour-wa-or/#sthash.qZCBIlow.dpuf
This past election voters removed long standing Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) in favor of our new Governor Tony Evers (D). It was a clear signal that voters were ready for a change. One of those changes voters were ready for was change to the current Wisconsin laws concerning Cannabis. Voters have said loud and clear they favor legalizing cannabis both recreational and medical. Not just in voting for Governor Tony Evers (D) but also in a non-binding referendum.
You voted. Your job is over. Right? Um… No. If you voted, that means your job is just beginning. Unless of course you want your vote to be worthless. How could a vote be worthless you ask? We have a legislative majority that continues to cling to their outdated, prohibitionist ways. All they have to do is sit on their hands and do nothing and any attempt our Governor makes to legalize Cannabis will go absolutely nowhere. They can shut down the process simply by refusing to acknowledge it. Our Governor could have every Democrat in the Legislature on his side and it would still go nowhere. That is how a vote becomes worthless.
It doesn’t have to be worthless and it won’t be if you make the choice to stand behind your vote. Call or email your Senator and your Assembly person and tell them you expect them to cooperate with efforts to legalize cannabis. Better yet, if you’re in the area visit them personally. Additionally becoming an active member of organizations like Northern Wisconsin NORML you can lend your talents and skills to affect change.
If we don’t start to work together and invest our time, money and effort into creating change, no change is going to take place. Our legislature has pretty much promised us it won’t change. Even if we can’t change our Legislators minds, we can educate the public so the next time elections roll around, they can make an informed decision when choosing their Senators and Representatives. They will know who is standing in the way of reform when they go to the polls and hopefully will make some much needed changes in our Senate and Assembly.
In conclusion it is up to each and every one of us that voted to decided if we want our vote to be worthless or if we are going to stand behind the things we voted for. I’ve made my choice.
If you don’t know who your Representatives are you can go to the Wisconsin State Legislator website to find out. You will also find contact information there. If you would like to become a member of Northern Wisconsin NORML click here to join.
Independent Candidate Jim Langer for Governor of Wisconsin stated he will be on Wisconsin Public Radio on October 11th, 2010 from 4:00 to 5:00pm CST. Langer will be on ” At issue with Ben Merens ” discussing his campaign and vision for Wisconsin.
To join Ben’s program live and participate, you may call toll free 1-800-468-8655. You may also email the program at talk@wpr.org
The following link should get you to your destination for more info:
Jim Langer is no stranger to marijuana reform. Jim has been on Wisconsin Public Radio in the past supporting full legalization of marijuana and we expect this interview to be no different. On September 7th in an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio’s Gil Halsted Langer indicated he supported full legalization of marijuana.
Jim Langer “Why don’t we allow let our farmers to grow it and benefit and take the crime element out of it. It’s a win-win situation. You can tax it, you can regulate it. It is just like ending prohibition and starting up with alcohol industry, you will even take the bootleggers out of it.”
The show maybe a call in and marijuana supporters are encouraged to participate in this event and support of Jim Langer and his stance that marijuana in all forms should be legal in Wisconsin. Industrial Hemp, Medical Marijuana and Recreational Cannabis are sure to on the agenda for this up and coming Wisconsin politician.
Listeners are also encourage to stay tuned and continue with the awareness campaign as Democratic Candidate for Wisconsin Governor Tom Barrett will be on At Issue with Ben Merens from 5-6pm CST.
Please continue to help educate main stream media to the importance of covering this topic. To join in a campaign or create your own, see the following example. In closing, join Northern Wisconsin NORML today…BE the change you want to see in the world. If not us, who? If not now, when?
