County explores dropping marijuana possession fine to $1
A measure before the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors would drop the fine for possession of marijuana and possession and delivery of drug paraphernalia to “no more than” $1.
The total fine the county currently issues for such violations is $275, with required court costs bringing the total fines and fees to $484, the resolution states.
The $1 fine would mean the total cost of the violation, once state-required court costs and assessments were added, would be about $140, a county fiscal analysis states.
Some court costs are a percentage of the total fine, so those fees would decrease as the amount of the fine declines.
The county expects to see a revenue reduction of between $8,000 and $15,000 annually from the legislation.
The legislation, which would change the county ordinance that applies to possession of 25 grams or less,
The county proposal came as Gov. Tony Evers proposed legalizing recreational and medical marijuana as part of the next state budget.
is sponsored by Supervisors Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, Ryan Clancy, Steven Shea, Sequanna Taylor, Joseph J. Czarnezki, Willie Johnson Jr., Liz Sumner and County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson.
The resolution notes the county’s goal of becoming the healthiest county in the state by achieving racial equity, stating that, “in achieving racial equity, disparities in the criminal justice system, including marijuana and paraphernalia possession laws must be eradicated.”
Some people might not be able to afford the fine and fees associated with a citation for possession of marijuana, which could result in their cases being sent to a collections agency or an increased charge, the measure states.
In 2019, there were 187 citations issued for possession of marijuana in the county, some of which were dismissed or downgraded to a lesser charge, including littering, according to the resolution. The measure cites the finding in an American Civil Liberties Union report that “On average, a Black person is 3.64 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person, even though Black and white people use marijuana at similar rates.”
It also cites a report from the ACLU’s Wisconsin chapter that said Black people were 4.2 times more likely to be arrested in the state for marijuana possession than white people.
The legislation has been assigned to the County Board’s Judiciary, Safety and General Services Committee, which next meets March 11.
The provision would go into effect the first day of the month at least 21 days after the legislation is passed and published, the resolution states.
The county proposal came as Gov. Tony Evers proposed legalizing recreational and medical marijuana as part of the next state budget. Evers’ proposal is expected to be blocked by Republicans who control the state Legislature.