Green Bay is reforming penalties for cannabis possession

City leaders in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Tuesday passed an ordinance to reform the city’s penalties for possession and use of cannabis. Under the proposal, approved by the Green Bay City Council, the fine for possession of small amounts of cannabis will be reduced to $0, although those who receive a subpoena will still be responsible for paying court costs.

Ahead of Tuesday’s city council vote, fines for marijuana possession in Green Bay were set to cap at a maximum of $500 plus court costs. Under the new regulation, adults caught with 28 grams or less of cannabis in a private or public space will be fined $0, with subpoena court costs totaling approximately $61. The measure defines a private space as “an area to which the general public is not invited or admitted, or an area otherwise not accessible to the public, such as a B. a private residence”.

Individuals reported for using marijuana in a private area will also be fined $0. However, those caught using cannabis in a public area still face fines of up to $500, as do those found to be in possession of more than 28 grams of cannabis. The regulation, passed Tuesday, also brings penalties for possession of drug paraphernalia in line with penalties for possession of marijuana. Offenders can also be sentenced to community service in lieu of fines for most offenses.

Green Bay’s new penalties for possession and use of cannabis are similar to cannabis policy reforms enacted by other Wisconsin local governments. In Eau Claire and Milwaukee County, the fine for possession of small amounts of marijuana is as little as $1. In Madison, simple possession cases are not prosecuted except in cases where certain extenuating circumstances exist.

Penalties for minors also changed

The ordinance, passed by the Green Bay City Council this week, also amends the underage cannabis possession law, bringing penalties for such offenses in line with the punishment for underage possession of alcohol. Under the new policy, first offenses of underage cannabis possession will be fined between $100 and $200 plus court costs. Subsequent violations within a year of the original will result in harsher penalties.

However, unlike Wisconsin state laws governing alcohol, under Green Bay’s new ordinance, minors are not allowed to consume cannabis with their parents. The City Council approved an amendment proposed by City Councilman Bill Galvin, who noted that teens are currently allowed to drink alcohol with their parents.

“I want to make sure we’re not saying kids can smoke weed with their parents,” Galvin said.

Cannabis reform advocates applauded the Green Bay City Council for its move to reduce penalties for cannabis offenses. Jay Selthofner of the Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network said he hopes the new regulation will help move the conversation about cannabis reform forward.

“It is very important that members of the local community, Green Bay residents and constituents reach out to these councillors, thank them for the step they have taken and urge them to do more or start the conversation about cannabis continue.” said Selthofner.

However, the new reforms must not lead to fewer citations. Lt. Steve Mahoney of the Green Bay Police Department Community Police Division said law enforcement officers will continue to determine when tickets are issued for possession or use of cannabis.

“Our job as police officers is to enforce the law; Our city council created the law and ordinance, so it will remain the same in terms of our officers’ thought process,” Mahoney told local media. “We want them to have their discretion; If they believe the subpoena or ticket is justified, by all means issue it. And if they don’t, they won’t release it.”