MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) – Those arrested in Milwaukee for possessing small amounts of marijuana are almost certain to stay out of jail — at least the first time they’re convicted.
A new report from the area’s Public Policy Forum shows that only 8 people found guilty of first-time pot possession served jail time, out of 4,500 offenders from 2012 through March of this year.
Most get away not paying their fines.
The Public Policy Forum said just 28 percent of Milwaukee’s first-time marijuana offenders paid their fines in full — and 58 percent paid nothing.
It’s not a problem for those caught 2 or more times with small amounts of pot. Those cases are charged criminally — either as misdemeanors or felonies.
The new report said 86 percent of offenders are African-Americans — even though blacks make up just 26 percent of Milwaukee County’s population.
The Public Policy report was released just as a Milwaukee committee was about to hear testimony Thursday afternoon on a reduction in the fines for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
First-time offenders caught with 25 grams or less would pay up to $50 in fines, instead of the current max of $500.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)