GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The penalties are going down in Green Bay for a person caught with an ounce of pot or less.
After discussing the possibility for about two months, Green Bay’s city council voted to lower the maximum possible fine for pot possession from $1,000 to $500.
“That number came by with a lot of hands, talked to the police staff, judge, community,” said Randy Scannell, the Green Bay alderman who proposed a change to the current ordinance.
Besides dropping the fine, the new ordinance also no longer requires the referral of a criminal charge for repeat offenders. Community service can also be substituted or paired with a fine for the punishment.
Green Bay alderman Andy Nicholson dug in his heels in opposition.
“It’s an illegal substance. If it’s legal, that’s a different story, but it’s illegal. I can’t comprehend this.”
“We know it’s illegal. That’s not the issue,” said Brian Johnson, a Green Bay alderman.
“The issue is whether the penalty fits the crime. Speeding is illegal. We don’t give out $1,000 penalties for speeding.”
Only two members of the public spoke on the issue. One asking the council to drop the fine completely.
“The MS Society supports a patient’s right to use cannabis in legal states,” said Wendy Coriell of Green Bay.
“Since we don’t have one of those yet, it’s up to the Green Bay City Council to protect the people like me from suffering negative consequences for trying to reduce our suffering.”
One thing the council took out of the original proposal was to have the maximum fine only be $250 if someone was caught with pot in their private home. Instead, no matter, where you are it will be up to a $500 fine.
The measure passed on an 8 to 4 vote.
The new ordinance is expected to take effect before the end of the year.
