GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – For a second time in less than three years, Green Bay is checking to see if it should lower the amount you can be fined for marijuana possession.
“You can make it a million dollars, I don’t think it’s going to stop people from smoking,” said Alderperson Bill Galvin.
Galvin requested to look at the issue. The retired police officer had a constituent ask him to propose decriminalization.
“It makes no sense to have it on the books and not enforce it.”
According to the city attorney’s office, the default cost for a pot possession fine in Green Bay used to be $880, a $650 citation plus court costs. A vote to lower the fine in 2018 brought the default cost down to $502.
“I know the judge is willing to work with people to make payments and that, but it still seems to me kind of ridiculous that we’re charging the equivalent of some people a week or more of salary,” said Galvin.
At a city committee meeting, Alderperson John VanderLeest expressed opposition to lowering the fine amount.
“I think as far as reducing the fees, we might want to look at more education methods, not reducing fines,” said VanderLeest.
VanderLeest also requested a look at the number of citations being issued, something police said they will make available.
“Do some officers find people in possession of a small amount of marijuana and not write them the ticket? Yes,” said Lt. Steve Mahoney of the Green Bay Police Department.
“Other times are they cited? It’s normally because there are extenuating circumstances, there are other things that are going on.”
City staff plans to gather and present more information before city council members discuss the issue again.
When the fine amount was lowered in 2018, a change was also made to drop the requirement that repeat offenders had to be referred for criminal charges. That move was designed to lighten the burden on the circuit court system.
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