Amending city laws that one alder said was “preposterous and outrageous” to even be considered, Madison leaders unanimously moved to decriminalize marijuana.
Alder Mike Verveer sponsored the ordinances, which were backed by the rest of Madison’s Common Council on Tuesday (November 17).
The new legislation makes it legal for adults to possess and use marijuana and significantly minimizes fines down to $1, except for those charged with intent to deliver, Channel 3000 reported Wednesday morning (November 18).
With the new ordinances, it’s legal for adults to have or use 28 grams or less. That includes private property with the owner’s permission, though it excludes places that don’t allow other products like cigarettes and tobacco, the station reported.
The Madison Police Department won’t refer charges only for possession or use of up to 28 grams, according to the Wisconsin State Journal, noting that state and federal law still bar citizens from having marijuana.
Still, some local representatives expressed that the changes were “overdue,” and that state lawmakers should’ve beat them to it.
“The reality is we shouldn’t even be talking about this tonight,” Verveer said at the meeting Tuesday evening. “It’s preposterous and outrageous that the Wisconsin State Legislature has not moved toward legal and regulated adult use of cannabis like so many states have across the country, including many of our neighboring states.”
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