GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Green Bay’s city council has agreed to reduce how much it fines people for consuming or possessing marijuana.
Anyone caught with 28 grams or less of marijuana in a private space will only have to pay court costs.
28 grams of marijuana is about equal to the weight of 28 paper clips.
Anyone caught publicly with that amount could be fined between $1 and $500. Community service could also be issued in addition or as a substitute to a fine.
Anyone younger than 21 caught with pot, either privately or publicly, will face an initial fine of between $100 and $200. Fines would then go up on subsequent offenses. Community service could also be issued.
“Our job as police officers is to enforce the law, our city council created the law and the ordinance, so in terms of our officers thought process, it’s going to remain the same. We want them to have their discretion, if they believe the citation or ticket is warranted, by all means issue it. And if they don’t then they won’t issue it,” Green Bay Police Department Community Police Division Lt. Steve Mahoney said.
For organizations like the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, initiatives like this one are important.
“I think that it’s important that this is happening, especially since there is a legislative session happening right now with bills that have to do with cannabis policy,” NORML state policy manager Jax James said.
Jay Selthofner with the Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network says he hopes a move like this one will continue the conversation.
“It’s very important that the local community members, the residents, constituents of Green Bay, reach out to these council members, thank them for the move that they’ve done, and push them to do more or continue with that cannabis conversation on like you said what else can be done,” Selthofner said.
Before Tuesday night’s city council vote, the maximum marijuana possession fine was $500, plus court costs.
The Green Bay Police Department says court costs hover around $68.
