Marijuana is still illegal in Wisconsin, but cities across the state slowly have been relaxing penalties against people caught with small amounts of the drug. Nine of the state’s 10 largest cities have decriminalized simple possession. Madison and Milwaukee were among the first cities in Wisconsin to reform their ordinances on marijuana. Fond du Lac police chief Bill Lamb says first offense simple marijuana possession in Fond du Lac has Been an ordinance violation for several years and he says that makes sense. “Yes I think for first time offense it generally does,” Lamb told WFDL news. “I know the circuit court system and in particular the district attorney’s office, they’ll tell you they do not have the capacity to deal with all of those what would be first time marijuana useage.” But Lamb says he does not support the direction that communities like Stevens Point have taken. Stevens Point is the most recent municipality in central Wisconsin to adopt and then modify its ordinance. Last month, the city cut the fine for first-time marijuana offenders to $100. Lamb says the fine in Fond du Lac for a first time offense is $432 and he wouldn’t support lowering the amount. Some law enforcement officials don’t support decriminalization because they believe marijuana can lead users to harder drugs. But decriminalization advocates think lesser penalties for those caught with marijuana allow them to be treated like other minor offenders.
