OSHKOSH – One city council member’s move to decriminalize marijuana moved forward Tuesday as the city lowered its fine for first-offense marijuana possession.
The ordinance reduces the fine from $200 to $75 for the first offense. Oshkosh police have discretion between asking prosecutors to file criminal charges for violating state statutes or write a ticket for violating the city’s ordinance.
“It is a significant reduction,” said council member Aaron Wojciechowski, who ran on the issue when he was elected in April and proposed the ordinance in July.
Council members passed the the measure 6-1, with Deputy Mayor Matt Mugerauer casting the lone no vote. Mugerauer did not address the issue during Tuesday’s meeting but previously said he opposed lowering the fine because marijuana possession remains illegal under Wisconsin law to possess, sell or manufacture marijuana.
RELATED:Pot brownie problem leads Oshkosh council to trim fine options
The local change comes as communities in Wisconsin and around the country have joined recent efforts to decriminalize the substance.
Wojciechowski said before Tuesday’s meeting that it aligns the fine with that of open intoxicants. Before the change, the fine was higher than for theft and disorderly…
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OSHKOSH – One city council member’s move to decriminalize marijuana moved forward Tuesday as the city lowered its fine for first-offense marijuana possession.
The ordinance reduces the fine from $200 to $75 for the first offense. Oshkosh police have discretion between asking prosecutors to file criminal charges for violating state statutes or write a ticket for violating the city’s ordinance.
“It is a significant reduction,” said council member Aaron Wojciechowski, who ran on the issue when he was elected in April and proposed the ordinance in July.
Council members passed the the measure 6-1, with Deputy Mayor Matt Mugerauer casting the lone no vote. Mugerauer did not address the issue during Tuesday’s meeting but previously said he opposed lowering the fine because marijuana possession remains illegal under Wisconsin law to possess, sell or manufacture marijuana.
RELATED:Pot brownie problem leads Oshkosh council to trim fine options
The local change comes as communities in Wisconsin and around the country have joined recent efforts to decriminalize the substance.
Wojciechowski said before Tuesday’s meeting that it aligns the fine with that of open intoxicants. Before the change, the fine was higher than for theft and disorderly…