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Green_T


Registered: 10/02/08
Posts: 4,042
Loc: UK
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[WI] Council's marijuana change goes up in smoke
#13472086 - 11/12/10 02:32 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Council's marijuana change goes up in smoke November 12, 2010 - La Crosse Tribune
Possession of small amounts of marijuana will remain a misdemeanor offense after the La Crosse Common Council failed Thursday to override the mayor's veto of a measure that would have allowed authorities to charge offenders with a municipal ordinance violation.
Proponents fell two votes shy of the 12 needed to turn back Mayor Matt Harter's veto, marking the second time in nine years the council has declined to reduce the offense.
"I have nine grandchildren, and I don't want to see them messed up with marijuana, which leads to a whole lot of other things," council member Bruce Ranis said.
Council members Rich Becker, Doug Farmer, Ranis, Tom Sweeney and Lorraine Decker opted to continue prosecuting first-offense possession of 25 or fewer grams of THC under the state criminal code, punishable by a maximum $1,000 fine or six months in jail.
The author of the failed legislation, council member Chris Olson, promptly introduced a new draft for the ordinance charge, but only for 7 grams or less and for possession of drug paraphernalia.
"This body is not legalizing it. They're not advocating it. They're not telling your grandsons or your granddaughters to use it. They're just getting with the times," he said.
His changes bring the proposal more in line with an existing ordinance in La Crosse County, which treats fewer than 7 grams like a traffic offense and spares offenders a criminal record.
Sheriff's deputies haven't used the county ordinance since it was passed in June 2006. But some caught in La Crosse County with fewer than 7 grams of marijuana who have limited or no criminal records can avoid charges altogether if they complete classes on drug use and perform community service.
La Crosse police Chief Ed Kondracki has opposed the change, which he said sends the message marijuana is of no more consequence than being ticketed for skateboarding in a parking structure.
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"I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" - Thomas Jefferson Legalize Meth | Drug War Victims
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SirNoseDvoidoFungi
Stranger


Registered: 10/11/10
Posts: 226
Loc: Oregon
Last seen: 8 years, 1 month
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Re: [WI] Council's marijuana change goes up in smoke [Re: Green_T]
#13472144 - 11/12/10 03:15 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
Green_T said: Council's marijuana change goes up in smoke
"I have nine grandchildren"
Well, there's your problem right there. . .
Once these clueless old hacks start dying and getting replaced by ambitious young politicians who are more in touch with their constituents, we won't be hearing so much of this tired rhetoric.
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McNel


Registered: 09/03/10
Posts: 311
Last seen: 1 day, 11 hours
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Re: [WI] Council's marijuana change goes up in smoke [Re: Green_T]
#13472199 - 11/12/10 03:56 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
"I have nine grandchildren, and I don't want to see them messed up with marijuana, which leads to a whole lot of other things," council member Bruce Ranis said. .
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