County officials are expected to share more details Tuesday about an effort to reduce the fines for marijuana possession in Milwaukee County.
The move comes as a proposal to legalize marijuana statewide gains traction. Governor Tony Evers wants to tax and regulate the druglike alcohol.
The proposalsets the fine for possession of marijuana in Milwaukee County to no more than $1.
Eight of Milwaukee County's supervisors are sponsoring the change to the current rules.
- Previous coverage:Milwaukee County Board proposal would set fine for marijuana violations at no more than $1
- Gov. Tony Evers proposes legalizing marijuana in Wisconsin as part of biennial budget
Currently, marijuana violations range from at least $250 to $500 dollars in the county.
The proposal cites the county's goal to achieve racial equity as part of the reason for the change.
The proposal cites Wisconsin ACLU findings, stating that black Wisconsinites are nearly four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white Wisconsinites, despite similar trends in usage. The proposal also states that current fines may set some people up for long-term financial issues.
The resolution has been assigned to a committee that will meet again on March 11.
This proposal comes as Governor Tony Evers lays out plans to legalize marijuana in the state of Wisconsin.
The plan is likely to be met by push back from many Republican lawmakers.
The governor says he'd use the money generated from the tax to invest in rural schools and communities statewide.
The county's proposed resolution points out Wisconsin's neighboring states Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota have all legalized marijuana to some degree.
Read the county's resolution here.
