May 2017

History made as bipartisan Wisconsin pot decriminalization bill rolled out

History was made May 30 with a Capitol press conference announcing the introduction of bipartisan statewide decriminalization legislation. The bill, LRB-1507/1, is sponsored by Rep. Adam Jarchow (R-Balsam Lake), along with Reps. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee), Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee) and Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison). The bill is historical not only in that it is Rep. Jarchow's first time sponsoring a cannabis related bill but also the first cannabis related bill sponsored by Sen. Risser in 38 years.

Here are details of the new proposal:

70% of Wisconsin State Senators sponsor cannabis-related bills in 2017

Updated 2017-05-30 5:46:39 PM So far in the 2017-2018 session, 24 of 33 Wisconsin state senators have sponsored or cosponsored at least one cannabis-related bill. Of the 9 senators who have not signed on to any cannabis-related legislation, all are Republicans, who hold the majority with 20 seats. Up until May 30, the group included one Democrat, 90-year old Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison).

UPDATED: NORML to urge lower pot fines at May 16 Middleton city council meeting

(NOTE: This post has been updated to reflect a new time & date and change to the city council meeting.) After a lengthy but successful campaign in Monona to reduce local pot penalties, activists from Madison NORML and allies are turning their attention to city of Middleton, just west of Madison.