Tomah Cannabis Committee disbanded by 4-2 vote: Referendum next?

Tomah’s Ad Hoc Cannabis committee, established in Summer 2016 to study the city’s cannabis decriminalization ordinance, has voted to disband.

Alder King posted the following on Facebook:

“WE ARE FORCED TO EXPLORE THE DIRECT LEGISLATION/REFERENDUM OPTION TO DECRIMINALIZE CANNABIS IN THE CITY OF TOMAH." data-share-imageurl="https://www.cannabadger.com/sites/default/files/field/image/p1020945-tomah-cb-committee-disbanded.jpg">

Posted: February 2, 2017 by Gary Storck
Category: Decriminalization

Tomah alder Chris King reports that Tomah’s Ad Hoc Cannabis committee, established in Summer 2016 to study the city’s cannabis decriminalization ordinance, has voted to disband.

Alder King posted the following on Facebook:

“WE ARE FORCED TO EXPLORE THE DIRECT LEGISLATION/REFERENDUM OPTION TO DECRIMINALIZE CANNABIS IN THE CITY OF TOMAH.

The Ad Hoc Cannabis committee has voted to end the committee and return a recommendation to the city council of no changes to the existing laws regarding cannabis.

Mayor Nellie Pater, Lamont Kiefer, city attorney Penny Berry, Chief Mike Nicholson voted to end the committee. Myself and Mary Ann Kominski voted to continue our work.

Stay tuned, and keep an eye out for your chance to sign and bring this issue directly to the people through REFERENDUM!”

King told me today that the next step is drafting a resolution regarding a binding local referendum. Once things get rolling the campaign will need help from local supporters in circulating petitions.

The cannabis committee had initially been rejected, but it was Chief Nicholson who changed his mind and allowed its formation. But now Nicholson joined with Tomah’s mayor and city attorney along with Alder Kiefer to vote for its dissolution, with only Chris King and another alder, Mary Ann Kominski voting to continue meeting. We will keep on top of this as the referendum campaign ramps up.