cannabisnews.com: Judges Push To Make MJ Possession a Citation Judges Push To Make MJ Possession a Citation Posted by FoM on June 18, 2001 at 11:59:38 PT By The Associated Press Source: Star Tribune County judges are locked in a dispute with the district attorney over whether first-offense marijuana possession should be reduced to a local ordinance violation.The La Crosse County Board and La Crosse Common Council will consider a request for the change from five circuit court judges. It would allow local police and sheriff's deputies to either issue a citation or arrest the suspect under state law for a first-time possession. La Crosse County District Attorney Scott Horne, who opposes the change, is pushing an alternative education and treatment program that would maintain existing misdemeanor marijuana laws.State law allows counties and municipalities to pass their own ordinances for some crimes and traffic violations, including first-offense possession of a gram or less of marijuana. Violators are prosecuted by a city or county lawyer rather than a district attorney.Attorney Steve Doyle said the penalties are similar whether they are for a state or local offense, but local government keeps the fines for ordinance violations rather than sending 90 percent of the fine to the state.Police in Onalaska have written tickets for first-time offenders for more than 10 years, but in other parts of La Crosse County, people caught with marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia for the first time are arrested and booked in jail.They usually are charged with misdemeanor possession, which carries a penalty of up to six months in jail for a first offense.First-time drunken driving is considered a local ordinance violation and marijuana possession should be, too, said Judge John Perlich, who is spearheading the proposal.``The punishment ought to fit the crime, and I don't think it does,'' he said.It could be months before the board and council decide on the proposal.Complete Title: Judges Push To Make Marijuana Possession a Citation Instead of a CrimeLa Crosse, Wis.Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN) Published: Monday, June 18, 2001Copyright: 2001 Star Tribune Contact: opinion startribune.com Website: http://www.startribune.com/ Drug Policy Forum of Wisconsinhttp://www.drugsense.org/dpfwi/CannabisNews Articles - Decriminalizationhttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=decrim Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by QuietCrusader on June 19, 2001 at 13:45:01 PT: I watched, it sucked... They just kept rambling in old prohibitionist style and when they would almost converge on a litle tidbit of fact that could inpact the listener with that most truly intelligent of ideas(legalization) they woud change course and head for even more stale prohibitionist horizons. They need to open special schools for x jail guards and sherriffs to change careers and become counselors. Hey guys, you still get to oppress me(drug possesser/user)a little. I'm going to buy my way right out of this war! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by DdC on June 18, 2001 at 20:31:01 PT And now a word from our sponsors! Ladies and Gentlemen Step Right Up...T-h-e m-o-s-t POTENT f-o-r-m o-f m a r i j u a n a on the face of the earth!http://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/29/29478.gif [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 18, 2001 at 14:12:44 PT Repeat Air Times of Pot Wars on MSNBC MSNBC Investigates - Pot Wars Monday-Friday, 8 to 9 p.m. ET and 11-12 p.m. ETMSNBC InvestigatesMONDAY, June 18, 8 p.m. ETMONDAY, JUNE 18 - 11:00 PM ET TUESDAY, JUNE 19 - 5:00 AM ET The most potent form of marijuana on earth is entering the U.S. at a record pace. Come along with cops as they bust up the Canadian grow houses, and hear from the smugglers and dealers who say they are making millions. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 18, 2001 at 12:13:15 PT Just a Friendly Reminder - MSNBC - 8 PM ET MSNBC Investigates MONDAY, June 18, 8 p.m. ETPot WarsThe most potent form of marijuana on earth is entering the U.S. at a record pace. Come along with cops as they bust up the Canadian grow houses, and hear from the smugglers and dealers who say they are making millions. http://www.msnbc.com/news/537370.asp?cp1=1 Freedom To Exhale [ Post Comment ] Post Comment