Winnebago County on high alert
Those of you active with cannabis reform know that at the state level everything legislative moves slow right until it moves and than it moves fast. That is not so much the same for local marijuana reform, which moves quickly and is usually over before anyone even knows. Municipality leaders, such as county board supervisors and city council members often see a higher amount of turn over and new faces in their elected body that is not always witnessed at the state level. This high turnover, along with frustration from local leaders that the state fails to move forward with marijuana reform means the topic comes up again and again.
Opportunity Everywhere!
At the local level, Wisconsin is comprised of 72 counties and 595 municipalities. These two entities are allowed to govern and make rule by authority for 25 grams of marijuana or less in their jurisdictions. The statute 59.54(25)(a) for county government to enact friendly ordinances for marijuana possession and statue 66.0107 allowing the power of municipalities to prohibit criminal conduct via ordinance are great starting points for your cannabis conversation with local leaders. Unfortunately not enough municipalities and counties have enacted ordinances. This leaves a great opportunity for local leaders and activists to make change happen locally.
Winnebago County
Winnebago County attempted and was close to placing an advisory referendum on the November 2020 ballot and that full county board supervisor vote failed by only 2 votes! It took a few attempts to change the law in the City of Oshkosh, but we did it!
Now efforts to decriminalize Winnebago County are coming to action as County Board Supervisor and Public Safety Committee Member Brain Defferding has indicated he will be submitting an ordinance to change the fine for simple marijuana possession to $1 (one dollar) in Winnebago County.
First step is getting the ordinance introduced and passed through the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee which will hold their next meeting on Feb 6th, 2023 6pm at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
Date/Time
Monday, February 6, 2023 – 6:00pm
Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83048008993?pwd=MW9YU2tKbHIzaEpGU3FnUnkrM0w3dz09
Agenda JPS 02.06.2023.pdf
Make the call or contact today!
If you are a Winnebago County resident, please contact the committee members with your general support to lower the fine to $1.00 (One Dollar) for simple possession of marijuana.
The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee are
Chair = Stafford, Bryan D.
Vice Chair = Defferding, Brian
Secretary = Floam, Jacob
Members = Paul Eisen and Conley Hanson
Bryan D. Stafford (920) 341-6440
Bryan.Stafford@winnebagocountywi.gov
Jacob Floam (920) 527-9288
Jacob.Floam@winnebagocountywi.gov
Paul Eisen (920) 734-1303
Paul.Eisen@winnebagocountywi.gov
Conley Hanson (920) 205-3063
Conley.Hanson@winnebagocountywi.gov
SAMPLE EMAIL:
Subject: Decriminalizing and lowering the fine of Simple Possession of Marijuana to $1 in Winnebago County.
Dear Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Member,
I am writing to you today to share my support for decriminalizing and lowering the fine for simple possession of marijuana to $1 (One Dollar) in Winnebago County.
OPTIONAL (but helpful): *Discuss the issue from a personal perspective. Share your own experiences or that of a family member or friend.* Be as concise as possible.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Address
Telephone Number
SAMPLE PHONE-CALL:
I am calling you today to share my support for decriminalizing and lowering the fine for simple possession of marijuana to $1 in Winnebago County.
OPTIONAL (but helpful): *Discuss the issue from a personal perspective. Share your own experiences or that of a family member or friend. Be as concise as possible.
AND, thank them for their time and attention to this matter!
AFTER THE EMAIL OR PHONE-CALL:
Send the email or call again in a few days to reiterate your stance.
Share your actions and any related news on your social media.