Milwaukee Mayor Signs Ordinance Making Marijuana Possession a $50 Fine

MILWAUKEE, WI — Without any fanfare, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has signed into law an ordinance that reduces minor marijuana possession offenses to a $50 fine.

Members of the City Council approved the measure earlier this month when they voted 10 to 3 to amend the city’s decriminalization ordinance, which has been in effect since 1997.  Under the 1997 ordinance, marijuana possession offenses up to 25 grams are punishable by a fine ranging from $250 to $500.

Under the new ordinance, offenses involving the possession of 25 grams or less of marijuana will be reduced to a maximum of $50.00.  Subsequent offenses, however, would remain a criminal offense prosecuted by the state.

The new ordinance does not change the fine for public consumption of marijuana, which is…