Just one.
Posted on 06/17/2006 6:22:00 PM PDT by Know your rights
A new La Crosse County ordinance would send criminal charges up in smoke for low-risk offenders busted with under 25 grams — a little less than an ounce — of marijuana.
At a Thursday meeting, the county board voted 15-12 to pass the ordinance, which would send first-time offenders away with a citation and fine instead of a misdemeanor charge.
The vote followed nearly two hours of debate that included testimony from the district attorney, a judge and the county sheriff — and a few moments of levity that would please Cheech and Chong.
District Attorney Scott Horne argued against the ordinance, saying the current system identifies problem offenders early, before they move on to more serious drug abuse and criminal behavior, and doesn’t taint their records if they follow court-ordered education and community-service programs.
“The ordinance sends the wrong message to the community and removes the current emphasis on education and assessment,” he said.
County board member and defense attorney Keith Belzer then engaged Horne in a questioning that resembled a cross-examination at trial.
Belzer asked if Horne intended to use the ordinance if passed.
“The county board can’t compel a prosecution strategy,” Horne replied, adding “there should be further discussion about it” if passed.
La Crosse County Circuit Judge John Perlich, who presides over the county’s Drug Court, wasted no time challenging most of what Horne said.
He held four criminal complaints for minor marijuana possession from a recent day, which he riffled through with his fingers as he recited a long list of clerks who spent time filing and processing the complaints.
“All this for a low-risk offender — all this costs you, the taxpayer, a lot of money,” he said.
Onalaska, Wis., has had a similar ordinance in place for more than two decades, he said, “and last I checked, it’s not a den of dope-smoking meth-heads.”
Board member and Central High School microeconomics teacher Jim Berns also argued against the ordinance, saying he’s seen too many young lives derailed by drug abuse. The current approach, he said, “allows them to turn a poor or impulsive decision into something positive.”
Belzer said he’s represented many clients whose lives were equally affected by the legal snarls and inability to get insurance benefits and student loans after being busted for having marijuana seeds in an ashtray.
But like Horne, La Crosse County Sheriff Michael Weissenberger voiced strong opposition to the ordinance. Marijuana possession, even in small amounts, is reason for concern, he said.
“How do we know the person didn’t just get done selling more of it?” he said.
Toward the end of the debate, board member Ray Ebert asked Weissenberger how many joints could be rolled from 25 grams of marijuana — the legal limit under the ordinance.
“Depends on how you roll them,” Weissenberger replied.
Board chairman Steve Doyle interjected.
“Any marijuana users out there want to fill us in?” he said, addressing the 28 board members present.
All broke out in laughter. None answered his question.
Except that the vast majority of marijuana users never do.
La Crosse County Sheriff Michael Weissenberger voiced strong opposition to the ordinance. Marijuana possession, even in small amounts, is reason for concern, he said.
“How do we know the person didn’t just get done selling more of it?” he said.
How do we know YOU didn't, Sheriff Weissenberger? Prove your innocence!
Men like these are the reason we fought a revolution.
Drugs are bad.... mmmmmkay.
That said, an insane amount of money is wasted on this over-priortized segment of the 'war on drugs' IMO.
Wisconsin?Isn't that a blue state?
Could be ... so what? Is every law passed by every county in every blue state automatically wrong?
Yes?
Wow that struck a nerve!Calm down friend:)
Just one.
" all this costs you, the taxpayer, a lot of money,” he said."
I'd rather tax money go for this instead of all those government "business trips."
Do you always post straw man arguments?
Wow that struck a nerve!Calm down friend:)
That was a perfectly calm question. Are you going to answer it?
I never do. I asked, "Is every law passed by every county in every blue state automatically wrong?" and you answered yes ... which means that logically you must also answer yes to "All blue states have laws against murder ... does that mean conservatives should oppose such laws?" Unless you want to reconsider your first answer.
What took you so long?
Get a life:(
You must have too much time on your hands:)Do you work?
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