OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – A member of the Oshkosh City Council is heading an effort to decriminalize marijuana in the city.
Council member Aaron Wojciechowski is drafting an ordinance that would change how marijuana is handled in the city.
“What it essentially does is either it gets rid of the fine or lowers it that to limits that we’re legally able to have as local government,” Wojciechowski said. “Basically making it so it’s no longer a crime for simple possession and use of marijuana at the city level. Use specifically in private residency.”
He would’ve preferred a state-level decision, but says it’s clear that lawmakers in Madison aren’t going to be addressing the issue anytime soon after it was removed from the governor’s proposed budget.
“My hope is that with enough local government passed new laws that it will send a message to the state that they need that they need to pass it on,” Wojciechowski said. “One of the issues we’re running into is, what if you go to a different state and buy it legally and then you come back to Wisconsin? How does that work, if it was purchased legally but now you’re in a state where it’s illegal? So it’s kind of trying to fill in those patchwork gaps.”
His proposal is based on a similar ordinance that was passed recently in Madison, and he says even Eau Claire has joined the ranks of communities to decriminalize marijuana.
“The economic benefit is great, therefore not crippling people with pointless tickets or having to go to jail and pay all of those court fines and court fees, we’re taking that out of the mix for something that can be a hurdle for people,” Wojciechowski told WTAQ News. “Medical use, that’s extremely important for a lot of people who can’t necessarily get it through the current system that we have. Maybe it’s another avenue that they can use to alleviate different chronic pains.”
But again, it would only be decriminalized within city limits. If an individual is caught with marijuana by a county deputy or state trooper, state laws would still apply.
Another issue Wojciechowski says is popping up – different parts of the cannabis plant are now being utilized, but with different regulations.
“Now we’re seeing Delta 8, which is completely legal and regulated. It gives you get some of the similar effects as the Delta 9, which is the regular marijuana that we all know and think about,” he explained. “You have someone who may be smoking Delta 8, but a cop thinks it’s Delta 9. How do you go through that process? I think, especially with that now, we need to have this conversation. If that’s going to be legal, then I think we need to keep it consistent across the board.”
The ordinance is likely to go before the council for a first time discussion either in late July or early August. That thought has Wojciechowski excited.
“It’s definitely going to take some compromises on the exact language of the ordinance, but I’m ready to do that,” he said. “I think people are ready for it. It was one of the big things I talked about when I was running for city council, and people agreed with it. I think we’re ready in this community to make it happen, it’s just a matter of getting it on the table and having those discussions.”
Wojciechowski says it’s important to draft the ordinance in an appropriate process, involving stakeholders ranging from the district attorneys, police and sheriff’s departments, and the community itself – giving enough explanation and time for people to process what it means. He adds that they would need four votes on the council, and after a number of private conversations, he’s confident the proposal would get the votes it needs.
A vote is expected by the end of the summer.
