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The Monona Public Safety Commission forgot two important things in its flawed vote to not reduce pot fines.

In 2010 and 2014, the Dane County Board placed cannabis-related advisory referendums on county ballots. In 2010, county voters supported legalizing medical cannabis with 76 percent of the vote. And in Monona, voters gave it an even larger edge with 78 percent in favor.

In April 2014, Dane County voted in favor of legalizing adult use of cannabis with 65 percent support. Monona again exceeded the county with 67 percent in favor.

With Monona voters having already overwhelmingly voted in favor, the commission should have followed the will of the people and passed the proposal instead of letting itself be derailed by hysterical and unscientific propaganda.

Opponents of reforming cannabis law like to cry, "What about the children?" But what message does it send about democracy to our young people when city officials blatantly ignore local election results that left no doubt where public sentiment stands on this issue?

-- Gary Storck, Madison