Lillian Price

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON – A Republican and three Democrats unveiled a bill Tuesday that would decriminalize possessing small amounts of marijuana, but quickly acknowledged the bill's grim fate in a GOP-controlled Legislature.

“I’m not naive to think that we are going to probably pass this and get it signed into law," said Rep. Adam Jarchow (R-Balsam Lake), one of the bill's sponsors.

By introducing legislation that is likely to die, the lawmakers hope they can also build public support for the bill they say would save taxpayers money and keep people who commit minor offenses out of jail.

The bill would set a fine of $100 for possessing up to 10 grams of marijuana. Under current law, people found with that amount can be subjected to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. A second possession offense can be treated as a felony.

Jarchow noted first-offense drunken driving is not a crime, but holding “a couple of joints could land you in a jail or in prison.”

The bill would also save money. Eighty people were imprisoned on possession charges in 2016, costing the state $32,000 per inmate, Jarchow said.

Twenty-one states have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Eight states have legalized recreational use and 29 states allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Also backing the bill decriminalizing marijuana possession in Wisconsin are three Democrats — Rep. Evan Goyke of Milwaukee, Rep. Jonathan Brostoff of Milwaukee and Sen. Fred Risser of Madison.