MADISON, Wis. (WAOW) – Wisconsin Senator Fred Risser, along with Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes and Representatives Sheila Stubbs, David Crowley and Dave Considine introduced a bill that would decriminalize 25 grams or less of marijuana in the state.

“I believe it is important to emphasize the distinction between decriminalization and legalization,” said Senator Risser in a press release. “Decriminalizing marijuana simply means we are asking law enforcement to stop arresting folks for having small amounts of marijuana. For context, 25 grams of marijuana is less than two tablespoons. Under this bill, the manufacture and sale of the drug itself would remain illegal.”

Wisconsin marijuana laws have a disproportionately negative effect on communities of color, per the release, citing a 2018 study by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism that showed black residents were four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white residents from 2014 to 2018.

The release adds that Native American residents three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white residents within the same timeframe.

While the Black and Native American population collectively comprise only seven percent of the state population, they comprise over 40 percent of the state’s prison population, according to the release.