Door County supporters of marijuana decriminalization efforts say they're encouraged by recent actions in Madison and Washington D.C. The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act. The bill would remove weed from the federal Controlled Substances Act and rescinds prior convictions for marijuana growing and possession. At the same time, the City of Madison Common Council last week approved three ordinances that allow anyone 18 and older to have 28 grams of marijuana and for use in public places where smoking tobacco is allowed, while banning its use on buses and within a thousand feet of a school building. Door County Supervisor Megan Lundahl has supported past marijuana legalization proposals. She says both efforts are steps in the right direction.
Sturgeon Bay Alderperson Seth Wiederanders believes the benefits of legal marijuana far outweigh the risks.
Driving under the influence of and selling or attempting to sell marijuana will remain illegal in the City of Madison. Under the federal MORE Act a 5% sales tax would be added to marijuana products. That would go toward job training and substance abuse treatment. While it has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, it's expected to be defeated in the U.S. Senate.
