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County Executive's Office

County Supervisors Propose Referendum on Marijuana

December 05, 2013
County Board Chair John Hendrick, 608.446.4842 County Supervisor Leland Pan, 608.322.7495 County Supervisor Kyle Richmond, 608.251.3171
County Board

"Should the state government enact legislation legalizing marijuana?”

 

That’s the question Dane County voters could be asked on their ballots in April, if the County Board approves a resolution set to be introduced tonight.

 

The measure, introduced by Supervisor Leland Pan and co-sponsored by Supervisor Kyle Richmond, will go to the Executive Committee and, if it passes committee, come before the full board within a few weeks.

 

“The people of Dane County deserve a voice in this issue,” said Pan. “I believe most Dane County residents, and most Wisconsinites, understand that criminalizing marijuana is a massive waste of law enforcement resources and infringement on personal liberty. We are giving them a chance to say so, loud and clear.”

 

“Twenty-four states across the country have either legalized medical marijuana, decriminalized marijuana possession, or both,” said Richmond. “Three out of four Dane County residents already voted in favor of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. The momentum is clearly in favor of decriminalization.”

 

“I thank Supervisors Pan and Richmond for putting this issue in front of the County Board,” said Nate Petreman, President of Madison NORML. “I urge the entire Board to pass this resolution and put the question before the people, and I urge our representatives in state government to listen to what the people say.”

 

County Clerk Scott McDonell said the referendum is unlikely to add any expense to the already-scheduled April election.

 

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