Research

Criminal Enforcement of Marijuana Laws Uncommon in Many Wisconsin Counties

By Jeremiah Mosteller

Since the Badger Institute’s last report on cannabis enforcement, we were able to secure three new years of data, and we wanted to explore how things might or might not have changed.

Readers should remember that there were severe and unprecedented events — a pandemic, an economic shutdown, and a near-total end to criminal case processing — that will surely have affected all three years of this more recent data.

An in-depth analysis of this and data from other sources reveals five conclusions:

• All components of the criminal justice system have reduced their focus on cannabis offenses even though we know that cannabis use has increased in the Badger State...

Viewpoint

Let’s talk real facts about pot in Wisconsin

By Mike Nichols

The vast majority of Wisconsinites have an opinion about whether pot should be legalized or not — but based on what? 

According to a Marquette Law School poll last fall, 64% of registered Wisconsin voters, and 43% of Republicans, favor full legalization. Thirty percent of Wisconsinites and 50% of Republicans think it should remain illegal. 

Only 6% of registered voters say they just don’t know. 

Marquette didn’t ask respondents what, either way, influenced their opinion.  

That you once used it? Or still do? Or heard from someone that it’s a helluva lot more dangerous than it used to be? 

That you have a productive, successful neighbor who is also an acknowledged pothead? Or a nephew who smoked a ton of it before he migrated to heroin and overdosed?  

Your love of gummies or tax revenue? Your fear of general civic sloth or impaired drivers? 

Without coming to a conclusion about legalization or decriminalization or the status quo, at least not initially, the Badger Institute will be releasing a series of policy briefs in the coming months to establish as many relevant facts as possible.  

📣 In Your Own Words 📣

“I’m outraged by this. The DPI is supporting radical theories and trying to integrate it even more into our schools curriculums. Our children deserve more than this. It’s called EDUCATION not indoctrination.” — Cody G., Colby

“I have a real issue with your use of the word ‘equity’ as a negative condition. In my life experience (80 years), equity was, and I believe still is, viewed as a positive goal, condition, etc. Somehow, with the politicization of virtually everything in society, equity has been transformed and reduced to something that is somehow negative and undesirable. The negative connotation associated with the word equity has originated from the conservative mentality which purposely confuses everything (laws, books, treatises, essays) that promoted the whole concept of equity, especially in the context of human and American history.” — John Durham, Mosinee

Badger on Air

August 28, The Vicki McKenna Show

Segment begins at 45:33

August 31, Wisconsin’s Morning News (WSAU)

Badger Events

Join us Thursday, October 12 (formerly October 3) for the Badger Institute Annual Dinner. Rep. Mike Gallagher will deliver keynote remarks on democracy, freedom and the threat of the Chinese Communist Party.

• Sharon Lynn Wilson Center for the Arts | Brookfield, WI

• 5:30 p.m. cocktail reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres

• 6:30 p.m. presentation and keynote remarks

Sponsorship opportunities are available, along with general registration and VIP meet-and-greet tickets.

Weekly Survey: Should Wisconsin lawmakers decriminalize the use of marijuana?

Previous Poll Results:

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