For too long, Wisconsin’s outdated marijuana laws have done more harm than good — filling our courts, saddling everyday people with criminal records, and wasting taxpayer dollars on non-violent offenses. A bipartisan bill now before the Legislature would finally change that by decriminalizing simple marijuana possession, replacing arrests and jail time with fair civil penalties and keeping our criminal justice system focused on serious crime.

This isn’t a radical idea. Across Wisconsin cities and counties, leaders have already taken steps to reduce penalties and move toward more sensible enforcement. What this bill does at the state level is expand that common-sense approach statewide, ensuring consistent, fair treatment for all Wisconsinites. It also prevents minor possession from becoming repeat criminal convictions that follow people for life — affecting jobs, housing, education, and more.

Importantly, reforming marijuana penalties will help reduce racial disparities in enforcement that have disproportionately impacted communities, despite similar usage rates among all groups.

It’s past time Wisconsin joins the growing number of states that have recognized that criminalizing adults for small amounts of marijuana does more harm than good. Supporting this bill means supporting justice, fairness, and smarter use of public resources — and we urge every Wisconsinite who cares about common-sense policy to take action now.