PUT ALL DRUG OFFENDERS ON THE SAME LEVEL FIELD

Outagamie County Supv. Ed Thomas of Appleton has the right idea in
seeking a countywide ordinance regarding first-time marijuana
possession offenders.

Currently, our laws fluctuate with geography, making the same act a
crime on one side of the road and barely an issue on the other. The
county needs a consistent law that sets a basic pattern of behavior.

Without an ordinance, the county's drug enforcement process defaults
to state laws, which make it a misdemeanor for the first offense of
possession. In municipalities with ordinances, the officers can issue
the less serious ordinance citation.

More importantly, however, the citation is simply a more appropriate
reaction by law enforcement for a first offense with a minor drug. A
misdemeanor brands a person with a criminal record, one that can
complicate their ability to get a job, lift their driving privileges
and even prevent them from getting financial aid for college.

While these first-time offenders usually don't go to jail, they are
processed, probationed, and fined for their offense. It's doubtful,
however, that the fine even covers the cost of the all the busy work.

We should note that Thomas's adult daughter was arrested on a
misdemeanor drug possession charge earlier this year in Calumet
County, but he has denied that was the reason for his proposal.

Counties need consistency, he said, and if Outa-gamie officials can
see the wisdom in this proposal, they'll vote in favor of a
countywide ordinance.