MADISON & MARIJUANA

The intent of Madison voters, established by referendum three decades
ago this spring, is that individuals should not be prosecuted for
possessing small amounts of marijuana intended for personal use.

By and large, local officials respect that intent. Dane County
District Attorney Brian Blanchard's office no longer files criminal
charges against individuals possessing less than 25 grams of marijuana
- - roughly an ounce. For the most part, local police officers
understand that it is neither necessary nor practical to go after
recreational or medical users of the substance.

Unfortunately, Madison's sensible approach remains at odds with state
laws. That puts local law enforcement officials in a bind, creating
confusion and opening the prospect that cases may be treated unequally.

Madison's representatives in the Legislature have been in the
forefront of pushing for the decriminalization of medical marijuana,
which is good. But they should also be pushing for a more general
decriminalization to bring state law in line with local ordinances -
and the clear intent of the citizenry.