ACLU WISCONSIN finds racial differences in marijuana arrests, calling on the legalization – WMSN FOX 47 Madison

Madison, wis. – Over the years, more Wisconsinites on both sides of the path have supported either the entertainment or medical legalization of marijuana, according to the US Union of Wisconsin Civil Freedoms.

In its report “The State of Cannabis”, ACLU – a non -profit purpose that works to expand civil freedoms – are 78% of Republicans, 84% of independent and 95% of Democrats support the legalization of medical marijuana in Wisconsin.

“We are really behind our neighboring countries,” said Amanda Mercue, director of ACLU WisConsin’s intercession.

But these people do not empty their portfolios in a state where the weed is not legal.

“In 2022 alone, there were data showing that $ 121 million from the Wisconsinites had gone to Illinois, which contributed about $ 36 million in tax revenue from Illinois,” Mercue said.

The Wisconsin Legislative Bureau predicts that the state will earn about $ 165.8 million in tax revenue each year according to the proposal for the legalization of the Governor Tony Evers from the budget of 2021-2023.

But according to Merkwae, it does not only hurt the pocket book of the state.

“There are very significant social, human economic costs with the constant criminalization of marijuana,” she said.

The report found that blacks in Wisconsin were 5.29 times more sick to be arrested for possession of marijuana, despite the comparative national marijuana use percentages for white people.

“You come into contact with the criminal legal system, it can cost you the job, your home, it can destabilize the life of your family or those who depend on you and cause trauma throughout life,” Merquie said. “The sentence may even cause even more damage. This could prevent you from hiring an apartment or going to school or going to work or accessing public care programs. “

According to ACLU, the chairman of the Assembly Robin Boss proposed state -owned medical marijuana dispensaries last year, but the bill died without a public hearing.

The organization says legalization has enough bilateral support to win attention.

“Because of democracy, just give a public hearing to people to express his opinion,” Mercue said.