Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 Source: Appleton Post-Crescent (WI) Copyright: 2001 The Post-Crescent Contact: http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1443 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Kirk