Due to a lack of staff resources, people caught with less than 25 grams of marijuana will no longer be criminally charged by the Dane County district attorney.

Those caught can still receive a substantial fine - up to $1,000 - but will not be charged for possession.

"This is not an absolutely new policy," Assistant District Attorney Mike Verveer said. "We actually have been following this policy in an informal way for quite some time in our office."

But District Attorney Brian Blanchard made this announcement to police chiefs throughout Dane County for the first time this weekend.

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