Oshkosh group fails to get pot possession fine lowered

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OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) — A group in Oshkosh that wants to drastically lower the fine for getting caught with small amounts of marijuana is upset that the city’s common council won’t act on its petition.

The group wants to lower the fine for possessing 25 grams or less of marijuana from $325 to $25. The council accepted and filed the petition Tuesday but otherwise didn’t take any action, meaning the fine will stay at $325, WLUK-TV reported.

Councilwoman Caroline Pankse made a motion to reduce the fine, but it died because no one seconded it.

“No one is going to recognize 4,000 (petition) signatures?” she asked.

Councilman Steve Herman responded: “Why would I support reducing what’s a crime?”

The debate at the meeting became heated at times, with petitioner Mark Kelderman getting kicked out of for talking back while council members were discussing the issue.

Kelderman said the group won’t give up and that it might pursue legal options.

Other community members said they were happy that the council didn’t change the fine.

“I think this is ludicrous that we want to lower a fine on something that has been done illegally,” resident Sharon Koerner said.

The council can revisit the issue at any time since the petition was placed on file.