At the local level, Wisconsin is comprised of 72 counties and 595 municipalities. These two entities are allowed to govern and make rule by authority for 25 grams of marijuana or less in their jurisdictions. The statutes are:
59.54(25)(a)- Counties:
(25) Possession of marijuana.
(a) The board may enact and enforce an ordinance to prohibit the possession of marijuana, as defined in s. 961.01 (14), subject to the exceptions in s. 961.41 (3g) (intro.), and provide a forfeiture for a violation of the ordinance; except that if a complaint is issued regarding an allegation of possession of more than 25 grams of marijuana, or possession of any amount of marijuana following a conviction in this state for possession of marijuana, the subject of the complaint may not be prosecuted under this subsection for the same action that is the subject of the complaint unless all of the following occur:
1. The charges for violating the state statute are dismissed or the district attorney declines to prosecute the case.
2. Either the city, village, or town with jurisdiction over the action has no ordinance enacted under s. 66.0107 (1) (bm) in effect or the city, village, or town with jurisdiction over the action has declined to prosecute or has dismissed the charges for the violation of the ordinance enacted under s. 66.0107 (1) (bm). (b) Any ordinance enacted under par. (a) applies in every municipality within the county.
Source for Statue wording quoted above for 59.54(25)a
66.0107 Power of municipalities to prohibit criminal conduct.
(bm) Enact and enforce an ordinance to prohibit the possession of marijuana, as defined in s. 961.01 (14), subject to the exceptions in s. 961.41 (3g) (intro.), and provide a forfeiture for a violation of the ordinance; except that if a complaint is issued regarding an allegation of possession of more than 25 grams of marijuana, or possession of any amount of marijuana following a conviction in this state for possession of marijuana, the subject of the complaint may not be prosecuted under this paragraph for the same action that is the subject of the complaint unless the charges are dismissed or the district attorney declines to prosecute the case.
Source for Statue wording quoted above for 66.0107(bm)
Counties and Municipalities (Cities, Towns and Villages) can pass resolutions supporting cannabis reform. - This is a more symbolic approach, but it does allow a citizen driven and does help educate the general public on an issue while showing law makers voters are behind a policy.
Activists can work with their local county and municipality to further decriminalize cannabis directly where they live, work and play. By working with county board supervisors and city council members directly, activists are able to have a first hand glimpse in the process of government.
In addition, municipalities throughout Wisconsin have already taken steps to lower the fine to $0 and/or make cannabis enforcement a lowest level of enforcement priority, while counties have take a more cautious approach with still imposing fines of $1 + court costs.