December 22, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Sortwell, Ortiz-Velez and
Considine, cosponsored by Senator Taylor. Referred to Committee on
Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
AB861,1,10 1An Act to renumber 961.571 (1) (a) (intro.), 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 8., 9. and 10.,
2961.571 (1) (a) 7., 961.571 (1) (a) 11. a., b., c., d., f., g., h., i., j. and m. and 961.571
3(1) (a) 11. e., k. and L.; to renumber and amend 961.41 (3g) (e) and 961.571
4(1) (a) 11. (intro.); to amend 59.54 (25) (a) (intro.), 66.0107 (1) (bm), 961.41 (3g)
5(c), 961.41 (3g) (d), 961.41 (3g) (em), 961.47 (1), 961.48 (3), 961.573 (title),
6961.574 (title) and 961.577; and to create 66.0108, 103.157, 778.25 (1) (a) 2m.,
7961.571 (1) (ac), 961.571 (1) (b) 4., 961.571 (1) (c) (intro.) and 2. (intro.), 961.572
8(1m), 961.573 (1m) and 961.574 (1m) of the statutes; relating to: penalties for
9possession of marijuana, employer liability for not drug testing employees and
10prospective employees, and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law prohibits a person from possessing or attempting to possess
marijuana. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor crime
and may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than six months,
or both, for a first conviction and is guilty of a Class I felony and may be fined not more
than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than three years and six months, or both,

for a repeat conviction. Under current law, a repeat conviction includes any previous
conviction for a state or federal misdemeanor or felony relating to a controlled
substance.
This bill reduces to a $100 civil forfeiture the penalty for possessing or
attempting to possess 14 grams or less of marijuana. The bill also eliminates
counting, for the purposes of determining if a conviction is a repeat conviction, a
criminal offense of marijuana possession involving 28 grams or less. The bill also
reduces the imprisonment time for a repeat conviction for marijuana possession from
three years and six months to 90 days.
Current law also increases the penalties for possession of other controlled
substances due to a prior conviction for a state or federal misdemeanor or felony
relating to a controlled substance. The bill eliminates counting, as a prior conviction,
a conviction for marijuana possession involving 28 grams or less.
Current law allows a local government to enact an ordinance prohibiting the
possession of marijuana and to impose a forfeiture for a violation of the ordinance.
The bill preempts a local government from imposing a forfeiture amount for the
possession of 14 grams or less of marijuana that is less than the $100 forfeiture
amount imposed by the state or that is more than $250. Under the bill, the court may
impose, instead of the forfeiture amount, no less than 16 hours nor more than 40
hours of community service for violating an ordinance prohibiting the possession of
14 grams or less of marijuana. The bill does not change the current law that allows
local governments discretion in the forfeiture amount imposed for possession of more
than 14 grams of marijuana.
Current law prohibits a person from using or possessing drug paraphernalia
with the intent to produce, distribute, or use a controlled substance. A person who
violates the prohibition is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more
than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both. The bill reduces the
penalty to a civil forfeiture of not more than $10 for using or possessing drug
paraphernalia that relates to marijuana consumption.
The bill also specifies that a citation issued for possession of marijuana or
marijuana paraphernalia must contain provisions for a deposit in lieu of a court
appearance. The court may consider the deposit as a plea of no contest and enter a
judgment without the person appearing in court.
The bill allows law enforcement officers discretion in how they complete
processing or “booking” of a person for a violation of state law or a local ordinance
prohibiting possession or attempted possession of marijuana or marijuana
paraphernalia, including whether to take the person to jail, complete a booking
photo, or fingerprint the person. Under the bill, however, a law enforcement officer
must still obtain certain personal information from the person sufficient for
identification, including at least the person's name and current address.
The bill, subject to certain exceptions, limits the liability of an employer that
does not require an employee or prospective employee to submit to a test for the
presence of any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the active ingredient in
marijuana, synthetic cannabinoid, or a controlled substance analog to THC or a

synthetic cannabinoid in his or her system (drug testing) as a condition of
employment.
The bill does not apply to the drug testing of an employee or prospective
employee who is subject to drug testing under 1) any regulation promulgated by the
federal Department of Transportation that requires drug testing of an employee or
prospective employee or any rule promulgated by the Department of Transportation
of this state adopting such a regulation for purposes of enforcing the requirements
of that regulation with respect to intrastate commerce; 2) any contract entered into
between the federal government and an employer or any grant of financial assistance
from the federal government to an employer that requires drug testing of employees
and prospective employees as a condition of receiving the contract or grant; 3) any
federal statute, regulation, order, or other requirement or condition that requires
drug testing of employees and prospective employees for purposes of safety or
security; 4) any substance abuse prevention program under a collective bargaining
agreement or under the current law that requires such programs for public works
and public utility projects; 5) rules promulgated by the Law Enforcement Standards
Board requiring drug testing of prospective law enforcement officers, tribal law
enforcement officers, jail officers, and secure detention officers; or 6) any employer
requirement that an employee be a licensed private security person and carry a
firearm in the course of employment.
Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,
the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a
report.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB861,1 1Section 1. 59.54 (25) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB861,4,62 59.54 (25) (a) (intro.) The board may enact and enforce an ordinance to prohibit
3the possession of marijuana, as defined in s. 961.01 (14), subject to the exceptions in
4s. 961.41 (3g) (intro.), and. The board may provide a forfeiture for a violation of the
5ordinance; except that if. If the board provides a forfeiture, the amount for the
6possession of not more than 14 grams of marijuana may not be less than the
7maximum amount of the forfeiture in s. 961.41 (3g) (e) 1. nor more than $250. If the
8defendant appears in court, the court may impose for each violation not less than 16

1nor more than 40 hours of community service in lieu of the forfeiture. If
a complaint
2is issued regarding an allegation of possession of more than 25 28 grams of
3marijuana, or possession of any amount of marijuana following a conviction in this
4state for possession of marijuana,
the subject of the complaint may not be prosecuted
5under this subsection for the same action that is the subject of the complaint unless
6all of the following occur:
AB861,2 7Section 2. 66.0107 (1) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB861,4,208 66.0107 (1) (bm) Enact and enforce an ordinance to prohibit the possession of
9marijuana, as defined in s. 961.01 (14), subject to the exceptions in s. 961.41 (3g)
10(intro.), and provide a forfeiture for a violation of the ordinance ; except that if. If the
11board or council provides a forfeiture, the amount for the possession of not more than
1214 grams of marijuana may not be less than the maximum amount of the forfeiture
13in s. 961.41 (3g) (e) 1. nor more than $250. If the defendant appears in court, the court
14may impose for each violation not less than 16 nor more than 40 hours of community
15service in lieu of the forfeiture. If
a complaint is issued regarding an allegation of
16possession of more than 25 28 grams of marijuana, or possession of any amount of
17marijuana following a conviction in this state for possession of marijuana,
the subject
18of the complaint may not be prosecuted under this paragraph for the same action that
19is the subject of the complaint unless the charges are dismissed or the district
20attorney declines to prosecute the case.
AB861,3 21Section 3 . 66.0108 of the statutes is created to read:
AB861,4,23 2266.0108 Discretion in processing certain marijuana violations. (1) In
23this section, “law enforcement officer” has the meaning given in s. 165.85 (2) (c).
AB861,5,8 24(2) In processing a person for possession or attempted possession of not more
25than 14 grams of marijuana, as defined in s. 961.01 (14), in violation of s. 961.41 (3g)

1(e) 1., for violation of an ordinance prohibiting the possession of marijuana under s.
259.54 (25) or 66.0107 (1) (bm), or for a violation under s. 961.573 (1m) or 961.574 (1m),
3a law enforcement officer may exercise discretion regarding what, if any, standard
4procedures to complete, including determining whether or not to take the person to
5jail, complete fingerprinting, or have a formal police photograph taken.
6Notwithstanding the use of discretion otherwise permitted under this section, a law
7enforcement officer shall obtain sufficient personal information for identification,
8including at least the person's name and current address.
AB861,4 9Section 4 . 103.157 of the statutes is created to read:
AB861,5,11 10103.157 Employer nonliability for not testing for marijuana or
11synthetic cannabinoids; exceptions. (1)
Definitions. In this section:
AB861,5,1212 (a) “Controlled substance analog" has the meaning given in s. 961.01 (4m).
AB861,5,1813 (b) “Employer" means any person engaging in any activity, enterprise, or
14business employing at least one individual. “Employer" includes the state, its
15political subdivisions, and any office, department, independent agency, authority,
16institution, association, society, or other body in state or local government created or
17authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, including the legislature and
18the courts.
AB861,5,1919 (c) “Synthetic cannabinoid" means a substance included under s. 961.14 (4) (tb).
AB861,5,2020 (d) “Tetrahydrocannabinol" means a substance included under s. 961.14 (4) (t).
AB861,5,25 21(2) Employer liability. Except as provided in sub. (3), no employer may be held
22liable for not requiring an employee or prospective employee to submit to testing for
23the presence of any tetrahydrocannabinol, synthetic cannabinoid, or controlled
24substance analog of a tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic cannabinoid in his or her
25system as a condition of employment.
AB861,6,5
1(3) Exceptions. Subsection (2) does not apply to an employer who fails to test
2for the presence of any tetrahydrocannabinol, synthetic cannabinoid, or controlled
3substance analog of a tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic cannabinoid in the system
4of an employee or prospective employee if the employee or prospective employee is
5required to subject to drug testing under any of the following:
AB861,6,106 (a) Any regulation promulgated by the federal department of transportation
7that requires testing of an employee or prospective employee in accordance with 49
8CFR 40
or any rule promulgated by the department of transportation of this state
9adopting such a regulation for purposes of enforcing the requirements of that
10regulation with respect to intrastate commerce.
AB861,6,1411 (b) Any contract entered into between the federal government and an employer
12or any grant of financial assistance from the federal government to an employer that
13requires drug testing of employees and prospective employees as a condition of
14receiving the contract or grant.
AB861,6,1715 (c) Any federal statute, regulation, order, or other requirement or condition
16that requires drug testing of employees and prospective employees for purposes of
17safety or security.
AB861,6,2018 (d) A substance abuse prevention program under s. 103.503 or under a
19collective bargaining agreement between an employer and a labor organization
20representing employees and prospective employees of the employer.
AB861,6,2321 (e) Rules promulgated by the law enforcement standards board requiring drug
22testing of prospective law enforcement officers, tribal law enforcement officers, jail
23officers, and secure detention officers.
AB861,7,3
1(f) Any employer requirement that an employee be a licensed private security
2person under s. 440.26 and that the employee carry a firearm in the course of his or
3her employment.
AB861,5 4Section 5. 778.25 (1) (a) 2m. of the statutes is created to read:
AB861,7,65 778.25 (1) (a) 2m. Under s. 961.41 (3g) (e) 1., 961.573 (1m), or 961.574 (1m) or
6a local ordinance under s. 59.54 (25) (a) or 66.0107 (1) (bm).
AB861,6 7Section 6 . 961.41 (3g) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB861,7,198 961.41 (3g) (c) Cocaine and cocaine base. If a person possesses or attempts to
9possess cocaine or cocaine base, or a controlled substance analog of cocaine or cocaine
10base, the person shall be fined not more than $5,000 and may be imprisoned for not
11more than one year in the county jail upon a first conviction and is guilty of a Class
12I felony for a 2nd or subsequent offense. For purposes of this paragraph, an offense
13is considered a 2nd or subsequent offense if, prior to the offender's conviction of the
14offense, the offender has at any time been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor
15under this chapter, except for a misdemeanor under par. (e) 2., or under any statute
16of the United States or of any state relating to controlled substances, controlled
17substance analogs, narcotic drugs, marijuana, or depressant, stimulant, or
18hallucinogenic drugs, except that, if the statute relates to marijuana possession, only
19felonies or misdemeanors involving more than 28 grams may be counted
.
AB861,7 20Section 7 . 961.41 (3g) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB861,8,1421 961.41 (3g) (d) Certain hallucinogenic and stimulant drugs. If a person
22possesses or attempts to possess lysergic acid diethylamide, phencyclidine,
23amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methcathinone, cathinone,
24N-benzylpiperazine, a substance specified in s. 961.14 (4) (a) to (h), (m) to (q), (sm),
25(u) to (xb), or (7) (L), psilocin, or psilocybin, or a controlled substance analog of

1lysergic acid diethylamide, phencyclidine, amphetamine,
23,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methcathinone, cathinone,
3N-benzylpiperazine, a substance specified in s. 961.14 (4) (a) to (h), (m) to (q), (sm),
4(u) to (xb), or (7) (L), psilocin, or psilocybin, the person may be fined not more than
5$5,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both upon a first
6conviction and is guilty of a Class I felony for a 2nd or subsequent offense. For
7purposes of this paragraph, an offense is considered a 2nd or subsequent offense if,
8prior to the offender's conviction of the offense, the offender has at any time been
9convicted of any felony or misdemeanor under this chapter, except for a misdemeanor
10under par. (e) 2.,
or under any statute of the United States or of any state relating
11to controlled substances, controlled substance analogs, narcotic drugs, marijuana,
12or depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, except that, if the statute relates
13to marijuana possession, only felonies or misdemeanors involving more than 28
14grams may be counted
.
AB861,8 15Section 8. 961.41 (3g) (e) of the statutes is renumbered 961.41 (3g) (e) 1. and
16amended to read:
AB861,8,2017 961.41 (3g) (e) 1. If a person possesses or attempts to possess not more than
1814 grams of
tetrahydrocannabinols included under s. 961.14 (4) (t), or a controlled
19substance analog of tetrahydrocannabinols, the person may be subject to a forfeiture
20of not more than $100.
AB861,8,24 212. If a person possesses or attempts to possess more than 14 grams but not more
22than 28 grams of tetrahydrocannabinols included under s. 961.14 (4) (t), or a
23controlled substance analog of tetrahydrocannabinols, the person may be
fined not
24more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months 90 days or both.
AB861,9,8
13. If a person possesses or attempts to possess more than 28 grams of
2tetrahydrocannabinols included under s. 961.14 (4) (t), or a controlled substance
3analog of tetrahydrocannabinols, the person may be fined not more than $1,000 or
4imprisoned for not more than 90 days or both
upon a first conviction and is guilty of
5a Class I felony for a 2nd or subsequent offense. For purposes of this paragraph
6subdivision, an offense is considered a 2nd or subsequent offense if, prior to the
7offender's conviction of the offense, the offender has at any time been convicted of any
8of the following:
AB861,9,11 9a. A felony or misdemeanor under this chapter or, except that, if the felony or
10misdemeanor relates to marijuana possession, only felonies or misdemeanors
11involving more than 28 grams may be counted.
AB861,9,16 12b. A felony or misdemeanor under any statute of the United States or of any
13state relating to controlled substances, controlled substance analogs, narcotic drugs,
14marijuana, or depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, except that, if the
15felony or misdemeanor relates to marijuana possession, only felonies or
16misdemeanors involving more than 28 grams may be counted
.
AB861,9 17Section 9 . 961.41 (3g) (em) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB861,9,2518 961.41 (3g) (em) Synthetic cannabinoids. If a person possesses or attempts to
19possess a controlled substance specified in s. 961.14 (4) (tb), or a controlled substance
20analog of a controlled substance specified in s. 961.14 (4) (tb), the person may be fined
21not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months 90 days or both upon
22a first conviction and is guilty of a Class I felony for a 2nd or subsequent offense. For
23purposes of this paragraph, an offense is considered a 2nd or subsequent offense if,
24prior to the offender's conviction of the offense, the offender has at any time been
25convicted of any felony or misdemeanor under this chapter, except for a misdemeanor

1under par. (e) 2.,
or under any statute of the United States or of any state relating
2to controlled substances, controlled substance analogs, narcotic drugs, marijuana,
3or depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, except that, if the statute relates
4to marijuana possession, only felonies or misdemeanors involving more than 28
5grams may be counted
.
AB861,10 6Section 10 . 961.47 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB861,11,27 961.47 (1) Whenever any person who has not previously been convicted of any
8offense under this chapter, or of any offense under any statute of the United States
9or of any state or of any county ordinance relating to controlled substances or
10controlled substance analogs, narcotic drugs, marijuana or stimulant, depressant or
11hallucinogenic drugs, pleads guilty to or is found guilty of possession or attempted
12possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog under s. 961.41
13(3g) (b), the court, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of the
14accused, may defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms
15and conditions. For purposes of this subsection, a conviction does not count as a
16previous conviction if it was for an offense under s. 961.41 (3g) (e) 1. or 2., 961.573
17(1m), or 961.574 (1m) or, if the conviction was for marijuana possession, if the
18conviction involved not more than 28 grams.
Upon violation of a term or condition,
19the court may enter an adjudication of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided. Upon
20fulfillment of the terms and conditions, the court shall discharge the person and
21dismiss the proceedings against him or her. Discharge and dismissal under this
22section shall be without adjudication of guilt and is not a conviction for purposes of
23disqualifications or disabilities imposed by law upon conviction of a crime, including
24the additional penalties imposed for 2nd or subsequent convictions under s. 961.48.

1There may be only one discharge and dismissal under this section with respect to any
2person.
AB861,11 3Section 11 . 961.48 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB861,11,124 961.48 (3) For purposes of this section, a felony offense under this chapter is
5considered a 2nd or subsequent offense if, prior to the offender's conviction of the
6offense, the offender has at any time been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor
7offense under this chapter, except for a misdemeanor under s. 961.41 (3g) (e) 2., or
8under any statute of the United States or of any state relating to controlled
9substances or controlled substance analogs, narcotic drugs, marijuana or
10depressant, stimulant or hallucinogenic drugs, except that, if the statute relates to
11marijuana possession, only felonies or misdemeanors involving more than 28 grams
12may be counted
.
AB861,12 13Section 12. 961.571 (1) (a) (intro.), 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 8., 9. and 10. of the
14statutes are renumbered 961.571 (1) (ag) (intro.), 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 7., 8. and 9.
AB861,13 15Section 13. 961.571 (1) (a) 7. of the statutes is renumbered 961.571 (1) (c) 1.
AB861,14 16Section 14. 961.571 (1) (a) 11. (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 961.571
17(1) (ag) 11. (intro.) and amended to read:
AB861,11,2018 961.571 (1) (ag) 11. (intro.) Objects used, designed for use or primarily intended
19for use in ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing marijuana, cocaine, hashish,
20or hashish oil into the human body, such as:
AB861,15 21Section 15. 961.571 (1) (a) 11. a., b., c., d., f., g., h., i., j. and m. of the statutes
22are renumbered 961.571 (1) (ag) 11. a., b., c., d., e., f., g., h., i. and j.
AB861,16 23Section 16. 961.571 (1) (a) 11. e., k. and L. of the statutes are renumbered
24961.571 (1) (c) 2. a., b. and c.
AB861,17 25Section 17. 961.571 (1) (ac) of the statutes is created to read:
AB861,12,2
1961.571 (1) (ac) Notwithstanding s. 961.01 (4), “controlled substance” does not
2include tetrahydrocannabinols or marijuana.
AB861,18 3Section 18. 961.571 (1) (b) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
AB861,12,44 961.571 (1) (b) 4. Marijuana paraphernalia.
AB861,19 5Section 19. 961.571 (1) (c) (intro.) and 2. (intro.) of the statutes are created to
6read:
AB861,12,147 961.571 (1) (c) (intro.) “Marijuana paraphernalia” means all equipment,
8products and materials of any kind that are used, designed for use or primarily
9intended for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting,
10manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing,
11testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, concealing,
12ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing into the human body
13tetrahydrocannabinols or marijuana in violation of this chapter. “Marijuana
14paraphernalia" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
AB861,12,1715 2. (intro.) Objects used, designed for use or primarily intended for use in
16ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing marijuana into the human body, such
17as:
AB861,20 18Section 20. 961.572 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB861,12,2119 961.572 (1m) In determining whether an object is marijuana paraphernalia,
20a court or other authority shall consider, in addition to all other legally relevant
21factors, the following:
AB861,12,2322 (a) Statements by an owner or by anyone in control of the object concerning its
23use.
AB861,12,2524 (b) The proximity of the object, in time and space, to a direct violation of this
25chapter.
AB861,13,1
1(c) The proximity of the object to marijuana.
AB861,13,22 (d) The existence of any residue of marijuana on the object.
AB861,13,83 (e) Direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of an owner, or of anyone in
4control of the object, to deliver it to persons whom he or she knows intend to use the
5object to facilitate a violation of this chapter; the innocence of an owner, or of anyone
6in control of the object, as to a direct violation of this chapter shall not prevent a
7finding that the object is designed for use or primarily intended for use as marijuana
8paraphernalia.
AB861,13,99 (f) Instructions, oral or written, provided with the object concerning its use.
AB861,13,1110 (g) Descriptive materials accompanying the object that explain or depict its
11use.
AB861,13,1212 (h) Local advertising concerning its use.
AB861,13,1313 (i) The manner in which the object is displayed for sale.
AB861,13,1614 (j) Whether the owner, or anyone in control of the object, is a legitimate supplier
15of like or related items to the community, such as a licensed distributor or dealer of
16tobacco products.
AB861,13,1717 (k) The existence and scope of legitimate uses for the object in the community.
AB861,13,1818 (L) Expert testimony concerning its use.
AB861,21 19Section 21. 961.573 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB861,13,20 20961.573 (title) Possession of drug or marijuana paraphernalia.
AB861,22 21Section 22. 961.573 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB861,14,222 961.573 (1m) No person may use, or possess with the primary intent to use,
23marijuana paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture,
24compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store,
25contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale or otherwise introduce into the human body

1marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol in violation of this chapter. Any person who
2violates this subsection may be subject to a civil forfeiture of no more than $10.
AB861,23 3Section 23. 961.574 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
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