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Please see http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov for the production version.
December 17, 2021 - Introduced by Senators Bernier and L. Taylor, cosponsored
by Representatives Sortwell, Ortiz-Velez, Brooks, Tittl, Cabral-Guevara,
Krug, L. Myers, Moses, Drake, Considine and Summerfield. Referred to
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
SB790,1,10 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) 3., 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.
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:
SB790,1 1Section 1. 59.54 (25) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB790,4,42 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
9nor more than 40 hours of community service in lieu of the forfeiture. If
a complaint
10is issued regarding an allegation of possession of more than 25 28 grams of

1marijuana, or possession of any amount of marijuana following a conviction in this
2state for possession of marijuana,
the subject of the complaint may not be prosecuted
3under this subsection for the same action that is the subject of the complaint unless
4all of the following occur:
SB790,2 5Section 2. 66.0107 (1) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB790,4,186 66.0107 (1) (bm) Enact and enforce an ordinance to prohibit the possession of
7marijuana, as defined in s. 961.01 (14), subject to the exceptions in s. 961.41 (3g)
8(intro.), and provide a forfeiture for a violation of the ordinance ; except that if. If the
9board or council provides a forfeiture, the amount for the possession of not more than
1014 grams of marijuana may not be less than the maximum amount of the forfeiture
11in s. 961.41 (3g) (e) 1. nor more than $250. If the defendant appears in court, the court
12may impose for each violation not less than 16 nor more than 40 hours of community
13service in lieu of the forfeiture. If
a complaint is issued regarding an allegation of
14possession of more than 25 28 grams of marijuana, or possession of any amount of
15marijuana following a conviction in this state for possession of marijuana,
the subject
16of the complaint may not be prosecuted under this paragraph for the same action that
17is the subject of the complaint unless the charges are dismissed or the district
18attorney declines to prosecute the case.
SB790,3 19Section 3 . 66.0108 of the statutes is created to read:
SB790,4,21 2066.0108 Discretion in processing certain marijuana violations. (1) In
21this section, “law enforcement officer” has the meaning given in s. 165.85 (2) (c).
SB790,5,6 22(2) In processing a person for possession or attempted possession of not more
23than 14 grams of marijuana, as defined in s. 961.01 (14), in violation of s. 961.41 (3g)
24(e) 1., for violation of an ordinance prohibiting the possession of marijuana under s.
2559.54 (25) or 66.0107 (1) (bm), or for a violation under s. 961.573 (1m) or 961.574 (1m),

1a law enforcement officer may exercise discretion regarding what, if any, standard
2procedures to complete, including determining whether or not to take the person to
3jail, complete fingerprinting, or have a formal police photograph taken.
4Notwithstanding the use of discretion otherwise permitted under this section, a law
5enforcement officer shall obtain sufficient personal information for identification,
6including at least the person's name and current address.
SB790,4 7Section 4 . 103.157 of the statutes is created to read:
SB790,5,9 8103.157 Employer nonliability for not testing for marijuana or
9synthetic cannabinoids; exceptions. (1)
Definitions. In this section:
SB790,5,1010 (a) “Controlled substance analog" has the meaning given in s. 961.01 (4m).
SB790,5,1611 (b) “Employer" means any person engaging in any activity, enterprise, or
12business employing at least one individual. “Employer" includes the state, its
13political subdivisions, and any office, department, independent agency, authority,
14institution, association, society, or other body in state or local government created or
15authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, including the legislature and
16the courts.
SB790,5,1717 (c) “Synthetic cannabinoid" means a substance included under s. 961.14 (4) (tb).
SB790,5,1818 (d) “Tetrahydrocannabinol" means a substance included under s. 961.14 (4) (t).
SB790,5,23 19(2) Employer liability. Except as provided in sub. (3), no employer may be held
20liable for not requiring an employee or prospective employee to submit to testing for
21the presence of any tetrahydrocannabinol, synthetic cannabinoid, or controlled
22substance analog of a tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic cannabinoid in his or her
23system as a condition of employment.
SB790,6,3 24(3) Exceptions. Subsection (2) does not apply to an employer who fails to test
25for the presence of any tetrahydrocannabinol, synthetic cannabinoid, or controlled

1substance analog of a tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic cannabinoid in the system
2of an employee or prospective employee if the employee or prospective employee is
3required to subject to drug testing under any of the following:
SB790,6,84 (a) Any regulation promulgated by the federal department of transportation
5that requires testing of an employee or prospective employee in accordance with 49
6CFR 40
or any rule promulgated by the department of transportation of this state
7adopting such a regulation for purposes of enforcing the requirements of that
8regulation with respect to intrastate commerce.
SB790,6,129 (b) Any contract entered into between the federal government and an employer
10or any grant of financial assistance from the federal government to an employer that
11requires drug testing of employees and prospective employees as a condition of
12receiving the contract or grant.
SB790,6,1513 (c) Any federal statute, regulation, order, or other requirement or condition
14that requires drug testing of employees and prospective employees for purposes of
15safety or security.
SB790,6,1816 (d) A substance abuse prevention program under s. 103.503 or under a
17collective bargaining agreement between an employer and a labor organization
18representing employees and prospective employees of the employer.
SB790,6,2119 (e) Rules promulgated by the law enforcement standards board requiring drug
20testing of prospective law enforcement officers, tribal law enforcement officers, jail
21officers, and secure detention officers.
SB790,6,2422 (f) Any employer requirement that an employee be a licensed private security
23person under s. 440.26 and that the employee carry a firearm in the course of his or
24her employment.
SB790,5 25Section 5. 778.25 (1) (a) 2m. of the statutes is created to read:
SB790,7,2
1778.25 (1) (a) 2m. Under s. 961.41 (3g) (e) 1., 961.573 (1m), or 961.574 (1m) or
2a local ordinance under s. 59.54 (25) (a) or 66.0107 (1) (bm).
SB790,6 3Section 6 . 961.41 (3g) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB790,7,154 961.41 (3g) (c) Cocaine and cocaine base. If a person possesses or attempts to
5possess cocaine or cocaine base, or a controlled substance analog of cocaine or cocaine
6base, the person shall be fined not more than $5,000 and may be imprisoned for not
7more than one year in the county jail upon a first conviction and is guilty of a Class
8I felony for a 2nd or subsequent offense. For purposes of this paragraph, an offense
9is considered a 2nd or subsequent offense if, prior to the offender's conviction of the
10offense, the offender has at any time been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor
11under this chapter, except for a misdemeanor under par. (e) 2., or under any statute
12of the United States or of any state relating to controlled substances, controlled
13substance analogs, narcotic drugs, marijuana, or depressant, stimulant, or
14hallucinogenic drugs, except that, if the statute relates to marijuana possession, only
15felonies or misdemeanors involving more than 28 grams may be counted
.
SB790,7 16Section 7 . 961.41 (3g) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB790,8,1017 961.41 (3g) (d) Certain hallucinogenic and stimulant drugs. If a person
18possesses or attempts to possess lysergic acid diethylamide, phencyclidine,
19amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methcathinone, cathinone,
20N-benzylpiperazine, a substance specified in s. 961.14 (4) (a) to (h), (m) to (q), (sm),
21(u) to (xb), or (7) (L), psilocin, or psilocybin, or a controlled substance analog of
22lysergic acid diethylamide, phencyclidine, amphetamine,
233,4-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, the person may be fined not more than

1$5,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both upon a first
2conviction and is guilty of a Class I felony for a 2nd or subsequent offense. For
3purposes of this paragraph, an offense is considered a 2nd or subsequent offense if,
4prior to the offender's conviction of the offense, the offender has at any time been
5convicted of any felony or misdemeanor under this chapter, except for a misdemeanor
6under par. (e) 2.,
or under any statute of the United States or of any state relating
7to controlled substances, controlled substance analogs, narcotic drugs, marijuana,
8or depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, except that, if the statute relates
9to marijuana possession, only felonies or misdemeanors involving more than 28
10grams may be counted
.
SB790,8 11Section 8. 961.41 (3g) (e) of the statutes is renumbered 961.41 (3g) (e) 1. and
12amended to read:
SB790,8,1613 961.41 (3g) (e) 1. If a person possesses or attempts to possess not more than
1414 grams of
tetrahydrocannabinols included under s. 961.14 (4) (t), or a controlled
15substance analog of tetrahydrocannabinols, the person may be subject to a forfeiture
16of not more than $100.
SB790,8,20 172. If a person possesses or attempts to possess more than 14 grams but not more
18than 28 grams of tetrahydrocannabinols included under s. 961.14 (4) (t), or a
19controlled substance analog of tetrahydrocannabinols, the person may be
fined not
20more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both .
SB790,9,3 213. If a person possesses or attempts to possess more than 28 grams of
22tetrahydrocannabinols included under s. 961.14 (4) (t), or a controlled substance
23analog of tetrahydrocannabinols, the person may be fined not more than $1,000 or
24imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both
upon a first conviction and is guilty
25of a Class I felony for a 2nd or subsequent offense. For purposes of this paragraph

1subdivision, an offense is considered a 2nd or subsequent offense if, prior to the
2offender's conviction of the offense, the offender has at any time been convicted of any
3of the following:
SB790,9,6 4a. A felony or misdemeanor under this chapter or, except that, if the felony or
5misdemeanor relates to marijuana possession, only felonies or misdemeanors
6involving more than 28 grams may be counted.
SB790,9,11 7b. A felony or misdemeanor under any statute of the United States or of any
8state relating to controlled substances, controlled substance analogs, narcotic drugs,
9marijuana, or depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, except that, if the
10felony or misdemeanor relates to marijuana possession, only felonies or
11misdemeanors involving more than 28 grams may be counted
.
SB790,9 12Section 9 . 961.41 (3g) (em) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB790,9,2513 961.41 (3g) (em) Synthetic cannabinoids. If a person possesses or attempts to
14possess a controlled substance specified in s. 961.14 (4) (tb), or a controlled substance
15analog of a controlled substance specified in s. 961.14 (4) (tb), the person may be fined
16not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both upon a first
17conviction and is guilty of a Class I felony for a 2nd or subsequent offense. For
18purposes of this paragraph, an offense is considered a 2nd or subsequent offense if,
19prior to the offender's conviction of the offense, the offender has at any time been
20convicted of any felony or misdemeanor under this chapter, except for a misdemeanor
21under par. (e) 2.,
or under any statute of the United States or of any state relating
22to controlled substances, controlled substance analogs, narcotic drugs, marijuana,
23or depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, except that, if the statute relates
24to marijuana possession, only felonies or misdemeanors involving more than 28
25grams may be counted
.
SB790,10
1Section 10. 961.47 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB790,10,202 961.47 (1) Whenever any person who has not previously been convicted of any
3offense under this chapter, or of any offense under any statute of the United States
4or of any state or of any county ordinance relating to controlled substances or
5controlled substance analogs, narcotic drugs, marijuana or stimulant, depressant or
6hallucinogenic drugs, pleads guilty to or is found guilty of possession or attempted
7possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog under s. 961.41
8(3g) (b), the court, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of the
9accused, may defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms
10and conditions. For purposes of this subsection, a conviction does not count as a
11previous conviction if it was for an offense under s. 961.41 (3g) (e) 1. or 2. or, if the
12conviction was for marijuana possession, if the conviction involved not more than 28
13grams.
Upon violation of a term or condition, the court may enter an adjudication
14of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided. Upon fulfillment of the terms and
15conditions, the court shall discharge the person and dismiss the proceedings against
16him or her. Discharge and dismissal under this section shall be without adjudication
17of guilt and is not a conviction for purposes of disqualifications or disabilities imposed
18by law upon conviction of a crime, including the additional penalties imposed for 2nd
19or subsequent convictions under s. 961.48. There may be only one discharge and
20dismissal under this section with respect to any person.
SB790,11 21Section 11 . 961.48 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB790,11,522 961.48 (3) For purposes of this section, a felony offense under this chapter is
23considered a 2nd or subsequent offense if, prior to the offender's conviction of the
24offense, the offender has at any time been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor
25offense under this chapter, except for a misdemeanor under s. 961.41 (3g) (e) 2., or

1under any statute of the United States or of any state relating to controlled
2substances or controlled substance analogs, narcotic drugs, marijuana or
3depressant, stimulant or hallucinogenic drugs, except that, if the statute relates to
4marijuana possession, only felonies or misdemeanors involving more than 28 grams
5may be counted
.
SB790,12 6Section 12. 961.571 (1) (a) (intro.), 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 8., 9. and 10. of the
7statutes are renumbered 961.571 (1) (ag) (intro.), 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 7., 8. and 9.
SB790,13 8Section 13. 961.571 (1) (a) 7. of the statutes is renumbered 961.571 (1) (c) 1.
SB790,14 9Section 14. 961.571 (1) (a) 11. (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 961.571
10(1) (ag) 11. (intro.) and amended to read:
SB790,11,1311 961.571 (1) (ag) 11. (intro.) Objects used, designed for use or primarily intended
12for use in ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing marijuana, cocaine, hashish,
13or hashish oil into the human body, such as:
SB790,15 14Section 15. 961.571 (1) (a) 11. a., b., c., d., f., g., h., i., j. and m. of the statutes
15are renumbered 961.571 (1) (ag) 11. a., b., c., d., e., f., g., h., i. and j.
SB790,16 16Section 16. 961.571 (1) (a) 11. e., k. and L. of the statutes are renumbered
17961.571 (1) (c) 2. a., b. and c.
SB790,17 18Section 17. 961.571 (1) (ac) of the statutes is created to read:
SB790,11,2019 961.571 (1) (ac) Notwithstanding s. 961.01 (4), “controlled substance” does not
20include tetrahydrocannabinols or marijuana.
SB790,18 21Section 18. 961.571 (1) (b) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
SB790,11,2222 961.571 (1) (b) 3. Marijuana paraphernalia.
SB790,19 23Section 19. 961.571 (1) (c) (intro.) and 2. (intro.) of the statutes are created to
24read:
SB790,12,8
1961.571 (1) (c) (intro.) “Marijuana paraphernalia” means all equipment,
2products and materials of any kind that are used, designed for use or primarily
3intended for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting,
4manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing,
5testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, concealing,
6ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing into the human body
7tetrahydrocannabinols or marijuana in violation of this chapter. “Marijuana
8paraphernalia" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
SB790,12,119 2. (intro.) Objects used, designed for use or primarily intended for use in
10ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing marijuana into the human body, such
11as:
SB790,20 12Section 20. 961.572 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
SB790,12,1513 961.572 (1m) In determining whether an object is marijuana paraphernalia,
14a court or other authority shall consider, in addition to all other legally relevant
15factors, the following:
SB790,12,1716 (a) Statements by an owner or by anyone in control of the object concerning its
17use.
SB790,12,1918 (b) The proximity of the object, in time and space, to a direct violation of this
19chapter.
SB790,12,2020 (c) The proximity of the object to marijuana.
SB790,12,2121 (d) The existence of any residue of marijuana on the object.
SB790,13,222 (e) Direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of an owner, or of anyone in
23control of the object, to deliver it to persons whom he or she knows intend to use the
24object to facilitate a violation of this chapter; the innocence of an owner, or of anyone
25in control of the object, as to a direct violation of this chapter shall not prevent a

1finding that the object is designed for use or primarily intended for use as marijuana
2paraphernalia.
SB790,13,33 (f) Instructions, oral or written, provided with the object concerning its use.
SB790,13,54 (g) Descriptive materials accompanying the object that explain or depict its
5use.
SB790,13,66 (h) Local advertising concerning its use.
SB790,13,77 (i) The manner in which the object is displayed for sale.
SB790,13,108 (j) Whether the owner, or anyone in control of the object, is a legitimate supplier
9of like or related items to the community, such as a licensed distributor or dealer of
10tobacco products.
SB790,13,1111 (k) The existence and scope of legitimate uses for the object in the community.
SB790,13,1212 (L) Expert testimony concerning its use.
SB790,21 13Section 21. 961.573 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB790,13,14 14961.573 (title) Possession of drug or marijuana paraphernalia.
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