By FAITH LEMAY

The Mirror reporter

Within the next few years marijuana is predicted to be legalized in a majority of states around the US, especially for medical purposes. Hopefully, Wisconsin is no different.

Several marijuana policy reform bills were proposed, ranging from modest to extreme, during Wisconsin’s 2015-2016 legislative season but none received a floor vote.

At this point in the battle to legalize this drug, the pros outweigh the cons. Marijuana is a non-addictive substance, unlike prescription drugs. No one has ever died from solely marijuana usage alone.

State Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) tried, again, for the legislation of marijuana for the regulated sale to adults ages 21 and older. Sargent wanted to create a medical program for the seriously ill residents of Wisconsin, but the legislation did not pass through the committee process.

Changing legislation can take years, but it is worth the fight. Anyone can email their local lawmakers to support a comprehensive medical marijuana bill.

Arthritis, migraines, seizures, anxiety, cancer and terminally ill patients all benefit from medicinal marijuana usage.

Wisconsin needs to join states like Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia when it comes to legalizing recreational marijuana use. Many states are soon to follow in the rest of 2016 and 2017.

After being legalized medically, eventually the goal is for it to become legalized for all individuals regardless of if they are using it for strictly medicinal purposes.  There is a tremendous amount of  positives for making marijuana legal, or at least decriminalized.

Decriminalization is also a huge part of marijuana reform. Currently in Wisconsin an individual convicted of merely possessing less than an ounce of cannabis can face up to six months’ jail time and a $1,000 fine.

Considering in some states it is 100 percent legal, this amount of criminal punishment should no longer be allowed. Changing a simple policy as this would allow law enforcement to focus on serious and violent crimes and criminals.